Testimonials

We have doubled our rental weeks

“We are delighted to have Tots to France as our agent.  This is our first full year with them and we have doubled our rental weeks.  We have put a lot of extra time and money into updating the house and have added a playroom and all the equipment needed for little ones from highchairs to cots.
In our opinion this extra outlay on baby friendly equipment and safety conformity has been very worthwhile and has been a contributing factor in acquiring this additional business.”

Alan & Carolann, owners, France

Within two weeks of going live on the site we had a four week booking for next summer

‘I was a bit anxious about a visit from a Tots to Travel rep – would I feel criticised, defensive, “inspected”? But I felt none of these whatsoever when Nancy came out to see our house. She was very warm and friendly and immediately put me at ease.

She spent a few hours and was extremely thorough; she had lots of great suggestions, without ever once making me or the house feel criticised (can a house “feel” criticised?)

Nancy’s thoroughness continued throughout the write up process – every detail was taken care of. You can tell when you read the write up that it is written by someone who knows the house well, unlike other agency sites.

Within two weeks of going live on the site we had a four week booking for next summer so have already more than paid the visit fee.’

Jo, house owner, France

Our business has gone to a higher level!

“Having ‘muddled through’ reasonably successfully for 8 years by ourselves with our holiday home rental business, our contact with Wendy and Rob Shand (Tots to Travel) could only be likened to “a light at the end of the tunnel”. Their ability to instill confidence in a calm way – along with their boundless enthusiasm and energy, support and positivity – teamed with the all-important attention to detail - has proved to be a  breath of fresh air! Our association with them has taken our business to a higher level, enabling us to build on our experience whilst keeping abreast of developments within an ever-changing holiday market.”

Gill, Houseowner of the year 2009, Charente, France

Record Bookings!

“As for this year, we now have record bookings while other gite owners are still struggling, particularly with the falling euro affecting the cost of holidays in Europe.

We are virtually full from the end of May till early September (with September bookings still coming in), and 50% of our current bookings are through TTF.

If we hadn’t joined them, we would almost certainly be having yet another tough year, particularly as bookings from Chez Nous over the past two or three years have declined steadily. Long may it continue!”

Caroline, mum of 2, cluster owner, France

Tots have been fantastic!

“Tots have been fantastic! Looks like we’ll be booked until 24th September with Tots families! Thank you so much!!!”

Cille, house owner, France

I had my first booking confirmation within just a few weeks!

“Christine from Tots visited my properties in the Algarve and gave very helpful advice on items I needed to purchase as well as where I could source them, which made the getting on board process very quick and easy.  Christine’s visit was at the end of February 2011 and I had my first booking confirmation by mid April!”

Cheryl, house owner, Portugal

A lesson in how to identify, target, and effectively access a niche

“Tots to Travel, from conception to inception has been an object lesson in how to identify, target, and effectively access a niche, which in hindsight, is too obvious to have been neglected!!  Not everybody has the vision, or confidence, to ‘formalise’ a feeling that ‘if I want a product like this, others will too’.  By applying a disciplined, progressive approach to developing your business model, based on an impressively strong initial business plan, you have quickly achieved a stable, sustainable enterprise.”

Richard Fraser-Williams V.Att (Nor) Senior Business Advisor Mentor Môn

Detail and commitment that is unsurpassed in the industry

“We have been delighted to find a business partner who shares our passion to provide clients with the best possible holiday accommodation in France, tailored to their specific requirements. Tots to France have a level of detail and commitment to their customers that is unsurpassed in the industry.”

Nikki and David, mum and dad of 2 and cluster owner,Charente Maritime, France

All the stress is taken out

“We have had such a good time with all the families from Tots to Travel.  I have to say that all the stress is taken out when we deal with you.  We have been so impressed with the efficient and friendly communications that we have had with all the team – it’s lovely to feel that we almost know you all personally and can always be sure of understanding and helpful advice.  So…. thank you all very much for your time, effort and all the support you give us.”

Judy, mum of 3, houseowner, France

A brilliant concept with a great team!

“As an owner, it is a pleasure working with Wendy, Rob and all the team at Tots to Travel.  They are professional and committed both to customers and owners but fun to do business with too.  It’s also good to know that they can help and advise at all stages from giving useful advice when the house is being restored to sorting out problems when things, as is inevitable, sometimes don’t go quite according to plan. Tots to Travel is a brilliant concept with a great team operating it and I have no hesitation in recommending it to other owners.”

