The Thinking Traveller Reviews 1,200

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 199 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the staff for their exceptional kindness, professionalism, and willingness to assist with various needs, often going above and beyond expectations. The villas themselves are frequently described as spectacular, beautiful, and well-equipped, often exceeding expectations with their design, amenities, and stunning locations. The overall service, from initial inquiry to on-site support, is highlighted as excellent, with many appreciating the efficient communication and personalized assistance. However, some customers also noted issues with certain villa amenities, such as a lack of air conditioning in living areas, outdated facilities, or problems with hot water and general maintenance. A few other people also felt that some villa locations were less than ideal, citing noisy neighbors, construction, or being in run-down areas that required extensive driving to reach desirable spots. There were also occasional complaints about feeling rushed during departure and a desire for more proactive communication regarding local recommendations.

What people talk about most

Staff

Consumers generally report positive experiences with staff, highlighting their helpfulness, kindness, and... See more

Service

Clients share positive opinions on service, with many reviewers consistently praising the excellent and... See more

Location

Customers had positive experiences with location, often praising beautiful views and ideal settings. Many... See more

Quality

Reviewers mention positive feedback about quality, with many customers finding villas, amenities, and food to... See more

Facilities

Users describe positive interactions with facilities, with many reviewers praising the beautiful,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Spent one week at Masseria Cisterna Rossa in the Salento area of Puglia in mid Sept 2025. Pictures of this villa do not do it justice. It is large, very beautifully furnished and in outstanding c... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you The Thinking traveller for fixing the perfect holiday for us on Paxos. The villa lived up to and beyond our expectations and you gave us all the options for transport well in advance which t... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Antonia was so helpful in 2024 when we were securing our Villa and switching from Sicily to Puglia. Francesco, upon arrival came to meet our group of 14 to explain and take care of any necessities at... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

If I could offer you 10 stars, I would! I don’t even know where to begin. Annabelle was incredible helping me choose a location and Villa. The villa was absolutely spectacular and exceeded every exp... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Vacation Rental
  2. Group Accommodation
  3. Vacation Home Rental Agency

About The Thinking Traveller

Written by the company

Since 2002, The Thinking Traveller has offered unique access to the most desirable villas in the heart of the Mediterranean. The company’s success – including being voted Best Villa Rental Company nine times at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards - is based on three founding principles: exclusive villas, unrivalled local knowledge and thoughtful personal service. We invite clients to leave their feedback following their return from holiday to ensure it reflects their overall experience with us.

EXPLORE GREECE
EXPLORE SICILY
EXPLORE PUGLIA
EXPLORE CORSICA

Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

1K reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 75% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Top-Notch

I cannot say enough good things about The Thinking Traveller. I stumbled across them when looking for a villa in Greece and I am so glad I did. I received top-notch service from the moment I connected with them and all the way through our trip; I felt like I was working with a high-end personal concierge throughout the entire experience. They helped me find the perfect villa, facilitated the booking process, communicated with the owner about a couple of special requests, helped us plan other activities, and made themselves easily available during our stay to answer any questions and take care of our needs. The villa itself was fantastic - even better than the pictures - and the house manager was great; she even helped us get a last minute reservation at a very popular restaurant one night. Everything was first class all the way - the way I like it- and I would not hesitate to have The Thinking Traveller help plan our next trip.

July 18, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Wow—thank you so much for this amazing feedback! That’s exactly the kind of holiday we love to deliver. We’re so glad the villa exceeded expectations and that the house manager was able to help with that last-minute reservation—those little moments can make all the difference!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great experience

Very nice property, top service, great experience.

August 4, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thanks so much for your review!
We’re pleased to hear you had a great experience and enjoyed both the property and the service

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

the two sisters on the ground acting as…

the two sisters on the ground acting as concierge were a 10/10 amazing. Brillane was perfect and perfect location. The second villa should not be represented by you. It is in the middle of a construction zone with no water and intermittent internet. THe cost you / they charged was criminal. Everything else was great but leaving and fantastic villa for a barely functional one is just not cricket as they say in the auld country .

