Choosing a villa can feel overwhelming: endless listings, pretty pools everywhere and lots of “sleeps 10+” promises. The trick is to match the villa to the kind of trip you’re actually taking, not just the number of beds.

1. City weekend, beach break or “stay put” retreat?

First, get clear on what kind of trip this is.

• City weekend: You’ll be out most of the time, eating in restaurants and exploring. Look for smaller, well-located places rather than huge villas far from the centre.

• Beach or countryside break: You’ll likely spend long stretches “at home”. Here, outdoor space, pool comfort and shaded seating become more important than being right next to nightlife.

• Retreat or “stay put” week: If the whole point is to slow down, prioritise a villa with generous communal areas, multiple corners to sit in, and enough privacy that people can go quiet when they need to.

Once you’ve named the trip type, a lot of villas will drop off the list by themselves.

2. Think about layout, not just bedroom count

A villa that “sleeps 12” can mean very different things:

• Six proper bedrooms with their own bathrooms

• Four bedrooms plus a sofa bed, plus a bunk in a hallway

• Rooms spread across multiple levels, or grouped in one wing

For groups, layout is just as important as size. Ask yourself:

• Who needs the quietest rooms? (Often grandparents, very young children or early risers.)

• Are there separate hang-out spaces for different ages and energy levels?

• Are any rooms only accessible by steep stairs or outside paths that might be tricky at night?

If you can, sketch a quick floor plan based on the listing to see how people will actually move and live in the space.

3. Consider location, staff and “hidden” extras

Finally, look beyond the villa walls.

• Location: How long will it really take to get to the beach, cafés or the old town on foot? Saving money on a cheaper villa far away sometimes means spending more on taxis and losing time.

• Staff and services: Some villas come with daily housekeeping or even a manager and cook. Others are totally self-catered. Decide how much you want to handle yourselves.

• Extras that matter to you: Reliable Wi-Fi, a decent kitchen, air-con in bedrooms, blackout curtains, pool depth, parking, safety features for kids… these small details can make or break the stay.

Choosing the right villa isn’t about finding a “perfect” one. It’s about finding a place whose layout, location and level of service match the real people you’re travelling with.