A guide to booking a self-catering holiday

Knowing where you want to go on holiday is always a good start when it comes to finding a self-catering villa or holiday let. But if you don’t have your heart set on a destination, the things you need to consider are how many people are going and the specific facilities you need. The perfect villa for a family holiday might not be the best option for a holiday with friends, or for a romantic getaway.

How do you book a self-catering holiday?

Maybe you want a holiday let near a beach in July in Rhodes, or maybe the only thing you know is it that you need a luxury villa with a pool somewhere sunny. Deciding on the essential requirements for any holiday is the best first step for narrowing the choices available and finding the right one for you.

What types of self-catering holiday are there?

From small holiday lets in city centres, to luxury villa holidays with a private pool, there’s a huge range of self-catering holidays to suit everyone. Some are large holiday villas best suited when travelling as a large group, or as a collection of families.

Others, such as small holiday houses in towns, can be a good cheap self-catering option for couples or small families. Some holiday homes for rent are in complexes, in holiday villa hotels, where you might find you have the best of both worlds. Giving you both the space and privacy you only get with a holiday home alongside the amenities of a hotel.

How do you choose the best self-catering holiday?

Think about what facilities your holiday home rental must have. A private pool? A BBQ area? Ensuite bathrooms? Knowing your must-haves from your would-like-to-haves can help find the best self-catering holiday for you. Whether you’re looking for a holiday in Croatia, Spain or elsewhere in Europe, there’s plenty of choice. From ultra-luxury with five-star facilities to cheap self-catering accommodation, it’s all out there.

How do you find a cheap luxury villa?

Price-per-person, holiday rentals offer better value than hotels, often with more space than a hotel to boot. Usually, the bigger the villa or holiday let, the better value it is. So, consider getting together with your nearest and dearest to bag a more luxurious villa.

Why choose a villa over a hotel?

Choosing a self-catering option like a private villa or holiday home gives you the opportunity to manage your budget better. As you’ll have your own kitchen, you can have as many meals in the privacy of your villa as you’d like, helping to keep the cost of eating out to a minimum. But it’s not just money saving advantages. Opting for a private villa holiday means you’ll have more space in living areas, dining areas and outdoor space too.

By Isabella Perkins, a freelance travel writer best known for writing about self-catering holidays. Her work tends to have a family-focus, and she is in the midst of writing a new travel guide due to be published next year.