James Villas Rentals

About James Villas Holidays

If your looking for a holiday villa online you need to visit JamesVillas.co.uk they are specialists in private villa accommodation. If you’re short on inspiration on where to go for the perfect holiday spot. Browse thousands of specially selected villas in beautiful locations from the Med to the Caribbean. Everyone is catered for whether its a family suited villa with a pool or the privacy of a gay, LGBT friendly destination. The choices can be filtered to suit your exact holiday location and with desired amenities. CLOSED

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James Villa holiday rentals
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Villas and destinations offered

You can filter the results on jamesvillas.co.uk to create your perfect stay by choosing a resort with your preferred attractions coupled with a villa that has the amenities to make a fantastic holiday. If your not sure where you want to go or what type of villa holiday you are looking for there’s lots of inspiration and advice on the James Villas website. Plus all the holiday add ons you could possibly need are offered, so you can build the ideal vacation. They will help with all aspects of your trip from holiday car hire to travel insurance and every conceivable holiday extra in between.

Build your villa holiday

The destination choices are amazing from the sun kissed beaches of the med and the fun of Benidorm to the history and culture of Italy. Spain and Portugal villa locations are always popular for a quick and easy getaway from the UK. They don’t just offer self catering villas in European locations their network of holiday villas spans across the globe. With 60 destinations that include tropical places like the Caribbean Islands. Plus all the magic of America on the Gulf Coast or a fantastic family villa in Orlando right near Disney Land.
  • Peace of mind with ATOL and ABTA protection
  • Over 30 years of holiday rental experience
  • A choice of over 3,000 handpicked private villas
  • LGBTQ villa friendly holiday destinations
  • All extras arranged car hire, transfers, insurance...
A Little About

History of James Villa

A company that’s been built on the love of providing a service to people wanting to enjoy great holidays and not for the sake of money. Established in 1984 by James Needham who came up with the idea after renting his family apartment in Lanzarote. This was a great success, to the point his neighbours in Lanzarote asked him to rent out their properties for them. This was the start of James’s career as a villa letting agent. Colleagues at his workplace on Fleet Street knew where to go if they wanted to rent a holiday property. James comes from a heavily influenced trade unionist and communist background this gave him the principals for fairness.
After being made redundant in 1985 it was time to turn the sideline into a real business. Jim and his wife Shelagh started from the spare bedroom in their home. Their son Darren Needham also joined the company and helped drive it out of debt. During the recession in the 1990s they got a great deal on TV adverts through Darren’s contacts. This gave them crucial exposure which triggered rapid growth. It wasn’t long before they were the biggest villa holiday company in the UK employing over 100 staff. Tragedy struck in 2004 when Darren aged 37 died during a racing accident at Silverstone race track driving a Mini Cooper. James Needham was also taking part in the race.

New Owners

In 2008 James Needham sold the company the decision to sell had been made earlier in 2006. The buyer was Vespa Capital a private equity company. It was sold again in 2010 to the Wyndham hotel group. Wyndham Vacation Rentals wanted to expand into the Mediterranean holiday rental market where James villas had a massive presence in countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece. Wyndham’s sold James Villas in 2018 to Platinum Equity a private equity firm who own a portfolio of holiday companies under the Awaze brand that includes Hoseasons and cottages.com.

Brand Closure

A European holiday business called Awaze which owned the James Villa brand axed the business from its portfolio on 30th October 2023. The James Villas website now redirects to Novasol.co.uk which rents holiday homes in Europe.

Questions Asked

Holiday villa gift vouchers are available to buy from £1 to up to nearly £10000 these are subject to term and conditions. They can be purchased by telephone 08000740122.

With James Villas you have the option of searching with or without flights added. Its convenient to book your flights together with the villa booking but if you can get cheap flights you can go with that choice.

The rental villa’s have kitchens so a welcome pack with all the essentials for making a brew and snack will be very welcome when you arrive. These probably cost more than if you were to buy yourself from the shop but for convenience when you arrive from a long journey, its probably worth adding one to your package.

On the jamesvilla.co.uk website they state a child must be 12 or under on the return journey back home. If a child is aged 2 or under on the return trip they are classed as an infant.

No pets are allowed at this time in the James Villas offered accommodations.

There is a page on the website jamesvillas.co.uk/deals-and-offers dedicated to showcasing the latest last minute deals and promotions. It’s worth taking a look before finalising you’re booking, you may be able to save money with a promotion.

Yes the brand was closed by holding company Awaze.

Peaceful Villa's

James Villa holiday villas with private pools

We choose villa holidays for the privacy it gives and the exclusivity of a private pool. There’s nothing quite like the sheer freedom and tranquillity of your own private place in the sun with James Villa Holidays. You can also choose a place with not only a pool but beautiful green awarded gardens for total relaxation. James Villas specialise in villa holidays with private pools across popular holiday destinations including Spain, Cyprus, Florida and Portugals Algarve villas. Visit their easy to navigate villa search website for a great choice of holiday accommodation. They have thousands to choose from located across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and beyond. Stay secure whilst holidaying with ABTA’s safe travel guide with advice and information.

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