We met at primary school in 1996.
We founded Travel Fox in 2022.
Now managing 120+ holiday homes across England, Wales & Scotland — with 5,708+ verified five-star reviews and counting.
Our Story
Travel Fox started with a friendship. Sam and Chris met at nursery in rural Leicestershire in 1995. In 2022 they turned a shared enthusiasm for technology, optimisation, and a fairly low tolerance for bad service into a company.
The idea was simple: manage holiday properties the way they'd want their own managed. A founder visits every single property before it joins the portfolio. Every guest inquiry gets answered within minutes. Every problem gets fixed, not excused.
Three years on, that idea has grown to 120+ handpicked holiday homes across England, Wales and Scotland, with 5,708+ verified five-star reviews. No outside investors. No office. Just a small team with high standards and a national network of local tradesmen and cleaning teams so we're never far from any property.
Our website guarantees the lowest price when you book direct.
Meet the Founders
Sam Stabler
Co-Founder & COO
A chemical engineer and Team GB runner, Sam brings high-performance discipline to Travel Fox. As COO, he manages 120+ properties across the UK with an engineer’s instinct for simplicity and a runner’s focus on progress. Sam and his lifelong friend Chris have built a business where “broken” isn’t an option and guest care is paramount. When he’s not buried in operations, Sam is out on the trails.
Chris Miles, PhD
Co-Founder & CFO
Chris has a PhD in mathematical modelling from Nottingham. If he can organise systems of equations for phase-shifting fluids, he can price your cottage by the lake on a Tuesday. Anyone can fill a calendar in August. The difference is what happens in the quiet months — our pricing keeps properties booked year-round for owners, and means guests can enjoy a midweek escape in October without paying bank holiday prices. When he's not buried in pricing models, he's buried in a sudoku or winning a pub quiz.
What Sets Us Apart
Commission After Cleaning
We only take our 12% or 15% commission after cleaning costs are covered. Every booking, no matter the length, is just as good for you as it is for us. No exit fees. No notice period. We want you to choose to stay with us.
Every Call Answered
We respond to every guest inquiry within minutes, 24/7, 365 days a year. You'll never get a 2am phone call from a guest — we handle it.
Pricing That Works Year-Round
Our in-house pricing models analyse demand patterns daily, adapting to seasons, local events, and last-minute gaps. The result is 40–45 weeks of bookings annually and guests who feel they've got a fair deal.
Founder-Visited Properties
At least one founder visits every single property before it joins our portfolio. We only take on properties we'd stay in ourselves.
Full Distribution
Your property is listed on Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, VRBO, Google, Holidu, Hometogo, and our own website.
Hassle-Free Management
From professional photography to guest turnovers to emergency maintenance at 2am — we handle everything.
What Our Owners Say
"We've had our fair share of poor experience with management companies but our experience with The Travel Fox has been outstanding. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to customer satisfaction make them the go-to choice for Airbnb management."
Alice's Central Stay
"Sam is very approachable, a pleasure to communicate with. His dedication is reflected in the positive feedback on our Airbnb listing."
Katie's Cottage
Pear Tree Cottage: Lovely, spotlessly clean home from home. Owners very responsive to messages. Would recommend this well equipped and comfortable property.
Gorgeous cottage and grounds. Our cottage felt so private, despite having two gardens either side, it's so thoughtfully set out with gorgeous flower beds and the canal running along the end of the garden. And then there is the rest of the grounds, with different seating areas and picnic tables in hidden spots amongst the wild flowers, and the woods and stream beyond. We only stayed for one night to break up a long journey and wish we had been able to stay longer! The cottage itself was very well equipped, we had everything we needed. Would highly recommend!
We had a fantastic experience at the Old Cow Shed as a family of four. Looking at the beautiful photos of the property, we were really excited for our stay. Upon arrival, it did not disappoint, the location easy to find and with great views of the countryside. Inside the house, rooms and spaces were exactly as they looked in the photos, spotlessly clean and really tastefully presented, a real home from home feel. A spacious and beautiful kitchen was superbly equipped with everything we needed during our stay, enough cutlery glasses etc. The lounge was lovely and cosy, the log burner a fantastic touch and really welcome after a long day outdoors. Bedrooms were cosy, quiet, and the linen was perfectly crisp and comfortable, we enjoyed a thoroughly restful night sleep. The host even thoughtfully left a pillow spray and earplugs to aid our restful nights sleep. The kids loved the bunk beds in one of the spacious bedrooms, and enjoyed having their own space. My husband really appreciated the hot shower in the en-suite, there is also a convenient second shower in the main bathroom which was very welcome with the four of us. We didn’t use the dining area during our stay, but there is also a large dining table and chairs if required. Communications with the host were pleasant, all of our enquiries were responded to efficiently. This host has really thought of everything for a relaxing home from home stay, and we wouldn’t hesitate to book again when we are in the area.
