Booking a villa direct or on Booking.com: what is the difference?
By the Enjoy Istria team Published 2 min read
In short
Our villas are listed on Booking.com and on our own website. Booking direct costs 10% less, because there is no platform commission, and you deal with the owners from the first message. Booking.com offers instant confirmation and its own platform terms. Both get you the same villa.
On this page
Our three villas near Poreč are listed on Booking.com, and they can also be booked directly on this website. Guests often ask which is better. The honest answer is that it depends on what matters to you, so here is a straight comparison.
Price
Booking platforms charge owners a commission on every booking. When you book directly with us there is no commission, so our direct prices are 10% lower than our prices on Booking.com. On a week in a villa for twelve in summer, that is a meaningful amount.
Each villa page shows our direct prices for every season next to the Booking.com price, so you can compare: Villa Duga, Villa Bina and Villa Cvita Domenica.
How booking works
| Direct with us | Booking.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 10% below Booking.com | Booking.com price |
| Confirmation | You send a request; we reply within 24 hours | Instant, through the platform |
| Payment | 50% deposit, balance 30 days before arrival, by card or bank transfer | Under the platform’s terms for that booking |
| Contact | Directly with the owners | Through the platform’s messaging |
| Terms | Agreed with us in writing | The platform’s terms and conditions |
A direct booking is a request, not an instant reservation. You choose your dates on our villas page, see an estimated price, and send your details. We check the calendar and reply by email with availability and the exact total. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
Communication
When you book direct, your messages come straight to the family who owns the villas. Questions about cots, dogs at Villa Duga, arrival times, or booking two villas side by side for a larger group are answered by people who know the houses.
When Booking.com may suit you better
- You want an instant confirmation without waiting for a reply.
- You prefer to keep all your travel bookings in one account.
- You value the platform’s own customer service and terms.
That is a perfectly reasonable choice, and our listings there are the same villas.
Reviews
Each villa page links to its Booking.com listing, where you can read verified guest reviews and scores, whichever way you decide to book.
How to book direct
- Open the villas page or a villa page and choose your dates and number of guests.
- Check the estimated price. In summer, stays run Saturday to Saturday.
- Send a request with your contact details.
- We reply within 24 hours with availability and the total price.
- Pay the 50% deposit to confirm.
You can also write to us at reservations@enjoyistria.com, call, or send a WhatsApp message; see the contact page.
Questions and answers
Why is booking direct cheaper?
Booking platforms charge the owner a commission on each booking. When you book with us directly there is no commission, so we pass the saving on: our direct prices are 10% lower than on Booking.com.
How do I pay when I book direct?
A 50% deposit confirms the booking, and the balance is due 30 days before arrival. You can pay by card or bank transfer.
Is a direct booking confirmed instantly?
No. You send a request with your dates, we check availability and reply within 24 hours with the total price. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
Stay nearby
Three private pool villas near Poreč, booked directly with the owners for 10% less than on Booking.com.
-
Villa Duga Špadići, Poreč From €459 / night -
Villa Bina Labinci, Poreč From €459 / night -
Villa Cvita Domenica Labinci, Poreč From €309 / night