Rental Villa in Spain: Some tips and guidelines
The term "villa" has now become so broad-based and flexible that it refers to anything from a mountain-top casa to a medieval fortress, a country hacienda or a fishing shack, a cottage in the woods or a farm-house in a vineyard, a chic condominium or an apartment in a bustling metro.
A villa need not always evoke the impression of movie-star luxury and decadent living! It could be a cozy, friendly space with magnificent views and minimal furniture, it can be miles away from civilization or it could be in the heart of a city, in a busy neighborhood. Some so-called villas have been found to be the upstairs portion of a noisy restaurant with constant food smells drifting into your bedrooms.
It's all about location! Quite a few villas are situated at remote locations and you could end up paying a huge amount in taxi fares. Local transport may be available, but the timings could be unsuitable, and if you have young kids or seniors in the group, access to medical facilities is important. A safe location is essential – cliff-tops and beach-fronts are great but could pose safety hazard for kids.
Ensure that what you see in the colorful brochures and lyrical ads is real fact – this can be done by contacting the owner and requesting photos and testimonials. Get pics of interiors, the living-rooms, bedrooms, baths, kitchen and common areas. You'll also require a floor plan sketch to give you an idea of the layout – this is essential if you're traveling with children, seniors or people with special needs. Some villas may have separate entrances for upstairs bedrooms, which may be great if you have teens or couples in your group. Another important aspect is to confirm the number of bedrooms and beds. This could be crucial when you have large and mixed groups which have both couples and singles. Check the bath and kitchen facilities for cleanliness and essential appliances. There should also be alternate power-supply in case of outages.
Always check the weather conditions before you travel. Remember Spanish summers are sweltering and there are mosquitoes too. Winters in the mountains can be freezing.
After you have made suitable inquiries, get some references and do your own independent checking. If you are opting for a long-term rental or lease, the paperwork needs to be done, with the appropriate translations, bank accounts and legal requirements. Before signing any contract, ensure that you have it vetted by your attorney. Deposits or advances may be paid and adjusted against final payments. July-August is peak season so if you travel outside of this time, you could get great deals.
Ensure you arrive at the villa during the daytime, as country roads are not sign-posted accurately. This gives you more time to settle in and relax before you embark on sight-seeing.
A villa rental is the best holiday choice you can make in Spain!
A villa need not always evoke the impression of movie-star luxury and decadent living! It could be a cozy, friendly space with magnificent views and minimal furniture, it can be miles away from civilization or it could be in the heart of a city, in a busy neighborhood. Some so-called villas have been found to be the upstairs portion of a noisy restaurant with constant food smells drifting into your bedrooms.
It's all about location! Quite a few villas are situated at remote locations and you could end up paying a huge amount in taxi fares. Local transport may be available, but the timings could be unsuitable, and if you have young kids or seniors in the group, access to medical facilities is important. A safe location is essential – cliff-tops and beach-fronts are great but could pose safety hazard for kids.
Ensure that what you see in the colorful brochures and lyrical ads is real fact – this can be done by contacting the owner and requesting photos and testimonials. Get pics of interiors, the living-rooms, bedrooms, baths, kitchen and common areas. You'll also require a floor plan sketch to give you an idea of the layout – this is essential if you're traveling with children, seniors or people with special needs. Some villas may have separate entrances for upstairs bedrooms, which may be great if you have teens or couples in your group. Another important aspect is to confirm the number of bedrooms and beds. This could be crucial when you have large and mixed groups which have both couples and singles. Check the bath and kitchen facilities for cleanliness and essential appliances. There should also be alternate power-supply in case of outages.
Always check the weather conditions before you travel. Remember Spanish summers are sweltering and there are mosquitoes too. Winters in the mountains can be freezing.
After you have made suitable inquiries, get some references and do your own independent checking. If you are opting for a long-term rental or lease, the paperwork needs to be done, with the appropriate translations, bank accounts and legal requirements. Before signing any contract, ensure that you have it vetted by your attorney. Deposits or advances may be paid and adjusted against final payments. July-August is peak season so if you travel outside of this time, you could get great deals.
Ensure you arrive at the villa during the daytime, as country roads are not sign-posted accurately. This gives you more time to settle in and relax before you embark on sight-seeing.
A villa rental is the best holiday choice you can make in Spain!
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