Who We Are and What We Do
About Us
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About Villas of Distinction
For more than 25 years, Villas of Distinction has been the premier villa rental company. Offering luxury properties ranging from lavish one-bedroom penthouses to sprawling 42-bedroom estates in over 50 destinations around the world, we pride ourselves in offering a world-class portfolio of incredible properties. Backed by our trademark Villa Concierge team, we are one hundred percent committed to exceeding your expectations.
Destinations
Villas
Guests
Years of Expertise
What Sets Us Apart
At Villas of Distinction, we adhere to a strict guest-first approach in which our villa guests are at the heart of everything we do and provided. We believe in creating artfully customized escapes, and we pride ourselves in a three-prong approach to doing so:
Our "Guest First" Commitment
At Villas of Distinction, our guests are at the heart of everything we do. From our award-winning Concierge Service to our dedicated Villa Specialists, we are here to open a world of possibilities and experiences while you create a lifetime of memories. Offering only the finest quality and the highest standards, let us show you how our guest first approach will exceed your every expectation.
Effortless Vacation Planning
We tailor your perfect experience down to the last detail – from your villa selection throughout your stay. Our knowledgeable Villa Specialists match each guest with the ideal property for their getaway. From romantic retreats to family reunions, golf getaways, destination weddings, and beyond, we have it all. And, with extensive knowledge of our villa portfolio, as well as firsthand knowledge of each destination, we can customize it to the last detail. No requests are too big or too small.
Not the Most Villas, Just the Best
We’re proud to say that each and every villa meets and exceeds our strict standards. As such, only the finest properties are available for our guests. We personally inspect and vet each property we offer, and we ensure that our inventory features only the most distinct and high-quality villa retreats in the most sought-after destinations.
Unmatched Expertise
Our team is world-class, just like the inventory we offer. With more than 25 years in the industry, our Villa Specialists also have an average of 14 years’ of hands-on experience pairing travelers with luxury properties. Our team receives specialized training, and regular site visits to our villas ensures our staff understands our properties to match them with our guests.
Our Executive Team
Jeff Smith
Senior Vice President
Jeff Smith serves as Senior Vice President of Luxury Travel Holdings, the villas division of World Travel Holdings. He oversees all operations of the division, which includes its signature brand, Villas of Distinction. He is responsible for the Brand Marketing, Product Operations, Villa Sales Specialists and Villa Concierge teams. Smith joined World Travel Holdings/NLG in 1993 as a Vacation Consultant. Throughout his tenure at World Travel Holdings/NLG, he has held various positions in Sales and Operations Management.
Steve Lassman
Vice President
Steve Lassman serves as Vice President of Villa Product and Agency Relations for World Travel Holdings' luxury villa division. Steve oversees travel agent engagement and is also responsible for strengthening the division's relationships with the external agency community and our villa product to capitalize on the expanded growth the company has experienced in these areas. Prior to joining World Travel Holdings in January of 2005, he served as Vice President of Sales for both Apple Vacations and Travel Impressions, where he was responsible for all sales activities including the partnerships with the travel agency community. In addition, Steve has worked at Tollman-Hundley Hotels, Loews Hotels, Cunard Cruise Lines and United Airlines in various capacities. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida. Steve has been nominated by The Virtuoso Travel Network as an Ambassador for Best of the Best 2019.
What Our Guests Are Saying
"Our Villa Specialist, Douglas is the BEST... I am now hooked with VOD!"
– Brendamour Family
"Renting with Villas of Distinction was the best decision we ever made. This villa was beyond our expectations. The service provided by Villas of Distinction was top notch from the booking to the day we left. There is no other way to go but rent from them and choose one of their premier properties. We did not want to leave and we usually are very anxious to leave by day 4!"
– Donna V., guests of Cala Luna, St. Martin
"My wife and I recently returned from our stay in St. Martin and wanted to send an email to say thanks. Weather was great, the people were friendly, the food was fantastic, and the villa was beautiful. Your staff did an outstanding job in making sure our vacation was just that, and that we did not want for anything. When we arrived the rental car was waiting at the villa, the kitchen was fully stocked, and we were relaxing on the beach before dinner. We toured the entire island and am so pleased that your staff recommended this villa. It was the perfect location on an absolutely stunning beach."
