Frecuently asked questions (FAQ)

Staying in an apartment for the holidays or any other occasion may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you want room service, a reception service and staff to clean your room on a daily basis, then possibly this option is not for you. But if you’re looking for independence and privacy, and like the idea of being just another local in the heart of the city, in the warmth and comfort of a cosy home, Home at Homes is your perfect choice.

Minimum stay is three nights, although some of our apartment owners agree to two nights. Please enquire when making your booking.

Certainly. All of our properties are located in safe, well-known and popular neighbourhoods, probably the best that each city has to offer. So you can have complete peace of mind if you like going jogging in the mornings, or maybe in the evenings after dinner out. We only choose places where we feel comfortable, so you have our word on this one!

We know that things happen, and plans can change at any moment. We suggest that you do take out travel insurance just to be on the safe side. Regarding our cancellation policy, you should be aware of the following:

• For cancellations made 30 days or more prior to arrival, we will retain 30% of the booking cost.

• For cancellations made between 15 and 30 days prior to arrival, we will retain 50% of the booking      cost.

• For cancellations made between 2 and 14 days prior to arrival, we will retain 75% of the booking cost.

• For cancellations made less than two days before arrival, we will retain 100% of the booking cost.

This question is rather difficult to answer… some properties are especially popular and may require booking up to a year in advance! We advise you to check availability as soon as you have an idea of the dates on which you want to travel. At times there are last-minute cancellations, so don’t hesitate to ask us directly. 

Of course. We provide hair dryers in all the apartments, and can provide power adapters if you need them.

The price you pay when you book includes taxes, heating, gas, water, sheets and towels, basic household supplies, high-speed internet, and normal and reasonable use of electricity. By “basic household supplies” we mean cleaning utensils and enough toilet paper, kitchen rolls, soap and other cleaning materials for the first days of your stay.

Home at Homes is committed to looking after the environment, so we do ask our guests to use resources in our homes responsibly. This is as simple as making sure, for example, that lights and air conditioning or heating are off when you leave the apartment.

We do expect that our clients will make proper and optimum use of resources. If we were to detect any improper use, we reserve the right to charge any additional costs to the client.

We’re convinced that there is no better way of exploring and experiencing a city than by blending in with the locals. Renting a house or an apartment in the very centre of the city is full of advantages:

1. Comfort and space. No more space constraints in a hotel room. Even the most compact of apartments will have a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and a sitting area, all equipped to the detail. To make you feel at home. 

2. A warm welcome. We have special welcome details for when you arrive, which will immediately make you feel at home in the city: a welcome hamper, a bottle of wine and internet access, as well as all the basics you will need for cooking if you so wish (olive oil, salt, sugar, etc.).

3. We give you access to “privileged information”. We provide a wealth of information on the neighbourhood and the city, from basic details which will allow you to take in all the tourist sites, to “secret” addresses where you can enjoy the best food and leisure, just like the locals. If you so wish, we can also provide the services of an excellence concierge who will help you to plan your stay, arrange trips and activities, etc!

Generally speaking, check-in is from 15.30 onwards, and check-out before 11.00. However, we know that international flights often arrive early, so we do everything possible to ensure that you can access the property as soon as possible. Please let us have your arrival details (flight information or approximate arrival time if coming by car or other means of transport) in order to arrange check-in.

In the event of any delay, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible, as otherwise we may not be able to guarantee your immediate check-in. You might have to wait... and that’s not how you want to start your holidays!

Check-in after 20:30 will incur a surcharge of 30 Euros, or 50 Euros if after 22.30.

Our philosophy is really quite simple: to provide our guests top accommodation and attention. We value your time as much as you do yourself, and will have everything ready for you so that all you have to do is enjoy... We have done our homework: we have found the most comfortable, beautiful and centrally-located properties, and provided the best ideas to make your stay unforgettable. We have made our booking procedure simple: you can call us, email us, or book on our web in a couple of minutes. And when you arrive we will be there to greet you, and just a phone call away if you want us to propose a plan for your stay, if you have any questions, or any problem, however small... What more do you need? That’s what makes us different.

Good question! But not to worry… we have a quick and efficient client service. So we will help you quickly and personally, with no middle people or unnecessary delays. Our response is immediate, in a matter of a couple of hours we will solve any small repair or fault that may crop up.

Unfortunately, most of our properties do not allow pets to avoid possible cases of allergy. However, do please ask us and we will do whatever is in our power to help you travel without having to leave your best friend behind. 

Most of our apartments have air conditioning. Check the detailed information provided for each property.

From the moment you decide to book with us to prepare your holidays, we start working on providing you with that insider experience, so you can live the city as if you were actually part of it. Before you arrive, you will receive our own guide to the neighbourhood where the property is located, together with places of interest and special proposals for eating, visiting, exploring and generally enjoying all that’s on offer: 

• A detailed list of our favourite restaurants and cafés in the area
• A guide to the local markets, with opening hours and other practical information
• The best websites for information on monuments and trips
• Our favourite shops in the area
• Tips and suggestions for the best shopping experience
• Proposals for enjoying the city with children
• Cooking and language classes
• Guide to local shops and a bit of background on the neighbourhood and the city
• A list of all the additional services you can book with us

Power in Spain comes at 220 V, compared to 110 V in the US. Some electrical devices, such as hair dryers, will need a power adapter. Laptops usually have their own adapter (the heavy box on the power cord), so you won’t normally need one. We always have a number of power and plug adapters in our local office in case you do need them.

