We spent the last 2 weeks of our world trip in the Greek Isles. We quickly discovered why Greece is one of the top 10 most favorite vacation spots in the world. With over 60 beautiful islands, tranquil beaches, towering mountain ranges, and other historic sites, we never ran out of attractions to explore here. We found that for a 2 week stay renting a Greek villa not only gave us the most bang for our buck, but also allowed us to more easily connect with the locals.
For those who have never experienced renting a villa, or really never considered it, you’re probably naturally curious about the rental process. Listed here are 6 questions to ask before renting a villa in Greece with its corresponding answers and additional tips so you can relax and enjoy your vacation to the fullest and not have to worry about anything else.
First, you’ll definitely need to ask what the price ranges of the villas are. Prices of villas range from approximately $1,500 to $100,000 per week depending on where you want to stay. Some of the factors in determining the price of a villa are as follows: location of the villa and to be specific the island or region it is in, the size, number of bedrooms, architectural design, and the time of year you choose to travel. Villa rentals cost more during peak season so you’ll save more if you plan your vacation during off-season.
Second, you’ll need to know what is included in the rental package. You should check individual villa descriptions for a full summation of which services and amenities are included and which are not included in the villas you are interested in, as services and amenities vary from house to house and from location to location. Does it include TV, stereo, full kitchens, 24-7 maid service, or airport greeting and escort?
Third, you’ll also need to ask what the additional costs are, if there are any. Additional costs are utility costs such as house heating, pool heating, long distance calls, internet connection, laundry services, and in Europe, they may charge electricity consumption if over a certain level. So, you should always check with your reservation or travel agent before booking a villa, as there are some add-on costs in some locations, to avoid going over your travel budget.
Fourth, you should inquire how far in advance you should need to book the villa. The rule of thumb is, if you are sure you want a particular villa, you should not think twice and put a deposit on it right away, as popular villas always get booked months in advance. In some locations, they put you on a wait list if your particular preferred villa is currently not available. However, in most cases, it is a first-come-first-served basis.
Fifth, you should ask the accounting of cancellation fees. Usually, if you cancel your booking within 30 days of travel, it will result in a full forfeiture of the full rental price; if outside of 60 days of arrival, the cancellation fee is 20–25% of the full rental price; and if between 60 and 30 days of arrival, the cancellation fee is 50% of the full rental price. You should check with your travel and reservation agent for the specifics and accounting of the cancellation policy as these may vary from location to location.
Lastly, you should ask how many people you could bring with you. Usually, the maximum occupancy for Greece villas is two persons per bedroom, unless a maximum occupancy number is stated otherwise. If you arrive with additional people and above the maximum occupancy allowance, it may be grounds for the owners or management to ask you to leave the villa and to forfeit your rental.