Yes, James Villa Holidays paused in 2023 as the travel world continued to shift after COVID-19. That pause gave us space to reflect, reimagine, and consider what today’s holidaymaker truly wants. What became clear was that the love for James Villas never faded. Customers kept searching, sharing memories, and asking when they could experience that signature James Villas feeling again.

James Villas has been part of the Awaze family since 2018, alongside much-loved brands like Hoseasons, Novasol and cottages.com. James Villas remains the trusted name holidaymakers know, but we’ve evolved. We’re back with a clearer focus, a smarter way of working, and a renewed promise to bring you the very best handpicked European villas. We’re still the trusted name you know, just refreshed behind the scenes to be more agile, more modern, and even more devoted to our guests.

In the past, we focused on traditional package holidays. Today’s traveller prefers more freedom, more flexibility, and more choice. We’ve listened. We’ve shifted our focus to handpicking premium villas with the space, style, and comfort you love. Think sunlit terraces, sparkling pools, and homes designed for slow, joyful living.

We've rebuilt with clarity and care. Every villa is handpicked for quality, every partner is reputable, and every detail is designed to give you confidence from the moment you book. Quality, transparency, and service sit at the heart of everything we offer. Book knowing your holiday home has been chosen with the same attention you’d give your own. Proudly awarded gold at the British Travel Awards for eight consecutive years, we remain dedicated to delivering the same trusted, high-standard service our guests know and love.

James Villas are located across some of the most sought-after destinations in Southern Europe. The collection focuses on premium villas, handpicked for their style, comfort, and location, offering travellers sun-drenched pools, coastal views, and countryside escapes.

The brand highlights destinations where UK holidaymakers most often dream of a villa holiday. From the Balearic and Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy, our holiday villas are all curated for that perfect balance of sunshine, culture, and relaxation.

Booking direct with James Villas is the simplest way to unlock the very best value. When you come straight to us, you’ll always find our lowest available prices, without hidden extras or third-party mark-ups. Plus, booking direct gives you the reassurance of dealing with our expert team from the start, ensuring your holiday is protected, transparent, and tailored with care.

In addition to this, we offer our Price Guarantee because we understand that peace of mind is part of a great holiday. Our Price Guarantee means that if you find the exact same villa, with the same dates, number of guests, and amenities, available through another UK-based holiday operator for less (inclusive of all fees and charges), we’ll match the price, and often go a step further to make sure you feel confident that you got the best deal.

James Villas is proud to be an ABTA member. This means every booking comes with the added reassurance that we follow ABTA’s strict Code of Conduct, giving you the confidence of expert support, high service standards, and complete financial protection. You can read more about our ABTA membership here.

Check-in and check-out times can vary, most holiday homes will allow you to check in from 16:00 to 20: 00 and check out at 10:00.

To view specific times for your booked holiday home, please log in your Booking. 

Make sure to indicate your expected time of arrival on your booking to ensure your holiday home will be ready for you. 

No, you cannot access the holiday home earlier than the stated check-in time. 

Check-in times can vary, most holiday homes will allow you to check in between 16:00 and 20:00. Log in to your Booking to see the specific check-in time for your holiday home.

If there is a key box at the holiday home, you can collect the key after the stated check-in time.

If you arrive later than the latest check in time stated on your booking (usually 20.00) please contact the key holder directly to make arrangements to get the key. The contact details for the key holder can be found on your booking.

If you are going to a holiday home with a key box, you can pick up the key after the stated check in time. There is no need to inform us of your late arrival. 

Travel instructions are available on your booking. You will be able to see the address of your holiday home and get directions.  

If you picked up the key, please return the key to the same address where you collected it. If your holiday home has a keybox, please place the key back in the keybox on your departure.

You will be able to see the keybox code on your booking in the key collection section or the keybox code will be provided by the owner/caretaker prior to check in. 

The latest check-out time is 10:00am on the day of departure, unless you have been notified of another check-out time. 

If you are booking more than 56 days before arrival, then you have the option to either pay the full amount or pay in two instalments.

If you choose to pay in two instalments, the first instalment is 25% of the total rental price. The second instalment is the remaining 75% of the total rental price (due to be paid at least 42 days before arrival.) 

