Villa Gianni in London?

[BgMstr4u]

I am starting to plan my summer trip to London and tried to reach the website of Villa Gianni -- http://www.villagianni.com -- and it came up empty.

 

Anyone know if it has gone out of business? If so, what's the story? Is there anything like it in London now?

[+ glutes]

BM4U:

No reason to worry, their website is 'under construction' for the next few weeks. They are open!

[sf traveler]

I used to be a devoted customer of Villa Gianni and Earl's Court Clinique, which was nearby but after my last visit in October I'm going to steer clear of the place. The price is considerably below what good London escorts charge and you get what you pay for. The guys were definitely all about doing the minimum. Some were better, or worse, than others but of the three I fooled around with, I wouldn't recommend any of them. The place is totally different from what it once was. SF Traveler

[+ glutes]

I concur SFTrav, but it is the only on-site gig in London Town.

Their stock pales in comparison to what is available at Paragonya!

[BgMstr4u]

This is interesting. The last time I was there, about 2 years ago, I had a similar experience. Picked out the lad, who seemed nice. Once in the room, the conversation was about things we couldn't do, which I found dispiriting. I wonder if others have had the same experience.

 

The advantage of the place is that it has its own premises. And the price, at least then, was reasonable. I have to confess to always having a thrill at looking through the window and picking out the boy. Kicks in all sorts of fantasies. So I will probably try it again. But if the VG people read this site, I would like to say, lighten up, accomodate your clients, or you will not increase your business.

[BlowMeDown]

Hi - I used to live in London and used both VG and Earls Court Clinique but I long ago stopped using those kind of places. I much prefer Gaydar where you can communicate with the guys beforehand, make sure you are compatible, and get all the "business" out of the way before you meet, so that you just have an undiluted good time. The places with their own premises may be cheaper - and yes I understand the "thrill" of picking the lobster out of the tank - but you do get what you pay for.

 

Over a number of years I noticed that guys graduated from those kind of places to working on their own and so I think the guys who work there are perhaps new arrivals in london, people without decent accommodation, and perhaps a little more desperate. I don't find desperation attractive (I'm not implying that you do) - I find confident, well-balanced, professional guys attractive and I think one is more likely to find that among the independents. I do have a current favourite but have plugged him a number of times here so won't do it again, and in any event, I don't know your tastes. I think a scout round Gaydar is far better - a far bigger selection (rather than taking pot-luck on the day) and it costs nothing: the guys are more expensive to hire but you can review them here (or slag them off in the Gaydar chatroom) so most won't behave badly. Someone working at VG probably hasn't even got a computer and won't care!

 

Just a personal view - have a good time whatever you do. If you want recommendations please let me know.

 

BlowMeDown

[GBoi]

I totally agree with BlowMeDown.

 

There's an amazing selection of guys on gaydar and most are pretty explicit about what they like/don't like. If you sign up for an account you get access to their X photos which gives you a sneak peek at the goods. The chat feature is cool if the guy you're interested is online at the same time, you can converse and transact in real time. As BMD stated, it gets the business out of the way so you can just have fun when you meet for the first time.

 

I've only been to VG once and although it was fine, I agree it was kind of annoying to pick a guy then get a long litany of won't dos. I've had much better luck at this type of venue in Barcelona or Sydney where you talk to all the guys before making a choice.

 

Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.

 

BTW -- BlowMeDown your favorite (if it's the guy you recommended on my other thread) is FANTASTIC!

[tomas1]

They have also stopped advertising in Gay Times, so suppose they are out of business. Hope someone else in the market fills the hole!

[flboy25]

So is it certain Villa Gianni is no longer around? *sniffles*

[Guest howcroft]

Villa Gianni is still in business at the same address in Earls Court. The phone number is the same 0207 244 9901 and they have the usual mix of guys -- some extremely hot. Apparently a new website is being created but for some reason it's not up yet. Was there just the other night. Open till 2am but last orders usually around 1am!

Paul:-)

[CT Dick]

Earl's Court Clinique

 

Guys, I am familiar with VG but not Earl's Court Clinique. Please, was is/was it?

 

Dick

[Guest howcroft]

Villa Gianni

 

Earls Court Clinique has been over for many years. Villa Gianni is still in the same place in Earls Court and open for business. Some very nice guys and I have had a lot of fun there.

Well worth checking out -- £80 for an hour.

[+ glutes]

What is the latest on VG?? Have friend going there this weekend.

[+ Axiom2001]

I am starting to plan my summer trip to London and tried to reach the website of Villa Gianni -- http://www.villagianni.com -- and it came up empty.

 

Anyone know if it has gone out of business? If so, what's the story? Is there anything like it in London now?

 

An adjusted site is now up; I just clicked on what you typed in your thread. It's 05/05/10.

[joethomas]

Vg club

 

Visited the club earlier this year and gain last week. Everything still very clean and well run, the staff very welcoming. The boys available are often mixed but something for every taste. I've not been disappointed.

[joethomas]

Does any one know if there are any other clubs like VG CLUB in London?

I very much like the way you choose the guy from the line up and can ask the manager about the individual lad.

