What do you do if you get bored of forever having to return to your second home? Join a club of like-minded and similarly property-endowed people and go and stay in theirs!
Welcome to The Big Posh Holiday Swap—a 6-part Paramount+ original series that explores the homes and lifestyles of some of THIRDHOME’s Exchange members. In this awe-inspiring show, viewers get to know the Club’s founder and CEO, Wade Shealy, and Director of Strategy, Giles Adams. Wade explains how the Club began—a simple swap pool between him and his friends who own second homes. Now, 12 years later, the Club features over 16,000 properties across 100 countries. The Big Posh Holiday Swap takes us inside these extravagant homes, including THIRDHOME’s Reserve properties, an exclusive program for even higher-worth properties.
If you haven’t seen the show yet, what are you waiting for? In the meantime, let’s uncover the details behind the fantastic properties in Episode 1.
Cottar’s Mara Bush Villa in Masai Mara, Kenya
Overview
Cottar’s Mara Bush Villa is located on the award-winning Cottar’s Safari Camp in Kenya, bordering the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. Cottar’s Bush Villa won the World Travel Award for Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa in 2016 and is Global Eco-Sphere Retreat accredited. Located next to the Savannah Plains, the luxury villa sleeps up to 12, and guests can enjoy privately guided game drives, night game drives, bush walks, swimming, and fishing and can even witness the Great Wildebeest Migration known over the world.
Cottars History
Cottar’s Safaris Services was established in 1919 and was one of the first registered safari companies offering superior game hunting and film safaris throughout Africa, India, and Indochina. Among the Cottar’s long list of achievements, many were firsts. They were the first to import American safari vehicles, the first to reach new areas like Lake Paradise, and the first service to obtain rare safari footage. The Cottars were even the first safari company to establish a tented photography camp in the 60s.
Property Look
The Bush Villa has five bedrooms and six bathrooms and offers complete privacy, with a secure and secluded road leading to the house, which makes it a perfect immersion into nature.
The villa comes with a dedicated staff of eight (one waiter, one housekeeper, two security guards, a guide, and a wildlife spotter). And if you were worried you wouldn’t have access to modern amenities, you can rest assured that the villa has internet access throughout, satellite TV and DVD, and is powered with electric and solar energy.
Trail’s End in Whistler, Canada
Overview
This six-bedroom, eight-bathroom chalet is known around Whistler as the most luxurious getaway in the entire community. Located in the in-demand Kadenwood neighborhood, this ski-in/ski-out retreat sits on 7,500 square feet on a private slope. Trail’s End bursts with luxuries, such as heated floors throughout the home, an espresso bar, a sparkling water dispenser, and a covered, heated entertainment deck.
About Whistler
Whistler Blackcomb is one of the best and most well-known ski resort areas in all of North America. Ranked by USA Today as one of the top 11 resorts this side of the Atlantic. Not only does it offer some of the best skiing for all levels, but it’s also got one of the top villages for après-ski activities, rivaling those famous Austrian ski villages you always hear about.
Seascape Escape in Koh Samui, Thailand
Overview
This four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa is nestled within the grounds of the W Koh Samui Luxury Resort, located on the popular Koh Samui Island—the second-largest island in Thailand. Seascape Escape overlooks the Gulf of Thailand, which is world-famous for its scuba diving and deep-sea fishing.
Accessible via the Koh Samui airport, which is only 15 minutes by car, this tropical getaway boasts ocean views, an infinity pool, loungers, and a sun bed to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy maid service and all of the benefits that the W Hotel has to offer. If you are interested in airport transfers, private chefs, or other services, those can be provided for extra fees.
Watch Episode 1 of The Big Posh Holiday Swap, now available on Channel 5 in the UK.
We sit down with Giles Adams, Director of Strategy and Operations with THIRDHOME, and learn how The Big Posh Holiday Swap came to light.
How did THIRDHOME become the star of The Big Posh Holiday Swap?
In March 2019, we met Plum Pictures, who have been producing innovative programming for major networks in the UK and US since 2007. After a few meetings, they asked if we would be open to them creating a show they would pitch to UK TV channels, streaming services, and content creators.
How did you decide on the format of The Big Posh Holiday Swap?
Initially, we were thinking of taking our successful Best Job on the Planet contest and creating a TV series from it (think Amazing Race meets The Apprentice). At the same time, we were exploring a behind-the-scenes docuseries that gave viewers a peek behind the curtain to see some of the incredible homes we have in the Club and to meet the members simultaneously. This format felt more authentic and a truer reflection of who we are as a Club. In late 2019, Plum Pictures created a taster video that they would use to pitch to content creators.
How would you describe the show?
The Big Posh Holiday Swap is a 6-part series where the viewer goes inside the homes and holidays of THIRDHOME members, including behind-the-scenes shots as hosts prepare for guest arrivals, backstories of the homes themselves, and some of the distinguished homeowners. You’ll also get to meet THIRDHOME’s Founder and CEO, Wade Shealy, and hear how THIRDHOME started and has evolved over the years. In conjunction with showcasing some of the members’ incredible stays, you will also get a peek into the daily workings of THIRDHOME, especially the European team in Spain. The series is beautifully shot and produced. It’s a great representation of the Club, the homes, and the experiences that members offer each other.
How did you decide which homes and members to feature in The Big Posh Holiday Swap?
We wanted to showcase a mix of properties that reflected the diverse range of homes in the Club. Not only did we want to highlight the international flavour of THIRDHOME by featuring far-flung locations, but also show the different types of experiences that we offer, such as skiing, safari, beach holidays, and cultural stays.
We were also looking to balance a blend of property showcases, member trips, and behind-the-scenes goings-on with our team that put all these stays together. Within the trips, we also wanted to show how members use the Club, from a couple traveling together to large multi-generational family reunions.
We know we have some great and varied members in the Club, and as such, we wanted to try and include as many of them as possible if they wanted to participate.
How did the pandemic affect the show?
The world shut down just as Plum Pictures was beginning to pitch the concept. Therefore, as most productions were put on hold in 2020, the conversations about putting the show together started back up again in 2021.
Watch The Big Posh Holiday Swap Sunday nights at 10 PM, exclusively on Channel 5 in the UK, beginning January 28th.
Interested in taking a big posh holiday swap? Click here to learn more.