With the advent of Christmas, thoughts of course turn to managing the turkey roast, opening presents with suitable thanks given to the watching friends and relatives and of course enjoying good times with all concerned.
There is often a celebration of the year just had, as well as a look ahead to the coming one. Certainly a question often raised, where will next years holiday be taken and what other family gatherings are on the calendar.
It goes without saying of course, a family villa in France or Italy is an ideal base for a family reunion or party. With self catering facilities, private pool and grounds, a party staying at a villa can manage itself very nicely indeed. Compared to a hotel, there is no hindrance from hotel staff (and meal timetables), other guests sharing pools (and poaching sunloungers!) and of course a villa usually works out far cheaper.
If you haven't requested your brochure yet for 2009 and are considering booking a France villa or Italy villa, please call us or click here - France or click here - Italy to enter your details on line and we will happily mail a copy to arrive with you in the festive period.
Happy Christmas to all friends of Quality Villas.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Beat the Credit Crunch in a Quality Villa in France or Italy
The Quality Villas' blog has been a touch silent recently mainly due to our office move. As a family business we are still in Berkhamsted in leafy Hertfordshire, close to the homes of the owners, but now have purpose built quality accommodation of our own. Not quite like a luxury villa in France or Italy but pretty smart all the same! Our reservations team has especially benefited from an improved telephone system and speedier internet access, thanks to a super new server and state of the art telephone system. This will mean our response times will be even faster. We're practising with the new equipment even now!
And the phones have been busy. People have been calling wanting to book villas in France or Italy but concerned about the possible costs in this economic climate. Everyone we speak to is therefore delighted when we begin to talk about prices for 2009. For families, a villa holiday in France or Italy is still exceptional value and can cost as little as £250.00 per person per week, for a house with a private pool and maid service. These prices of course compare extremely favourably with hotel costs, especially when the villas in question are situated in locations such as Tuscany and the Cote d'Azur ... but of course the benefits of quality villa rental do not stop there.
All our villas offer "home from home" comforts such as English speaking satellite TV channels, internet access, full laundry facilities and proximity to wonderful countryside, seaside, or to interesting, peaceful or vibrant local towns and villages. Of course for many holiday makers "home from home" is great, but because they are on holiday they want something extra and special... A quality French villa holiday can provide that too, with a range of villas offering true luxury and style. Choose from traditional villas, ultra modern homes or fully staffed houses. All your vacation homes will complement and enhance your holiday choice ensuring that a great time is had by all!
Monday, 17 November 2008
Luxury Travel Fair Olympia
Over the last weekend (5 - 8 November) Quality Villas participated at the international Luxury Travel Fair at London's Olympia. The fair gave us the opportunity to meet customers and owners in person, and to discuss holiday requirements with the many people who are planning to spend their 2009 summer holiday in a villa in France or a villa in Italy.
The fair gave Quality Villas the opportunity both to showcase some of the houses which have proved so popular with clients and which have contributed to the company's reputation as a provider of first class villas, and also to discuss new properties which will be available for rental next summer.
One of the main themes of discussion this year was of course the credit crunch. The Quality Villas team was encouraged that many people are interpreting the UK's changing financial temperature to mean that when they book a villa they want to be reassured that it will offer the standard and facilities which they have paid for.
As one client said to us "Your approach to villa rental, supported by your highly professional and pleasant staff means that we will certainly be returning to you for our future villa bookings."
ends
Thursday, 6 November 2008
What do you want from your villa in France?
Every year Quality Villas asks for, and receives, feedback from clients who have spent time at one of the company's villas in France or villas in Italy. This feedback is used to help us improve our service to our customers and is also relayed to the owners of houses we represent so that they can get a better understanding of what makes a villa holiday truly memorable.
In the middle of a credit crunch and with our villas in France and Italy costing above average, based on the levels of quality and luxury they provide, we have been particularly delighted this year so many of our customers have reported very high levels of holiday satisfaction both from the accomodation they chose and our service.
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Customers who stayed at Villa Harmonie said ...."The villa was very comfortable .. we were very happy with everything and had a lovely holiday. Speaking to your staff, telling them our needs, and having the opportunity to chat through different options was most helpful. The fact that they actually know the villas too was most valuable...."
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Because our villas have a strong reputation for the standards of accommodation and for the support services ( maids, chefs, babysitters, etc ) which are also on offer, repeat bookings are commonplace. One of the most popular villas on the Cote d'Azur, Villa Mozart, has already taken its first repeat booking for August 2009 and others like The House on the Beach in Brittany are being requested daily.
