Help & advice

Need a hand planning your perfect villa holiday? Our friendly team is here to offer expert advice, insider tips and personalised support every step of the way – from holiday inspiration and guidance to seamless booking, local assistance, and your return home.

We love holidays, let us take care of yours.

Why book with us?

The joy of holidays begins the moment you book. It should be exciting and never uncertain. When you book direct with an owner or through a faceless online platform, it can be daunting. You might be left wondering, does the villa actually exist? Will someone be there to help if something goes wrong? Is it right for us?

With The Villa Agency, we take care of that uncertainty. Every villa we feature has been carefully chosen and checked by a member of our team. We have real relationships with our villa owners and managers, and we’re here for you before, during and after your stay.

We’re proud to be one of the few remaining independent, family-run villa rental companies, celebrating over 40 years in business. While others are becoming more automated, we still believe in the power of personal service – and our glowing 5-star Trustpilot reviews speak for themselves.

We love holidays, let us take care of yours.

Total peace of mind

Your booking is fully protected.

We’re licensed by both ATOL and ABTOT, which means your holiday (and your money) is 100% secure – whether you book a full package or accommodation only.

Your protection:

  • Flight-inclusive holidays are protected under ATOL. You’ll receive an ATOL Certificate confirming your cover. Find out more at atol.org.uk.
  • Non-flight packages and accommodation-only bookings are protected by ABTOT. If The Villa Agency were ever to cease trading, you’d be refunded (if you haven’t travelled) or repatriated (if you’re already abroad).

Please note: Bookings made outside the UK are protected by ABTOT only when booked directly with us.

In an emergency abroad, ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline is available: 01702 811397

Read the full legislation here: Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018

Extra perks

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Friendly team

Our friendly team is available 6 days a week on the phone or live chat, and we also respond to emails on evenings and weekends.

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Local support

You’ll receive local support, with trusted villa managers on the ground and a 24-hour UK emergency number.

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Car hire

We can arrange car hire, transfers and special extras, so your holiday runs smoothly from start to finish.

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Responsible travel

We’re committed to responsible travel – partnering with Trees4Travel to plant two trees for every booking.

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Blog

Want travel inspiration? Our blog is full of insider tips, destination guides and recommendations from clients and staff who have actually visited and experienced our destinations and accommodations.

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Refer a friend

And if you want to share the love of The Villa Agency with your friends and family, you can refer a friend and both enjoy discounts on your next stay.

FAQs

Making a villa booking

What is included in the property rental?

  • Gas & Electricity (although there may be some optional extras like pool heating and air conditioning. There may be additional utility bills for early or late season bookings.  Please ask at time of enquiry).
  • Cleaning as stated on the villa page
  • Bed linen and bathroom towels. Pool towels are usually provided but not always so please check the villa listing or ask if you are not sure.
  • Iron and Ironing board
  • An initial supply of toilet paper, hand soap, washing up cloths/liquid and a couple of dishwasher tabs. Our villas are self-catering so these will not be replenished as standard.
  • 24/7 emergency helpline

 


Does your website show live availability?

Our calendars are updated daily but it is always best to check with us as it can change by the minute.

If the calendar is white, this means the dates are available to book. We do try not to leave too many odd days between bookings so, if you require dates that don’t correspond with the preferred changeover or would like a duration other than 7 days, just get in touch or submit a booking request and we will let you know if these dates are OK.

If the calendar is light green, it means the property is available ‘by request’. This basically means that the owner likes us to run dates by them before confirming a booking. We can request to hold some dates for you while you chat to your travelling companions and make a decision. We are always available on the phone and live chat during office hours and by email outside of office hours so just get in touch and we can confirm the availability for you and hold the dates so no one else can book them.

If the calendar is light blue, it means we are holding the dates for someone on a provisional basis and the dates are not confirmed yet.

If the calendar is dark green, the property is booked and unavailable.

 


Is there flexibility with arrival days, check-in and check-out?

The preferred arrival day is stated on each villa page. Sometimes, we can be flexible, especially outside of the busy periods, but it is always by request so please contact us and we can check for you. Check-in is usually 4pm and check-out is 10am but this is confirmed on each page. It is usually not possible to alter these times if we have a changeover on the same day or if housekeeping has already been arranged. If you do have very early or late flights, please contact us and we will see what we can do to make things easier.