[Mark Gordon]

VG

 

I don't think there are any other male brothels remaining in London. I agree with what some of the previous posters have said regarding the relative quality of experience you would have here. I briefly worked in a similar establishment when I was just starting out. The working conditions tend to be quite poor, being stuck in a cramped room all day, overcrowded with your competition, hoping you'll be picked. The management take a big cut. The guys don't have the chance to prepare themselves properly. These places will tend to attract guys who are down on their luck, transient guys, or those who cannot secure appropriate accommodation. London is one of the 2 largest markets in the world, there are a multitude of high quality escorts available on Gaydar to suit every taste. Independent professionals who will be able to provide a higher quality experience to their clients because they are themselves leading full rewarding lives.

[joethomas]

VIlla Gianni

 

The lads I've come across there, have tended to be ok with the place and the deal they have with the management. I've asked a few and they like the fact that its discreet and the clients are vetted by the door staff. Also some of the st8 lads working there don't want to advertise or be in a position to be recognised as WORKING lads.

As it is a reasonable rate I often tip the guy above the 80 so he gets more.

[Guest howcroft]

Villa Gianni

 

I have had much better experiences at Villa Gianni than on Gaydar generally. For one thing, you can see the guy -- not some pictures taken several years ago, or heavily photoshopped, which happens all the time with Gaydar guys. You can also talk to the guy before you commit to spending any money. If you ask the staff what the guy will/won't do, they will tell you. Or he will tell you himself. Then you can go ahead or not, as you prefer. No one pressures you, and you can leave without buying. I often do.

The other advantage is the price -- at £80 it's much cheaper than most of the guys elsewhere. A second hour or a second guy is £70. And some of them are stunning. Good choice on a good day! Well worth a visit IMHO!

[Guest howcroft]

Villa Gianni

 

While I'm on the subject, it's also worth bearing in mind that some of the Gaydar guys use photos of other people entirely! You can turn up and you find someone who may be nice but is simply not the guy in the pictures. You can also find yourself visiting them in a not very nice area and in a not very nice flat or room. The ones who do outcalls only are a bit of a risk, quite frankly. You can have no idea of their real appearance or behaviour until they're actually in your home or hotel.

At least at VG you get what you see, and it's clean and well run by polite staff. I've even changed my mind when I've met the guy in the room and they haven't charged me. Lastly, window-shopping (literally) is fun, and that bit doesn't cost anything at all!

[Londontop]

Haven't been to Villa Gianni for quite a while so thanks to joethomas and howcroft for their updates. One question about their new "system" - what happens to your "daily membership" of £40 if you don't happen fo find a guy you like on that particular visit?

 

So far as I know VG is now the only "house with boys" in London. In the late 80s to mid 90s there used to be a few. Clinique (in the same premises as VG is now) was the busiest. Then a nice place at Palace Gate - it closed when the owner was charged with tax evasion rather than with running a bordello There was another place in a mews in South Kensington (Burlington?). And one in a desirable part of Kensington run by a Belgian guy called Patrick - was it called Rome? All gone...."where are the snows of yesteryear?" and all that....

Yes, these places meet a need, both for the guys and the clients, and can be fun. The experience is different from that with an escort booked through gaydar, gayromeo etc where the risk of a "dud" is, perhaps arguably, greater, but where a good experience can be really satisfying.

[Isis123]

I do agree - Villa Gianni does have some benefits and should not be dismissed out of hand. In various guises, it has been operating for a very long time and the management is quite serious about delivering a reasonable experience. If a client has a problem with a guy, a quiet word with the manager should see the problem resolved. Remember, also that the place "pretends" to be a massage parlour. Having said that, £80 is fairly modest.

 

Using Gaydar escorts is quite a risky move - especially for someone not based in London. The site has many decent, proper escorts but does have a very high percentage of fakes and fraudsters. Fortunately, Gayromeo is fast expanding in the UK and has a comprehensive listing of escorts and a comment section for each one. It is fairly easy to spot the fake comments so if you see an escort with a decent number of good comments from credible sources that should be a good guide.

[Guest howcroft]

Villa Gianni

 

The new payment system looks more complex than it is. You are charged £80 if you see a guy, nothing otherwise. The £40 is part of the £80. I think this is to get around some tax issue for them.

I remember all the old places you mention. All of them closed not because of illegality, but for non-payment of tax. Illegality is notoriously difficult to get a modern jury to accept. They tend not to want to convict.

There's a killing to me made, financially, for anyone who wants to start another such venue up, provided you can find a location where the neighbours don't know/don't care.

Basically, the law isn't interested unless you don't pay tax. Then they are!

[Londontop]

Villa Gianni

 

The new payment system looks more complex than it is. You are charged £80 if you see a guy, nothing otherwise. The £40 is part of the £80. I think this is to get around some tax issue for them.

 

Thanks howcroft for this reply. So it's just the "old system" dressed up a bit. Must go along and see how it is. As it's now the only such facility in London, it would be a shame for it to go under for lack of business......but I get the impression, between the lines, that it's pretty busy.

[Guest howcroft]

It's been pretty busy this week, and some nice guys there!!! A bargain, really. Also, when you see what you're going to get it's a different experience from some of the fakes on, say, Craigslist!