Hello Jub

Biased reply coming up as we own an apartment in Costa Almeria. However, we have used other destinations and stayed in hotels and also in other apartments both private and Tour operated. Look at 'a' and then at 'b' below and then make your own mind up. Furthermore, if anybody wants to challenge anything I've written, please do so. I wish to point out that I would not defend money grabbing private owners under any circumstances.

(1a) Apartment booked through Tour Operator would usually be basic, small, barely equipped, small terrace if any, crowded swimming pool. Same with hotels. High Rise is a possibility.
(1b) Private Apartment:- Usually larger, Minimum 2 bedrooms, Well Equipped, Washing Machine etc, Uncrowded swimming pool, Large Terrace or even Roof Terrace, comfortable furniture, parasols etc. High Rise is unlikely. Remember, the owners use the apartment themselves.

(2a) Tour Operators charge per person and load charges for specific numbers.
(2b) Private Rental is for apartment only, you decide how many people can comfortably accompany you. Low Cost Airlines operate more and more these days.

(3a) Tour Operators provide 'free 'Transfers to/from airport
(3b) Private:- You pay for airport transfers or rent a car.

(4a) Tour Operators charge top dollar during July/August.
(4b) Private Rentals are dearer July/August also, but there is usually scope for price reduction.

(5a) Tour Operators can be cheaper for 2 people only travelling.
(5b) Three people or more suggest that Private Rental is cheaper.

(6a) Tour Operators apartments can be noisy and noisier., some over discos or night clubs.
(6b) Private Apartments tend to be quieter.

(7a) Cheapies are offered by Tour Operators outside of late June, July, August. Two people together would probably have a good value holiday here.
(7b) Outside of high season Private owners cannot compete with bargain holidays for two people, but three or more is a different story.

(8a) Long Term Rentals - a month or more - can be expensive through Tour Operators.
(8b) Private Owners offer long term deals far cheaper than short term private rentals or even anything the Tour Operators dream up.

(9a) Local Tour Operator apartment complex shops usually overcharge Holiday Guests.
(9b) Local Supermarket charges everybody the same and are always cheaper than apartment complex shops.

(10a) Tour Operator is answerable in law to any complaint.
(10b) Private Owners could largely be outside of this.

(11a) Tour Operators will hammer you for extra business like tours etc
(11b) In private accommodation you decide if you want to do anything, and the less the better.

I do not know what percentage of people book privately, but I am certain the amount rises every year. Owners prefer to have people renting especially in off season as security services need not be employed. Owners usually provide a welcome pack.

If you need any information please PM or e-mail.

Hi Leprosy,

Wonderful, largely unbiased summary of the pros and cons.

We are booking privately for 3 separate holidays in 2008.

We are also talking to 2 private villa owners for Summer 2009. These weeks will be taken back-to-back for a 2-week, 2-centre, holiday - this is yet another benefit of booking private accomodation direct with the owner. As soon as we decide on our choices, we will be able to book early - mostly at 2008 prices. We can then usually adjust dates depending on flight schedules when they are announced.

leprosy, I couldn't have put it better myself ( although I tried ! ) I know some people will point out that you have some sort of comeback from a tour operator if something goes wrong, but personally, I would rather take my chances and thoroghly enjoy all the vast benefits a private rental can give as opposed to usually very basic and under equipped self catering apartments.
I say support all those wonderful people out there who want to share their lovely holiday homes with us holiday makers who want just that bit more !
cheers,
juby

Great thread!

I own a holiday apartment and have to agree with the views given. Having booked both types of holiday I would always now look for private accommodation.

Some people are nervous of booking privately but I think most owners would understand that and be happy to answer as many questions as you care to ask. As they take great pride in what they are offering they want you to have a wonderful time and will often go out of their way to make sure you are happy.

Advantages and diadvantages with both depends what your priorities are.

The original poster phrased the question in terms of 'Hotel room or private rental?' and for me if I'm going self-catering then it's no contest between booking a package with a large TO or dealing direct. I always go DIY booking direct with the owner or through a small scale local letting agent that will really know the porperties on their books. I'd never consider going to a mass market SC complex with one of the big TOs.

However, sometimes I do actually want to go to a hotel rather than SC for various reasons eg on a city break where I want to be based very centrally and know I'm not going to actually spend much time in the accommodation and certainly aren't wanting any kitchen facilities beyond making a cup of tea or coffee. And often when I'm travelling on my own I prefer the added security that can come from staying in a hotel with a 24 hr staffed reception etc. The concierge service and the local knowledge they have can be worth it's weight in gold to the lone female traveller too. A lot of the time I will still go DIY but equally it can sometimes be cheaper to book hotels as part of a package depending on circumstances and especially for a solo trip, even paying the single room supplement can still work out cheaper than paying for beds that aren't going to be used in a SC apartment and so all in all I'm not as resolutely wedded to the idea of avoiding the TO package if for whatever reason I do want to stay in a hotel.

