The best self-catering accommodation providers named by Which? – Jet2Villas is number 1
Which? has made a ranking of the best self-catering accommodation providers – and it is Jet2Villas that has come out.
It is followed by Brittany ferries and Gîtes de France tied for second place. Tripadvisor, meanwhile, is at the bottom of the table – although it still ranks highly.
The ranking is based on a survey that asked respondents to rate 11 self-catering accommodation providers across seven categories, including cleanliness, whether the description matches reality, customer service and value for money.
Top class ‘Jet2Villas’ has a score of 82 percent and receives five stars for the range of accommodations, the booking process and the description that corresponds to reality.
Which? trip says: ‘It offers villas in dozens of resorts in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, with clients impressed by the offerings – from simple terraces with shared pools to stylish townhouses with hot tubs and gyms.’
Which? has made a ranking of the best self-catering accommodation providers – and it’s Jet2Villas that came out on top. Upstairs is a Jet2Villas property – Villa Sorian Kokkino – in Kefalonia, Greece
The watchdog notes that all of its package holidays also include round-trip flights and car hire, with one respondent calling Jet2Villas an “easy company to deal with and good value.”
To sum up his verdict, Which? says that ‘whether you’re on a tight budget or want to get a lot out of it, Jet2Villas cover popular sun-soaked destinations while still delivering a personal touch’.
Joint-second Brittany Ferries and Gites de Francenow receive a score of 81 percent. Looking at the first, which one? says the holiday homes offered by Brittany Ferries are ‘all close to the company’s ports of call on the French Atlantic coast and in the verdant north of Spain’.
It says: ‘Choose from rustic cottages and apartments in family-friendly complexes, with your return ferry included as part of the package – you’ll get a cabin on an overnight crossing to Santander or Bilbao.’
The ranking is based on a survey that asked respondents to rate 11 self-catering accommodation providers in seven categories
a vacation home in Pleubian, Brittany, on the list of Brittany Ferries, which are joint second
Gites de France, a French organization that lists tens of thousands of properties across France, is tied for second place. Upstairs is one of the properties between Nantes and Ancenis
The watchdog does note that there is a ‘minus’ to booking with Brittany Ferries – ‘although you can browse properties online, you will need to call to check availability and book’.
When completing the survey, one respondent said of their experience with the company, “The whole experience was great, from booking to traveling on the ferry and arriving at our destination.”
What is the watchdog’s verdict? It reads: ‘For a driving holiday with all the protection of a package holiday, look no further than Brittany Ferries.’
As for Gîtes de France, which one? says: ‘This French organization has tens of thousands of properties across France, from alpine chalets to chic seaside villas (along with B&Bs and campsites). Each is vetted and rated out of five epis (ears of corn) for amenities and comfort.”
The watchdog notes that most Gîtes de France properties can be booked online, and while the terms and conditions are in French, you can request English versions from the company’s Paris call center.
Which? does note that one respondent said it is ‘easier to get excellent service’ from the company if you speak French.
Third place goes to British Airways Holidays, with a score of 79 percent. Above is the Zafiro Menorca resort – British Airways Holidays are offering a seven night stay there from £324 per person
Sharing his verdict on the provider, which one? says: ‘Gites de France, the cheapest provider in our survey, can help you discover the more hidden corners of France.’
Third place goes to British Airways Holidayswith a score of 79 percent and five stars in the categories ‘description matches reality’ and ‘range of properties’.
In general, which ones? notes that big name booking websites are now instinctively people’s first port of call – more respondents booked with Airbnb (4th, 78 percent) and Booking.com (joint 5th, 77 percent) than all other self-catering providers put together – but they are specialized companies that are generally at the top.
Last place, meanwhile, Tripadvisor received a decent score of 69 percent, earning four stars in most categories, including quality of accommodation and range of accommodations.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘A self-catering holiday can be the perfect way to enjoy your own home away from home, but with so much choice it can be difficult to know who to book with.
‘While the majority of respondents to our survey used big name booking sites, the most glowing reviews were for more specialist providers such as Jet2Villas and Brittany Ferries who, rather than merely acting as an intermediary between you and the property owner , a more personal touch. Those companies also have the advantage that you can book a package, which offers more protection in case something goes wrong.’