A villa can be a good fit for a family or group, but there is no universal standard for what a rental includes. Work through the practical details below and keep the answers with the written booking confirmation.
Property and stay checklist
- Exact property location and map pin
- Bedroom layout and guest capacity
- Pool depth, visibility and child safety
- Actual route to the beach
- Hillside gradient, stairs and road access
- Airport and local transport arrangements
- Housekeeping frequency and hours
- Chef service and food or shopping costs
- Total rental price for the stay
- Taxes, service charges and extra fees
- Security deposit amount and return process
- Cancellation and change conditions
- Identity of the accommodation provider
- Secure payment arrangements
- Written booking confirmation
Confirm the exact property
Request the complete address or map pin before payment. Compare recent photographs, the bedroom layout and exterior features across the provider's materials. If the location is withheld until after payment, ask why and consider whether you can verify the property independently.
Check capacity and bedrooms
Maximum guest capacity can include sofa beds, bunks or temporary beds. Ask for a room-by-room schedule showing bed types, bathrooms and which rooms are detached. Confirm rules for infants, children, visitors and events.
Understand access and transport
A short map distance can hide a steep hill, unlit road or lack of pavement. Ask whether ordinary taxis reach the entrance, whether drivers need advance directions and what transport is recommended for groceries and evenings out.
List every included service
Confirm housekeeping days, linen changes, pool care, utilities, drinking water and staff hours. If a chef is available, establish whether ingredients, shopping transport, service fees and special-diet preparation are separate.
Calculate the total price
Request one written total covering the full stay and all mandatory charges. Identify taxes, service charges, cleaning fees, extra beds, electricity limits, airport transfers and card or currency fees. Treat refundable deposits separately and note when and how they will be returned.
Verify the provider's identity
- Identify the legal person or business receiving the booking and payment.
- Check that contact details are consistent across the website, invoice and payment instructions.
- Search the property name, address and images to look for conflicting identities or duplicated advertisements.
- If an agent is involved, ask how its authority to offer the property can be confirmed.
- Use an independent contact method where possible rather than relying only on a link sent in a message.
Use secure payment arrangements
Payment instructions should match the named provider or clearly explain an authorised payment processor. Be cautious about sudden bank-account changes, pressure to pay immediately, cryptocurrency-only requests or requests to move communication away from the documented booking channel. Confirm changed instructions through a previously verified contact method.
Keep written booking terms
The confirmation should identify the property, dates, guest count, price, deposit, remaining balance, included services and cancellation conditions. Save copies of the description and correspondence as they appeared when you agreed.
A desirable date or a claimed discount is not a reason to skip identity checks, written terms or a secure payment route.
Sources and further reading
This is general travel information, not legal or financial advice.