How to choose a reliable holiday rental ? My tips for avoiding unpleasant surprises !

Planning your holiday is exciting... but you still need to find the right accommodation! Between scams, unpleasant surprises on arrival and misleading adverts, it's best to know how to navigate the process. Here are 10 practical tips to help you book with peace of mind and enjoy your stay to the fullest!

1. Choose trusted platforms

Booking through reputable websites often provides a minimum level of guarantees:

• rating system

• customer support

• secure payments

• cancellation policy

💡 Tip: avoid listings on unknown websites or payments "outside the platform".

2. Check out the reviews (on different websites)

Traveller reviews are a real gold mine. They allow you to:

• identify the positives and negatives

• check whether the listing is accurate

• assess how responsive the host is to messages

⚠️ Warning: a property with no reviews may just be new... or suspicious. A good indicator is the regularity and authenticity of the reviews. If you only see positive reviews, that's also suspicious! When you read a negative review, see if it comes up often from other people.

3. Look carefully at the photos

Photos must be:

• numerous

• recent

• taken from different angles

• representative of the spaces (interior + exterior)

• identical to the photos in the reviews

❗ Only one blurry photo? Only one angle? This is often a bad sign.

4. Lis bien la description (même les petits détails)

The description often provides information about:

• the actual size of the accommodation

• the facilities available (Wi-Fi in the bedroom or common areas only, air conditioning, mosquito nets, quality of bedding, equipped kitchen, access to the garden or swimming pool, etc.)

• the conditions (check-in/check-out times, pets, cleaning, etc.)

📌 Tip: make a list of your essential requirements (e.g. cot, parking, fully equipped kitchen, Wi-Fi, etc.) and check that they are mentioned.

5. Check the exact location

Some adverts simply state "close to the beach" or "5 minutes from the centre"... without specifying whether this is by car, on foot or as the crow flies!

Don't hesitate to ask for details of the address so you can check on a map afterwards!

6. Communicate with the owner or host and ask as many questions as possible!

Make a list of your requirements and essential criteria before calling them. And don't forget, a good rental company should be:

• responsive

• clear in their answers

• available in case of problems

Ask specific questions (e.g. disabled access, house rules, Wi-Fi connection, etc.). This will help you gauge their professionalism and transparency.

7. Be vigilant when making payments

Never pay:

• by direct transfer without a contract

• via suspicious links sent by email

• in cash (without proof)

✅ Always opt for secure payment via the platform or a signed seasonal rental contract, especially for rentals between private individuals.

8. Compare the services offered with the accommodation

Don't hesitate to ask:

• Bike or canoe hire or loan?

• Breakfast?

• Arrival and departure times?

• Airport shuttle?

• Good quality Wi-Fi everywhere?

9. Found the perfect place? Great! One last piece of advice:

Now that you've chosen your accommodation, compare prices one last time on different reputable platforms.

You may find the same accommodation, but a little cheaper (some platforms charge higher commissions or cleaning fees, or offer discounts if you rent for a week or more. Others offer last-minute deals or discount vouchers).

10. What if there is a dispute?

If you end up with a nasty surprise (accommodation not as advertised, host not there, etc.):

• take photos immediately

• contact the platform's support team and request a refund

With these few tips in mind, have a great holiday!