About Ministry of Villas

Ministry of Villas combines cutting-edge technology with exceptional villas and 5-star service – with the sole focus of helping travellers find the perfect villa and looking after our customers throughout their journey. We are absolutely committed to three responsibilities:

1) Assuring the quality of villas

Renting a villa can be a daunting task – does the villa really look like the photos? How about the quality of service? Is the location suitable? Can I trust the person I’m dealing with? Most companies manage their own properties, consequently they are discretely biased. Ministry of Villas is the only independent villa specialist in Asia and we remain staunchly sovereign.

We personally inspect every villa and we only accept properties that are professionally managed, maintained and meet ‘Ministry Approved’ standards.

2) Delivering 5-star service

We believe it’s the little things that make staying in a villa so special. Ministry of Villas provides guests with 5-star personal service to complement the local villa managers’ capability, which translates into a consistency of service that you would expect when staying at a 5-star resort.

Ministry of Villas has chauffeurs at every airport who will deliver you to your villa and an experienced concierge team to help you every step of the way.

3) Guaranteeing the best price

Ministry of Villas utilises cutting-edge technology to ensure you receive the lowest price direct from the villa owner or property manager – with no hidden costs. Other websites are riddled with outdated calendars and unreliable prices. With 20+ years experience in the technology sector, we adapted software from the hotel sector to the villa market so that dates are 100% accurate and lowest prices are guaranteed in our contracts with villa owners and property managers.

If you find a lower advertised quote priced for the same villa, dates, services and inclusions, we will match the price and include a Ministry Upgrade.

Why might I book with you?

What many don’t realise right away is we can help them find a villa at no additional cost, nor do we add booking fees. The price is the same as booking directly with the villa owner, only was save you time emailing multiple villa owners back-and-forth. Plus we can provide you with unbiased advice and insights that very few people have.

There are a lot of questionable companies out there, especially listing properties on sharing economy websites like Airbnb. We personally inspect and approve every villa and only accept properties that are professionally managed, maintained and meet ‘Ministry Approved’ standards. We ensure the villa appears the same as the images online so you are getting exactly what you pay for.

What services are included with your villas?

Each villa has different inclusions: these range from return airport transfers, in-house chef, spa treatments, security etc. We ask every villa to include WiFi and the absolute essentials (linen, bathroom amenities etc.) to ensure consistency.

The majority of Ministry Approved villas are staffed and include a villa manager, butlers, housekeeping and maintenance team. The exception is Japan, where most properties operate on a self-service basis. Daily breakfast is also included for most villas, an inclusion we encourage villa owners and property managers to adopt as the most requested convenience. For full villa inclusions please check the individual villa profile. You can also read more about villa inclusions in more detail.

Lastly, Ministry of Villas has a fleet of chauffeured vehicles and a concierge team in each country to provide 5-star service on the ground in the event the villa does not have the capacity to help with the extras you require.

Can I speak with someone?

Yes, of course! We would be delighted to schedule a call and meet with you. We also handle all the communication with the villa owner / property manager on your behalf. Our staff speak English as well as local languages, so there is no miscommunication – which can happen when booking a villa in another country.

How do I use your website?

Please use either our ‘Be Inspired’ or ‘Search Dates’ functionality. Enter the location, number of guests, budget etc. to narrow down options. When you find a property that meets your needs, simply click the ‘Reserve’ button and book online.

Or you can request we put the property on hold for you to discuss the option with your group. Or send us an enquiry via a contact form and one of our Villa Specialists will reply within 24 hours to offer assistance finding the perfect villa, answering any questions you have, and help you book the property.

How does your search tool work?

Our unique ‘Be Inspired’ functionality allows you tailor a list of villas that perfectly suit your needs, style and personality. Build your own customised collection of villas and send the link to your friends and family. We have detailed information on every villa and display real-time rates and availability so you can see when different villas are available.

Or if you know your dates, click on the ‘Search Dates’ button and you’ll be presented with a different view of the villas that are available. Our system then shows you the lowest price for each property so you can make your selection.

Can I place a villa on hold?

Yes. If you provide us with your name and contact details we will hold the desired villa for you for 48 hours.

Do you have the lowest prices?

Yes! We have fully inclusive rates so there are no hidden fees or surprises. Most websites are riddled with out-of-date calendars, inaccurate prices and require back-and-forth emails. We adapted technology from the hotel sector to the villa market so that dates are 100% accurate every time and our partners and customers get the best price guaranteed (our contracts with villa owners and property manages include a clause requiring a best price guarantee).

How do I pay?

You can pay online via all major credit cards, via PayPal, or send a bank transfer in your local currency to a domestic bank account to save on foreign exchange rates charges imposed by your bank (some banks even charge fees when you pay for something overseas in your local currency, the villains). There are no bank fees added when booking with Ministry of Villas.

You can pay from any bank, anywhere in the world. We can accept the following major currencies: AUD, EUR, GBP, JPY, NZD, SGD & USD. Please keep in mind that when paying a deposit for a booking, the balance is kept in the currency of the villa, which is usually USD, and the balance invoice will be calculated using the exchange rate at the time it becomes due.

Will you help me when we arrive?

Absolutely! Once your booking is confirmed, our concierge team will get in touch with you to arrange any pre-arrival requirements. We can arrange anything at all! Common requirements include: meals for when guests arrive, pre-stocking the fridge, helping arrange baby equipment at the villa, restaurant reservations, massages, ski equipment hire, ski lessons, day trips and car rental – this can all be done prior and our concierge team will continue to look after you once you arrive.

What happens if I cancel?

If you must cancel your booking please be aware there are cancellation fees which you can read in our Terms & Conditions. We strongly encourage guests to buy travel insurance at the time of booking.

Travel insurance is essential for your protection in the event of an emergency while abroad, but they can also cover forfeiture of payment for villas booked with Ministry of Villas where you have to cancel… even before flying out! We have provided paperwork to the world’s leading insurance companies on many occasions to help customers claim forfeited payments with 100% success rate to date.

Are there any other benefits?

You have access to our Ministry Concierge team 7-days a week. Our concierge team can arrange anything your heart desires! If the primary reason to book with Ministry of Villas is to save time searching for villas, then the secondary reason is to have someone you can rely on when abroad to help your holiday run smoothly!

What is Ministry Approved?

All of our villas have been personally inspected and approved by our villa specialists to make sure you receive exactly what you pay for. We aim to make finding and booking the perfect villa a rewarding and reassuring experience.

Ministry of Villas is passionate about delivering exceptional service. We believe it’s the little things that make staying in a villa so special.

Let us do the ground work for you and help you plan the perfect holiday. Tell us exactly what you want, including preferred dates, location, number of guests and budget and we’ll make it happen.