We have done both. The first time we went we were searching for a villa and one of my neighbours mentioned that she knew someone with a villa. After looking at their website and deciding it was perfect we booked. The owners could not have been more helpful and as we only lived about an hour away they invited us around to look through more photos and help us with anything. Nothing was too much trouble and we spent hours chatting on the phone. The villa was great and booked again for the second time.

Oh dear, what a difference[msnsad]. We paid our deposit and then heard nothing. Could never get hold of anyone and when eventually I did get a reply I was told that she didn't live there anymore. Turned out that I was talking to the husband (or soon to be ex-husband). He gave us her number eventually but she always took so long to reply and never acknowledged any money we sent. After many sleepness nights it all turned out OK and off we went.

The owner seemed to have lost interest in her villa and it showed when we got there too. Although still nice it was looking a little tired and in the 18 months between visits nothing had been updated or replaced. Towels were looking drab, remote controls all broken, coffee machine full of mould, grubby looking frying pans etc. We said we would never go back to that villa and have also said that we would try somewhere different each time.

Have now found this site and booked up a lovely villa for October.