The Villa Agency Turns 40! 

February 13, 2024

Wow – what an incredible 40 years!  

Since the very beginning (1984!), we’ve been creating happy and memorable villa holidays for our clients. From our humble beginnings in a small London office with just 8 villas, to our current setup in Brighton and a portfolio of over 400 villas (and growing!) across Portugal, Croatia, and Spain, our journey has been nothing short of amazing. 

In the words of our founder, Karen: 

“The world was a very different place in 1984, and I fell in love with the Algarve. I couldn’t think of a better way to earn a living than sharing that love. Taking a leap of faith, my business partner, Patrick, and I started The Villa Agency. In those pre-internet days, a smart address was everything, so we rented a windowless basement in Sloane Street. Our portfolio started with 8 villas, and instead of brochures we used to stick small photographs onto photocopied description sheets, typed by me on an ancient typewriter. From the beginning, our focus was on old-fashioned and personalised service. I’m delighted my extended family continues to run the company in the same way some 40 years later.” 

We’ve done a lot over the last four decades (including overcoming a pandemic!), yet what makes us most proud is the enduring relationships we’ve built with our clients. The travel industry has evolved, but our commitment to unbeatable customer service and genuine care has never wavered, earning us a 5-star Trustpilot rating, a testament to the incredible experiences we provide. 

 Why do clients return to us year after year? 

 

• Human connection in a digital world 

With us, you’ll always find a friendly voice at the other end of the line, happy to assist you every step of the way. Say goodbye to endless telephone queues, call centres, and multiple-choice options – at The Villa Agency, it’s about personal connections and genuine conversations. We’re always happy to help! 

• More than just a booking platform 

Every villa we offer is meticulously hand-picked, vetted, and approved by our dedicated team. With English-speaking staff on the ground, and a 24/7 emergency telephone line, your peace of mind is our top priority. We have long-standing relationships with our villa owners, managers and suppliers to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly. 

• Local wisdom and endless possibilities 

Our local knowledge and recommendations in Portugal, Croatia and Spain are unparalleled, ensuring that your journey is infused with authentic experiences. We’re not just accommodation specialists – we can arrange flights, airport transfers, car rentals, and even the finer details like an arrival hamper so you don’t have to worry about getting out to the supermarket as soon as you arrive at your holiday villa! We can also source caterers, birthday cakes, flowers, balloons, musicians, restaurant reservations, and excursions – nothing is too much trouble. 

• We’re a family affair 

Proudly independent and family-run, we’re one of the few remaining privately owned villa rental companies. Plus, members of our team have families of their own, so we have a true and in-depth understanding of just what families need when travelling with children. 

• A commitment to your protection 

Trust is fundamental, and we’ve solidified that trust with total financial protection. You can sleep easy knowing that your money is 100% safe as all of our non-flight bookings are protected by ABTOT and ATOL protect our flight package holidays, offering you complete peace of mind and repatriation assurance. 

Matthew, our Operations Manager (and Ginnie’s brother!), reflects on his time at The Villa Agency: 

“Getting it right really matters to us. We used to spend months designing, printing and posting brochures and sending out holiday documents. Modern technology has changed all of that but fundamentally we haven’t changed at all. We genuinely care about each and every client whose holiday we arrange. We have learnt what’s most important to each person and strive to maintain that personal approach that is so lacking in today’s modern world.” 

Trusted by villa owners, chosen year in, year out by our devoted clients – that’s the kind of legacy we’re proud to uphold. We can’t wait for many more years of creating unforgettable villa holidays! 

In our Managing Director, Ginnie’s, words: 

“What a journey it has been to our 40th celebration! I acquired the business from founder and friend, Karen, in 2019. Having worked at The Villa Agency for many years, the company was very close to my heart and I was extremely proud to take on the next chapter. Hop, skip and jump past the challenges of the pandemic – we are going from strength to strength! Our philosophy has not changed. We still put our clients before everything. We know how much of an investment a holiday is for many families and we are devoted to getting it right. As long as I am here, this will never change. There are lots of accommodation platforms out there but we will never become just another rental website – we are so much more. I look forward to many more years of creating memorable and happy holidays for our clients.”  

 

Now, it may be our birthday, but we’re giving you the gifts. To celebrate this milestone, we have an exclusive birthday giveaway!  

We’re giving you the chance to WIN a seven-night getaway in this beautiful four-bedroom villa in the Algarve, Portugal.   

Think breathtaking views, a private roof terrace, a heated pool, and more – it’s the ultimate villa experience!   

Terras Altas holds a special place in our villa collection, standing as one of our most popular properties since 1988! So many clients have adored and enjoyed it over the years so we’re confident you’ll fall in love with it too.  

For a chance to win, click the link below and simply fill in your details. 

If you book (or have booked) a holiday with us in 2024, you’ll automatically be entered TWICE!  

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 Terms and Conditions apply.

Giveaway closes 30/04/2024