With its huge variety of scenery, history and culture, the Mediterranean offers so much to explore both onshore and off that it’s no surprise it has long been the go-to destination of choice for luxury vacationers from across the globe. However, finding a property to rent that’s as luxurious as your superyacht hasn’t always been the easiest of tasks.
With the best properties traditionally absent from the large rental sites and travel agents, word of mouth or good insider knowledge was the only way to secure a great luxury home but now Villa Collective hopes to change all that.
Launched in late 2016 by father-and-son team Richard and Nick Cookson, the Villa Collective is a platform which enables those looking for high-end rental properties throughout the Mediterranean to hire them directly from the owners safely and securely. Drawing on Richard’s decades of experience as the founder of luxury tour operator CV Travel, the site offers hundreds of properties throughout France, Spain, Greece, Morocco, Italy and the Balearics with prices ranging from €1,800 - €45,000 per week.
The Villa Collective was born through the Cookson’s experiences renting out their own Villa Yeraki – a stunning waterfront property in north-east Corfu – and aims to provide both owner and renter with the best experience possible through a number of services not traditionally found on home rental platforms. The site itself is beautifully designed and offers a huge amount of information about each property, including virtual tours wherever possible, and every villa comes with local management so there is always someone on hand for advice and help.
Each villa (and its owner or professional manager) is fully vetted before being listed on the site and all are fully staffed taking the guess work out of ensuring a top quality holiday. Too much choice? The Villa Collective’s expert advisors are on hand to help you find the perfect property and, once you have, you’ll be given a direct line to the owner so you can build a rapport and get a feel for your destination before you arrive.
So where to book this Mediterranean season? Those heading to the Cote d’Azur won’t go far wrong with Villa CView - a gorgeous 14-person property with spa, gym and indoor and outdoor pools overlooking Cap Ferrat – while those heading off the beaten track should enquire about the palatial Villa Adib in Marrakech. Set in an olive grove and designed by Raymond Morel, its vast swimming pool and hammam-style spa are the last word in utter relaxation.