Hi All!

New to this site, (so hello everyone!!) been reading the forums as I'm hoping to come to Lanzarote in September. However, I've looked at lots of villas and found numerous ones I like (Faro Park and Playa Real), but I'm really concerned about booking the villas.

I've never booked a villa before - (holidays always been through travel agents) - and I don't know who to trust, what questions to ask, what questions should I be asking? Essentially, what I'm asking is - How do I know what is genuine or not?

Please help!

Thanks - any advice would be much appreciated.

Well am sure the agents will be descending on you iminently!!

All I can say is that its a buyers market so to speak - there are loads of nice villas around so make sure you knock the price down and paly them off against each other - there's a massive oversupply so you should get a good deal!

The last 2 years I've booked direct with the owners and found them on www.holiday-rentals.com . This year I found one through www.luxuryvillaslanzarote.com , bawbee on here and other lanzarote forums runs it.

I've never had any problems and you will have an e-mail address,'phone number and postal address of the owner.

Most of the questions I've asked are about deposit, pool size, flught times, etc.

Most owners will ask for about £100 a week deposit or 25%. One owner last year asked for 50% up front and it was not refundable.Needless to say I didn't book his villa.

Make sure you tae travel insurance out anyway so you will be covered for cancellation.

Best of luck, booking this way has saved me a small fortune.

I would also take a look at http://www.lanzarote-playablanca.com they have some stunning villas.
Nina x

I think you are generaly preety safe booking direct with villa owners, look at tghe listings which have been on for a while and maybe look for those with testemonials etc as well.
The sites all listed above offer some good options, you have also lanzarote breaks and several others "out there"
If you do a quick google and ask for villas direct from owner playa blanca or similar youll find many more.

We booked twice direct with owners. In France it wasn't a problem because the owner lived really close but in Lanza is was a complete nightmare because the owner was back in Ireland. We had a late flight couldn't find our apartment for ages and then when we had problems it took them ages to sort anything out. Our bad luck I guess LMAO. But for the last 2 years we used Lanzarotelates in Play Blanca and there office is in the town so when we had a problem with a window they sorted it out. Just booked the same villa again with them for October and they've been great. It is always a worry but knowing I can pick up the phone and someone is close means the world to me. Tina & John

Thanks all for the advice.

I was just a bit worried because I've never had to deal with just the owner's before and was worried about which sites are reliable etc.

I've picked numerous villas I like but it's always worrying sending money to someone, if there's a problem with the villa, getting the keys etc. Just a bit concerned really.

Thanks again - happy holidays here I come!

try http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/Canary-Is ... zarote.htm

ive used them 3 times now ,,no problems at all

Hi Sweetcorn,

Drop Angie an email at http://www.lanzarotelates.com/ as I've always found her helpful and very reliable.

Keith.

hi sweety a paper/magazine i use is daltons weekly so just google it and click on holidays and follow it through. you can always nearly barter them down, also a outfit called p kelly villas always got a good deal from paidraig just google it

i've booked with www.ownersdirect.co.uk for lanzarote and menorca, never had a problem, very smooth each time, everything was as advertised.

I think in the main all of these sites are ok, but you just have to bear in mind you are making a contract with an individual not a company usually. like everything else some are good some are bad, but I would imagine if there were any cause for complaint then the people in question would not be allowed to advertise.

hy sweetcorn, for how long are you staying in Playa Blanca. I am going there in september too for long period. Are you looking for roommate??

Sweetcorn - I do recommend personally www.lanzarotelates.com as Angie has looked after our clients and more importantly my family when they have come to visit

Kristina - I've just been involved with a new company set up for long-term rentals here in Playa Blanca check them out www.playablancarentals.com - I also do have a friend that is on the lookout for a roommate (she is a 20year old girl) and so you can always drop me a PM and I'll send you her phone number!

Cheers All!
Phil

Hi i am sorry i can not answer your question as i have never been to Lanzarote yet,i am going this september and i am looking forward to it so much.I did wonder if any of you know of Villa Yeray it is apparently in the middle of Playa Blanca and very close to all you would need on a holiday.It is also in a residential area/
Thank you in advance Marion