Top Villa Rental Agencies

Choosing the perfect vacation rental can be one of the most challenging travel decisions. (Will it match the photos? Who do I contact if there’s a plumbing issue?) Thankfully, the top residential experts, agencies, and club managers expertly guide you through this process—some even offer five-star hotel-level services and amenities such as complimentary airport transfers, 24-hour concierges, and personalized excursions. Here are a few of our top picks.

Europe

United Kingdom and Ireland

London Perfect: Every property in this collection is situated in a prime central London neighborhood (Kensington, Notting Hill, Chelsea) and features high-thread-count linens and chef-inspired kitchens. Upon arrival, guests meet with a local host who provides neighborhood guides highlighting the best shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and public transportation options, along with on-call support throughout their stay. 888 520 2087

Adams & Butler: Siobhan Byrne Learat leads a nine-member team managing a private collection of aristocratic castles, country homes, and modern estates across Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as select listings in over 10 African nations like Kenya and Botswana. Experts, including in-house genealogists, craft personalized itineraries centered on themes like gardens, antiques, whiskey, golf, and ancestry. 800 894 5712

Spain

El Sol Villas: Founder Mary Vaira, a former U.S. government intelligence analyst, brings her meticulous, detail-focused perspective to exquisite Basque Country estates, Ibiza villas, Costa Brava haciendas, and Madrid apartments. Her portfolio also features carefully selected listings in Italy, France, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. 800 474 5765

Spain Select: Local property managers handle check-ins, departures, and more at over 300 properties, including stylish Madrid apartments, Mediterranean villas, and Balearic estates. Spain Select also offers a la carte services like babysitting, pre-arrival grocery shopping, and airport transfers. +34 915 23 74 51

France

Guest Apartment Services Paris: This chic collection features budget-friendly studios and spacious five-bedroom apartments in prime Parisian areas such as Ile St Louis and Notre Dame, along with exceptional countryside manors. Multilingual concierges can arrange opera tickets and restaurant bookings, and the company offers additional services like limousine airport transfers for a fee. +33 1 44 07 0620

Ville et Village: Caroline Grote personally inspects all properties in her collection, ranging from Parisian apartments to Loire Valley chateaux, Provencal farmhouses, and Riviera villas. She provides in-depth recommendations for destinations, such as the best farmers' markets for olive oil and where locals find antiques. The agency also features listings in Italy (Florence, Rome, Tuscany, and Venice) and Barcelona. 510 559 8080

Haven in Paris: Each listing in this collection is greeted by hosts, featuring Haussmannian duplexes near Canal Saint Martin, elegant flats in Central London, Provencal farmhouses, and Tuscan palazzos. All properties are equipped with high-thread-count linens, computers or tablets with free Wi-Fi, and comprehensive neighborhood guides. 617 395 4243

Paris Luxury Rentals: Specializing in opulent residences, this agency offers 20 luxurious properties, including a three-bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the Seine and an art collector's triplex by Luxembourg Gardens. Their local guides ensure a smooth arrival with personalized check-ins, daily cleaning, and concierge services providing insider tips on local attractions, such as the nearby Viviani Park, home to the oldest tree in Paris. VIP airport transfers include priority immigration. 415 851 1000

Paris Perfect: As part of the "Apartment Perfect" network (which includes London Perfect, Italy Perfect, and Bali Perfect), this selection features studios and two- or three-bedroom homes located in stylish Paris neighborhoods like St Germain, Ile de la Cite, and the Marais. A dedicated management team handles personal check-ins and creates destination guides; on request, they can stock refrigerators with local delicacies (we’re eyeing the macarons). 888 520 2087

Holidays France Rentals: This boutique agency primarily lists properties in Paris neighborhoods like the Marais and Rue St Honore, but also offers villas, farmhouses, and riads across France, Spain, Turkey, and Morocco. Guests enjoy complimentary concierge services and one-way limousine airport transfers, along with the option to request walking tours, babysitting, language tutoring, or excursions to nearby cities like Brussels and Amsterdam. +33 1 5537 9736

Italy

Homebase Abroad: With extensive ties to Italy, Director Mara Solomon offers guidance on local logistics (like the most reliable village ferry) and can organize everything from kayaking on Lake Como to private tastings of Super Tuscans. Her curated collection features rustic Umbrian farmhouses, seaside estates on the Amalfi coast, and unique chalets in the Dolomites. 781 639 4040

Villa Europe: This agency boasts a robust portfolio in Italy, along with a few select properties in Greece. Their agents can organize everything from truffle hunting adventures to opera tickets, maintaining strong connections with local vintners, babysitters, private chefs, chauffeurs, and language tutors. 207 200 2255

