Are you thinking about choosing self catering accommodation for your next family holiday? We’re a family of four, with two girls who have very different holiday tastes — one can’t get enough of the sun or the pool, while the other prefers to play indoors with her dolls, coming out for the occasional dip before retreating back from the sun’s rays.
Catering for both can make a family holiday tricky, with one parent stuck by the pool while the other retreats to a hotel room or apartment. Not ideal for a family break!
A friend suggested a self catering villa with our own pool. I initially thought this would be beyond our budget, but with a bit of research — and choosing destinations with low cost flights — we’ve had three amazing holidays where everyone in the family was catered for.
Based on our experience, here are our top tips for choosing self catering accommodation for a family holiday.
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Do Your Research
It’s worth spending time researching your options. There are some great deals to be had on self catering villas and apartments, especially if you’re willing to wait until closer to your trip to book.
We typically check bigger booking sites first, and then, if we find somewhere we like, see if the property has its own website to book direct — this can sometimes work out better value.
We also read reviews from previous guests and check other travel websites to get a feel for the area before committing.
Booking Flights
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Flights can end up being the least expensive part of the trip if you spend time comparing routes and options.
In the past we’ve booked flights first when they’ve offered good value, and waited until closer to travel to get a good deal on the villa. This works well if your destination is popular, as there tend to be plenty of villas to choose from.
Check In and Checkout
Search by check-in date when researching, as some properties only accept bookings arriving on certain days.
If your flight home leaves in the evening, check in advance whether late checkout is possible, or whether you can leave luggage somewhere to collect later. You could also consider booking an extra night if the price is right, giving you a full day there before heading to the airport.
On one trip, with a hire car, we spent the day at a water park before making our way to the airport, leaving our luggage in the car and just taking what we needed. Many water parks have showers and changing facilities where you can freshen up before your flight home.
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Look For Locations Near Amenities
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A property near a town, or with good transport links to one, can cost a little more but often gives you more freedom on holiday.
Sometimes you can find places within walking distance of a local town or village, meaning you don’t need to hire a car unless you want to. It also means you can walk in for the evening without worrying about driving home afterwards.
Check What the Deposit Covers
Always check what the deposit is and what your payment includes — for example, electricity, or heating the pool.
Check too whether there’s a cleaning fee or other extras not covered by your initial payment, and be sure to find out how and when you’ll get your deposit back after the holiday.
Choose Somewhere with a BBQ
Cooking outdoors doesn’t feel like such a chore when you’re on holiday, and most destinations have a great selection of local produce on offer in the nearest supermarket.
A place with a BBQ also gives you the freedom to cater for fussy eaters. And let’s face it — food always tastes better cooked over hot coals!
Consider the Welcome Hamper
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If you’re landing late at night, it may be worth taking up a welcome hamper if the host offers one. It saves you having to find something to eat before you’ve found your bearings.
Arrive Prepared
Check in advance what’s provided. Most rentals supply bed linen and bathroom towels, but may not provide beach towels. Knowing this in advance means you can decide whether to bring your own or pick up inexpensive ones locally and leave them behind afterwards.
If your accommodation has a dishwasher or washing machine, pack some detergent tablets to bring with you. Small box sizes aren’t always available locally, and hosts don’t always supply them.
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Swimming Pools
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Pool safety requirements vary by country, so if you’re travelling with small children, check what safety measures — such as fencing or a gate — the villa has in place around the pool.
Depending on the time of year, it can also be worth asking about a heated pool. This may come at an extra charge, so check before you travel, as these costs can add up.
Entertainment
Not every property offers streaming services, so if you rely on one, pack a favourite box set to catch up on once the kids are in bed.
Most rentals do offer a board game, or might have a pool table or darts board. Bring a pack of cards too, and rediscover some of the card games you played as a child.
It’s also worth asking the host if there are books you can borrow during your stay. Unless you have an e-reader, books can eat into your luggage weight and space, and many properties have shelves full to enjoy.
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Don’t Forget Your Holiday Checklist
Don’t miss our Ultimate Family Holiday Checklist, designed by parents to make getting ready for your next family holiday that bit easier.
Tell Me More!
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Pros and Cons of Booking Self Catering Accommodation
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Pros:
- Different tastes and family sizes can all be catered for.
- Facilities – most have well-equipped kitchens with everything you need to cook some meals, cutting back on eating-out costs.
- Less luggage – many have washing machines, so you don’t need to pack as much.
- Privacy – with a villa or a small complex, you won’t have to share the pool with large numbers of other guests, and there’s no need to save sunbeds at 6am.
- Comfort – no rush to get out of your room before cleaning staff arrive.
- Space – you’ll usually have a sitting room as well as bedrooms, plus outdoor space to enjoy.
- Entertainment – most come with books, games and DVDs, and some even have TV, streaming or gaming setups to keep everyone amused.
Cons:
- Expense – it can sometimes work out more expensive than a hotel break, though you can offset this by eating some meals at home, watching for flight deals, and saving on luggage costs thanks to the washing machine.
- Transfers – without a hire car, you’ll need to organise your own transport to your accommodation. Some hosts can arrange this for you, or apps like Uber can make it relatively straightforward to book in advance.
- Social – you may miss out on meeting other families if your accommodation stands alone, though you can make up for this with off-site activities, or by choosing a self catering property within the grounds of a holiday village or hotel.
- Catering – you may simply not want to cook while you’re on holiday, and that’s worth weighing up too.
We hope this has inspired you to do some research and look into what’s on offer when it comes to self catering accommodation for your next family holiday — you might be pleasantly surprised!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is self catering accommodation cheaper than a hotel for a family holiday?
Not always — it depends on the property and time of year. You can offset the cost by eating some meals in, comparing flight deals separately from accommodation, and saving on luggage since most rentals have a washing machine.
What should I check before paying a deposit on a self catering property?
Check exactly what the deposit and initial payment cover — for example, electricity or pool heating — and ask whether there’s a separate cleaning fee. Also confirm how and when your deposit will be returned after your stay.
Are self catering pools safe for young children?
Pool safety rules differ from country to country, so always check what safety measures — such as fencing or a gate — a property has in place if you’re travelling with small children.
What do self catering rentals usually provide?
Most provide bed linen and bathroom towels, but not always beach towels, so it’s worth checking in advance. If there’s a dishwasher or washing machine, bring your own detergent tablets, as small sizes aren’t always supplied.
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