If a villa has a flexible arrival, we cannot leave too many odd days between bookings. Please always check with us to make sure the dates you require are acceptable. Remember, we advise that you do not book flights or make unalterable arrangements until we have checked and confirmed your booking and you have received a booking confirmation from us.

 


Do I count children and infants when I calculate the rental?

Children over 2 years of age must be included when calculating the villa rental. This does not include babies under 2 sleeping in cots. Please note that some houses will not accept more than one infant in a cot, whilst most of our properties include a cot and highchair free of charge, sometimes there is an additional charge. Please check the villa listing for more information

 


Can I hold a property while I decide if I want to book?

We can hold a property, with no obligation, for up to 48 hours to allow you time to make your decision and look into flight availability. We advise you not to book flights until you have a booking confirmation from us and the deposit has been paid.

 


What deposit do I pay?

For villa rentals, a deposit of between 30 – 50% is required upon booking and this will be specified on each villa page. The deposit is non-refundable and secures the dates of your chosen villa so no one else can book them.

 


When is the balance due?

The balance is due between 56 – 60 days before arrival and is stated on each villa listing. If the balance is not received, your booking may be cancelled with no refund. We send out reminders before the balance is due and we will never cancel a booking without contacting you first. The last thing we want is for you to lose your precious holiday!

 


What is a security deposit for and when is it refunded?

We hold a security deposit against damages or any additional cleaning or rubbish disposal following your departure on all reservations; this is usually payable with the holiday balance and is refunded automatically approximately two weeks after you vacate the villa. In some cases, it is payable locally and this will be specified on the individual villa page. If there is a claim for damages by the owner or local manager, this has to be made to us within the two-week period and we always ensure that the claim is evaluated and approved by us before a deduction is made. The security deposit will be refunded in the same way that it is paid so, for example, if you pay by credit card, the money will be credited back on to your card.

 


What are the booking conditions?

Many frequently asked questions can be found on this page, but our full booking conditions are available here https://dev.thevillaagency.co.uk/help-advice/booking-conditions/

 


What if we cannot travel due to government restrictions?

We want you to know that we will look after your booking with great care and attention. If the FCDO are advising essential travel only to your destination, please contact us to discuss your options. It is essential to have comprehensive travel insurance to provide cover for any unforeseen circumstances that may cause you to cancel your holiday.

Don’t forget, your money is 100% safe as we have financial protection with both ABTOT and ATOL.

 


If there is pool heating, do we need to book it in advance?

If the villa has pool heating it will be stated on the villa page along with any additional costs. It can take a few days to heat up so it is best to book it in advance to ensure you can enjoy the benefits of the pool heating from the moment you arrive. Please note that we cannot guarantee the pool temperature. In general, pool heaters are installed and managed according to the size of the pool and health and safety guidelines but weather conditions, such as colder nights, rain and strong winds can affect the normally achievable temperature.

 


When will I receive my holiday information and what does it include?

About 1 week before you arrive, we will email your holiday information. This will include the property location, key location, villa manager details and our emergency helpline number. If you have booked additional services with us like car hire, flights or transfers, these will also be included.

 


Do you have accessible villas?

Some of our villas are accessible and some can be made temporarily accessible with mobility aids so just let us know your requirements and we will be happy to help. When you select the ‘Limited Mobility‘ filter on our website, you will be presented with properties that have a bedroom and shower room on the ground floor, with little or no steps in the living areas or to the swimming pool/garden. We understand that everyone’s needs differ, therefore we encourage you to check with us at the time of booking to ensure the suitability of the property for your group. Please note, this filter does not mean that the villa is adapted or wheelchair accessible, but it is a starting point for those travelling with differently abled guests. More information can be found here https://thevillaagency.co.uk/new-limited-mobility-filter-for-inclusive-villa-experiences.

 


How do I know if a car is required?

We specify on each villa listing if a car is essential, recommended or not necessary.

Car Essential – means you definitely need a car! There is unlikely to be anything within an easy walk from the property,

Car Recommended – this means that there might be one or two things within walking distance but we recommend a car for supermarket shops or a variety of restaurants and to really make the most of the area and your holiday experience.

