Booking villa early

[Freyja]

What´s the earliest you´ve ever booked a villa? Do villa owners usually offer discounts if you book far in advance?

I´m thinking of 3 weeks over christmas 2008. What would be the best time to book?

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

The last villa we booked for a Christmas vacation was booked 12-15 mths in advance. Now as an owner we have not had any enquiries for Christmas 2008 yet but a few for September/October 2008 so it looks like some people are looking booking early.

You may get some sort of discount as it is a 3 week booking but as it is the main holidays most owners do find it an easier time to fill their homes. Just find something you like and ask the questions.

Tracey

 

[Freyja]

Thanks!

 

[nala-h]

yes freyja as a villa owner myself i do take well advanced bookings, its a good idea for places like windsor hills as it is very busy over holiday periods, also i give this years prices.
i know a lot of owners do the same.

allan.

 

[babieemelly]

We've rented homes for the past four years, and we've always booked around a year in advance. Last year we booked 8 months in advance, and that was the latest we've waited. A lot of the really nice homes book up pretty fast, so if you know your travell dates and your plans then I say go ahead and book! I haven't heard of owners giving deals for booking far in advance, though. We've only seen owners giving last-minute rental deals.

 

[psharrock]

We've had several enquiries for Christmas 2008, but we are using it ourselves during this time. We have 4 weeks booked for 2009 even got an equiry for July 2009 yesterday.

I think if you have decided on an area, then pick a villa as soon as possible, so that you have a wide selection to meet your needs.

Paul

 

[dougsmom98]

I agree, I try to book as soon as I have my flights (usually 331 days prior), so that I have the best selection. Last year we didn't book our Feb. flights until the beginning of July and we didn't have as many options as I like. Many homes we had narrowed our search down to were booked, so we had to go back to the drawing board. If you need three weeks to be open, I would definitely look as soon as possible.

 

[Sanibel Spirit]

HI

I have just booked our villa for April 2009. The owner is being very good about a reduced deposit and being flexible about the precise dates in case we can't get the exact flight dates we want.

I feel great knowing I have something planned!!

 

[andyhayley]

It really does depend on the villa you want.

If its a specific villa, they can book up early.

Our villa is now booked up for virtually all of 2008 without discounts, but it is a very specific property.

I would look around now.

 

[mike256]

Hello Freyja,

As we have booked it about 14 months before and it really It really does depend on the villa you want. We have been booked our Villa through http://www.springvacationrentals.com, and the owner was very co-operative so i would like to suggest u to check the site which list really good Quality condos, Villas and houses. Hope that make u think about. Have a pleasent stay..

Good luck!

 

[deejay-55]

If you have found a place you like, go for it before some else does!

 

[Freyja]

The thing is, my DH might be changing jobs and I don´t want to pay a high deposit for some specific dates if we would have to change our plans.

 

[Freyja]

The thing is, my DH might be changing jobs and I don´t want to pay a high deposit for some specific dates if we would have to change our plans.

 

[Freyja]

The thing is, my DH might be changing jobs and I don´t want to pay a high deposit for some specific dates if we would have to change our plans.

 

[5mins2disney]

The thing is, my DH might be changing jobs and I don´t want to pay a high deposit for some specific dates if we would have to change our plans.

I don't think the deposit is as big of a deal as the cancellation policy. Read the "fine print" on this carefully. Ours is full refund of any deposits - a $50 cancellation fee, for instance, which isn't really that much to lose if you cancel (up to 6 weeks in advance). Many require 8 weeks advance notice. I agree with the above posters, if you want to be able to get your choice of the best places, for Xmas season, for a 3 week stay, you need to book it far in advance.

I don't know about other owners, but since Xmas is one of the very "peak" seasons we never discount during these rates, we will typically receive 100s if not 1000s of inquiries for those dates, so no need to offer any! Although, you would be locking in the current rates, by next Xmas many may raise their rates, so there's that to consider as well. For a 3 week stay though you might get a slight discount, it all varies from owner - owner, but keep in mind, it also varies based on the home. The most popular (and therefore some of the best!) places won't necessarily need to discount, especially this far in advance!!