5 reasons why Christmas is the best time of year for a holiday rental

Whether holiday high season is approaching or you’re in the depths of winter, hiring a private villa on a sunny European coastline is a tempting option at any time of year. But it can be especially enticing to rent one for a Christmas with a difference. Here’s five good reasons to consider a villa this festive season (or next)…

1. Experience winter sun

If you did a straw poll on why people want to have a beach holiday at Christmas, it’s a pretty sure bet that many would say the warm, sunny weather in winter has something to do with it. December in the UK can sometimes be a fairly grim affair: windy, rainy and grey. So, to lift the spirits, and get a much-needed dose of Vitamin D, heading to the shores of an island like Tenerife or Lanzarote certainly seems appealing.

2. Have Christmas dinner your way

Choosing a Christmas holiday rental that offers self-catering is a great way to still have Christmas your way, rather than simply booking into a hotel. You can still decorate a holiday home if you wish, making it feel like a home-from-home, and having your own kitchen on holiday means you can still create a traditional Turkey roast if you want to. You could even hire a caterer to do all the hard work for you.  Although perhaps the idea of non-traditional tapas is part of the appeal of travelling to Tenerife or another Spanish location as a Christmas holiday destination!

3. Escape the hustle and bustle

A self-catering Christmas break not only means your own private getaway, but the chance to escape the crowds and spend time with your loved ones. Transport yourself away from the busy high streets and overstuffed bars and restaurants, and try leisurely meals in your own private holiday villa, far from the Christmas madness back at home. A Christmas holidays break in a destination like the Canaries or Balearics is also a chance to get some proper rest in the extra space that a holiday let allows. Many Christmas holiday villas even have private swimming pools.

4. Hit the beach at Christmas

The beach in the UK at Christmas is a blustery at best, downright stormy at worst. But you’ll still find pleasant climates in December at the sandy beaches of the Balearics and Canary Islands. It’s no wonder some people make a beeline for island destinations at this time of year. Shunning traditional resort hotels means festive snugness can still be created in the relaxing surrounds of a holiday villa that offers all the space and amenities of Christmas at home but gives you fresh options.

5. Stay close(-ish) to home

Choosing a Christmas break destination like Menorca or Majorca means that you’re not far from home, so you don’t spend too much precious holiday time travelling. And whether you choose to rent a holiday villa over Christmas itself, or in the time between Christmas and New Year to recover from the merriments, you don’t have to go too far. You’ll find pleasant beach weather and that away-from-it-all feeling that can be so desperately needed after the busy festive period.

By Lara Scott. A former executive at a major hotel chain, Lara Scott is a freelance travel writer and journalist. She says her previous career gives her extra insight into both sides of the tourism industry.