Oliver’s Travels Reports Rise in Last-Minute High-Value Group Villa Bookings
Year on Year Increase
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New data from Oliver's Travels reveals a rise in affluent travellers booking high-value villa holidays closer to departure dates, with an increase in large group bookings through the trade.
While Oliver's Travels' highest-value villa bookings have traditionally been made many months in advance, new insights reflect wider shifts in luxury traveller behaviour, from shorter booking windows to larger last minute family gatherings and shared celebrations, with bookings for homes sleeping 10 guests rising by 51% compared to the previous financial year.
The data highlights the growing importance of luxury travel advisors in meeting this demand, helping guests to secure exceptional properties whilst navigating short-term availability – with several recent bookings coming from advisors working with Oliver's Travels for the first time.
From April-June, Oliver's Travels bookings of over £25k increased by 33%. In June alone, three record group bookings were secured with fewer than 60 days to departure through travel advisors; a £48,638 stay for 19 guests at Le Belvédère, confirmed 14 days before departure; a £32,246 stay at Villa De La Gloire, confirmed 56 days before departure; and a £26,466 stay for Villa Montenegro, confirmed 53 days before departure.
Fern Higgins, Distribution & Travel Advisor Manager at Oliver's Travels, said "Bookings made within 60 days of departure have increased by 45% year-on-year. The fact that advisors are bringing us these larger, later booking enquiries suggests affluent travellers are becoming more comfortable making significant travel decisions closer to departure, provided they have expert support to help them move quickly and confidently. Finding the right villa for a large group at short notice can be incredibly challenging, particularly during peak travel periods. The £48,638 booking for Le Belvédère in St Tropez involved coordinating complex group travel arrangements – accommodating 19 guests at a premium property during peak season with only two weeks notice required in-depth destination expertise, comprehensive product knowledge and access to specialist supplier relationships."
Oliver's Travels sees continued growth in its travel advisor network and a 22% rise in trade bookings year on year, with a greater overall traveller investment into trips. Recording an average length of stay of 15.6 nights across its high-value travel advisor bookings, compared with 11.2 nights during the previous financial year, guests are prioritising longer, more immersive stays.
Oliver's Travels continue to invest further in growing its trade community through dedicated advisor support, specialist training and expert villa knowledge, helping advisors confidently sell villa holidays to a growing audience of discerning travellers.
About Olivers Travels
Founded by Oliver Bell and Ravi Sabharwal in 2003, Oliver's Travels is a specialist in extraordinary holiday rentals. The focus is on quirky, lavish, one-of-a-kind places to stay in the UK, Europe and internationally including villas, châteaux, castles, stately homes, beach huts, hobbit houses, ski chalets and cottages. Oliver's Travels is known for its personalised service and local knowledge. A concierge team is on hand to cater to all guests' needs and chef services, food delivery, fridge stocking, spa treatments, airport transfers, maid service, local excursions and much more can all be arranged.
Oliver's Travels continues to be widely recognised by leading travel and lifestyle titles. Its most recent accolades include runner-up in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025 for 'Best Villa Companies in the World', runner-up in both The Telegraph Travel Awards and The Times Travel Awards for 'Best Villa Operator', 'Luxury Travel Workplace of the Year' at the TTG Travel Awards 2026, and joint Gold at the Junior Travel Awards 2026 in the 'Best Luxury Villa Holiday for Families' category. The brand was also named among the 'Best Travel Services' in Rolling Stone's 2026 Travel Awards and holds the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2026, with a 4.8 rating for Exceptional Customer Service.
This builds on a strong history of industry recognition: Oliver's Travels has been voted one of the 'Best Villa Rental Companies in the World' by Condé Nast Traveller readers for nine consecutive years, won 'Best Global Villa Rental Company' in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2024, and was included in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 in December 2019, which ranks private companies with the fastest-growing sales. Oliver's Travels is also a successful partner of Homes & Villas by Marriott International.
