FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

• You talk about villa-hotels. What do you mean exactly?
• You say your villas are world-class. What does this really mean?
• Is a villa at € 50 000 a week necessarily better than one at, say € 15 000 a week?
• What is the average value of the properties you offer?
• Can you give me examples of how you prepare a villa?
• Some villa companies and hotels put wine into the villa or rooms at marked-up prices. What is your policy?
• Some villa companies offer a cook or a chef on an hourly basis at quite high rates. What is your policy?
• Do you meet clients in?
• What about getting acclimated to the villa and settling in?
• What about concierge services?
• How do your rents compare with those of other companies?
• Why should I book with Villissima rather than another company?

You talk about villa-hotels. What do you mean exactly?

A villa-hotel is a world-class home—privately-booked, fully-prepared, and staffed to a level suitable for each client—which has the services of our local concierge office. In other words, privacy and services far beyond that of a five-star hotel.

You say your villas are world-class. What does this really mean?

It means we only offer the very best in the most sought-after destinations, world-wide.
Is a villa at € 50 000 a week necessarily better than one at, say € 15 000 a week?

No, it very often depends on the area—Cap Ferrat is much more expensive than Provence, for example—and, of course, the size of the property. In fact, at each prive level, they impeccable or near-impeccable.
What is the average value of the properties you offer?

Around € 5 million.
Can you give me examples of how you prepare a villa?

Yes, our standard preparation involves a total in-depth clean, putting in fruit, flowers, champagne, bathrobes, hair dryers, fine toiletries—Occitane’ in France and Bulgari in Italy, for example—and wooden coat hangers. Plus 300 hundred thread-count cotton sheets. Also, complimentary fine teas and coffee as well as virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar not to mention magazines, etc. In fact, what one should expect at this level.
Some villa companies and hotels put wine into the villa or rooms at marked-up prices. What is your policy?

We will—for a nominal fee—order and have delivered to the villa wines selected by our client from our own supplier or from the client’s wine merchant. Or we will simply allow the client to deal directly with one of our suppliers.
Some villa companies offer a cook or a chef on an hourly basis at quite high rates. What is your policy?

For many of the properties on the Côte d’Azur and the St. Tropez peninsula, a full-time chef or cook is included in the rent.  Where not included, we can—if the client requires—hire a full-time cook or chef (usually around € 2000 a week) since it works out quite reasonably per hour. Where a part-time cook or chef is required, we endeavor to get the best rate possible for the client. A final point: the cook or chef will work out likes and dislikes as well as first day menus with our client. Well before arrival.
Do you meet clients in?

Limousine airport-villa return transfer is included in all rentals with one of our concierge people at the airport or villa to introduce the client to the staff. This can be done on arrival at the villa or later.
What about getting acclimated to the villa and settling in?

Our concierge person will help with this and one of the staff will help with packing the bags and hanging clothes in the closets.
What about concierge services?

The concierge offices are quite often physically only a few minutes from the villa, but usually all can be handled by phone or email.
How do your rents compare with those of other companies?

Generally they are higher since we are only dealing with top-end properties. However, in the rare case where we offer a property that is featured by another company, we are comparable or slightly less expensive.

Why should I book with Villissima rather than another company?

We know we generally have much superior properties and we are certain that they are better presented on our site—our display has been called “second to none”—so you have a much clearer picture of where you will be spending cherished quality time with friends or family. And, since we have inspected all our properties, you can talk to someone who has spent some time at the villa, often lunched there or even stayed.

We try to answer all questions so you can make a fully-informed decision and get the most suitable property. As for services, a brief comparison with other companies quickly reveals that our basic service is equal to or better than other agents’ “premium service”. It’s really as simple as that.