Moses2013

I'd agree and it really depends what type of property you go for. If the whole idea of going to Spain is weather, you would at least want something that gets a good amount of sun to enjoy those 3 months. Best example are the cheapish village houses with no outside space and while it might seem like a bargain, it will be dark most of the time.

Fredbargate

I live in a concrete flat, built by a Spaish company around 1990, single glazed metal windows.
Very rarely do I need to wear more than swimming trunks even in winter

KVP

I must say I'm shocked at the prices. Now, I appreciate we are near an expensive area, but even then. I'm debating on whether or not everyone in the area is a rip off artist, charging what they can because idiots like me are stuck with no other option? I genuinely pay less to live in Dublin city centre. As you say, alcohol is quite cheap.. not much good when you don't drink much though

I've never been so glad to have brought my winter coat, sweatpants and extra socks!! Thankfully the apt we are renting has heat and heavy duvets.

There's a lot of poor quality everything in the supermarkets... I did get some lovely fresh onions though.. I have found some fruterias which have a much better selection of fruit and veg.

KVP

This is my first time using AirBnB, so I don't have much advice here. I did however take advice from someone else to carefully read the reviews for the host. I was told to make sure they had plenty of reviews, and read them all to make sure they are reasonably detailed and not just copy/paste jobs. The one we chose, had over 40 good reviews. I also contacted the host and asked a few questions before I booked. We've been lucky and the host is great and the apt is lovely. In fact, the host just walked by, husband was on the balcony and the host stopped to chat and ask if we needed anything!
Oh and always conduct your business through AirBnB, so they have a record of it!

KVP

The other day it was 27c here but the inside temp of the apt was 16c!! I was wearing sweatpants, a jumper and thick socks inside trainers. Then I went out to a churingito in thin trousers and a tshirt

ElizabethAnn

Hi Tony,
We live in a town called Ayamonte - on the Spanish coast 3 miles from the border with the Portugal Algarve. Our local Hotel - Isla Canela Golf Hotel - has apartments for long term rental. Haggle for a good price! This would give you an excellent option to explore the Costa de la Luz and the Algarve area (although property prices in Portugal are now very expensive compared to Spain). Certainly worth a try.
Good luck

Lynn R

It's 21.9C in my living room right now, I find the inside temperatures in the daytime quite comfortable. We are in a South facing ático, and have not used any heating at all, even at night, for several days now.

KVP

We are only getting the sun on the apt for a bit in the morning and then later in the evening. It has improved over the last few days and we haven't had to use the heating this week.(last week was another story though!) We're still using the heavy duvet at night though

Lynn R

We took our quite heavy, electric duvet off a few weeks ago and had a lighter weight quilted bedspread plus a light fleece blanket on for a while, last night the fleece blanket had to come off as well as it was too warm. You have to layer the bedlinen here just like you do clothes in the winter - warm ones on early in the morning, take off a layer or two after 11 am when it warms up then put them back on when the sun goes down.

It didn't come as any surprise to us how cold it can be inside Spanish properties in the winter, after spending several winter holidays in apartments here and more than once having to go out and buy a cheap fan heater and leave it behind at the end of the holiday. I don't think this last winter has been too bad, some years we have to put the heating on in the afternoons if we have a really cold day (which we did the previous winter when it was extremely cold in late December and in January, much more so than this year). We have never needed to put it on before 6pm this year, and very often it has been later than that.

bolton wanderer

Before you buy check out the temperature difference between the coast and your desired location inland.
We were finding a temperature difference of around 6 degrees or so when we were looking inland, admittedly at a slightly higher altitude. This doesn't seem a lot in summer and it's actually pleasant to get a little cooler but in the winter it can make a big difference. (Snow poles by the road are also an indication that the area can get a little chilly)

missile

Be warned: In my experience
Booking.com are difficult to contact and give very little assistance should you have an issue with the property.

Lynn R

I agree. A couple of years ago we were on the train from Málaga heading to Madrid where we had booked an apartment to stay in via Booking.com when my husband got a message from Booking.com to say the apartment wasn't available as the owner had double booked it. They said they had emailed him a suggestion for an alternative apartment but it was of no use to us as at that time he didn't have a smartphone so could not see details of the alternative. We had a very stressful and anxious few hours until a hotel in Madrid (although they did not have a room for us as they were fully booked) kindly let us use a computer in their lobby for the use of guests to see and book the alternative accommodation - which was not very nice but by that time we just wanted a roof over our heads rather than spending the night on a park bench. Booking.com took no responsibility at all. Wherever possible I now book direct with the establishment and it usually turns out cheaper as well.

bobd22

I must say it can be hit and miss if you need help re a booking with Booking. Com. As for booking direct, I use Booking. Com to find what's available where I want to go. I then always check ti see if its better to book direct. Sometimes it is and sometimes it's the same. Some you go to their own site to book only to find booking takes you straight to Booking. Com.

Moses2013

Agree and at the end of the day it's a platform, so not really their fault if a property has double bookings. A bit like Ebay really and you still have more benefits using their tools. Especially when it comes to cancellations, you can easily cancel on short notice and some hotel websites don't even have a cancellation button. People can still ring the hotel directly if they need help.

bobd22

Agree and at the end of the day it's a platform, so not really their fault if a property has double bookings. A bit like Ebay really and you still have more benefits using their tools. Especially when it comes to cancellations, you can easily cancel on short notice and some hotel websites don't even have a cancellation button. People can still ring the hotel directly if they need help.[/QUOTE]

I had a road trip planned with a number of hotels booked through booking. Com problem was we then got the first lockdown. I found it very easy to cancel the hotels via their site. Some I did need to contact the hotel due to booking conditions. Overall though it was easily resolved and didn't cost me anything. I once had a room booked some years ago which they had to cancel due to the hotel no longer operating. They sent me details of a nearby hotel which was a little more expensive but Booking. Com paid the difference. As you say sometimes things happen outside of their control.