How to make the most of self-catering accommodation – The Irish Times

Don’t limit yourself. It’s tempting to just search Airbnb when looking for a nice place to stay at home or abroad. Do not give in to this temptation. While Airbnb certainly gives you an idea of ​​what’s on offer, it’s not the only game in town. Have you heard of letgoselfcatering.ie, for example? Or uniqueirishhomes.ie? Cast your net wider and selfcater.com has tens of thousands of homes worldwide, while vrbo.com also worth a look. In short, do your research. You’ll be glad you did.

Do not get fooled. No matter which platform you are on, the criminals will be there too and there is always the danger of you being scammed. If you are on a well-established platform, you have some degree of protection, but only if the transaction and communication is done on the real platform. Be very, very suspicious, when it comes to self-catering, if someone you’re dealing with asks you to communicate outside the platform or offers you a discount if you’re paying by bank transfer. The moment you send money to someone who is directly renting a property, you are opening yourself up to a scam.

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Research the areas you hope to visit. Look for accommodation where the locals live rather than in tourist hotspots. In Rome, for example, you could probably find a nice apartment near the Spanish Steps or Piazza Navona, but you will pay dearly for it, while a nicer apartment like Testaccio will not only cost a fraction of the price but will allow you to live more like a local and feel super smug at the same time.

Do your homework when it comes to public transport and supermarkets. An apartment near a metro or metro and within walking distance of a good supermarket will save you time and money.

Keep the lines of communication open. Don’t be afraid to ask the person renting the accommodation questions about where you will be staying. Most people are nice and like to offer advice and help. Not only will a good relationship with the accommodation owner or manager help you know what’s going on ahead of time, but it will also increase your chances of getting a positive review after your stay. And who doesn’t love a glowing review!

Always ask for early check-in and late check-out. Generally speaking, people offering self-catering accommodation are more flexible when it comes to letting you in and evicting you. As long as it hasn’t already been occupied by someone else the day you arrive, or booked for the day you leave, they will probably let you check in early and check out late as they know it will help them to get a positive review. . It’s okay to ask.

Be healthy. Leave the accommodation as you found it and be positive in your feedback about the accommodation. Even if things weren’t exactly as you had hoped, you don’t want to come across as mean-spirited in your reviews.