about Villa Magdalen

If you fancy a longer read to know more about the owners, the history of the villa, and how exactly things are managed when you stay at this villa, here it is!

The owners

Villa Magdalen is owned by a British family who fell in love with the unspoilt nature of the golden beaches and friendly people of Bulgaria. They wanted to create their own dream villa on the Black Sea coast, explored the region, learned about the new marina that would 'put Balchik on the map' (as it did, indeed!), so they focused on the area just North of Varna, towards Balchik. They particularly liked how easy it is to travel to Varna: leaving Yorkshire (United Kingdom) in the early hours of the day, they could be at their home in the sun by midday! In 2012 they found the ideal building site at this prime spot between Albena and Balchik: near to the most attractive beaches and towns, yet very private. They decided to also buy the next plot down the hill in this upcoming villa area, and turned the second plot into a lawn and garden, so their sea view would never be obstructed.

* for Google Maps fans: please note that Google Maps 'streetview' was not renewed since 2012 and shows the then newly built villa surrounded by plots that are still to be developed. Google Maps 'Satellite' view and 'Earth' view are recent (2017) and clearly show the exceptional location of Villa Magdalen, amidst other privately owned villa's, with the open space (the extra plot) in front. 

Their Design for the villa

The holiday home had to be the family's haven of calm and quiet in a hectic life, but also needed to match their usual high standards. Their choice for the villa was a bold architectural design with clean cut lines, airy spaces, and lots of room for outdoor living at all 3 floor levels. They put their signature stamp on the interior as well, with first class materials in mainly neutral shades and a lot of attention to detail. The result is a truly remarkable holiday home that indeed steps up to the plate to reflect their quest for space and quality, and offers the family their perfect summer retreat. 

The decision to rent out

Ever since the villa was build in 2012 the family try to spend at least a week or two in summer at Villa Magdalen, together with their (then teenage, now young adult) children, and very often with a few more friends or relatives, as the villa sleeps 8 people (4 spacious bedrooms) or even 10 people when the sofa beds are used. But, nevertheless, with a busy life it is hard to spend more time in Bulgaria, so the idea was born to rent out the villa for the rest of the season. But this decision was only taken after they found the very best local management to deal with all the handling on site. Because owning a property abroad is one thing, keeping things ship shape from a distance is a different thing. 

managing the villa

Luckily they found the ideal solution when they got in touch with the best local agency on the Black Sea Coast. The agency provides a professional service with a dedicated 'villa manager' for the villa and its guests, taking care of all things major and minor. From the odd light bulb replacement to complete maintenance of house, pool and gardens, and everything in between. 
The villa manager lives near to the villa and will pick you up at the airport if you wish, or wait for you at the villa if you chose to drive yourself, shows you around the villa and is on hand throughout your stay, or just a phone call away (they leave their mobile number for out of office hours) if you ever have a question or problem. All guests, again and again, tell us about the warm welcome and helpful attitude of their villa manager, and how they felt extremely well looked after.

directly with the owner

The owners prefer to keep things in their own control when it comes to letting out their beloved villa. So if you make an enquiry, you are communicating directly with the owners in the UK and their PA. What makes it very easy to answer every little question you still may have after exploring our website. Your email or phone call will in first instance be dealt with by their PA who acts as the bookings manager for the villa, and can communicate in English, German, Dutch (as a mother tongue) and with a bit of effort also in French. But the owners will be on hand and happy to jump in, if your question can only be answered by someone who knows every inch of the villa from personal experience and has spent many holidays in the area. With the owners in the UK as your direct contact, and the dedicated villa manager taking care of you on the spot in Bulgaria, you enjoy the best of both! In the spring of 2019 we added the option of instant online bookings. These bookings are also managed from the family’s home base in Yorkshire (UK), in close communication with the agency in Bulgaria and the villa manager.

confirming your reservation

When you decide to book the villa, you probably want to book your flights simultaneously. And we know how daunting it can be to decide which 'book now' button you should hit first, when you are browsing for flights AND accommodation. Secure the flights first? Or confirm your accommodation as a first step? We would advise you to preselect your flights, then secure your reservation for the villa, and book your flights during the first 24 hours after making your reservation, our grace period. We will guarantee your reservation for the first 24 hours after you made your booking without any obligation from your side, so you can simply let us know, should you be unable to book the flights. After the 24 hours, we will ask you to fully confirm and secure your reservation by paying your deposit (as indicated in the terms & conditions of your booking).

Arranging your flights and rental car

As a private villa owner we can not book a flight on your behalf. We are not a travel agency and therefore not licensed to book your flights and offer flight-inclusive packages. But we do monitor the flight schedules and prices of all main airlines, especially for low cost flight directly to Varna from Northern Europe, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, and usually we will be able to tell you where to look for your flights, if you want some guidance. For car hire we can send you some links, or we can organise that the villa manager will pick you up at the airport.

When you travel

We will be in touch with you to make sure the villa manager is updated about your arrival time and we will make sure she has all your details and that you have hers. We will also make sure you have the details of our office and partners in Bulgaria, from where the local assistance by the villa manager, the cleaning and maintenance is organised. Booking direct with the owner, and with the service of an excellent local team in Bulgaria to welcome you, you have the ultimate security that everything is taken care of and that help will be at hand should you ever need it.