Hayk

For Hayk and his partner Marieke, the journey to finding the perfect family getaway began with the search for a holiday home in Mallorca. After struggling to find the right property, they discovered August and joined the Premium Demi-Quartier Collection. The decision has proven to be a perfect fit for their growing family, offering spacious homes with stunning views that are seamlessly managed, giving the whole family a chance to relax without the usual stresses of travel. With homes across Europe, Hayk and Marieke now enjoy the flexibility of exploring new regions while always feeling right at home.

‍

‍

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us how you came to find August, we believe you were looking for a villa in Mallorca originally?‍

‍

We, my partner Marieke and I, are doing this. She’s based in Rotterdam and I’m near Amsterdam. This decision was also for the family: my two sons, my daughter, daughter-in-law (all adults) and my grandson. And we are also going to use the homes with the rest of the broader family and our friends.  Originally, we were looking to buy a holiday home in Spain, specifically in Mallorca. We spent quite a bit of time searching, but we found it challenging to find something we really liked within the budget we had in mind. That’s when we came across August. We started following the concept and speaking with the team—it wasn’t a quick decision, it took about 1½ years but over time, we came to really appreciate the model and what it offered. Eventually, we joined the Premium Collection, and it’s been a great solution for us as a family.

‍

‍

Did you have any reservations about co-ownership or joining August, and how did you overcome them?  

Yes, we did have some initial reservations—co-ownership is quite a unique concept, especially when you're buying into five homes alongside other families through an organisation like August. It’s also a significant financial commitment, so naturally, it felt a bit unusual at first to be transferring such a large sum.  But everything was incredibly well arranged and professionally managed, which gave us confidence in the process. 

‍

‍

What appealed to you the most about the Premium Collection compared to the other Collections? 

‍

For us, the Premium Collection felt like the perfect fit for our family. We often spend holidays together—for example in the wintertime when we go skiing as a group each year—and over the years, the family has grown a bit. Until now, we’ve usually stayed in hotels, but it was becoming clear that we needed more space and flexibility.  

‍

We also love travelling together in the summer with the whole family or the two of us, whether it’s to Italy or other beautiful places, so having spacious homes that can comfortably host all of us was really important  to us. Most of the homes in the Premium Collection have five bedrooms.  

‍

Another thing we love is that most homes offer great views—something we really appreciate when we are away. Unfortunately not all of them,—like the townhouse in Mallorca—but several others do, which is really great! 

‍

‍

‍

Can you walk us through your first stay at an August home, how did you feel about the property’s character and design? 

‍

Yes, the first August home we stayed in was in Mallorca. We went for the first time in September, and then again in November for a few weeks. One of the great things about Mallorca is that even in the low season, the weather is usually still a bit warmer and sunnier than back home in the Netherlands—or in the UK, for that matter—so it was a lovely place to be.  

‍

It’s beautifully designed—quite different from my own home, but in a way that we really appreciated. It has five bedrooms, so for a few days, the whole family came to stay, which made it even more memorable. The layout, the comfort, and the style of the interiors all made us feel instantly at home.  

‍

Even though some restaurants were closed since it was off-season, we didn’t mind—we actually enjoyed discovering a few hidden gems. It was a wonderful experience overall, and we’re already planning to go back again at the end of the year.

‍

‍

‍

Do you have a favourite home in the Collection, and if yes – why? 

‍

So far, we’ve spent time in the homes in Mallorca and the French Alps—and at this point, I’d say the French Alps home is our favourite. We’ve been twice now: once in September and again in February for a family ski trip.  

‍

It’s a beautiful house that really suits our family, with five bedrooms and cosy spots to relax—especially by the fireplace. But what really makes it special is the view. It’s just stunning. You can even walk to the piste—it’s only about 100 metres away—which makes it perfect for skiing.

While the ski area isn’t the highest, and we ski quite a lot, it’s ideal for the family. We've also gotten to know the area a bit better now—we have our go-to bakery for fresh bread, and we’ve discovered some great local restaurants. It feels familiar now, which makes it even more enjoyable. So yes, for the moment, the French Alps home is definitely our favourite.

‍

‍

‍

Do you use the homes for holidays only? Or do you also work from the homes?

‍

We mainly use the homes for holidays, but we do occasionally work from them as well. For example, last  winter when we were in the French Alps, my partner Marieke and my daughter both worked from the house for a few days—and it worked really well.  

‍

When we are in Mallorca, I often spend a couple of hours working in the morning and then enjoy the rest of the day relaxing or exploring. That balance really suits us. So while the focus is on quality time and holidays, having the option to work from the homes is definitely a bonus. Good Wi-Fi is really important for us.

‍

‍

‍

For past stays, how easy did you find it to book the dates you wanted to travel? 

‍

I’ve found the booking system works really well. It takes a little time at first to understand how it all works, but once you get used to it, it’s very smooth and well-organised—which is important when you’re sharing five homes with 20 other families.  

‍

For our family, it’s been ideal so far because we’re quite flexible with travel dates. My grandson is still very young, so we’re not tied to school holidays yet. That flexibility has made it easy for us to find availability.  

‍

I know that might change in a few years when school schedules come into play, and I can imagine high-season bookings could become a bit more competitive. You just need to plan ahead—which isn’t my strength, but luckily my partner and daughter are great at that, so I’ll leave it to them! 

‍

‍

Can you share any moments that were notably stress-free compared to when you didn’t have your August homes?

‍

One of the things I truly love about August is how stress-free it makes everything. With a traditional second home, there’s always something to take care of when you arrive—cleaning, maintenance, or fixing small issues. But with August, everything is ready when you walk through the door. The home is clean, everything is working, and if something isn’t, it just takes one call and someone will sort it out.  

‍

It really makes a big difference. I’ve come to appreciate it even more when I hear other people talk about the constant upkeep their second homes require. With August, you skip all of that and can immediately relax and enjoy your time. That peace of mind is a big part of what makes the experience special and stress free. 

‍

‍

‍

Has August impacted your lifestyle as a family?

‍

Yes, definitely. August has really positively impacted our family’s lifestyle. Not only just with family holidays, but it’s also allowed me to spend quality time with friends. For example, I’ll be spending a week in the Cotswolds this year, playing golf with friends, which is something I really enjoy. Many of the August homes, like those in the South of France and the Cotswolds, are near excellent golf courses, so it’s perfect for our interests.  

‍

What we also love is that the homes aren’t just for the two of us. My children can use them too, which is wonderful. My daughter will be heading to Mallorca in October with some friends, and my son and his family will stay in Megeve in June. We still enjoy exploring different parts of the world, but now that we’ve spent time in these homes, we’re really starting to get to know the regions. We’ve become familiar with the French Alps and Mallorca, and we are looking forward to discovering more. What’s really special is that you feel right at home in each place because you’re already familiar with it, which makes each stay even more enjoyable. 

‍

‍

‍

What advice or tips would you give to someone who is looking to join August? 

‍

My best tip or advice would be to trust the process without losing your own responsibility. I know you could feel a little anxious to take the next step, especially when you’re making such a significant financial commitment, but I have to say everything went smoothly for us. August does a really good job of managing everything, and you’ll have support along the way, whether it’s with the finances or any other aspect. So, our advice would be to trust the organisation and the process—they really know what they’re doing

‍

‍

Eager to find out more about co-ownership in Europe's most iconic destinations and become part of the August community? Start a conversation with our expert Advisory Team and take one step closer to your August journey today.