You can pay through your booking page with your credit card or ApplePay.

You can find your payment overview on your booking and see what payments you have made as well as what payments are upcoming.

If you get a new credit card between your instalments, you must log into your booking before the payment date and pay with your new card. You cannot change the card that is saved for automated direct debit payments online at this time.

If you have paid your first instalment with credit card or ApplePay, then we will automatically charge the 2nd instalment from your credit card.   

If you have paid your first instalment with another payment type, then you need to log in to your booking to pay the second instalment prior to the due date.  You will receive a reminder email 5 days before your payment is due.

You can buy extra services (if available for your property) until 5 days before your arrival date via your booking site under "Holiday Extras". The extras that are available to book varies by country. 

You can pay useing a Credit/debit cards or ApplePay.

The payment methods available are listed on our website when you make a booking and also on your booking page. 

Payment failure can be due to a few different reasons.  If you are informed that the auto-payment of the second instalment failed, please make the payment manually on your booking.

If the payment fails again when you try via your booking you can:

• Try another debit or credit card

• Check whether your credit card is expired

• Contact your bank to ask if the payment exceeds the payment limit for your credit card

• Contact your bank to see if they are rejecting the payment and confirm that this is a valid purchase

When you make an online booking, you can add the voucher code before making a payment. The discount will be deducted from the rental price. 

All information about payment terms is available in the Rental Terms that can be found on your booking or via the link in the footer on our webpage. 

Yes, you can cancel your booking online on your booking page. Your booking will be cancelled in accordance with our Rental Terms.  Usually, there will be a cost for cancelling your booking, which you can see online before you confirm cancellation.

Please contact our Customer Services team for assistance as it is not possible to change the dates of your booking online. Please note that a changes are subject to availability and may not be possible. A fee may apply in accordance with our Rental Terms. 

Yes, you can change your party size on your booking before your stay. The number of adults, children and pets must be within the maximum permitted in the holiday home. 

If there are extras available for your holiday home, you can see and add them on your booking. Some extras cannot be removed once they are added. If you are unable to remove an extra that you no longer want, then you can contact our support team. Please note that some extras like insurance products may not be possible to remove after they have been purchased.

If you want to switch to another holiday home, please contact our Customer Services team for assistance. Please note that a change may not be possible and is subject to availability. A fee may apply for the transfer, in accordance with our Rental Terms.  

The number of people allowed in the holiday home is stated in the property description. All people regardless of age count towards the total. 

Pets are allowed in holiday homes when indicated by a dog symbol in the holiday home’s description. If you wish to bring your pets, please add the number of pets under "Guests" when you book the holiday home.  If you are unsure whether your type of pet is allowed in the holiday home, please contact our support team.

Some holiday homes are equipped with a charger for electric vehicles. We ask that you please avoid charging electric vehicles from normal outlets, as this can cause overheating, damage to the electrical installations and potentially fire. 

On the description of your holiday home on our website, you will be able to see if there is a charging station for electronic cars. This will be listed in the section “Holiday home information”. 

Smoking is not permitted in any of our holiday homes. 

The more stars we award a holiday home, the higher the levels of comfort. Furniture, equipment and standard of the holiday home are considered. 

* Very simply furnished holiday home with basic facilities, for a stay during summer. 

** Plainly furnished holiday home with few facilities. 

*** Well-kept holiday home, equipped with standard furniture. 

**** Well-equipped holiday home of a high standard, with comfortable furniture and extra facilities. 

***** Our best rated holiday home. Tastefully furnished and fully equipped. 

Parking information will be available in the property description on the holiday home’s description on our website.  

Please be aware that access roads to the holiday homes are rarely asphalted, and generally cannot be used by sports cars or lowered vehicles. 

Most of our holiday homes have Wi-Fi. You can find this information in the property description on our site. 

Barbecue/grills are available in many holiday homes. if available, this will be shown in the property description on our webpage. 

If the holiday home is booked at least three days before arrival, the indoor swimming pool will be heated up to approx. 24-25°C. 

