For quite a number of years now, the true benefit of choosing a French holiday home over a standard hotel for example has been pretty clear to most. Make the right choice and there is quite simply so much more to gain from having your own stunning property in the middle of one of France’s most desirable regions, as opposed to opting for the more traditional alternative of staying in a smaller hotel room or guest house.
But while the benefits are both clear and abundant, this does not necessarily mean that every holiday home to let in Brittany for example is of the same calibre. Just as is the case when choosing a hotel or really anything else of importance, it’s crucial to take nothing for granted and to instead check out the specifics for yourself prior to making any kind of booking. It may all sound a little OTT and hardly the most enjoyable element of the holiday, but put in a little effort in the earliest stages and the chances of a genuinely incredible holiday flourish as a result.
Here’s a quick overview of the things to look out for when booking a French holiday home – your simple yet effective pre-booking checklist:
Exact Location
First up, it may say that the holiday cottage is in Brittany, but don’t forget that Brittany is a pretty big region to say the least. There’s a big difference between a home surrounded by gorgeously secluded gardens for example and one that backs on the busiest road for 100 miles. So rather than just taking a vague location disclosure for granted, be sure to find out the specifics.
Conveniences
Still on the same subject, also useful to bear in mind is how close or otherwise the property is to any and all essential amenities. Chances are you won’t want to spend most of your holiday driving or hiking down the same road every day, so it’s probably wise to ensure the nearest shops, restaurants and general conveniences aren’t several miles away at best.
Amenities
In terms of the property itself, it’s common to assume that every holiday home you come across anywhere in France will be of the same high standard – as would be the case in an ideal world. Sadly, the reality isn’t quite so conveniently consistent as almost every holiday home to let in Brittany you come across will be unique in terms of amenities. From washing machines to fitted kitchens to toys and games for the kids, it’s important not to just assume it will have all you want and need – find out for sure before making your decision.
Family-Friendly
In some instances, the ‘family-friendly’ badge is lavished upon any holiday home that actually accepts bookings from families with young children…that’s pretty much where the buck stops. By contrast, other will only ever label their properties as being family-friendly if they are consummately safe for kids, have plenty of toys and games for their entertainment and are located in areas where kids will, like their parents, have the time of their life. So, if family friendliness matters, find out what it really means.
Pets Allowed?
In exactly the same vein, it’s common to simply assume that pets will be welcome at the holiday home with the rest of the family and this is usually the case…usually. There’s still a huge percentage of the French holiday home market where pets are well and truly out of the question, which can in turn put a real crimp on things should you turn up and be told that at least one member of family is in fact far from welcome.
Safety and Security
Sometimes, the idea of a secluded holiday home in the middle of nowhere sounds almost too idyllic and tranquil to be true. Getting away from it all is a commonly-shared dream to say the least, but must at the same time be balanced with realistic concerns. In this instance, it’s crucial to look into the safety and security of the holiday home prior to booking – particularly if it happens to be located several miles from any traces of civilisation.
Utility Costs
Last but not least, be sure to read VERY carefully into the terms and conditions attached to utility use prior to booking – these kinds of charges can really pack a wallop. Some French holiday home owners will include all gas and electricity as standard, others will attach a set fee per day and then there are those that charge per unit used. It’s rare to be taken for a ride, but should the property charge particularly high per-unit prices and you’re in the habit of using a lot of electricity or gas, you might want to rethink your options.
