The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Villa with a Private Pool
The difference between a dreamy pool holiday and a disappointing one usually comes down to details that aren't in the listing photos.

Property & Travel Editor
Michael covers the practical side of vacation rentals — booking strategies, hidden costs, pool specifications, and everything you need to know before you commit. He's stayed in over 200 private pool properties across 30 countries and remembers the heating arrangements of every single one.
The difference between a dreamy pool holiday and a disappointing one usually comes down to details that aren't in the listing photos.
Southeast Asia's two biggest pool villa destinations, head to head. Bali wins on culture and value. Phuket wins on beaches and diving. The right choice depends on what kind of holiday you actually want.
The single most overlooked detail when booking a pool villa. In tropical destinations it's irrelevant. In the Mediterranean, it's the difference between a pool you actually use and an expensive cold bath.