Have you ever felt confused with the types of properties that are available for short-term rentals?
Depending on where in the world you are heading you may find a different name for the same type of property.
In the U.S. a common wording for most types of holiday rentals are vacation rentals. Well, it is obvious since for them holidays are vacations!
But in our part of the world, vacation rentals come in a variety of categories and types of properties.
But what should you really look for in a specific destination if you would rather enjoy a stay at a private home instead of a hotel?
Here are the most common types of vacation rental properties in most countries around the Med.
Studios
Usually within a complex of apartments or just studios. Studios are usually open spaces and can accommodate 1 to 3 persons maximum.
Of course, they have a kitchen and a private bath.
Villas
In most cases, detached or semi-detached houses, are those with several bedrooms, more than one bathroom, a kitchen, living areas, patios, gardens, etc.
They also have a pool that can be private or shared. In recent years you can find villas within hotel complexes.
Luxury Villas
In unique locations, these are beautiful detached houses offering:
Privacy, beautiful gardens, bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a kitchen, living areas, a private pool, and a set of services to match those of 5* hotels.
On rare occasions, these properties have also one or more private beaches.
Agriturismo
Small complexes with studios and/or apartments in the countryside.
They usually operate like small hotels offering breakfast as well and some of them may feature also a restaurant.
Casa
In Italy and Spain, this is the same as a villa. In Italy, a vacation rental is a Casa Vacanze. Casa can also be a big apartment though.
Chalets
These beautiful properties are commonly found in the mountainous areas of Europe only.
The Italian Alps. Chalets are directly connected to winter and skiing holidays.
Bed and Breakfast / BnB
Even though a lot of websites explain this type as a private room in a home inclusive of breakfast.
This is not so accurate.
In Italy, you will find hundreds of BnBs which are small complexes that operate like hotels. And some of them like boutique hotels.
Guest House
Greece is full of guest houses.
But similarly to BnBs in Italy, these operate like hotels, and the main difference is that they have just a very small number of bedrooms.
A lot of the Guesthouses in Greece are fit for luxury travelers.