Arillas Forum

Welcome to Arillas => Accommodation reviews => Independent accomodation => Topic started by: Rachel B on January 24, 2014, 02:09:21 PM

Title: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 24, 2014, 02:09:21 PM: I'm on booking.com at the moment looking at accommodation (obviously lol) - I am just wondering, should i continue with the booking on there or contact the apartments myself and make the booking direct with them?

I had this thought because the hotel i work at also uses booking.com and they charge 15% commission for every booking made for using their website. So i thought, would the apartments prefer me to contact them instead, that way they'd receive the full amount when i paid on arrival?! Or do they prefer Booking.com to deal with it for them? I have no idea!

This independent booking malarky scares me!! lol There's so much to think about. I knew there was a reason why i always used travel agents!

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Bella on January 24, 2014, 02:43:36 PM: Hi Rachael,

In an ideal world it would always be better to give the money direct to the hosts but it all depends on the price you get offered. Last June I booked through Booking.com as it was cheaper than booking direct with the owner but then on my return visit in the October it was the complete opposite and was cheaper booking direct by a mile!

Don't worry about booking independently. It's a bit daunting the first time but after you've done it once you will never look back as overall it works out much cheaper and much more flexible on dates and flight times. I am pay 15 Euro's per night and with my flight out at £39 and return at £59 think it way cheaper than any package holiday I could get :>)

Bells xx
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 24, 2014, 02:55:01 PM: Thanks Bella.

I guess once i get the go ahead and have decided on the apts, i'll contact them and see if they are charging the same as booking.com.
I can't believe how cheap the flights are! The return ones aren't as good as your £59 one but as you said, it is definitely cheaper than a package deal!

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Sparky on January 24, 2014, 03:07:31 PM: Hi Rachael,

Have been booking independent for getting on 20 years now in both Corfu and Turkey and only a few hiccups. The big advantage we have found is that you get the accommodation you want without the silly supplements added on by tour operators. We always have a list of things that have to be done and tick them off as done so we dont miss anything. Always book flight first, then accommodation (if you ask they can arrange the transfer though arillas is always expensive as has to be taxi cos no practical public transfer), then car hire, and finally the UK overnight stay. Have found that once the owners get to know you, they always accept payment on arrival, but initially is usual to do a bank transfer and they will give you all the bank codes you need to get you bank to do it. Be daring and give it a go and have the feeling that youve put one over on the tour operator.

Chris
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Bella on January 24, 2014, 03:17:02 PM: Hi Rachael,

I booked the fights the day they were released - always very cheap but then they go up pretty quickly (due to the rush I think) but do start to drop again after the initial booking frenzy!

Why not set up a fare alert on one of the flight comparison sites like momondo.co.uk once you know what dates you can go and get emailed the cheapest as and when they change?

Bells xx
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Truth on January 24, 2014, 03:40:43 PM: Agree with Bella , as a rule its cheaper to go through an agent than direct to the owners. In the ideal world we would all like to pay more and go direct to the owner but in the ideal world we would all be filthy rich ! lol
Saying that I was much better off going directly through Tria this year wheras last year the opposite was true.....
Don't be scared of it , its easy ....
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Jo Wissett on January 24, 2014, 06:19:32 PM: As a family of 5 it has always been cheaper going independently than package, but more importantly it allows us to stay in our perfect spot! If there is just the two (or 1) of you I really dont think there is much in it
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 25, 2014, 01:03:05 AM: Hi Chris.

Yeah the supplements they add on are a pain in the bum! Through travelling alone the past few years, i have noticed the sneaky little under-occupancy fee they like to add on!

I'm okay with the taxi transfer as i did that last year, it is a little pricey but it's worth it. I'd much rather pay a little more and be there in 40 minutes rather than being on a coach for a couple of hours!

It's just the booking flights then having a panic over worrying if there'll be accommodation available for the chosen dates. I'm sure it will run smoothly (hopefully!) Just first time doubts i guess. Thanks for the advice

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 25, 2014, 01:04:27 AM: I'll have a look on that site Bella, Thanks.

I've only looked on easyjet, their prices have come down a fair bit since i last looked. We are restricted as to when we can go so i'm just hoping they aren't all snapped up within the next few days!