"Many of our friends and family have seen our pictures and asked how we found the villa, and are typically shocked when I tell them how easy it was to reserve, and the assistance we received throughout the booking process. This is our second vacation we've booked through your company (last year we went to Turks and Caicos), and it is well worth the money to vacation this way. I am happy to recommend your company to any and all that ask and already look forward to booking our next trip."
"Thanks again for another wonderful vacation, and an experience we will never forget."
– K. Parks, guests of Villa Carisa, St. Martin
"I just wanted to say thanks on behalf of our family for the help you provided in organizing this vacation. It was truly an unforgettable experience. The grounds of the resort were unbelievable, and the staff were willing to do pretty much anything we wanted. I have never had that level of service before, and it will be hard not to expect it on our next vacation! The Ginger & Palm suite was fabulous! It was great to be able to cook our own meals with the nice big kitchen rather than eating out every day!"
– Angie Brown and family
"My wife and I have rented at least two dozen villas and vacation homes in different places around the world. And I have to say, it has been an absolute pleasure dealing with you and Janet. You are extremely efficient, responsive…and nice! Even when my questions became a bit tedious. And the property looks beautiful. We are so excited to get there!"
– Barry B., guests of Casa Scimone, Sicily
"From the very beginning I felt that our Villa Specialist was so helpful with giving us options and information. She answered a million questions for us. Her help and guidance helped us to find the best fit for the villa we were looking for on this trip. Once we arrived at the villa, service was absolutely perfect. In fact, we thought everyone we met at the villa went out of there way to be kind and friendly." – The Walters
"I just wanted to send a note of thanks for your wonderful assistance in planning one of the best vacations. All in the party were very pleased with the accommodations, recommendations and assistance involved in planning our trip to Anguilla. The assistance involved in planning and our arrival to the destination was phenomenal. The villa was beautiful, the chef was fantastic and the housekeepers were the best."
"Thanks again for your assistance, and I will definitely keep you all in my contact list for future travels."
– K. Mallory, guests of Moonrakers, Anguilla
"This was my first booking with Villas of Distinction, and I’m sure not my last! The experience with Kim, our amazing Villa Specialist, has been nothing short of perfection. She is extremely professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and just great to work with. The process was very smooth, and she was very helpful every step of the way in closing the sale."
– J. Ortell, Travel Agent
"Just wanted to check in and let you know how wonderful our trip to Italy was, and to thank you for your help in the planning. Being with the family was the highlight of the trip — besides all the beautiful vistas, the fabulous food, and the fun places we visited. The villa was perfect and so beautiful and a great location."
– The Bussmann Family
"Our family feels so fortunate to have found Villas of Distinction and Villa Specialist Kim. Our first trip arranged through Kim was in 2008 – and it was perfect!! This year we are headed to Villa Viviana in Jamaica – once again, arranged by Kim! And, in 2012 we are off to Villa Estrella in Costa Rica. We typically travel as a group of 12 including four grandchildren currently between the ages of one and five. Finding the perfect destination and accommodations are both essential. We can’t say enough about our experiences with Kim and VOD – we feel our lives have been extended many years by the service and attention to the details that are important to us while on vacation! Thanks for everything!"
– The Galvan Family
"We’re back from our vacation to St. Martin and it was awesome!! Villas of Distinction is definitely a class act – thankfully, they didn’t misrepresent the property or amenities. The Sol E Luna villa was exactly what we expected from the description and photos and the service that the local rental agency provided (airport transfer, rental car and concierge) didn’t disappoint either. It was a gated property inside a gated community which certainly made us feel safe (though we didn’t perceive the island to be dangerous at all)."
– The Smith Family
"I loved that I was able to do everything online. The reservation staff was very responsive and explained everything very well through emails. They even sent me a reminder about my grocery list at the last minute before I left. I was thinking, "wow, there is no way she will be able to pull this off on such short notice," and when I arrived it was done — very impressive!"
– C. Barger, Chilton, TX
"I just wanted to thank you for working with our group this year. We could not have been happier with the house and our experience with your company! We are already planning our trip for next New Years holiday. Despite the delays in our group getting down there, the experience was great! We have used other companies and direct from owner to rent houses and this year was by far the best and most accurate with expectations!"