We had a fantastic stay at The Old Cowshed in Marchington with our friends and their family. The property is a beautifully finished, high-end barn conversion with plenty of space for two families to relax and enjoy time together - I think we counted space for 12 people to stay!! The bunk bed room was a huge hit with the kids, who loved sharing the space. The TV and table football kept them entertained for hours and made it feel like their own little retreat. The kitchen was exceptionally well equipped and had everything we needed for cooking and dining together during our stay. The cosy living room was the perfect place to unwind in the evenings, and the fully stocked log burner was the icing on the cake, making the whole place feel warm and welcoming. We couldn’t have asked for more and would 100% recommend The Old Cowshed to anyone looking for a luxurious, family-friendly getaway. We can’t wait to return! A real home away from home – 5 stars all round!
We stayed at Clinkum Cottage for the weekend while visiting Alton towers with our 3 daughters and it was the perfect place to come back to. So serene and peaceful. We would highly recommend to friends and family.
Fantastic stay at Foxt Cottages. Everything we needed in such a glorious setting.
We had a great time and wished we could have stayed longer. Alton is a great place, and the accommodation was really good. You had everything you could require for a relaxing stay. Great place to explore Peak District, local area and visit Alton Towers.
Thank you so much for a wonderful stay at Alpaca Cottage. Perfect location and cottage was cosy and had everything we needed. The kids loved the animals and the play area - we were sad to leave!
Great place, great location, hosts very responsive
Foxt Cottages- Lovely accommodation, eveywhere was very clean & small details really helped us feel at home like providing an extra dog towel for our welcomed furry friend! Heated flooring was perfect after hiking out all day and the beds were super comfy. We were grateful of the local walking/trial maps provided and it was great to have tea & milk on arrival. We used the kayaks provided one afternoon but didn't fancy a swim in March's temperatures! We will definitely return and would book the private bbq hut next time that overlooks the lake it looks fabulous and very cozy.
Cosy warm homely cottage in a peaceful location! Everything was spotless and the welcome hamper was a lovely touch. We'll definitely be back next year.
Absolutely stunning property, beautifully maintained. The hot tub was perfect after a long day exploring the countryside. Travel Fox made everything so easy from booking to check-out.
Excellent communication throughout. The property was even better than the photos! Kids loved the garden and we were only 10 minutes from Alton Towers.
Third time booking with Travel Fox and they never disappoint. The apartment in Manchester was in a perfect location for exploring the city. Highly recommend booking direct.
Really lovely stay in the Lake District. The cottage was well equipped and the views were incredible. Only minor issue was the WiFi being a bit slow but that's rural life!
We booked a large group cottage for a family reunion and it was perfect. Plenty of space, well-stocked kitchen, and the team helped us arrange everything. Can't fault it.
Beautiful Norfolk cottage with everything you could need. The local area guide they provided was really helpful — we found some amazing pubs and walks we'd never have discovered otherwise.
Booked a last-minute city break in Leicester and the whole process was seamless. Great value compared to hotels and so much more space. The apartment was spotless.
Looking for a stay?
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Holiday letting, without the headaches.
- True partnership — you only pay commission on revenue, after cleaning costs
- Cleaning, maintenance & guest turnovers — fully managed by us
- Simple, transparent pricing — 12% or 15% commission packages
- 24-hour support, 7 days a week — you'll never get a 2am phone call again
- Bespoke nightly rates tailored to your property & reviewed daily
- Direct access to a company director — you’re never just a number
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before booking your stay
The easiest way to book is online. Simply find your perfect property, select your dates and click book now. This will take you through the booking journey, including payment.
Alternatively, call us on 0800 808 5559 or email [email protected]
We require 100% of the holiday cost to be paid upfront to secure the dates. We do not currently offer a deposit option.
Cancellations up to 10 days before arrival are fully refundable within 10 working days. Cancellations less than 10 days before your stay are non-refundable.
Contact us: 0800 808 5559 or [email protected]
Many of our properties are dog-friendly, and some allow multiple pets. Check the property description for details. We don't charge any additional fees for pets. For other types of pet, please contact us.
We offer greater flexibility than other agencies — you can start your holiday from any available day.
All our properties provide bed linen and towels. Please bring your own beach or swimming towels.