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 25, 2014, 01:05:31 AM: Thanks Truth,

I've looked at a few package deals and Tria has been the cheapest option. Not bad prices at all. If i wasn't being fussy, i'd have booked to stay there i think, but I want to be nearer to the sea/beach etc.
I was thinking of just booking the flights as soon as and then when i'm there in August, i could go to a few places and see about the availability & cost etc.
I imagine that if i showed them our flight details, that would be confirmation enough to pay them on arrival? as i'm not too sure about the bank transfer thing?!!

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 25, 2014, 01:07:02 AM: Hi Jo,

I've looked at a few different package deals and there isn't much difference between them really. Like you say with booking independently, you get to choose exactly where you stay. A few places that were on the top of my list are full for around the time i wanted :(
Ah well, hopefully this time next week, it'll all be sorted! :-) - If not, i'll sleep on the beach lol

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Val n Bill on January 25, 2014, 01:38:18 AM: Hi Rachel,
have a look at Bardis Sun Hotel which is the hotel with the big pool at the bottom of the road from the Makris where you stayed last time. Doritas prices are very good and breakfast is included. There is a fridge and kettle in the rooms which is all you need if you usually eat out. Martin-W has the phone numbers I think.

Val x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Bella on January 25, 2014, 01:43:49 AM: My number one place to stay! email Dorita here: info@bardis-hotel.com xx
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 25, 2014, 01:55:09 AM: Thanks Val

I liked the look of Bardis Sun Hotel when i was there last year. I'll get in touch with them and see! :-)

Thanks for the email address Bella :-)

Rachel
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: emeralddragons on January 25, 2014, 02:44:19 AM: Quote from: Truth on January 24, 2014, 03:40:43 PM
Agree with Bella , as a rule its cheaper to go through an agent than direct to the owners. In the ideal world we would all like to pay more and go direct to the owner but in the ideal world we would all be filthy rich ! lol

I certainly do not agree with Truth. Booking our own flights and then booking independently for accommodation in Arillas, directly from the owners, has definitely proved cheaper!
This also gives the satisfaction of knowing that one's euros stay in the village.
Emeralddragons
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Erja on January 25, 2014, 09:55:50 AM: Quote from: emeralddragons on January 25, 2014, 02:44:19 AM

I certainly do not agree with Truth. Booking our own flights and then booking independently for accommodation in Arillas, directly from the owners, has definitely proved cheaper!
This also gives the satisfaction of knowing that one's euros stay in the village.
Emeralddragons

I concur! I have been doing independent travel to Arillas for years now and definitely like to see my Euro's to stay in the village than with the faceless tour operators.

Besides tour operators charge insane amounts for a single supplement. So if I go alone so that is not an option for me in any case.

But as in the past few years I have had to try to coordinate the logistics with Heidi who arrives from Finland and tour operators just do not have what we need to get to Arillas from two different countries on a same day staying in the same place :)

Viva la independence! 8)
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Truth on January 25, 2014, 12:07:44 PM: Hi Rachel,
Tria let you pay on arrival yes , no problem.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: ger on January 25, 2014, 02:36:05 PM: Our first time booking independantly last year, scary right upto leaving for the airport. Everything worked perfectly. We paid when we got there, the owner did want a deposit, but as she didnt have an english bank account my bank wantex £40 to do the transaction!!!! I e mailed and offered my credit card details, or even to send euros by post, but it was no problem we paid the whole amount when we got there. This time we paid a deposit before we left, then waited anxiously for the flights to be released!!!
Ger x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: adamcal on January 25, 2014, 08:37:50 PM: has anyone booked through travel republic,particulary the transfers,its seems like a good deal for a return transfer for two,just wondered if anyone has used them
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 26, 2014, 04:10:51 AM: emeralddragons & Erja,

I would much prefer to give my euros to the people of Arillas, but websites such as Icelolly.com and Booking.com etc are very competitive and at times, offer very good prices. If they're offering what i'm after for a cheaper price, that would be the option i'd pick.. for my pocket's sake! At least it leaves me with extra spending money for when i'm there :-)

Thanks Truth,

I won't be staying at Tria, I just meant any of the apartments in general. I had read in previous posts that once the owners get to know you, they let you pay on arrival. So i thought that if i were to show them flight details, it would be confirmation to whoever that i will definitely be coming to Arillas rather than them thinking it was just an enquiry.