The Best in Italy: Countess Simonetta Brandolini d'Adda offers over 80 fully staffed villas, many owned by Italian nobility who are her friends and family. She also has access to her exclusive network for extraordinary experiences, such as behind-the-scenes access to the Palio di Siena horse race or a private tour of the Vatican. + 39 0 5522 3064

Italy Perfect: Sisters Lisa and Pat Byrne personally check and often stay in all their apartments, villas, and cottages across Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast. Ideal for independent travelers, Italy Perfect (part of the Apartment Perfect family) provides multilingual greeters and can connect guests with concierge services, chefs, and chauffeurs. 888 308 6123

The Thinking Traveller: Based in London, this agency offers nearly 200 exclusive listings in regions like Sicily, Puglia, the Sporades, Corsica, and the Ionian Islands. Most properties come with kitchen and housekeeping staff, all managed by dedicated concierges—known as "talking guidebooks"—many of whom are locally based. 800 490 1107

IC Bellagio: Andrea Grisdale possesses in-depth knowledge of each property and collaborates closely with owners to ensure quality. With over 40 staff members ready to assist, they can arrange unique experiences like an aperitivo tour through Venice alongside a Venetian countess, or a private viewing of the Vasari Corridor in Florence. +39 031 95 2059

Dream & Charme: Based in Milan, this agency boasts over 500 listings, featuring everything from chic Milanese apartments to an 11th-century Tuscan castle and a beachfront retreat on Elba Island within a nature reserve. Many villas include live-in staff, and Dream & Charme also operates as a tour operator, making flight and rental car bookings effortless. Additionally, they offer a tiered e-commerce platform where guests, hosts, and the public can buy monogrammed linens, luxury fragrances, and Dream & Charme-approved caviar. +39 02 8050 3457

Croatia

Croatian Villas: This U.K.-based agency features a wide range of family-friendly hilltop homes, city-center apartments (some with pools), and luxurious sea-facing villas in its Croatian collection. Partnering agencies can arrange airport transfers, travel insurance, ground transportation, and even airfare for guests. +44 20 8888 6655

Turkey

Simpson Travel: Founder Graham Simpson showcases a diverse selection of Mediterranean properties, including modern apartments in Istanbul, beach villas in Kas, and chalets on the Bozburun Peninsula overlooking the Aegean Sea, along with select residences in the Greek Islands, Corsica, France, and Spain. Some listings, like a beautifully restored historic stone farmhouse in Corfu, are exclusive. + 44 20 8392 5858

Greece

Five Star Greece: Founded by Ileana von Hirsch, who leads the specialist supergroup UltraVilla, and Eva Aidonopoulou, this agency personally inspects all beachfront estates, hilltop villas, and luxury apartments in their portfolio. Most listings are private, and their agents can coordinate everything from daily fresh bread deliveries to trips to the Turkish coast on a traditional gulet. + 44 20 8422 4885

White Key Villas: Based in Athens, this agency covers all of Greece, representing properties in the Cyclades, Peloponnese, Ionian Islands, and the less-frequented Saronic Gulf. Bookings include multilingual concierges who craft tailored experiences, such as private helicopter tours or island-hopping adventures in the Aegean Sea. +30 21 0721 5530

Continent-Wide

Loyd & Townsend Rose: This Scotland-based agency specializes in castles, mansions, country cottages, and ancestral homes throughout the UK and Ireland, with select villas and chalets available in France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. All properties come fully staffed with butlers, chefs, and property managers. Well-connected agents can arrange extraordinary, à la carte destination experiences, such as private rounds at St. Andrews or game shoots in the English countryside. +44 1835 824 642

Unique Properties & Events: This London-based agency functions as a luxury concierge, party planner, and villa specialist, showcasing a selective array of ultra-stylish chalets, estates, and mansions across France, Spain, Italy, and beyond. Founder Cedric Reversade's well-connected team caters to every whim—imagine after-hours tours of private art collections with a BBC documentarian or barefoot cooking lessons with a Michelin-starred chef right in your villa kitchen. +44 20 7788 7815

Dominique's Villas: After acquiring Greek experts Elysian Holidays in 2013, this agency merged the expertise of both companies across French, Mediterranean, Italian, Spanish, Caribbean, and Moroccan markets, refining its portfolio to feature only the finest options. In 2016, Dominique's Villas also partnered with Simpson Travel to share listings across their collections. +44 15 8076 6599

