Self-catering villas with pools are one of the most popular options for a family holiday

(31/03/2008)

Renting a private villa with a pool is the ideal solution for a relaxing family holiday. With a private villa, the daily fight for sun loungers is avoided and parents can keep any eye on the kids from wherever they are, while still getting space to relax themselves. Kids can splash around all day long, while parents relax by the poolside, on the balcony or in the garden, safe in the knowledge the kids are close by in a secure, enclosed environment. In minutes, they can be whipped out of the pool and put to bed, and then once they’re asleep, parents can sit back with a chilled glass of wine and simply drink in the views.

A survey of over 1,000 visitors to Holiday-Rentals.co.uk in December 2007 found that access to a pool is crucial for families and that having private facilities is the main reason they choose rental accommodation over a hotel. Figures in Mintel’s ‘self catering holidays report’ in 2007 reinforce this; having a private pool was identified as the most enticing element of a self-catering holiday and this was particularly true for families with teenagers.

Holiday-Rentals.co.uk currently lists more than 45,000 properties worldwide, over 9,000 of which are private villas with pools. To facilitate the search, a special ‘villas with pools’ index is accessible directly via the homepage, and from here a variety of filters help identify a list of perfect properties in just a few clicks. Each individual property page contains at least four colour photos, a detailed description and a full list of facilities, plus a 12-month availability calendar, rental rates, and an email form for contacting the owner.

Here, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk presents its pick of the best for 2008. All properties listed below are in ascending price order and were available during the Easter school holidays (Sat 5- Sat 12 Apr), May half term (Sat 24-Sat 31), summer holidays (Sat 26 Jul-end Aug), or October half term (25 Oct-1 Sep) at the time of going to press.

TOP 10 VILLAS WITH POOLS IN EUROPE:

1) Costa de Almeria, Andalucia, Spain
Large 3 bedroom family villa with private pool, tucked away in a quiet location but just 25 minutes from beaches, shops and restaurants.
SLEEPS: 6
AVAILABLE: few weeks in Apr & May / 25-31 Aug / 11-17 & 24-31 Oct
PRICE: £295 to £695 per week

2) Javea, Costa Blanca, Spain
Private air-conditioned three bedroom villa with a private pool which has stunning views over Mount Mongo, and surrounded by olive, orange, almond groves and vineyards.
SLEEPS: 6
AVAILABLE: All Apr, May & Jun / most of Aug / all Oct and rest of year
PRICE: £400 - £995 per week

3) Corralejo Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
This rustic style bungalow is located in a quiet cul-de-sac know as 'Las Casitas'. The villa has a private heated pool and is situated only 100 metres from the beach...a minute's stroll!
AVAILABLE: Mon 25 Aug- Mon 1 Sep / all Oct
PRICE: £601 to £940 per week

4) Trasimeno area, Umbria, Italy
This 5 bed ‘agritourism’ farmhouse is located between Tuscany and Umbria and set in large private gardens with gazebos and a large private swimming pool. The surroundings are full of rich and typical foods of the area such as wine, extra-virgin olive oil, sausages and more.
SLEEPS: 10
AVAILABLE: 28-31 May / 25-31 Aug / all Sep, Oct and rest of the year
PRICE: £902 to £1,879 per week

5) Arezzo Area, Tuscany, Italy
Charming five bedroom Tuscan house set in two acres of land amongst sunflower fields. With private vineyard, large pool and ample shaded seating space
SLEEPS: 8
AVAILABILITY: 1-26 Apr / weeks left in May, Jun, Jul / 10-23 Aug / 11-31 Oct and rest of year
PRICE: €1,200 to €3,000 per week (£902 to £2,632)

6) Granada Province (Costa Tropical), Andalucia, Spain
Stunning four bedroom villa surrounded by lush fruit groves with infinity edge pool overlooking the sea
SLEEPS: 8
AVAILABLE: 1-19 Apr / good in May & Jun / all Sep / beginning & end Oct / rest of the year
PRICE: from €1,300 to €2,200 per week (£978 to £1,654)

7) Antibes, Cote d'Azur - Riviera, France
Villa Oleander is a luxury 3 bedroom/3 bathroom villa in Mougins, sleeping 6-8, and is set within a mature, south-facing Mediterranean garden with breath-taking views over the old village (15 mins walk) and the Bay of Cannes.
SLEEPS: 8
AVAILABLE: 5-12 Apr / 23-31 Aug / good in Sep / all Oct & rest of the year
PRICE: £1,100 TO £3,200 per week

8) CELEBRITY PROPERTY - Portimao region, Algarve, Portugal
Owned by footballer Steve Guppy and his brother Andy, this five bedroom villa is sure to wow any guests! Set in the grounds Of Alto Golf & Country Club, the villa boasts luxury furnishings and fantastic facilities.
SLEEPS: 11
AVAILABLE: 5-12 April / last 3 weeks May / some weeks in Jun & Jul / 9-16 Aug / Oct half term and rest of the year
PRICE: £1,152 to £2,450 per week

9) Latchi Area, Paphos region, Cyprus
This luxurious, large 4 bed villa has breathtaking views and a private pool and Jacuzzi.
SLEEPS: 8
AVAILABLE: 5-12 Apr / 9-25 Jun / last weeks of Sep / all Oct & rest of the year
PRICE: £1,429 to £1,691 per week

10) Perugia area, Umbria, Italy
Villa Capanne is a six hundred year old 4 bed farmhouse, beautifully restored to retain its original charm. The property sits on the 1,000-hectare private Antognolla estate, amid gentle rolling hills and centuries old Cypresses. SLEEPS: 8
AVAILABLE: 1-11 & 18-30 Apr / few weeks in Jun & Jul / 16-30 Aug / 25-31 Oct and rest of the year
PRICE: £1,429 to £2, 632 per week

Greg Grant, Managing Director, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk says, “Self-catering villas with pools are one of the most popular options for a family holiday and thanks to the huge range of privately owned accommodation now available online, there is a bigger choice than ever before. In addition, renting a private property provides huge savings off travel agent prices; sometimes up to 40% or even more. This is why more and more people are choosing to book their holiday homes direct with owners on sites like Holiday-Rentals.co.uk”.

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