Hi Ger,
I know, i'm worried that i'll miss something really important and end up stranded! lol.
The payment (if booking direct) is really the only thing that concerns me now, i'm definitely not comfortable with emailing my card details, and i've read in other posts that they've also been charged for the bank transfers :-/ so i may just wait until i'm there in August and like you, leave a deposit.

adamcal,

I have never heard of travel republic before, i'll have a little nosey now and see :-)

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: kevin.g on January 26, 2014, 11:46:14 AM: Rachel
do what suits you ,im a regular visitor and book both ways, sometime s a package deal is cheaper other times I book indie coz it suits my time I wanna go, as long as you get there what the hell, in these finacially hard times do whats best for you pocket , xx
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Jersey Bean on January 26, 2014, 12:20:50 PM: Used Travel Republic lots of times but don't know if I'd use them for transfers to Arillas. It would most probably be transfers through Lord Travel and you can be left waiting ages at the airport. I use their transfers a lot in Spain as they are so cheap. We always book and pay our accommodation deposit whilst on holiday for the following year and the remainder when we arrive.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Jo Wissett on January 26, 2014, 04:47:26 PM: I have used Travel republic a few times and never had any problems. Didnt have a clue they offered transfers as well! Will have a little look..
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Ron and Sue on January 26, 2014, 05:12:17 PM: Have used Travel Republic many times but not for Arillas.Always found them excellent and the transfers have always been reliable and on time.Have not found another site to beat them for choice or price. Ron.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: justphil on January 26, 2014, 05:59:01 PM: Just looked at transfers, but Bobby at Bardis Sun always finds us the best possibe (ie cheapest) deal. And Kostas at Marvel does it himself. And Dimitri at Brouklis arranges with Noula for us. And of course Anna has a whole family of men drivers!

We always rely on the locals, not some internet service trying to make a profit on top of the cost. Wherever you are staying, ask the owner to organise your transfer.

Phil
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: jean on January 26, 2014, 06:41:32 PM: Just booked! Can't wait! Booked independently, Easyjet out, Ryanair back, cheaper than last year with Easyjet both ways! Booked Anna's Studios through her web site 25th Aug for 15 nights. 9th /10 visit, lost count! Looking forward to seeing her and her wonderful family and hopefully some familiar faces too.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Truth on January 27, 2014, 12:06:26 AM: Quote from: Erja on January 25, 2014, 09:55:50 AM
Quote from: emeralddragons on January 25, 2014, 02:44:19 AM

I certainly do not agree with Truth. Booking our own flights and then booking independently for accommodation in Arillas, directly from the owners, has definitely proved cheaper!
This also gives the satisfaction of knowing that one's euros stay in the village.
Emeralddragons

I concur! I have been doing independent travel to Arillas for years now and definitely like to see my Euro's to stay in the village than with the faceless tour operators.

Besides tour operators charge insane amounts for a single supplement. So if I go alone so that is not an option for me in any case.

But as in the past few years I have had to try to coordinate the logistics with Heidi who arrives from Finland and tour operators just do not have what we need to get to Arillas from two different countries on a same day staying in the same place :)

Viva la independence! 8)

I don't travel alone, I am can only speak from a personal point of view and my circumstances. As Kevin says in hard times I have to do what's best for us and no disrespect meant to anyone here, I am sure that the locals of Arillas would would be looking for the best deal that they could get if they were travelling to England.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Bella on January 27, 2014, 01:12:37 AM: Hey!

We all do what we feel is right for us, our families and our pocket!
Whatever is the best way to get to where we want to be is the right way!
If that is by way of a package holiday - great! if that is by way of an independent booking - also great! As long as we all end up in Arillas spending our hard earned cash in the various establishments who gives a damn how we got there as long as we did?

Bells xx
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Eileen on January 27, 2014, 07:39:41 AM: [/quote]

... I am sure that the locals of Arillas would would be looking for the best deal that they could get if they were travelling to England.
[/quote]

I quite agree with you Truth. I'm sure they would too. Not always, but fairly frequently I book friends and family into apts through Booking.com rather than direct. It makes sense - and as Bella says they all end up spending their hard earned cash in Arillas anyway.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Truth on January 27, 2014, 08:30:28 AM: But after saying all of that I DO prefer to go to the owner direct! Roll on 4 months I say and Mythos . . . .
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Eileen on January 27, 2014, 08:38:37 AM: Well there you go then. We all agree we do what suits us when it suits us :-)
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 27, 2014, 09:05:36 AM: I've never bothered to look into booking independently before. I can't even say I've considered it :-/
I've just been happy to pay that bit more and let the travel agents do all the work for me while I've sat back and dreamt about laying on the beach haha - but that was before trying to fit 2 holidays abroad in!
When I've just been paying for myself, i haven't really thought about what a good deal for a holiday should be, I've just opted for what i liked the look of.
However, in October, there may be two of us so now it's time to shop for that bargain! lol

