Does the thought of choosing your vacation rental stress you out? Afraid of making the wrong choice? Of being taken for a ride? Worried you’ll be disappointed with your rental as soon as you set foot in it?
We’ll show you how to avoid all these inconveniences and how to avoid any unpleasant surprises on your vacation in Guadeloupe.
We’ll show you how to avoid the pitfalls of booking vacation accommodation on the island.
When is the best time to look for a vacation rental in Guadeloupe?
The holiday season is when vacation rental rates are at their highest, as demand is very high. We therefore advise you to plan your booking well in advance if you want to spend Christmas in the sun.
- High season in Guadeloupe coincides with the winter months in Europe. It starts as early as the All Saints’ vacation (October/November) and ends at the end of April (covering the Christmas, February and Easter vacations).
This period corresponds to the dry season in Guadeloupe, which offers not only a very pleasant climate, but also a great cultural richness with the traditions of Christmas, the West Indian Carnival and Easter.
- Low season runs from May to June, then from September to mid-October.
This is a time of year when the influx of tourists is lower. That’s when you’ll find the best-value vacation rentals. The months of May and June are ideal for enjoying the island and its sublime beaches, without the crowds of the high season, as they are not affected by the rainy season (which runs from mid-August to mid-October).
Target the vacation rental that meets all your needs
Holidaying with the family, lovers or friends?
It seems obvious, but it’s important to remember: you’re not going to choose the same accommodation if you’re a couple, a family or a group of friends.
For example, an entire family will need the space and amenities to sleep, cook and swim in a private pool.
The advantages of renting a villa (compared with a hotel) are a larger space, a private environment and often a better price because it’s shared between several family members.
Take nearby activities into account
Location is crucial. Choose it according to the activities and trips you plan to make.
Many people coming to Guadeloupe like to wake up to a panoramic sea view, then enjoy the sun and beach, without having to get in the car to enjoy the show. A beachfront rental is ideal in this case.
On the other hand, if you enjoy sightseeing and cultural visits, why not opt for a downtown rental? You’ll have easy access to all points of interest.
When renting your villa or apartment, be sure to ask about the activities available in the surrounding area. This is especially important if you’re on vacation with your family.
You’ll rest easier knowing you’ll have plenty to do with your children. Far from being bored, they’ll be able to let off steam and have fun in a safe environment, close to home.
Whether you’re a fan of horse-riding, hiking, scuba diving or water sports, it’s a good idea to know how close these activities are to your vacation home.
Practicalities: shops
Another important point is to know the proximity and type of shops in the area.
- Having a supermarket nearby can save you a lot of time and help you out in case of urgent need.
- It’s great to have a nice little bar or restaurant within easy reach. Especially on those days when you’ve got no plans for dinner and don’t want to cook after a good day on the beach.
How to choose your vacation rental?
There are two ways to find your vacation rental:
- Renting between individuals
- Renting through a real estate agency specializing in short-term rentals
Even if renting between individuals is all the rage, there are several pitfalls to avoid if you don’t want to find yourself without accommodation, or to avoid a big disappointment when you arrive in Guadeloupe.
Vacation rentals between individuals
Some unscrupulous rental companies can charge surprisingly low prices. If you’re comparing offers online, you’ll start to get an idea of what a vacation rental costs.
So if you see this kind of “too good to be true” offer, run away!
It’s likely that the property doesn’t exist, that the photos show a property that’s not for rent and that your landlord is trying to rip you off.
When renting from individuals, beware of the services provided. This can vary greatly from one renter to another and you have no guarantee of the quality of the services (access to a private swimming pool or not, airport transfer, cleaning, wifi, etc.).
Renting through a private individual means that you will have to do all the research yourself in order to :
- Define the city or location that best suits your needs,
- Target the specific area close to amenities and activities that appeal to you,
- Eliminate time-consuming online property searches,
- Make your selection
- Read reviews
- Check services and cancellation conditions
- Ensuring availability
In short, you’re going to spend a lot of time on it. But if you’d rather have the property that meets all your dreams and desires right away, consider entrusting your search to professionals.
Use a real estate agency for your vacation rental
Using a real estate agency to choose your vacation rental has many advantages: PrestigeVillaRental.com
Once you’ve outlined your vacation plans and requirements, the agency will immediately offer you a selection of properties, chosen according to your criteria, dates and budget.
There’s no time wasted, no need for you to check every detail. Your agent does it for you. All you have to do is tell him which property you like, and he’ll take care of the rest.
All properties are selected and inspected by the agency, which means that the team has ensured that each villa, each house, each apartment, meets the quality standards of seasonal rentals.
The icing on the cake is that prices are fair because you rent directly from the agency, unlike private individuals who have to inflate their rates to absorb the commissions of online booking platforms.
Using a rental agency means you’ll have someone you can trust on the spot, who knows Guadeloupe like the back of his hand. The rental agency is there to accompany you before and during your stay. You have a team of professionals on hand to answer your questions and advise you. It’s the guarantee of an ideal vacation, with no nasty surprises.
Latest recommendations
To make sure you can trust your rental company, there are a few things you should check or require:
- Make sure your rental company is serious by choosing a reputable professional.
- Ask for a complete description of the vacation rental (including additional photos).
- Be sure to read the cancellation conditions (deposit, advance payment, cancellation insurance).
- Check that there is a contact on site
- It’s the law to insist on a written rental contract. Mandatory information includes: name and address of lessor and lessee, dates of stay, rent, utilities, type of accommodation and floor area, security deposit, inventory of fixtures.
- It’s best to pay by credit card, because if anything goes wrong, your bank will reimburse you. This is not the case with bank transfers.
- Even a good location will require a car rental. We recommend this article to find your car rental in Guadeloupe.
