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UK: Holiday let management company Finest Retreats has acquired Devon-based My Favourite Cottages, adding 72 properties and taking its portfolio beyond 900 homes.
My Favourite Cottages has operated for more than a decade, managing a portfolio of coastal and rural holiday homes across Devon.
Founder Harry Roberts approached Finest Retreats when he decided to retire. His own holiday cottage will remain within the portfolio following the acquisition.
The existing operations team has also joined Finest Retreats, while property owners were contacted individually as part of the transition.
Finest Retreats said it had already introduced marketing and operational changes which had generated an early increase in bookings and occupancy. No supporting figures were disclosed.
Richard Bond, owner of Finest Retreats, said: “I’m proud that when Harry chose to retire, he specifically approached us to take on the mantle. It says a lot about the reputation we have built and what we stand for as a business.
“His whole operations team has stayed on and every owner has been personally contacted, which means the transition has been as smooth as it possibly could be.”
Roberts added: “I wanted to pass the business on to a company who were similar in their approach, size and style to My Favourite Cottages. As a sign of my complete trust, my own holiday cottage will also become part of the Finest Retreats portfolio.”
Finest Retreats will provide the acquired portfolio with access to its marketing and distribution network, technology and property management infrastructure while retaining the local team and knowledge of the Devon market.
The deal follows its acquisition of Forgotten Corner Holiday Cottages on Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula in 2025 and forms part of its strategy to acquire owner-managed businesses.
Founded less than seven years ago without external investment, Finest Retreats now manages more than 900 properties across the UK. The company describes itself as the UK’s largest independently owned holiday let management agency.
Its team operates across the country, with offices in Kingsand, Bude and Roche.
Highlights
- Finest Retreats completed the acquisition at the end of July 2026
- My Favourite Cottages adds 72 Devon properties to its portfolio
- The entire My Favourite Cottages operations team has been retained
- Founder Harry Roberts has retired following the deal
- Financial terms were not disclosed