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Steve & Carole on January 27, 2014, 12:14:46 PM: We booked independently for the first time last year. It was very straight forward, we had far more flexibility regarding dates etc and there's something nice about about handing money over to the people who are providing the service as opposed to a firm in the UK who pay rock bottom prices to the provider and take their cut. Already booked independently again for this year.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Ron and Sue on January 27, 2014, 06:16:08 PM: Have travelled both ways over a good few years but recently have found it far cheaper to book package holidays than to travel independently.We travel from Manchester so this may not be true from other departure points.By booking as soon as the companies release their programmes we find that we have ample choice of dates and accommodation.Thomsons normally have Mathraki and Kaloudis whilst TC have Tria ,Akti, Rainbow, Makris. Everyone to their own choice---------as long as we get there does it matter???
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on January 31, 2014, 09:14:37 AM: Booked my flights this morning.. Yay!! :D

Not sure on the accommodation yet, plenty of time to decide on that but I'll be there from 8th - 12th October... right in time for the Beer Festival WHOOP!! :D

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Val n Bill on January 31, 2014, 11:24:09 AM: Get it done soon then Rachel......because the accommodation is filling at an alarming rate, the festival was very popular last year.

Don't forget all the people taking part have to have somewhere to stay as well.

Val x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Erja on February 01, 2014, 10:00:09 AM: Quote from: Rachel B on January 31, 2014, 09:14:37 AM
I'll be there from 8th - 12th October... right in time for the Beer Festival WHOOP!! :D

Good job Rachel! :)
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on February 02, 2014, 01:30:00 AM: Thanks Erja,

I've never been abroad twice in the same year before so feel very lucky that i am able to do so this year! 2 trips to Arillas within a couple of months and the Beer Festival... couldn't get any better! Can't wait! :D

Hi Val,

Accommodation is sorted - Just booked it 10 minutes ago! I'm staying at Hotel Akti :D

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Val n Bill on February 02, 2014, 01:47:35 AM: Hi Rachel, we love the Akti although we have never stayed there :)

We always spend the last hour with Spiros in the bar before going back to the Mathraki.......you will love it. He has our drinks poured as we walk in the door.

Val x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Bella on February 02, 2014, 01:55:00 AM: Same here Val - love to end the night sitting at the bar talking to Spiros - he's just adorable and the bar is oh so cosy! See you in there in October Rachael xx
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: Rachel B on February 02, 2014, 02:13:53 AM: Sounds good Val, I'm really looking forward to it :-)

You certainly will Bella! :D

..I take it i can book my airport transfers through Spiros then?

Rachel x
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: justphil on February 02, 2014, 07:36:48 PM: Jen and me are who we are, and we love Spiros and Olga to bits. But our Arillas takes us where it does, and seems to exclude some of the people who want to be our friends. We are a blank sheet, and anyone can write on it. But in the end we want Arillas, we want that mile of sea, we want those folk like Perry, Hana and Kostas in the Nut even more than that amazing seaside.

The Facebook and forum stuff is fun, but on April 7th we4 will be where we belong, and will probably share some if we get time.

Phil
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: cypress on February 02, 2014, 08:51:21 PM: I'm beginning to understand.... I think. I love the outstanding beauty of the area, but could it be the genuine welcome, the kindness, the love of life, and the personality of the people in Arillas that draws me back? I have seen breathtakingly beautiful parts of the world before but nowhere that I left a part of me until I could be whole again on my return.

Yes...I've got it bad, I'm still counting the days, hours and minutes until July. Nearly there, nearly counted a year away, and then it'll be gone in a flash of sun, sea, heat, good food, laughter and rum.
Title: Re: Booking independently....
Post by: justphil on February 02, 2014, 09:45:44 PM: cypress, it is hard to admit those feelings, but so good to do so. Arillas in its tiny corner of Magoulades has this effect on some of us. I feel blessed to understand it like you do, and I am proud to do so. BRAVO!!!!!

Phil