At Home at Homes we have carefully and personally selected each one of our properties. We know and have a close relationship with all the owners, and pride ourselves in offering simply perfect homes. Want to know more? Explore our web, you will find exceptional apartments, houses and villas. And our quality standards? Nothing less than Excellence, with a capital E, in design, comfort and client service.

At Home at Homes we are a team of people dedicated to helping you with anything you may need before, during and after your stay. Rest assured that your wellbeing is our top priority.

Definitely! We personally take all our own photos: what you see is what you get at Home at Homes. We do not have the technical know-how or “tricks of the trade” of professional photographers, and do not use Photoshop. Nor do we use any atrezzos which are not part of the equipment that comes with each home. It may be the case that in some pictures we have laid the table, or put in some fresh flowers, neither of which will be there for you to see when you arrive (although you can request flowers when booking!). And obviously it may be possible that, because of wear and tear, we may from time to time change some of the textiles (bed linen, towels, etc.), but the quality and the overall décor will remain the same as in the photos.

There are several options. You can do so directly through our website, or get in touch with us to check availability. Properties are booked in real time, and we do ask that you make a 30% payment at the time of booking, with the balance plus security deposit to be paid 30 days before arrival. If your arrival is less than 30 days after you booking date, we will ask that you pay the whole amount on booking.

When we receive the initial 30% payment, we will already send you detailed information to help you plan your trip, including information for arrival, practical tips regarding the apartment itself, and a list of recommended places in the neighbourhood and the city.

For more detailed information on the booking procedure, please visit our “Terms and Conditions” pages, call us or drop us an email.

No, you can arrive on any day of the week, depending on availability of each property. In this way you can plan more flexibly, and look for the cheapest plane tickets.

That’s a fair question. Being in the busiest part of the city, it’s reasonable to think that there may be a fair bit of noise around. But don’t worry, practically all our apartments have double glazing, and windows and insulation similar to any top-end hotel. So your peace and quiet is assured. 

We strive to offer you the best experience each time, and our properties are equipped with the very best. You don’t need to compromise on anything, whether it is your leisure or your sleeping time. However, if you really are a very light sleeper and want to make double sure, let us know and we will recommend the best location for you and your family.

Certainly. One of the advantages of living in your own apartment is the possibility of preparing your own food and experimenting with local ingredients. It’s your choice whether to eat out, or cook your own food at home. 

When you book with Home at Homes we send you information and addresses of our favourite local shops and markets, where you can buy the freshest fish, the choicest meat, freshly baked bread, or local fruits and vegetables. If you have read the “About us” section, you will know that we like nothing but the best...

And you will find everything you need for cooking in the kitchen of whatever apartment or home you book from us, and even premium tableware if you want that extra-special dinner table for inviting some friends over. And if there is anything you can’t find, or a specific appliance you need, don’t hesitate to ask. We will point you in the right direction, so that you can be your own chef and enjoy the best gourmet food on offer.

We’ll say it again: time is everything, and therefore we believe that to make the most of it you must be in the very centre of the city, where you can walk to the main historic buildings, tourist sites, shopping areas and other interesting places where you can eat or have a drink.

During the booking process we will ask you for your arrival details, and suggest the easiest way of getting to the property (taking into account size of your group, whether arriving by plane, train, car, etc.). You can book a pick-up service at the airport or train station. If arriving by car, taxi or public transport, we will ask you to call us so that we can help with your luggage and access to the property (if booking the pick-up service, you will not need to do this).

A member of the Home at Homes team will be waiting for you upon your arrival to welcome you, let you into the property and explain how everything works. Please do take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the apartment or the area.

In the apartment you will find a welcome hamper and our guide with our special recommendations to enjoy the city like a local.

We love travelling, we love travellers, and we love looking after our guests, so we will always welcome you personally. That’s the best way to start a fantastic holiday!

Of course! Please let us know when you book, and we will provide a cot and sheets at no additional cost. If you need a reliable babysitter, we can find a professional, trusted service for you. Please just ask, and bring your children along with total peace of mind. We want you to enjoy quality time with your family.

It’s important for us that you feel at home right from the start. You don’t have to worry about bringing anything, as all our properties are fully equipped with bed linen, towels, white goods and electrical appliances, kitchenware, crockery, etc. If you need a power or plug adapter for your computer or other device, we can also provide it for you.

When you book an apartment with Home at Homes, we send you in advance detailed information with the best recommendations and the locals’ favourite places for eating or having a drink, the most original places for shopping, for enjoying the local atmosphere... We usually share with our new guests stories and opinions from owners and previous guests, as this is always a welcome “insider” addition to what’s on offer. And we also like discovering new things, so don’t forget to let us know what your favourite places and impressions are! Spread the word!