Abercrombie & Kent Villas: A seasoned tour operator, Abercrombie & Kent offers villas in Italy, France, Greece, Croatia, Portugal, the UK, and Spain, as well as ski chalets in Switzerland, France, Italy, and Austria. Leveraging its extensive local network, AKVillas specialists can arrange various activities, from cruising through Monaco in a sleek Bentley to yachting on the Cote d'Azur or taking home cooking classes with a local nonna. 800 652 8413

Carpe Diem Luxury Travel: Marina Gratsos curates a selection of villas, chalets, chic apartments, and private islands worldwide, with a focus on exclusive European destinations. Among her 50-private collection, you'll find treasures like a 16th-century Tuscan castle owned by an Italian count and an American former model. +44 20 7402 5330

North America

Beautiful Places: Based in Sonoma, this agency focuses on Northern California's wine country, offering personalized wine tastings and "terroir treks" through the scenic Napa vineyards. Their global portfolio includes destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, the Caribbean, as well as Italy, Portugal, and various European countries, plus other North American locales like New York's Hamptons. 800 495 9961

InvitedHome: This Colorado-based company boasts over 200 listings in nine glamorous American locales, including Vail, Breckenridge, Maui, and Lake Tahoe. With a mountains-centric focus, they provide local expertise and 24-hour concierge services for all bookings. 855 978 7627

Hawaii

Hawaii Hideaways: Led by Hawaii specialist Ann Pawsat-Dressler, this agency offers family-friendly beach houses, luxurious Gold Coast penthouses, and romantic honeymoon estates. While their agents possess extensive island knowledge, there is an hourly fee for 24-hour concierges who can organize activities such as whale watching, scuba diving lessons, or private luaus (starting at $30 per hour). 866 962 5642

Tropical Villa Vacations: Managed by a former Four Seasons concierge, this Maui-based agency oversees a collection of over 50 ultra-luxurious villas and private homes across the islands. Agency owner Irene Anne Aroner, also a Four Seasons alum, personally selects listings, including a three-bedroom penthouse at the award-winning Montage hotel, a family-friendly beach house in Maui, and an extravagant oceanfront estate that accommodates 34 guests. 888 875 2818

Canada

Entrée Destinations: Based in Vancouver, this tour operator crafts personalized itineraries across Western Canada, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and Ontario. From dogsledding adventures to helicopter drop-off hikes, they offer access to remote cabins and ski-in/ski-out chalets in the Canadian Rockies. Entree collaborates with top hotels and resorts in the area, including the Four Seasons Vancouver and Fairmont Chateau Whistler. 888 999 655

Mexico

Cabo Villas: This agency's Los Cabos offerings include everything from a five-bedroom private home with a Pacific-facing infinity pool to luxury suites at One&Only Palmilla. All listings come with airport transfers, rental car delivery, and a welcome package of margaritas, chips, and salsa. Need a reservation at celebrity chef Enrique Olvera's Manta restaurant or want to charter a speedboat to El Arco? Local concierges are available 24/7. 855 745 2226

Journey Mexico: This luxury operator features handpicked villas, haciendas, and Spanish colonial mansions in eight top Mexican destinations, including Tulum, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. With over 30 years of destination expertise, their extensive local network offers unique experiences like guided tours of the Palenque Mayan ruins in Chiapas or surf lessons in Baja. 800 474 1629

Caribbean

Villas by Linda Smith: Nearly 100 properties in Linda Smith's portfolio come fully staffed with chefs, butlers, laundresses, and housekeepers, all trained by Smith herself. She personally inspects each property and has renovated several. Most listings are situated along a prestigious 10-mile stretch in Montego and Discovery Bays on Jamaica's northern coast. 301 229 4300

LaCure Villas: This Canadian agency boasts a global portfolio of almost 450 properties in the Caribbean, each with 24-hour concierge service. They offer luxury hotel-style packages, including the four-night James Bond Beach itinerary featuring jet skiing, unlimited spa treatments, and stays at a fully staffed Jamaican estate located on the beach where 1962's Dr. No was filmed. 800 387 2726

McLaughlin Anderson: Focusing on Grenada and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, this agency represents over 125 listings across seven Caribbean destinations. Their offerings include private beach houses and fully serviced Four Seasons residences, with every booking featuring personal welcomes, introductory house tours, and on-call assistance from local Island Managers. 800 537 6246

St. Barth Properties: Peg Walsh, founder, owner, and part-time resident, has been renting vacation homes on St. Bart's since 1989. She and her team conduct regular inspections of all listings, which offer concierges, destination wedding planners, and VIP services like custom-stocked refrigerators on arrival, as well as meal and spa packages with luxury resorts on the island. 800 421 3396