For some properties, you can order an extra cot on your booking. If it is available, it will show up under "Holiday extras." If do not see the option to order it though your booking page, then you will need to contact the owner/caretaker directly for information about extra bed or cot availability and provision. You can find this contact information when you view your booking.

A security deposit is a standard practice in the vacation rental industry. It covers any potential damage or additional costs that may occur during your stay.

The deposit amount depends on the total cost of your holiday.

When booking more than 10 weeks before your arrival, you’ll normally secure your holiday with a standard deposit of 25% of the price of your booking. For some holidays, a low-deposit option may also be available.

• Standard deposit: Calculated according to the total cost of your accommodation.

• Low-deposit option (when available): Allows you to secure your booking with a smaller upfront payment. If you cancel before your balance is due, you will need to pay the difference between the low deposit and the standard deposit.

If a security deposit is required, it will usually be payable directly to the owner and will show on your booking details.

The security deposit will be refunded at check-out, or as otherwise communicated by the homeowner.

If there is any damage or additional charges, the relevant amount will be deducted from the security deposit. You will receive an itemised statement of these charges.

Availability and prices are usually released in spring/summer the year before and available to book online. Our website will always show the most up to date availability.

All-inclusive means that the bedlinen, final cleaning at the end of the stay and consumption costs (such as electricity, heating and water) are included in the rental price.  

On the property description on our webpage, you can see if a holiday home is “all inclusive”.  

There are no cleaning products left in the holiday home. However, there will be a vacuum cleaner as well as a floor mop and bucket. 

Our holiday homes contain basic kitchen equipment as well as duvets and pillows for all beds. 

If you realise that you have left something behind at the holiday home, we recommend first reaching out to the homeowner or keyholder as soon as possible. Otherwise, or if you require additional support, please don't hesitate to contact us. It's important to note that while we are here to help, we cannot be held liable for any lost possessions. Please be aware there may be a charge for returning lost property. 

We highly value your feedback and would love to hear about your holiday experience. After you have returned home from your holiday, you can expect to receive an email asking for your valuable feedback within 48 hours. 

Youth groups are defined as a group of at least six people under 21 years of age, although the age limit can be higher for certain holiday homes. If you are booking as a youth group, you must let us know at the time of booking. We reserve the right to turn down a youth group. Other restrictions on group composition may apply and will be stated in the holiday home description. You must comply with any restrictions on group composition stated in the holiday home description.

If you are traveling to France, you will get an email with a payment link to pay the relevant tourist tax before you leave for your holiday.

For all other destinations where tourist tax is applicable, you will pay the homeowner or keyholder once you arrive, in local currency. 

Please note that the tax amount may increase or decrease in the period between making your booking and the commencement of your holiday. You will only ever be charged in line with applicable legislation.

Tourist tax is a small daily fee that all visitors going to specific destinations need to pay. The fee is set by the local authorities. 

After booking a Villa, you will receive a booking confirmation email with a link to your personal Booking page. There, you can access information about your booking. 

Log in to your booking details and click on “Resend booking confirmation”.

You can find and read our rental terms here.

Accidents can happen. If you or anyone in your party causes damage, please inform the property owner or manager as soon as possible.

You can find their contact details by logging into your account and viewing your booking information.

If you cannot reach the owner or property manager, please call us on 0345 268 0570 so we can help quickly and arrange for any necessary replacements.

We are sorry that you have experienced issues whilst on holiday. We kindly advise addressing any concerns or issues promptly while on-site with the homeowner or key holder to ensure a swift and efficient resolution. If you require further assistance, please contact us.

If you have registered a complaint with the homeowner or key holder and have been unable to reach a resolution, please see our Rental Terms for more information on how to submit complaints or get additional assistance.  

Please note that complaints made via Trustpilot or Feefo reviews are not considered registered complaints.

If you experience an issue during your holiday, please contact the keyholder or owner first, as they can usually resolve most problems quickly on-site.

If your issue occurs outside normal working hours and is an emergency—such as being unable to enter the holiday home, not locating the alarm code, or discovering severe damage—you can use the Novasol hotline.

The hotline number is provided in your before-arrival email and on your booking page when you log in.