Car Not Necessary – this means that there are shops, restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance which is usually about 1 – 1.5km. Please note, the location is shown on each villa page so it is important to check that this distances work for your group and, if you are unsure of anything, just ask. That is what we are here for!

 


How do I know if a property is suitable for children?

There are always things to be aware of when booking an unfamiliar property and we are here to guide you if you have any specific questions or concerns about travelling with your child. Our Family Friendly Collection includes properties that are most suited to families travelling with children. This usually means that there is a games room or garden perfect for playing in. Please remember, every house with a swimming pool poses a potential hazard with little ones. Some of our properties have gated pools for extra reassurance and there is a filter for this on our website. If you have any questions or concerns, just get in touch and we can endeavour to answer any questions you might have relating to this. We are here to help you make the right choice so you can all relax and enjoy your holiday.

 


Can I bring my pet?

Some of our villas are Pet Friendly and there is a filter for this on our website. Extra conditions and costs may apply so please check the villa listing and ask us if you are not sure. If you have fallen in love with a villa that does not have this feature, it is always worth asking us. We can request your furry guest with the owner and let you know if it is possible or not.

 


I want to cancel my holiday, what do I do and what will be the charge?

If you wish to cancel your holiday, please contact us straight away. All cancellations must be confirmed by email from the party leader, and the cancellation charges are as follows:

Cancellation before your balance is due (60 – 56 days before arrival depending on the specific villa) – loss of deposit

Cancellation after your balance is due (60 – 56 days before arrival depending on the specific villa) – 100% of the villa rental

If we have booked additional services for you, the cancellation charge will be according to the relevant supplier.  Full booking conditions can be found here https://dev.thevillaagency.co.uk/help-advice/booking-conditions/

 


Additional services

Can you arrange car hire?

Yes! We have specially selected, local car hire partners in each destination. Just let us know your requirements and we can make the arrangements for you.

It is sometimes possible to have hire cars delivered to the property so please ask us for more information.

 


Can you arrange transfers from the airport to the villa?

Yes, we can arrange transfers. Prices for these are on each villa page. If there is no price listed, they may be by request only so just get in touch and we will be happy to help.

 


Can The Villa Agency book my flights for me?

Yes, we can! We have an ATOL license which means that we can book flights on your behalf. We don’t charge commission on the flights but there is a £30 per person booking fee. Please note, there may be some properties that cannot be packaged with flights, but we will let you know upon enquiry if this is the case.

If you are booking your own flights, please remember that you will not be able to occupy the villa before the time stated on the villa description which is usually 4pm, and in all cases you will have to vacate at 10am on your final day. It is usually not possible to arrange early check-ins and late check-outs, especially in the busy periods.

 


Can you help with special arrangements like private chefs, musicians, beauty therapists?

Yes, we have a network of catering partners, private chefs, musicians, beauty therapists and more in all our destinations. Just let us know your requirements and we will move heaven and earth to help make it happen.

 


Can we host a special event or wedding at any of your villas?

Yes, we have a whole host of properties perfect for special occasions, or wellness retreats. Just tick the appropriate filter when doing a search and the most ideal properties will appear. Most events and parties will need to be requested with the villa owner and further conditions and fees may apply, but we can let you know all the nitty gritty when you make your enquiry. Remember, we are always here to help so just get in touch. No question is too big or too small!

 


While you are away

If we encounter a problem on holiday, who do we call?

All of the properties in our portfolio have a local villa manager so, if you need assistance during your stay, they can help. We provide their contact details with your holiday information sent about 1 week before you arrive. If you cannot get hold of them and there is an emergency, there is a 24/7 emergency line, details of which will be in your final details. We will never leave you to fend for yourself! We are always here to help and there is always someone on the end of the phone.

 


What time do we have to check-out?

Check-out is always 10am on your check-out day? Please leave the key where you found it and, if it was in the key safe, ensure you jumble up the numbers when it is closed. Ensure all the lights, heating and air conditioning are off and windows closed. Please dispose of all rubbish and recycling in the communal bins nearby, or as otherwise instructed, before you vacate the property on your final day to avoid deductions from your security deposit.

 


Talk to us

The easiest way to get in touch is by using the contact form below.

Send us your enquiry anytime, and we’ll respond promptly, even outside of office hours, including weekends and Bank Holidays (yes, even Christmas and New Year!).

Make enquiry