Dalyan has a way of selling itself. The river winds past Lycian rock tombs, turtles surface beside the boat, and İztuzu beach is a short dolmuş or river trip away. Add a private pool and a shaded terrace, and it is easy to book a villa on the strength of a handful of photographs. The trouble is that two villas which look identical online can behave very differently in the middle of August, when daytime temperatures sit in the high thirties and you are cooking for six. A few questions before you pay a deposit will save a great deal of huffing and puffing later.

Air Conditioning: Ask Exactly What and Where

This is the single most common source of summer disappointment. Ask how many air conditioning units the villa has and which rooms they serve. Some older properties have one unit in the lounge and nothing upstairs, which makes for uncomfortable nights. You want a unit in every bedroom and in the main living space.

• Is it included in the price? Some owners include it; others charge per unit per day or meter the electricity. Get the answer in writing.
• Do the windows have mosquito screens? Dalyan sits beside a river and reed beds, so biting insects are part of the scenery. Screens let you cool the house at night without inviting them in.
• Is there shade? Pergolas, shutters and mature trees make a huge difference. A villa with a bare, south-facing terrace will be unusable between noon and five.
• Are fans provided? Ceiling or standing fans are cheap to run and often enough for children's rooms.

Wi-Fi and Staying Connected

"Free Wi-Fi" tells you almost nothing. Speeds in rural parts of the Dalaman region vary enormously, and some smaller villas run a mobile router with a monthly data cap. If four people plan to stream films or join video calls, ask for a realistic upload and download figure rather than a yes or no.

• Where is the router? Thick stone walls and long corridors can leave the far bedroom with a single bar.
• Is there a data allowance? If so, how much, and what happens if you exceed it?
• What is the mobile signal like? Usually fine in the centre, patchier in the hills behind town. A local pay-as-you-go SIM is a sensible backup if you need to work.
• Is there a smart TV or a DVD player? Worth knowing if you have small children and the evening needs a quiet hour.

The Pool, the Terrace and Who Looks After Them

A private pool is the reason most families choose a villa, so pin down the details. Ask about the depth at both ends and whether there is a shallow section or steps, which matters enormously with toddlers. If the pool is shared, ask how many other properties use it and whether there are set hours.

Pool cleaning normally happens early in the morning, and a stranger with a net appearing at seven o'clock is entirely routine — but you should know in advance. In April and October, ask whether heating is available, because an unheated pool can be bracing. Also confirm what is included outdoors: sun loungers, a barbecue, an outdoor dining table, and somewhere shaded to escape the midday sun.

Location, Hills and Getting Around

Dalyan is relatively flat along the river, but villas on the edge of town are often reached by steep tracks or unlit lanes. Check the walking distance to the nearest restaurants and the boat jetty, and ask whether the route is lit at night. İztuzu beach is a boat or dolmuş ride away rather than a stroll, so factor that into your plans.

• Do you need a car? Many families manage perfectly well with boats, dolmuşes and taxis, but a car opens up Köyceğiz and the surrounding villages.
• How far is the airport transfer? Dalaman is roughly half an hour away, which makes arrival day pleasantly short.
• What is the noise like? The call to prayer, distant music and traffic on the main road are all worth asking about if anyone in the party sleeps lightly.

Booking Terms, Deposits and Cancellation

Read the small print properly. Deposits are often paid by bank transfer, with the balance in cash on arrival, and damage deposits are common. Confirm who you are paying, what the refund arrangements are, and when any damage deposit is returned.

• Cancellation terms: how many weeks before arrival do you lose what? What happens if your flight is cancelled or a family member falls ill?
• Is the property legally let? Turkey tightened its rules on short-term rentals, so ask for the registration or permit reference and keep it on file.
• What is not included? Cleaning fees, air conditioning supplements, extra guests and late check-out are the usual suspects.
• Travel insurance: check that it covers villa holidays and your belongings, since the owner's policy will not.

The Small Details That Make a Difference

Finally, ask about the practicalities: mid-stay cleaning and linen changes, a welcome pack, drinking water delivery, a washing machine, a cot and high chair, and whether there is a safe. Find out the check-in and check-out times, and whether you can leave luggage if you have a late flight. Above all, ask for the name and mobile number of the person who manages the villa locally — a responsive manager five minutes away is worth more than any brochure photograph. Request recent pictures too, and ask when they were taken. Villas, like gardens, change.

None of this takes long. A short email with a dozen specific questions will tell you a great deal about how the villa is run and how the owner treats guests. Do it before you pay, and you can spend your holiday arguing about who has to fetch the bread, rather than about the temperature of the bedrooms.