August 4, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thank you for the lovely feedback on our local team and Brillane—we are so glad they impressed you! We are truly sorry the second villa didn’t meet expectations and would like the opportunity to discuss your feedback with you; we will reach out to arrange a call.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

service

service, website is beautiful, villas are high quality

July 29, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

It’s lovely to know we hit the mark for your stay, thank you. Looking forward to helping you plan your next trip!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful property

Beautiful property - an oasis in the middle of a real Italian town -not a tourist town. Would definitely return to this property. Thanks to Francesco for his help - he was very accessible.

July 29, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Sounds like you had a great stay and thank you for taking the time to review us.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The Villa Christina in Meganisi was…

The Villa Christina in Meganisi was lovely. The island support was first class.
We did have a few issues with the water supply and these were dealt with within 20 mins. Great transfers and on island communication.

July 31, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thank you for the review. Water supply issues are an all too frequent challenge in Greece but delighted to hear the team managed to resolve these quickly!

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Villa Saracena

We just returned from an unforgettable group trip to Sicily organized by The Thinking Traveler, and we truly cannot say enough positive things about our experience.

From start to finish, the entire team at The Thinking Traveler was exceptional—prompt, thorough, and thoughtful in every interaction. They were consistently available to answer our (many!) questions with patience, kindness, and clarity. Their attentiveness and professionalism made the planning process seamless and enjoyable.

Upon arrival, we were immediately captivated by the breathtaking views from our villa. While every excursion was memorable, we all agreed that some of our favorite moments were the afternoons spent by the pool, with Mt. Etna in the distance, and the stunning sunsets as our backdrop. Walking to the nearby cliffs and swimming in the sea also became one of the most memorable highlights of our trip.

A special mention goes to Gina and Mr. T, who truly elevated our stay. Gina’s warmth, attention to detail, and incredible cooking made each meal a delight—we genuinely looked forward to every dish she prepared, which were among the best we had on the entire trip. Our Wednesday night celebration was a standout moment, far exceeding our expectations. From the DJ, to the bartender, and elegant cake, every detail was perfect.

This was a trip we’ll be talking about for years to come, and we are so grateful to The Thinking Traveler for helping us create such lasting memories.

July 22, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

What a lovely review to read - thank you for taking the time and sharing the feedback on your holiday with us.

Sounds like all the arrangements and the villa itself didn't disappoint which is always great to hear! Also very pleased the celebration evening all went well.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Villa Ophira turned out to be a great…

Villa Ophira turned out to be a great choice for our family of 13.
Firstly, it was delightful to walk in the door of this old but elegant villa in excellent condition and explore the hallways, rooms, garden and the pool.
The double sized pool was a hit with our teenagers and younger children.
Managers, Dimitri and Martella were on hand to smooth the way. Our breakfasts were awesome, prepared by Kosta, who took note of what the children enjoyed as well as the adults.
Lots of space, inside and outside.
Beautiful view across the bay.
Private, secluded but not far to shops and restaurants.
Thank to Vanessa, our contact in Corfu, who provided excellent advice about places to visit for children.
A wonderful time for our family!!

July 15, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review.

Certainly sounds like Villa Ophria and Corfu delivered on a special holiday. Also great to hear that the local team helped make for a wonderful stay.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The Thinking Traveller never disappoints

We have been travelling with The Thinking Traveller for many years now, and we are never disappointed. They look after us so well. Our recent return to Meganissi was another triumph, our wonderful villa a magical hideaway with magnificent views and a tranquil feel. Rachel, the local rep, is incredible, and must be one of the reasons Thinking Traveller clients return to the island again and again. Thank you to the whole team for making these years with our fast growing up kids special and memorable.

July 1, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

What a delightful review to read - thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to review us.

Certainly sounds like Meganissi delivered again on a wonderful holiday - just let us know when you are ready for the next one!

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The best service

Excellent service both before and during our stay. Beautiful villa, incredible view, well stocked fridge, fabulous location. Couldn't fault it!

July 31, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thanks for the lovely review and certainly sounds like you had a great holiday.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The assistance from Grace Hammet and at…

The assistance from Grace Hammet and at the villa, Giada.
The villa was perfect and everyone truly enjoyed themselves. The Thinking Traveller never disappoints…….

July 29, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Its lovely to hear both the office and local team helped deliver a great holiday.

