When choosing the right vacation spot for you and your family, you will ideally want somewhere with scenic views, the perfect spot for shopping, and maybe near the beach.

Of course, plenty of hotels can tick all those boxes, but for larger groups who may want to stay together on their holidays, booking a villa can often be more effective.

 

Villas are the middle ground between a hotel and an Airbnb and can provide you with much space and minimal exposure to noisy people in the next room while also being in an ideal location. As villas are larger than other holiday rentals, they tend to be nearer to common tourist sights, reducing the need to spend money on travel when you are on holiday.

As a villa is the place you return to at the end of your sightseeing trip, you will want to ensure it is suitable for your needs. Here, you will be walked through the top questions to ask to ensure you book the right villa.

1. Where Are Villas Usually Located?

Answer: As mentioned above, due to tourists wanting to book villas, they are usually located near beaches and other sights that are commonly sought after. Paros luxury villas, for example, will likely be in an area close to local shops, beaches, and sites that offer access to island-related activities, such as jet skiing.

Of course, if you are booking a villa not on an island, you will need to check where it is, as often, cheaper villas are in locations that are difficult to access by public transport or car. In such cases, you will need to consider how you’d get to it.

2. What Amenities Are Included?

Answer: In 2025, most locations will offer Wi-Fi as standard, but it is worth checking if the villa you are booking has other amenities like air-con, a private pool, and an outdoor space like a garden. You will also need to check which appliances are included in the kitchen, as this can help you decide what you may need to pack.

3. Are There Any Additional Costs?

Answer: Although this is seen more often in Airbnbs, it is worth making sure that the rental of the villa is all-inclusive. Be sure to check if there are cleaning fees and utility charges or if you will need to pay more to access areas around the villa, like the pool. As stated before, this is more common with other rentals, but it’s always good to check so you can budget accordingly. The last thing you want on vacation is a surprise bill to pay!

4. Is The Villa Family Friendly?

Answer: Not everyone who books a villa does so with friends. So, if you aim to book your vacation at a villa with your family, you should ask if the villa is child-friendly. If you have a toddler, you will want to ask about childproofing options, such as locks on the oven and coverings on the electricity outlets. You should also ask about the policy on erecting temporary stair gates.

5. What Facilities Are Nearby?

Answer: Many villas you can book are located near a town or a city, but it is always good to check if it is close to a supermarket, a medical facility, or a restaurant before you book. That way, you can rest assured that in the event of a medical emergency on vacation, you and those you are traveling with will be safe. Also, it will help you book restaurants for your evening meals.

6. How Secure is The Villa and the Surrounding Area?

Answer: Nobody wants to book a vacation spot that isn’t secured. You don’t want random strangers to walk in off the street to where you are staying!

So, always check that any villa that you book is secure and is only accessible to you, your party, and, if needed, housekeeping. This will help you to sleep well at night and can prevent theft or unwanted visitors from occurring.

7. What Are the Check-In and Check-Out Times?

Answer: This is important to know so you can get the most for your money out of the vacation spot and don’t end up paying extra by mistake. For most holiday villas, check-in is around lunchtime (1 pm), and check-out is after breakfast (11 am). Just be sure to ask and return the keys at the appropriate time to prevent paying extra fees.

8. What Are the Cancellation and Refund Policies for The Villa?

Answer: You may have booked your dream villa, only for life to throw a curve ball. It happens, and it is nothing short of upsetting. Therefore, when booking a villa, be sure to check if there are cancellation policies and what they are. Sometimes, you can book a villa and cancel it up to 24 hours before you are due to stay at it, but you will lose your security deposit. Other times, it may be returned. If you note an issue with the villa, you will also want to know about refunds and how soon you and your party will get the money back.

9. Is There Public Transport Nearby?

Answer: Hopefully, there will be someone in your group who can drive. If not, you must investigate public transport options to and from the villa to help you make the most of your holiday. If there is no public transport, and you don’t have a driver, you can book another villa or spend a fortune on taxis!

10. What Have Previous Guests Said?

Answer: Yes, you can check this online via review sites, but it is always worth asking the owners or the rental company before you book the villa for your holiday. Ideally, the villa you book will have 5-star reviews, and there will be many online images to corroborate the great times that previous guests have had. If you note that what the owners or rental group tell you does not match online reviews from previous guests, book a different villa!

 

Planning your next trip?

Then don’t forget travel insurance! You don’t want to get stuck paying a ton of money and ruining your trip if you get sick or have an accident without travel insurance. Our page with The 3 Best and Cheapest Travel Insurance on the Market can help you choose the right plan and will give you some discount coupons for the biggest insurance companies!

 

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes.

 

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.