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Original poster

Is James Villas any good?

15 replies

crunchynut · 29/04/2006 23:38

Hello. I'm thinking of booking a villa through James Villas. Can anyone recommend this company? Thanks

OP posts:

cheesecake · 30/04/2006 13:49

Dont do it unless you want to pay mega bucks . Look on their webb site and find a nice area and the type villas for rent in (where ever you decide ) and press search . You will save a packet .

cheesecake · 30/04/2006 13:50

sorry I should have said and then type villas for rent in (wherever you decide )

GDG · 30/04/2006 13:51

Er, we went with them and our villa wasn't the best tbh. I don't think I'd go with them again. There are plenty of other villa websites. Try Ownersdirect.co.uk - I know jools has been with them and have had no problems. We are going to a villa this year with villaparade - have been nice to deal with so far and villa looks a lot nicer but it's also much more expensive. So it's a trade off I guess.

cheesecake · 30/04/2006 13:52

so basically no James villas

JoolsToo · 30/04/2006 14:41

I thought James Villas were good actually. They take the hassle out and will book everything for you including car - it may cost a bit more but if you want hassle free booking they're good.

GDG is sort of right about the villa - the interior wasn't that comfortable - the quality of the sheets left a lot to be desired, but I though outside was lovely, nice views, lovely pool, large eating area.

I wouldn't use them again though because I found ownersdirect who have a vast choice and the one villa we stayed in was great and anyway I now have time to search for the best deals for flights and cars.

hana · 30/04/2006 15:21

a group of us used James Villas a few years ago to book a place on the Amalfi Coast - it was a bit old and crumbly, but for the price it was great. We didn't book car hire through them. Didn't find them that expensive, but we went out of season

onlyjoking9329 · 30/04/2006 15:38

we came back last week from a jamess villa holiday we have used them 6 times with no problems, we don't hire a car and this last holiday we just booked the villa with james and sorted our own flights out which was much cheaper.

alp · 01/05/2006 08:49

we've ben twice with james - both out of season so we got the villas for about £250 so for that money a 3 bed 3 bath with pool villa is fab! we went to Corfu and that was better than the one in Spain but would try and book car hire yourselves as it is expensive (£150) for a super small car and they seem to rent them from small traders(which i am all for) that operate from a shed/caravan in the main car park. When you have luggage and a grumpy child it is all a bit chatoic to stop them from wanting to run around in front of the cars! Also the car seats are a bit manky (sp!) and come with no instructions, which doesn't make for a harmonious start to the holiday ( well not if your dh's patience is anything like my dh's!) When you get there all is fine

Original poster

crunchynut · 02/05/2006 22:26

hallo. thanks for all your messages. i will have a look at those other companies you all recommend before i decide!

OP posts:

QE · 02/05/2006 22:30

We had a fab holiday in Menorca 3 years ago. Everything was smooth, no hassle, friendly advisors, absolutely no problem with them at all. Car hire etc with car seats, highchair etc was all sorted, everything we asked for, it was there. One problem we did have (can't remember what it was now) but the rep came round the next day and sorted it out. Villa was lovely, pool cleaned and villa cleaned when they said it would be, the rest of the time they left us alone. Very pricey but very efficient imo.

jamese · 03/05/2006 10:44

The Greek Island Club is definately someone I would recomend. Bit pricey but well worth the extra. Lovely accommodationa and great service - even get to check in at a separate check in desk with hardly anyone else around!!

Shame we can't afford it now I am a SAHM but if you have the pennies well worth it.

Original poster

crunchynut · 11/05/2006 13:33

Hallo. Just an update... I've booked through James so fingers crossed! I did find the flights cheaper elsewhere, but james were able to match the price. Thanks for that, Onlyjoking, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.

OP posts:

Fburns · 12/12/2016 21:51

Just booked with them only to find Jet 2 holidays selling the same holiday for a full £1k cheaper. Very unhappy what's worse is they said jet 2 don't sell that holiday which is a lie!!!!!!! I have sent them the screenshot as evidence. Ahhh use Jet 2 instead same holidays but significantly cheaper.

margypargy · 19/07/2017 16:27

I've just had a bad experience with James Villas. They took a large deposit (£2000) for the villa I booked - even though there were only two of us - and then didn't return it to me in the agreed timescale. The villa was lovely but James' customer service skills were zero when I tried to follow it up.

Pickleshickles · 19/07/2017 16:32

Second Greek island club.

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