And of course, let's not forget that not all destinations provide a good choice of SC accommodation of any sort anyway. Whether or not I book with a TO or go DIY I've only ever stayed in hotels in Tunisia (not really Europe as per the original question I know!). SC provision is very limited there and I've never much fancied the idea because all the tourist services do tend to be based around the hotels anyway. So even if I planned to eat out a lot I'd probably go B&B in a hotel rather than SC but HB is usually so reasonable in Tunisian hotels I've always booked that even if I don't actually plan to dine in the hotel each evening.

SM

nickmacuk wrote:

Advantages and diadvantages with both depends what your priorities are.

As a single parent with two teenagers, I'm sorry, but it has to be a large lively complex with plenty of families and day & night entertainment etc. We would be bored to tears in private accomodation. Obviously in few more years, when I can travel without my kids, I look forward to the peace and quiet of somewhere a bit more "select". So, yes, there are pros and cons depending on your own personal requirements.

Private villa all the way, even if its only me and the hubby! Being able to have a coffee in the morning by the pool in my pj,s with my just got up hair is priceless, having inflatable races in the pool is priceless, not sharing facilities with anyone is priceless, and my favourite, a late night swim after a bottle of wine is yep, priceless! Also the benefits of sat tv (I know you dont go away to watch tv) but after a lovely meal in a local restaurant we love to come back and watch a film or we take a blank tape and catch up on the soaps. The joy of not having to worry about other people who may not be to your liking or you to theirs. Am not an anti social person I just love being totaly independant whist away and have total peace and quite.

Sally

I discovered the joys of private rentals about 15 years ago when my kids were small and before we had the internet and we never booked with a TO again. The space, privacy, flexibilty and standard of the accomodation were just a few of the things that appealed to us - in fact we loved it so much we bought our own place about 4 years ago:

BUT we have friends who would hate our sort of holiday because they want kids clubs, evening entertainment, other children for their kids to play with, babysitting and all inclusive packages and who's to say they are wrong?

Holidays are so important and they should be exactly your idea of bliss which may not be someone else's - each to their own I say!

Good Post Jan

I wanted to go to Cyprus, but the hotels that I like 4* plus, paying for 4 adults for a fortnight during the school holidays were mega expensive.

The advice I kept getting was that I could rent a private villa for that price. But I just didn't want to go to a private villa. Like your friend I also need facilities, pools, restaurants, reception, others for my children to mix with. My idea of hell, four of us stuck in a villa probably in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps in years to come, but not now.

One persons idea of bliss is completely different from someone elses, it depends on your priorities at the time. As you say each to their own.

Doe

Also biased, as an owner!

I also increasingly go for self catering, booked direct with the owner. I think the biggest problem is the lack of quality assurance. Very few owners, submit their properties for star rating (perhaps it doesn't even exist on some countries). I have stayed in a lot more lousy self catering accommodation than lousy hotels.

For short stays, I think hotels are easier.

although i do have my own apartment and love it, i still like to visit different places and usually do a lot of long weekend breaks so we do use hotels, sometimes for a change for my little daughter we go all inc as i find these are good value and would spend about the same staying in our apartment and eating out lots, but obviously in a different area. pros for our apt is i do like the fact i can get all my washing done instead of relying on good english weather when we return , and also eating breakfast in my garden in peace, and being able to use our things we have left behind . i can see both sides of this, but if i were to pick then private would win

We have 4 of our last 6 holidays in private villas and will carry on using villas for european holidays , the 2 hotel holidays were Tunisia and Egypt which are more hotel orientated resorts. The reasons we enjoy villa holidays is the same as Sally's reasons, especially the peace and quiet, also i like the fact that you have more space , in a hotel you have your bedroom and bathroom while in a villa you have a lounge, kitchen and outdoor eating area as extra and then there's the pool and free sunbeds that haven't been bagged by people who rise earlier than the sun.

Private villas probably work out more expensive for 2 people but we think they're worth it, you save money by not shelling out for expensive drinks , poolside during the day and bar in the evening, a good bottle of rioja is only 6 euros from the shop and goes down nicely while relaxing on the patio.
We have cereal/toast for breakfast on the patio, fresh baguette salad cooked meat for lunch and eat out every night, if we feel the need or desire for entertainment we can always pop into one of the hotels, but i don't really miss enduring Black Lace's greatest hits.

I understand why families want hotel holidays as the holiday has to appeal to adults and kids and hotels cater for this.

All in all i like the home from home feel but with the added extra of a pool and sun and being able to arrange your flights to suit your arrival/departure at the times you choose.