These days, many villa rental agencies double as personal concierges, organizing private tours of museums, hands-on cooking classes, and more. These experts have you covered.
Few travel decisions are as fraught as finding the right vacation rental. Will it look like the pictures? Who do I call if the bathtub floods? Fortunately, the world’s best residential specialists, agencies, and club managers expertly navigate these waters — and some provide five-star hotel-worthy services and amenities like complimentary airport transfers, 24-hour concierges, and bespoke excursions. Here are some of our favorites.
Europe
United Kingdom and Ireland
London Perfect: Each property in this collection is located in a prime central London neighborhood (Kensington, Notting Hill, Chelsea) and comes with high thread count linens and chef-worthy kitchens. Upon check-in with a local host, guests receive neighborhood guides to the area’s best shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and public transportation links, and staffers provide on-call support throughout stays.
888 520 2087
Adams & Butler: Siobhan Byrne Learat’s nine-person team manages a private portfolio of aristocratic castles, country homes, and modern estates throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom, plus select listings in more than 10 African countries like Kenya and Botswana. Experts arrange bespoke itineraries on themes such as gardens, antiques, whiskey, golf, and ancestry.
800 894 5712
Spain
El Sol Villas: Founder Mary Vaira, a former U.S. government intelligence analyst, turns her discerning, detail-oriented gaze to impeccable Basque Country estates, Ibiza villas, Costa Brava haciendas, and Madrid apartments. Her collection also includes hand-picked listings in Italy, France, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
800 474 5765
Spain Select: Local property managers oversee check-ins, departures, and more at 300-plus properties spanning chic Madrid apartments, Mediterranean villas, and Balearics estates. Spain Select also arranges a la carte services such as babysitting, pre-arrival grocery shopping, and airport transfers.
+34 915 23 74 51
France
Guest Apartment Services Paris: This stylish collection spans affordable studios and five-bedroom apartments in prime Parisian neighborhoods Ile St Louis and Notre Dame, as well as the occasional, exceptional countryside manor. Multilingual concierges can secure opera tickets and restaurant reservations, and the company also arranges fee-based extras such as limousine airport transfers.
+33 1 44 07 0620
Ville et Village: Caroline Grote personally visits all of the listings in her collection, from Parisian apartments to Loire Valley chateaux to Provencal farmhouses and Riviera villas. The agency also has listings in Italy (Florence, Rome, Tuscany, and Venice) and Barcelona.
510 559 8080
Italy
Homebase Abroad: Director Mara Solomon has deep roots in Italy and can advise on small-town logistics and arrange everything from kayaking in Lake Como to private Super Tuscans tastings. Her hand-picked collection spans rustic Umbrian farmhouses, seaside Amalfi estates, and off-the-beaten-path Dolomites chalets.
781 639 4040
Villa Europe: This company has a strong portfolio in Italy, plus select listings in Greece. Agents can arrange everything from truffle hunting expeditions to opera tickets, and have relationships with area vintners, babysitters, private chefs, chauffeurs, and language instructors.
207 200 2255
North America
InvitedHome: More than 200 listings in nine glamorous American destinations (Vail, Breckenridge, Maui, Lake Tahoe) comprise the mountains-centric portfolio of this Colorado-based company, which provides local expertise and 24-hour concierges for all bookings.
855 978 7627
Hawaii
Hawaii Hideaways: Helmed by Hawaii expert Ann Pawsat-Dressler, this agency features family-friendly beach houses, Gold Coast penthouses, and honeymoon-ready estates.
866 962 5642
Mexico
Cabo Villas: From a five-bedroom private home with a Pacific-facing infinity pool to luxury suites at the One&Only Palmilla, all of this agency’s Los Cabos listings come with airport transfers, rental car delivery to your door, and welcoming margaritas.
855 745 2226
Caribbean
Villas by Linda Smith: All of the nearly 100 listings in Linda Smith’s portfolio come with staff — chefs, butlers, laundresses, and housekeepers — trained by Smith herself.
301 229 4300
Conclusion
When seeking the ideal villa rental agency, consider those that provide not only luxurious accommodations but also exceptional concierge services tailored to enhance your travel experience. From private chefs to personalized tours, the right agency can significantly elevate your vacation.