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In these straightened times holidays become even more important as we all struggle to relax and escape the pressures of day to day living... knowing you are going to "excellent" accomodation such as Mas des Grands Pins chosen in association with " very helpful and understanding" people will ensure a successful quality holiday which offers value for your money!
In the middle of a credit crunch and with our villas in France and Italy costing above average, based on the levels of quality and luxury they provide, we have been particularly delighted this year so many of our customers have reported very high levels of holiday satisfaction both from the accomodation they chose and our service.
.JPG)
Customers who stayed at Villa Harmonie said ...."The villa was very comfortable .. we were very happy with everything and had a lovely holiday. Speaking to your staff, telling them our needs, and having the opportunity to chat through different options was most helpful. The fact that they actually know the villas too was most valuable...." .jpg)
Because our villas have a strong reputation for the standards of accommodation and for the support services ( maids, chefs, babysitters, etc ) which are also on offer, repeat bookings are commonplace. One of the most popular villas on the Cote d'Azur, Villa Mozart, has already taken its first repeat booking for August 2009 and others like The House on the Beach in Brittany are being requested daily..JPG){kind=link}
In these straightened times holidays become even more important as we all struggle to relax and escape the pressures of day to day living... knowing you are going to "excellent" accomodation such as Mas des Grands Pins chosen in association with " very helpful and understanding" people will ensure a successful quality holiday which offers value for your money!Friday, 3 October 2008
Morocco for some late sun?
As winter draws ever nearer and following what was a fairly sun-free summer in the UK, many of us feel a little short changed regarding tanning opportunities! There is still opportunity however to enjoy some winter sun, the closest of which is in Morocco. This up and coming destination is now served by a number of airlines from the UK and represents good value for money. The Managing Director of Quality Villas, John Gerry, has just returned from a visit to assess our featured properties and has reported accordingly:
"Quality Villas has specialised for over 20 years in offering first class villa holidays to its many clients, many of whom are families with children.
It is with enthusiasm that we now take our villa expertise into Morocco. Morocco is one of the most interesting holiday venues within easy flight reach (c.3 hours ) of the U.K. It combines a marvellously hot and dry climate with an exotic African ambience and a friendly Moroccan welcome (French is universally spoken, whilst English is not uncommon in Marrakesh).
Initially we have focussed on Marrakesh with its world famous Jema el Fna (central piazza in the Medina with snake-charmers, henna painters and fresh orange-juice sellers in the daytime………and a fantastic varied food court with music and games in the evening) and the exotic souks to practice your haggling skills across a myriad of products.
Everytime you visit Marrakesh, you realise what a treasure trove it is - on my fifth visit I am still amazing myself with parts of the Medina I’ve never seen, the Kasbah or the “new town” outside the Medina walls.
With the Atlas mountains always in view, the temptation to hire a car (or a driver) and visit the mountains for magnificent views, lunch near the top at one of several excellent restaurants, or carry on further into the desert for the true Berber experience.
THE MARRAKECH VILLA EXPERIENCE
Morocco has a culture of service, and this is reflected in the villa experience that awaits you in Marrakech.
We have selected our Marrakesh villas to be within a 10/15 minute drive of the Medina. Whilst the villas all vary in respect of position, size and architecture, they all share certain features;
- a generous size pool with plenty of outside living space (open and covered ) is essential
- each villa comes with a housekeeper and a cook to look after your comfort, and cook all the meals you decide to have in the villa (our strong recommendation is to let the cook select the menu herself sometimes as you will get a true taste of excellent Moroccan cuisine)
- in each villa there will be a kitchen and attached small living space for the housekeeper. Whilst obviously the kitchen is never “out of bounds” for our clients, the cook/housekeeper would normally expect to do all the work associated with it. For instance, on a recent trip, the cook purchased nappies and other baby requirements for us locally. Whilst the housekeeper and cook are included in the price, clients are expected to leave a gratuity for both around 14 Euros each per day, so this should be taken into account when looking at the villa price".
We can speak about our Morocco villas on offer personally, however our website is the easiest way to see what we can offer. We also have a selection of Riads, should you prefer a short break within the city itself.
A Marrakech villa
A Marrakech riad
"Quality Villas has specialised for over 20 years in offering first class villa holidays to its many clients, many of whom are families with children.
