Choosing a villa for a group is a little like casting a dinner party — get it right and everyone relaxes into their best selves; get it wrong and the cracks show by day two. After years of matching guests to homes, I've learned that the perfect villa is rarely the flashiest one in the photos. It's the one that fits how your particular group actually lives. Here's how I help people decide.
Start with the sleeping arrangements, not the square footage. A home that 'sleeps twelve' can mean six real bedrooms or three bedrooms and a pile of sofa beds. Count the actual beds, look at how the rooms are distributed, and think about who's travelling. Couples want doors that close; families want children nearby; a group of friends may happily share. Match the beds to the people before you fall for the view.
Bathrooms are the unsung heroes of a group trip. One bathroom for eight people turns a dream villa into a queue. As a rough rule, aim for a bathroom for every two or three guests, and note which bedrooms are en-suite — it matters more than almost anything else when everyone's getting ready for dinner at once.
Next, think hard about the shared spaces, because that's where a group trip actually happens. A generous kitchen, a big table, a terrace that catches the evening light, a pool everyone can gather around — these are what turn a house into a holiday. I'd take a home with one glorious communal heart over one with a dozen disconnected rooms every single time.
Location depends entirely on the trip you're imagining. Do you want to walk to restaurants and life, or do you want to disappear down a quiet lane and cook in every night? Both can be wonderful, but they're different holidays. Be honest about how much you'll really venture out, and factor in the drive from the airport — an extra hour each way costs you two precious half-days.
Then come the details that quietly make or break the week: reliable fast Wi-Fi if anyone's half-working, air conditioning or a fireplace depending on the season, parking, a washer for longer stays, and a genuinely equipped kitchen if you plan to cook. Read the amenities list closely, and if something's important to you, just ask. A good host would always rather answer a question than have you disappointed on arrival.
Finally — and I would say this — talk to the host before you book. Tell me who's coming, what the occasion is, and what a perfect day looks like for your group. I'll tell you honestly whether a home is the right fit or steer you to a better one in my collection. The perfect villa is really just the one someone took the time to match to you.