Central & South America

Brazil

Brazilian Beach House Co.: Established nearly ten years ago by Steven Chew, a contributing editor for both U.K. and American travel publications, this company based in Uruguay represents over 120 staffed beachfront villas, modern penthouses, and private island estates in Brazil and Uruguay. Every booking includes a local concierge service, along with daily housekeeping and kitchen staff. +59 8 2605 6913

Costa Rica

Mead Brown: Almost 50 properties along Costa Rica's Pacific coast come with standard concierge services and daily housekeeping. These include a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired estate in Guanacaste that boasts ocean views, horseback riding trails, and a regulation tennis court. Local experts can arrange customized experiences like treks in the Herradura highlands or whale watching trips from Marina Ballena National Park. 888 744 6599

Continent-Wide

Oasis Collections: Established in 2009, this Miami-based company is favored by both Google executives and Kylie Jenner, offering luxurious apartments and estates around the globe, including nine Latin American destinations like Buenos Aires, Bogota, Cartagena, Rio de Janeiro, and Jose Ignacio. Every listing is personally inspected by Oasis staff, and their excellent local connections can secure top reservations at the trendiest restaurants and exclusive events. Oasis guests can access members' clubs in Rio and Barcelona that host social events, private exhibitions, and tastings, along with a by-application Clubhouse in Buenos Aires. 855 686 2747

Blue Parallel Villas: Based in Buenos Aires, this operator features villas and penthouses in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, and Ecuador, available to guests booking its exclusive, customized itineraries, which may include trekking in Patagonia or guided dives among sea turtles in the Galapagos. The company has recently expanded into the Mediterranean as well. 800 256 5307

Africa

Blue Views: This South African operator manages 29 luxury apartments and villas just a short walk from the beautiful beaches of Camps Bay and Bakoven in Cape Town. Every booking includes personal greeters, concierges, babysitting services, and daily housekeeping, with many properties featuring pools and gyms. +27 21 438 0032

Explore, Inc.: Founded by Cherri Briggs, who splits her time between Africa and managing a conservation and community organization in Zambia, this agency crafts tailored itineraries across Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Seychelles. Her collection includes fully staffed, privately owned villas, luxurious safari camps in remote game reserves, and a penthouse at the One&Only Cape Town, available for individual booking or as part of a customized journey. 970 871 0065

New Zealand

Touch of Spice: Personal "Travel Curators" offer dedicated concierge services to guests at beachfront estates in the Bay of Islands, luxury lodges in Queenstown, and penthouses in Auckland. Tailored itineraries may include exclusive tee times at private golf courses or helicopter trips to secluded beaches for intimate stargazing. +64 3 450 0855

Global

Villas & Apartments Abroad: Sylvia Delvaille Jones boasts a collection of nearly 900 properties worldwide, ranging from sprawling Scottish castles to a unique Gaudi-inspired apartment in Barcelona, and even a private four-acre island off Bora Bora. Most homes are fully staffed, managed by local companies, with regional teams capable of arranging remarkable experiences, such as private concerts or last-minute opera tickets. 212 213 6435

Ultravilla: A premier supergroup that connects top-tier agencies specializing in various regions, Ultravilla was established by Ileana von Hirsch of Five Star Greece, Madelyn Byrne of Paris Perfect, Andrew Loyd of Loyd Townsend Rose, and Marina Gratsos of Carpe Diem. For users, the Ultravilla network acts as a pre-vetting process rather than a simple aggregation, as member agencies undergo thorough scrutiny before joining.

Red Savannah: Launched in 2011 by a former director at Abercrombie & Kent, this tailored tour provider and rental service offers private homes, villas, and estates across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. The company excels in crafting personalized experiences alongside luxury accommodations, linking travelers to local adventures like croissant-making with a St.-Remy baker or snowmobiling across Norway's Arctic fjords. 855 468 5555

Time & Place: Offering everything from red-carpet experiences at Cannes to exclusive masala chai tastings in Kolkata, the concierges at this global agency can fulfill any request. Their listings span beach, ski, and leisure properties, featuring estates, villas, and luxury lodges across the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 866 605 3542

Kid & Coe: For parents wishing to travel en famille without compromising on style, this stylish global collection includes child-friendly apartments, oceanfront villas, ski chalets, and cottages. Each handpicked property is stocked with high chairs, cribs, toys, and babysitter recommendations, whether located in central London or a secluded Brazilian beach. 212 905 6065