– M. Walker, guests of Villa Sade, Tortola
"I was very happy with Villas of Distinction from beginning to end and would definitely recommend you guys ANYTIME and use you again in the future for myself!"
– K. Love
"I loved everything about the villa! Our agent was very helpful and responded quickly to emails, even over the weekend."
– J. Perez, guest of #17 The Harbour, St. Lucia
"Just wanted to write you a quick email thanking you for setting up our fabulous vacation! We had a blast, and you were a big help troubleshooting and setting the whole thing up! I am really glad you convinced us to stay off the beach — what a beautiful view we had from the hillside! It really was perfect. The villa was great! Everyone really liked the chef/butler and the massage treatments went really well. Thanks a bunch for the bottle of champagne! We all toasted the first night we were together. It seemed that most of the bedrooms were very similar, some were a bit smaller, but not much. Overall, they were all really nice and all had plenty of room."
– Guests of Terrasse de Mer, St. Martin
"Everything was really great. All the help by email from the Villa Specialists was so friendly and truly helpful the entire time."
– G. Huey, Dallas, TX
"I just wanted to thank you so much for all of your help with our recent booking. They had a wonderful time, loved the villa and everything went perfectly. The seas were still rough, too rough for the kids to be near the water alone, but they still went to the beach and loved that they had the pool, and they loved the Ebb Tide. The guests said the trip was a perfect '10.'"
"Once again, thank you so much!"
– H. Glahn, Travel Agent, Laconia, NH
"The villa that we rented from you in Puerto Vallarta was fabulous. The staff was the best ever. We will recommend your services to all of our friends!"
– Mark D., Phoenix, AZ
"Marvelous vacation. Thanks for setting us up at the Tea House. Virgin Gorda and the BVI are exquisite. Who needs to go anywhere else when a villa vacation in a location with such scenic beauty is so close?"
– B. Davies, Cranston, RI
"The house was outstanding. One of the best in St. Thomas. Very beautifully finished. Great location. Wonderful views. We had a great time. Thanks so much for helping us to pick the right one!"
– M. Norton, Tampa, FL
"Just returned from Jamaica, we absolutely loved it.. we have not stopped raving about the property and especially the staff. Our husbands that bought the trip weren't especially looking forward to going, but they had a wonderful time, they golfed everyday, and they would go back in a flash. Anyway, thanks again for a wonderful trip."
– K. Holden, Sonoma, CA
"We really enjoyed our stay at the Windsong in Jamaica. Do you have anything else like that in a different area? Your advice was so good that we would love to get a suggestion for next year! We like to explore new places each year, and having professional on our side really takes the gueswork out of it. Thanks again for a great experience."
– C. Kuzarski, Chicago, IL
"Dear Villas of Distinction, we are back from the wonderful 2 week trip to France. The manor house we rented, La Gauguinerie, was PERFECT. We met the hosts who were charming. The house "came as advertised" and even the washing machine and dryer worked. The weather was equally good with almost no rain during the day. The temp was 65-70; we were surprised it was quite that warm. The location of the house as perfect for exploring the beaches and La Basse Normand. Thank you for facilitating our trip — we will call you when we are ready for another villa!"
– Mary B., Freeport, ME
"There is no other name for this place than Heaven. The views are amazing! Every night you see stars that you've never seen while the neighboring resorts play live music. The only problem was that our vacation was too short. For a couple, there is no better place in St. Lucia."
– Carol
"Thanks for the wealth of information, I really appreciate it. I was in conversation with another villa rental company, asking questions much like these, and they made it clear they were not a trip planning resource, referring me to the website to check availability. It is so hard to choose where to stay when you know so little about a place, so I really, really appreciate it!!"
– T. Brown
"My family, from Grandma down to the youngest child, are still raving about our fantastic Christmas holiday at the Villas of Half Moon in Jamaica. While Soozie and I are accustomed to the unparalleled luxury, beauty and service of a Villas of Distinction vacation, this was a first for our children, sisters in law and Grandma. In short, the villa and the hotel grounds well exceeded their most ambitious expectations. We are all looking forward to our next villa vacation. Thank you so very much."
– Allen T., Chicago, IL
"We liked the house in St. Barts so much, we would like to confirm for next year. We want the same car, the same house. Everything exactly the same great service as this year."
– J. Aletto, Norcross, GA