Choosing the self catering option for your holiday

You have saved up and now you are taking your family on holiday.The decision is now whether to go to a hotel or to choose the self catering option.A hotel holiday is obviously the more expensive option but the advantages are that you do not have to worry about making meals or washing clothes or is there enough linen or even doing the dishes.The advantages of choosing a self catering holiday however has far more advantages.

On the whole, a self catering holiday is cheaper especially if your whole family is going on holiday. You are able to negotiate a special daily rate for accomodation as you are speaking directly to the owners themselves especially if you are a bigger group and going for longer than 7 days.

It is more flexible to fit your family’s needs and especially the needs of your children.

More privacy for you and your family.

You are more likely to find out about special places to visit which are not commercialised by speaking directly to the owners of the chalet who most likely are locals and have some “insider” tips for you.

The money you have saved from choosing the self catering option will enable you to take the family out to eat at restaurants.Furthermore owners of chalets have special “deals” with surrounding restaurants where their clients get a special cheaper price if they dine at certain restaurants.

You are able to negotiate a special daily rate for accomodation as you are speaking directly to the owners themselves especially if you are a bigger group and going for longer than 7 days.

You will be able to take your family on many excursions and enjoy much more activities at a much cheaper price as hotels always add a “levy” on activities that you book through them.

If you have now decided to take the self catering option the following are things to find out about before choosing which self catering resort you will be going to:
Self catering facilities can vary enormously and it is really a question of getting what you pay for. Top end properties and villas will have TVs with satellite channels, DVDs, dishwashers and good quality furniture and more basic accommodation can mean that you have more simple facilities.
Use the web to check out more information, photographs and in some cases user reviews. Look at photographs for image distortion where smaller room are made bigger by the use of wide angle lenses.
Check for currency savings as paying in a weak local currency such as the dollar at the time of going to print can mean great savings.
If you have children check with the brochure, the owner or on the booking website whether the property is suitable for children. If it is not appropriate such as being filled full of antiques or has extremely high quality furnishings both you the owner and you may be uncomfortable with this as an option.

If you have young children and in particular toddlers check that the pool has a shallow end or a sheltered entrance. Check also if there is a pool whether it is big enough for the party size and not just a plunge pool and whether or not it is heated, which usually costs extra.
Before you book, check out how far the accommodation is from the facilities you wish to visit such as theme parks, local towns, shops, restaurants and public transport. Investigate whether the property is on a busy road or down steep steps and whether you will need to hire a car. If times are given check if they are by car or by foot and read between the lines.

It is important to check how many bedrooms and beds there are. Sleeping six for example, in a ski resort could mean a one-bedroom apartment with two pull out couches as spaces often are very limited. Check also what is supplied and how you can use what is supplied. For example in some villas pool towels are supplied but you are not allowed to take them to the beach. If children are supposed to sleep in bunk beds whether or not there are safety rails. Enquire also about linen and how often it is changed and if you need to bring any towels or sheets. Proprieties at the lower end of the market may be more limited in this regard.

Consider whether or not there could be any hazards such as a pool and if there are young children open fires and marble floors/steep steps may not be suitable. Safety is always a concern and if there is a pool check that it has a fence, an alarm or a hard cover. Also ask about whether there have been many incidents of crime and whether they were petty or serious.

If you are going for the self catering accommodation option, organizing babysitting can be a little more difficult. Try to make contact with the owner or the villa/self-catering company where possible and see if a good reliable babysitting service could be made available.

Children have a finite amount of time that they can spend in the back of a car and while you can fill your car with interesting car games and things to do, getting to new destinations with children can bring obvious difficulties. We would suggest that you check the directions carefully before you set off and be absolutely clear as to your check in times as to allow for changeovers and cleaning you are not usually handed the keys until mid-afternoon whereas you have to leave a property usually first thing in the morning. Consider this also before you book your flights as you may wish to avoid a very early morning outbound flight.

Find out if they have a pick up and drop off service to and from airport if you are flying to your destination.

Find out if the kitchen is equipped with some basic foods in case you arrive at a difficult time when shops are closed. In most cases you are able to request that they stock up with some basic breakfast cereals just to get your family going until you familiarize yourself with the surrounding shops.

There is a bit more planning involved when choosing a self catering option but the rewards far outweigh the hotel option. Besides your family pictures and experiences will be of a more unique base as you will have experienced how the locals live, where they go to and what they do to have fun. Just because you had some “inside” information.