It is with enthusiasm that we now take our villa expertise into Morocco. Morocco is one of the most interesting holiday venues within easy flight reach (c.3 hours ) of the U.K. It combines a marvellously hot and dry climate with an exotic African ambience and a friendly Moroccan welcome (French is universally spoken, whilst English is not uncommon in Marrakesh).
Initially we have focussed on Marrakesh with its world famous Jema el Fna (central piazza in the Medina with snake-charmers, henna painters and fresh orange-juice sellers in the daytime………and a fantastic varied food court with music and games in the evening) and the exotic souks to practice your haggling skills across a myriad of products.
Everytime you visit Marrakesh, you realise what a treasure trove it is - on my fifth visit I am still amazing myself with parts of the Medina I’ve never seen, the Kasbah or the “new town” outside the Medina walls.
With the Atlas mountains always in view, the temptation to hire a car (or a driver) and visit the mountains for magnificent views, lunch near the top at one of several excellent restaurants, or carry on further into the desert for the true Berber experience.
THE MARRAKECH VILLA EXPERIENCE
Morocco has a culture of service, and this is reflected in the villa experience that awaits you in Marrakech.
We have selected our Marrakesh villas to be within a 10/15 minute drive of the Medina. Whilst the villas all vary in respect of position, size and architecture, they all share certain features;
- a generous size pool with plenty of outside living space (open and covered ) is essential
- each villa comes with a housekeeper and a cook to look after your comfort, and cook all the meals you decide to have in the villa (our strong recommendation is to let the cook select the menu herself sometimes as you will get a true taste of excellent Moroccan cuisine)
- in each villa there will be a kitchen and attached small living space for the housekeeper. Whilst obviously the kitchen is never “out of bounds” for our clients, the cook/housekeeper would normally expect to do all the work associated with it. For instance, on a recent trip, the cook purchased nappies and other baby requirements for us locally. Whilst the housekeeper and cook are included in the price, clients are expected to leave a gratuity for both around 14 Euros each per day, so this should be taken into account when looking at the villa price".
We can speak about our Morocco villas on offer personally, however our website is the easiest way to see what we can offer. We also have a selection of Riads, should you prefer a short break within the city itself.
A Marrakech villa
A Marrakech riad
Friday, 22 August 2008
2009 Brochures
Our 2009 brochures for France and Italy are due for release early to mid October this year. Our French brochure will remain approximately the same size, whilst Italy will be approximately 30 pages larger than last year.
If you wish to reserve a copy and have it sent to you when it is ready, please contact us on 0044 (0) 1442 870055 or email us at info@qualityvillas.com .
Alternatively via our website http://www.qualityvillas.com/ there is a brochure request function.
Image: Cefalu. Our Sicily villa 'La Barella' is just 3kms from here.
Our 2009 Italy brochure will include villas in Sicily, villas on the Island of Elba, Lake Como villas and Lake Garda villas.
Our 2009 France brochure has also seen various changes, the
St Tropez villa section and the Cote d'Azur villa section have now been divided for ease, whilst there are a number of newly featured villas available.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Luxury villas with Quality Villas
Quality Villas is a privately owned, independent villa rental agency specialising in the luxury market. Our portfolio includes villas in France, Italy villas, Marrakesh holiday villas and excitingly for 2009 and beyond, we will add Mauritius and Mallorca.
Our history and experience run back over 23 years, with the same owner throughout. Despite changes in the world of travel over this time, witnessing the advent of the internet and many other challenges and changes, our core values remain the same: that is to know our properties and to know our customers. We also have always and will always offer the same old fashioned values of service to our clients. If you telephone us, you will speak to a friendly, multilingual sales person that knows our properties personally. There are no call centres and we wont keep you waiting in a call queue to be answered.
If you email us or visit our website you will receive a prompt response to your enquiry, including suggested villas that may suit your requirements (party size, location desired and so on). We manage your enquiry throughout and there are even staff overseas who will assist you as required in your resort destination.
Our portfolio of French villas includes Normandy, Brittany, Vendee, Loire, Provence, Cote d'Azur, St Tropez and Var, Provence and the south west, including Biarritz. In Italy, our core focus are villas in Tuscany, but we also offer Umbria, Lazio, Lake Garda, Lake Como, Le Marche, Sicily, Elba island and look to extend this offering soon. In Morocco we currently feature Marrakesh Riads and Villas. Our Mauritius villas are all round the island mostly with beachside locations.
Our properties are all of the highest standards and have either a private pool or are near the sea. We can arrange any kind of extra service from maids, babysitters and chef through to holiday nannies, currency being delivered to your door and tickets to special events.
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