Eleven Experience: Founded in 2011 by a Blackstone Group executive and avid fly-fisher, this exclusive collection features fully staffed chalets, mansions, beach homes, and iconic lodges. The company designs personalized, adventure-driven itineraries for each booking, whether you're interested in Alpine heli-skiing, glacier trekking in Chilean Patagonia, or kite-surfing in the Bahamas. 970 349 7761

One Fine Stay: Imagine if Airbnb's community was solely made up of urban elites with luxurious homes—this is what One Fine Stay embodies. Since its inception in 2009, this U.K.-based service has curated a selection of upscale apartments and residences in major cities like London, Paris, New York, Rome, and Los Angeles. Each rental is equipped with premium linens, quality bath products, and an iPhone loaded with local insights. Personal greeters and a dedicated support center ensure exceptional service. 917 383 2182

Private Residences by SLH: Managed by Small Luxury Hotels, this collection features chalets, villas, mansions, and yachts across 15 countries. These properties include both standalone residences and those adjacent to brand hotels, complete with personal chefs and concierges. Guests enjoy top-tier status in SLH's loyalty program with every booking. +44 0 203 308 9006

Preferred Residences: This portfolio boasts over 80 villas, bungalows, condos, and penthouse apartments serviced by Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a global network of independent luxury accommodations. Most units are available for rent on hotel grounds and offer guest perks like complimentary massages, fully stocked refrigerators, and airport transfers for guests staying in a two-bedroom oceanfront bungalow at Hawaii's Mauna Lani. The brand also supports a membership-based residence exchange club at eight resorts. 855 384 7242

BeMate: If you can't bear the thought of giving up concierge services, daily housekeeping, and 24-hour luggage storage, check out these curated apartments in six major cities (New York, Miami, Malaga, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Istanbul, Florence). Selected by Room Mate Hotels, each private residence is located within walking distance of one of their hotels, granting guest status and services, plus a 3G mobile device for local internet access.

Welcome Beyond: Brothers Oliver and Chris Laugsch from Berlin share a love for architecture and design, personally vetting each property in their unique and stylish portfolio. Their listings range from the wonderfully unconventional (like an entire category dedicated to "Yurts & igloos") to high-end options, such as a modernist chalet in South Tyrol, Italy.

Natural Retreats: At more than 30 locations across North America and Europe, Retreat Managers act as personal concierges in lodges, country cabins, and luxurious manors, organizing excursions, delivering breakfast hampers, and planning special events. Their listings include a stunning log cabin in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains and stylish two-bedroom bungalows at Castlemartyr Estate in Ireland. +35 30 1513 5986

Spaces 42: This U.K.-based company embodies "rustic" in a four-letter word, featuring a curated selection of sleek, modern private homes globally. Beyond a collection of designer properties in Ibiza, their portfolio extends across Europe, North America, and Australia, with additional listings in Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Kenya, and Morocco. +44 0797 354 8099

Club-Based Rentals

Becoming a member of a rental company necessitates a significant down payment, but the rewards include having a personal vacation advisor, 24/7 concierge service, and potential savings. Here are three favorites:

Inspirato with American Express: This exclusive membership-based club leases upscale residences in glamorous vacation spots like Vail and Riviera Maya, investing $50,000 - $70,000 in renovations before renting them out to members. They collaborate with luxury hotels such as St. Regis and Belmond, providing members exclusive access to suites in destinations like Bali and Aspen. Membership initiation fees begin at $4,200, with monthly dues of $275 (reduced to $50 for Amex cardholders), granting unlimited access to properties in 500 locations worldwide; VIP experiences including members-only Silversea Cruises or Antarctic expeditions; and enhanced benefits from partners like Avis, Peloton, and Regal Wings.

Getaway 2 Give Collection: This membership-based travel community charges a $15,000 initiation fee, half of which is a tax-deductible donation to a nonprofit of your choice. Members enjoy discounts of 30-60% on stays at villas and yachts across 30 countries. Additionally, 5% of booking costs are donated to their selected charity. To date, the company has raised over $4 million for organizations including ALS, The Adoption Exchange, and the American Diabetes Association. 678 506 2700

• Exclusive Resorts: Joining this private club requires a tiered enrollment fee ranging from $70,000 to $220,000, allowing members to travel 20 days each year for five to 30 years. During their membership, nightly rates for over 400 luxury residences are fixed annually (e.g., $1,250 per night in 2016). Properties span 70 destinations, including a three-bedroom beach house in San Sebastian, a family-friendly ski-in/-out chalet in Deer Valley, Utah, and a four-bedroom estate with a private hammam near Marrakech, Morocco. The company offers five-star hotel services, including Vacation Ambassadors for personalized itinerary planning, on-site concierges, housekeeping staff, and pre-stocked cupboards for arrivals.