Booking a holiday home? How to avoid overpaying and 'easily save hundreds of pounds on your break'

Owner of White House Hideaway Richard Edwards discussed the growing popularity of staycations and shared his tips. He said: “The staycation boom has created opportunities for some operators to take advantage of demand.

“Families might think they're getting a bargain by staying in the UK, but poor booking choices can quickly turn an affordable break into an expensive mistake.”

Beware of excessive cleaning fees

Cleaning fees are common and understandable for many accommodations, but a fee that is particularly high compared to the size of the rental or the duration of your stay should be a red flag.

Richard said: "I've seen cleaning fees of £150 for a basic cottage that would take two hours to clean properly. If the cleaning fee is more than 15 to 20 per cent of your total accommodation cost, you're likely being overcharged.”

If it is more than this, it could be worth contacting the host to negotiate if possible, or looking elsewhere to get a better deal.

Similarly, booking fees and service charges can appear at the final stage of booking, potentially adding hundreds of pounds to the cost of your holiday. Consider whether these are worth it or if you should shop around for other deals.

Beware of prices that change by the hour

Prices will change on many booking platforms based on things like when you are planning to go, browsing cookies or the time of day you make your booking.

Richard recommended: "I always advise guests to clear their browser cookies and check prices on different devices. Some platforms track your interest and gradually increase prices to create urgency.”

Beware of all-inclusive deals

All-inclusive packages may be more common with hotels than individual holiday homes, so it can be tempting to snap one up if you see it. While it can seem like the savvy choice, the travel expert explained it might not be good value.

He said what is included should be listed upfront - “if you're having to dig through terms and conditions to understand what you're paying for, that's a warning sign".

Beware of pressures to upgrade

High-pressure tactics are common during the booking process, such as pop-ups saying the accommodation is "almost full", but don't make any hasty decisions because of this, the expert warned.

Think carefully before booking anything and do your research on any upgrades that seem like a bargain, as they could be adding unnecessary costs to your experience.

Beware of excursions

Booking an excursion, like a local guided tour, can be a fantastic way to discover the town you are visiting. However, it is not always worth the money.

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Richard explained: "In [many places], guests can access beautiful river walks, historic sites, and stunning viewpoints completely free. Yet some operators will charge £30 to £50 per person for ‘guided experiences’ to places that are well-signposted and easily accessible.”

These tips are particularly useful when booking a staycation, but can also apply when renting a holiday home abroad.

The expert added: “The staycation market has become incredibly competitive, but unfortunately, this has led some operators to use misleading tactics that make people think they're getting a deal when they're actually overpaying. The truth is, a bit of pre-planning and research can easily save you hundreds of pounds on your UK break.

“Don't be swayed by flashy marketing or artificial urgency - take time to read the fine print, compare total costs across different platforms, and research what's genuinely available in your chosen area. The best staycation experiences come from authentic places that are transparent about their pricing and honest about what they offer.”