Thank for taking the time to review us.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Incredible holiday in the South of Puglia and fantastic support service from TheThinkingtraveller

The overall experience from TheThinkingtraveller was top notch. All the tips, all the help with the booking of events and always very friendly. Will recommend to everyone that I know and will come to holiday in Europe.

July 29, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thanks for the review and the kind words. Top notch is what we aim for - delighted to hear we achieved that for your holiday!

Thanks also for any recommendations which are very much appreciated.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Excellent service and prime location…

Excellent service and prime location near the beach.

July 29, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Lovely to hear that both the service and villa lived up to expectations.

Thanks also for the review.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

First class

Beautiful villa with superb staff and brilliant service from the local team with car hire and even with live translation at a local doctor. First class.

July 29, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thanks for the review and great to hear all arrangements worked well for you - and that we were able to support you when needed.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

2nd year in a row for us at la Pergola

2nd year in a row for us at la Pergola. Terrific host in Massimo and superb location and views.

July 22, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Great to hear you enjoyed stay No2 at La Pergola - let us know when you want to visit again!

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service and access to…

Great customer service and access to beautiful properties and experiences

July 22, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Thanks for the review. We try very hard to deliver the best possible customer service.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service

Great service; the recommended Vila was spectacular, beyond our expectations!

July 21, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Nothing we like to hear more than feedback that a villa has exceeded expectations!

Thanks for taking the time to review us.

The Thinking Traveller Team

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I've used this company for many years but.....

[Interesting response from the CEO below to my original review, someone I have never spoken to or heard from.
Some points to clear up in her response;
-the quote attributed to me is absolutely not my own words
-the "minor issues" that were "far less significant than [I] described" included a) our pool going green with algae/slime which is not at all heathly - a quick search online suggests "generally unsafe" potentially harbouring harmful bacteria and making surfaces slippery (which they were)
-air conditioning not working - not really "minor" when the daytime temperature was 40C?
-a flooded kitchen every other day is "minor" - dangerous in my eyes
So a curious and very defensive response to my mind]
I've used this company for many years (a decade plus) and have just returned from my latest stay. I had many issues whilst there which the local team attempted to deal with. But......
....the Director of Operations replied to my latest series of issues with "I certainly acknowledge that in those years there have been a number of complaints you have raised during your stays", which it has to recompense me for with substantial refunds and future material discounts. Not least for bedrooms in its villas that were literally uninhabitable because of damp, numerous mechanical and electrical failures, construction on adjacent properties, and for a whole variety of other problems.
Photos attached of this time - air-conditioning and electrics broken on arrival, a pool that change from blue to green, a kitchen that flooded almost every day for some reason, alarms on other things bleeping every other hour.
I used to think TT was a decent outfit but no more - and heaven forbid that you have to engage with its 'Director of Operations' to resolve.
Avoid in my view.............

July 11, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

I felt I had to step into this thread as I have been following your interactions with my team throughout your stay.

I was thrilled to hear (in your words) that you continue to return to The Thinking Traveller year after year for the last decade because we “have the best collection of high-quality villas and when any issues do arise we deal with them quickly and professionally.” This is something we fight fiercely to protect, and thankfully, something that our guests continue to enjoy. I can see from all of our interventions that this was indeed the case in your latest stay.

The well-documented and evidenced minor issues you experienced at the property were quickly remedied and far less significant than you have described, which is, I assume, why you continued to stay and enjoy your holiday for its full duration. We can often move guests to alternative properties if issues are significant enough to impede their enjoyment of a property. I’m glad this wasn’t the case in this situation.

Whilst I recognise that you reserve your rights to do so, it is a sad indictment of the world we live in that despite their unwavering best efforts, my team can be threatened by the posting of a poor public review if the remedy they have proposed isn’t considered “financially significant” enough for a client with this recurring pattern. I’m sorry you felt the need to do so.

Zuleika Fennell
Chief Executive Officer / The Thinking Traveller

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Our best rental experience so far

Our best rental experience so far. The team was very friendly, fast response and the property was even better in person!

July 25, 2025
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Reply from The Thinking Traveller

Always great to hear when a villa exceeds expectations.

Thanks for the great review!

The Thinking Traveller Team

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