Duncan, dad of two, owner of 1 property in Le Marche, Italy

We’re always guaranteed a healthy level of bookings

“As a houseowner it’s been great to see the thoroughness that Tots to Travel takes in checking the standard and facilities of each property; it gives confidence that you’re part of a quality service.  Clearly the marketing effort and investment that Tots makes pays dividends as we’re always guaranteed a healthy level of bookings, particularly out of the traditional high season.
”

Michelle, mum of 2, owner of two properties, Charente, France

Within days we had our first booking… PLUS an additional 6 weeks!

“Having been operating here at La Breuille for several successful seasons we were very keen to extend our season and increase our bookings for those weeks either side of the peak season. We already catered for the family market and provided onsite childcare but, despite spending a fortune on paid for advertising within that specific market, we struggled to fill the shoulder months.

We then read about Wendy and Tots To France in an article in the Times and it all made perfect sense. So in early 2009, after very sensible advice from Tots, we very inexpensively fenced in our pool (previously only alarmed), and put La Breuille on the Tots To France website.

Within days we had our first booking and very soon had an additional 6 weeks bookings taking us to capacity for the period that we were open for.

We have been very impressed with the speed and efficiency of the bookings, payments are all made on time and emails are sent regularly to keep us up to date with bookings made and guest information.

This is especially useful, as we like to have a chat with all our guests before they arrive; it helps to establish good relations and is very useful when selling all those little extras that we offer.

We love that when the guests that arrive at La Breuille they feel that they know Davina and the Tots sales team and that they trust that we really are a family friendly destination.

We are very much looking forward to another busy summer ahead, we already have repeat bookings from Tots guests and, as a result of our 2009 success, we have extended our season into the autumn and hope that the weather will be as kind to us this year.

Thanks Tots!”

Steve, dad of two and owner of La Breuille, Charente, France

More credibility and boosted shoulder season bookings!

“We have worked with Wendy, Rob and all the team at Tots to Travel since very nearly its beginning.  Since our first communications, through their stay at our property and subsequent dealings we have always found them to be very open, honest and willing to discuss all aspects of the business.  They are always there to help with any queries and give advice too.

Having 14 years experience in the holiday cottage business ourselves we have also found them to be open to ideas and willing to listen to our experiences as well, so we definitely feel part of ‘the team’ rather than just a houseowner. Being part of Tots to Travel has given our business more credibility and has certainly boosted our shoulder season bookings, we look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

Wendy, mum of two and owner of two clusters

Tots to Travel is unusual; breaking new ground and has a sustainable business formula

“Wendy combines sensitivity and creativity.  She listens carefully to what the market place is telling her and then comes up with creative ways to solve the problem or develop the opportunity. These skills coupled with hard work, drive and determination have resulted in a business that is well run using innovative technical solutions to access resources efficiently. Tots to Travel is unusual; breaking new ground and has a sustainable business formula.”

William Cuthbert, Managing Director, CW Fellowes Ltd, Accountant and Business Adviser

Steady flow of bookings and peace of mind

“We chose Tots to help rent our house because the concept fitted in so well with our lifestyle, property and plans. That decision has brought us so much more. The steady flow of bookings matched with the peace of mind of dealing with a professional organisation has been great.  But it is the detail which inevitably makes the difference.
The team at Tots are always available but at the same they are fully familiar with us and our house, so they can react decisively and sensitively to situations as they arise.  The contractual aspects of the service have given us full confidence in the clients they have provided and this has taken the stress out of the process of having strangers in our own home.  I would recommend Tots wholeheartedly to people considering renting their property.”

Elizabeth, 3 children and a holiday property in Annecy, France

Creativity, professionalism with a touch boutique

“Tots to Travel has all the dynamism and the creativity of a young and fast growing company, with the professionalism and process of a well established travel agent, and the personal touch of a boutique. We have now been working 3 years together, and I enjoyed every single one of them.”

Ludovic, father of two and owner of two properties, Dordogne, France

It’s been great!

“Just a quick thanks to you and all the Tots people for all the help and business so far – it’s been great!”

Stephen, owner of The Water Mill

Tots to Travel are truly experts in their market

“I have found Tots to Travel truly fantastic to deal with. From first contact they have provided invaluable advice and support. Tots to Travel are truly experts in their market; from the insightful and detailed review provided by the on-site consultation to the friendly and professional approach of the sales team.

Their ability to assist in those difficult to fill off-peak weeks has had a tremendously positive impact on extending my season. I would recommend any holiday owner to sign with Tots to Travel.”

Andrea, owner of a large cluster, France

Full by Christmas!

“…if this goes on, we shall be full by Christmas!”

Janette, a happy gite cluster owner, France, Oct 2011