Keep stressing that we will travel 600 miles by car to South of France only to discover that there is no villa. Check out this website for me - does it look 'legit' to you?

[handlemecarefully]

www.luxurybreaks.co.uk/luxury_villas_France_Cannes+-+Cote+D%27Azur_6_35_1.htm

We have already paid the deposit and are about to pay the balance in full. Am probably being completely ridiculous and OTT but I can not seem to shake niggling doubt that we well travel 600 miles by car with 2 small children only to find that we have been done.

Am I being ridiculous? What are you impressions of the website, does it look okay to you?

There is certainly a lot of detail on it...which is reassuring is it not?. But it seems to be run by a one man band (he is the only guy who answers the phone)

That in itself is not cause for suspiscion is it? Is it?

Also there is no hard copy brochure of properties (is that an issue?)

god Mrluxurybreaks - I suspect you're going to have mumsnetters queuing up for your villas after this. All's well that ends well, eh?

I have bookmarked you for next year

Sorry Mr Luxurybreaks - we Mumsnetters are fab but do something about the rain? No can do. Of course here in Budapest we had 10 mins of rain in our garden this afternoon - all dried up including washing after an hour! Still hot hot hot!

I hate testimonials too - I never believe a word of them (but maybe I'm a bit too cynical). They never quite ring true (and there's no way of checking!).

The ABTA/ATOL issue is quite interesting (re the villa rentals situation) because those are 'names' that are known to the public.

I have not yet looked at the website but will do in a moment, I am just going to reassure you as I have used a company that is run by one person who answers the phone etc, the company was not protected by any of the ABTA/ATOL as this is only required for those companies who provide air travel booking package hols including flights etc, I can understand your worries. 50 % deposit does seem a little high though as i ussually pay around 20 to 25 depending on who I book through,

A company I can reccomend for future hols is the one I went to run by MArie, this is holitots.com online she is registered with spanish authorities and is reliable. I find it better to use someone who is recomended or used before, You should be fine like I say there are plenty of agents online who are one man bands. You could also look at tots to france for future

the address of the company is
Luxurybreaks
Little Cutmadoc Farm
Lanhydrock
Cornwall
PL30 4AQ

They are also saying they are a limited company based in the uk which is always nice to know, you can run some searches on google etc on the company and see what comes up, After looking at the prices they do seem quite steep.

Does he have someone in France who will meet you at the property and are they english speaking, do you have a contact numbver for them? if the answer to these questions are yes get in toiuch wih that person and speak to them regarding the property.

I should think that if he is in the uk and the property is in France then there will be someone to contact in an emergancy as there will be at least a cleaner. get in touch with him again.

Kirsty- the actual owner has already been on here ( further down thread) confirming himself as a 'true business'

Thanks kirsty

Thankfully, it's all more than fine now. The owner has been very helpful too setting up things for our arrival.

Luxurybreaks LL. Who are you? Still no clearer.

www.luxuryvillarentals.com website is a search engine for sponsored ads. No addy or contact details on there either.

In your T&Cs you say
For the purpose of the Terms of Letting Luxurybreaks shall mean Luxurybreaks Limited.

I would like to know why you name yourself as one thing on your web site (Limited) when you are now state you registered as Luxurybreaks LLC.

Isn't it unlawful to go around saying you are Limited when you are not? He who cast the first stone an'all.

I think that is why the Companies House website was used to find out more.

May be luxurybreaks used to be Luxury Breaks Ltd ??

er guys this is sorted out now
please odnt emvbbarass hmc furhter

Gah beaten to it by a fish.

what you saying coddy

For Cod this is very good typing, she is effectively saying the matter has been sorted so please let it lie.

They would have found this thread by the fact you posted a link to their website.

I once posted on a forum that I was going to have to cancel a holiday as my mate was preg and someone asked me the www of the company so I posted a link. By the time I actually rang them 24hours later as soon as I said it was me thay said "oh we hear xxx is preg and you're cancelling".

They know when anyone posts a link to their website and had followed it back. Big Brother is watch

Hope you have a great holiday. At least the company have got (now positive) publicity on here!

Oh and I know a very good website designer if Mr Luxerybreaks wants one

As I posted at the beginning of all this:
"I have booked lots of places over the internet and they have always been exactly where they said they would be
Don't let group hysteria grip you! Have a lovely holiday!"

Re: the driving thing. We did it last week to the South of France overnight and it was FINE!

DD and DS slept, dh and I had mahoosive flask of coffee and just kept going, courtesy of a sat nav.

Meant we arrived and had full day (albeit with afternoon naps) and then left after a full day. Didn't feel like travelling had eaten into the holiday and have recovered from the lack of sleep really quickly (that's what comes of having small children - you get used to sleeplessness).

op asked to check out the website. Read between the lines.
Group hysteria, don't make me laugh!

It did get very chicken lickeny indeed.

HMC - how did the drive go? We are considering doing the same next year as it will save on airport faff, airport plus car hire cost etc etc. We have big car, DVD player etc so thinking it would work well. Would be just interested to hear how your journey went!