Planning a family reunion for June next year for 18-22 people. Looking for a large villa to accomidate the group. Prefer France, Spain, Greece or Portugal, but would consider other places if near a beach. Would also like a place with a cook and other staff, but not sure if that's available.

Any suggestions?

I thought I might be able to help. About 4 years ago I went on a wonderful boondoggle with a friend to the South of France to look for a villa for my friend to rent for 2 weeks that summer. We looked at amazing places on the water, mostly in Cap Ferrat, Villefranche & Cap D'Antibes. Many had a couple living on the premises-the woman cooked & cleaned & the man did gardening & tended the pool. However none of those places were large enough to accomodate your group.

However, we did look at one property near St Tropez that was huge. It was right on the beach, was quite old (furnishings not great). I've been trying to find the info, but so far, no luck. (I'll keep trying & maybe phone my friend).

In the meantime, I did some searching here (typed villa rentals AND various locations in the text search) and came up with a bunch of websites. Some websites are no longer good, some had no accomodation large enough for your group-most were only for 10-12 with a few for 18.

Here's what I did find, just to get you started & to keep your post "topped"

interhome.com
villalink.nl/ (villa 9f accomodates 18)
http://www.larivolte.com/larivoltepa...ces-rental.htm sleeps 18 in Grasse

http://www.frenchconnections.co.uk/
http://www.bowhills.co.uk
www.villavacations.com

Then I found this old post

Author: Carey
Date: 09/01/2000, 01:02 pm
Message: Bill,
We have rented an estate on the Amalfi Coast for 23 people. It is $5300 for a week for that many people! A steal. We renting in the off season, so it was a lot cheaper. check out www.omnia.addr.com
they have a lot of place for larger groups if I can remember correctly.

When I went to the website, I found the place below but it's VERY expensive-$13,000+/week. Perhaps there are other alternatives on that website.

http://www.villeinitalia.com/House.j...31063027681417

I would say if you're willing to be in land with a pool, you might have some luck in France. The Cote D'Azur will be very pricey.

I know there are places in Mexico-particularly around Puerto Vallarta, thta would fit your needs, like this place

http://www.villalaspalmeras.com/

NO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE but I have friends who have rented happily in Puerta Vallarta, but not a place as large as you want.

Hope this helps a little.

You might want to have a look at:

http://www.quality-villas.co.uk/

They have a large selection of villas in France, and a smaller one for Italy.

The Montauroux property of www.francevillas.com is highly likely to suit your needs. I have stayed there twice - - one of those times with 7 couples and two women who each had a single bedroom. They have reconfigured it at least once, and I believe that 11 bedrooms are possible, if not more.

Formerly a residence of the late Christian Dior, it has a gated entrance, a swimming pool, and reflecting pool and a small pre-revolutionary "chapel" on the 10-20 acres on which it sits. A double kitchen (one cook, one prep and clean up) and very classy real china and real silver. We did not request a cook, but I bet Madame would find you one. The kitchen is not exactly 21st century new, but still plenty functional.

Not cheap, and worth every penny of it. Let me know if you are having any trouble locating it.

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Most of the large properties I have personal experience with are in Italy and also not near the beach. We had a gorgeous villa in Cap d'Antibe with 4 bedrooms and a 4 bedroom guest house but it was quite a hike to the beach and was exhoritantly priced as is customary along the Riviera!

I do have one property to suggest in the Algarve. It is viewable at http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/Portugal/p36.htm. Ann Sutcliffe is the owner's representative. You will see this property listed on other sites at considerably more than the "base" price you will get by dealing directly with Ann.

The two 3-bedroom villas are at one end of a huge walled garden/patio/pool (4 separate seating areas) and separated from each other by a gate (which we just propped open). There is a further patio, garden, terrace & barbecue through the gate in front of the 2nd house (Nova). At the south end of the pool garden are the 2 townhouses, each with 2 bedrooms.

There is maid service and a local guy who gave us the keys and was available for making all sorts of arrangements, such as cook, car to airport etc.

The complex is 1 block from a beautiful sandy beach and what shops there are. It is a true "secret garden" kind of place; very private and yet in the center of everything. (This is not an area with a lot happening and not a lot to see beyond some wild natural beauty.)

We paid under $4,000/week 2 years ago for August which is the highest season there. The place is really nice and it was great to have so many different places to gather in large and small groups, indoors and out.