Who is the CEO of Last Minute? A Deep Dive into Last Minute Cottages

Trying to book a spontaneous cottage weekend and wondering who runs the show at Last Minute Cottages? You’re not alone. Most people just care about getting the keys—but there’s actually a real CEO making sure that last-minute escape happens smoothly.

It’s not just about listings and discounts. The decisions made at the top set the whole vibe for your booking experience, from the design of the website to how fast your last-minute stay gets confirmed. Knowing a bit about who's in charge can actually help you understand why some things just work better—or not so great—when you’re racing to find a place for Friday night.

Let’s unpack what makes Last Minute Cottages tick, how the CEO’s strategy trickles down to your quick getaways, and a few hacks you seriously need to know to score the best deals. If you love spur-of-the-moment trips, you’ll want to keep reading.

• Meet the CEO: The Face Behind Last Minute Cottages
• How Leadership Impacts Your Booking Experience
• Insider Facts: The Strategy That Makes Last Minute Stand Out
• Tips to Make the Most of Last Minute Stays

Meet the CEO: The Face Behind Last Minute Cottages

So, who’s steering the ship at Last Minute Cottages? As of 2025, the CEO is Matt Fox. He stepped into the role after the parent company, Snaptrip Group, brought several last-minute rental businesses under one roof, including Last Minute Cottages. If you’ve booked a stay through this site in the past few years, you’ve already seen the impact of his decisions—think faster search, easier bookings, and more verified properties than ever before.

Matt Fox isn't just another executive tucked away in an office. His background is actually in online travel and tech startups, and he launched Snaptrip from scratch back in 2014. After merging Last Minute Cottages into the group, he became laser-focused on making snagging a getaway at the last second about as stress-free as ordering a pizza. Under his leadership, the company’s seen major growth. In 2023, Snaptrip Group hit over 35,000 property listings, and most are ready for instant bookings. That’s a big leap from a patchy, last-minute cottage scene just five years ago.

He’s also big on customer service fixes—something frequent users will notice. After some clever upgrades in 2022 and 2023, customer support ratings went up by 22%, according to a report from the company. Matt knows nobody wants to get stuck in a loop with robots when they need a booking fast.

If you’re looking to score a good deal, you’re probably benefiting from Matt’s hands-on style. He pushed for more last-minute discounts and extra perks for loyal users, so the deals you see today are not random—they’re part of the plan. He’s not just running Last Minute Cottages as a business; he’s aiming to make it your first stop when you think, “Can I get away this weekend?”

How Leadership Impacts Your Booking Experience

The person at the top really does set the tone for your whole Last Minute booking. Right now, Matt Fox is the CEO of Snaptrip Group, which runs Last Minute Cottages as one of its travel platforms. Since he took the wheel in 2017, the entire vibe shifted toward being quick, user-friendly, and obsessed with making last-minute travel actually work. Before Matt, booking a cottage on short notice could feel like trying to get Glastonbury tickets—stressful and, honestly, a bit clunky.

Under Matt Fox, the team revamped the tech behind their booking system. The website got faster, search filters actually made sense, and you can now often confirm a booking without waiting hours. If you’ve noticed things just seem easier now, that’s no accident—it’s a direct result of a leadership push to simplify and speed things up for customers in a rush.

Travel industry data shows users care most about three things: fast bookings, no-nonsense cancellation policies, and accurate listings. Matt’s leadership moved the platform to partner directly with property managers, which cut down double-bookings and boosted listing accuracy. There’s also been a huge push for clear cancellation terms—so you don’t end up losing money if plans suddenly change.

Here’s a look at some real results since Matt took over:

It all boils down to this: who’s calling the shots behind Last Minute Cottages really changes how quickly you get a cottage, how easy the site is to use, and how much you trust the actual listings. Smart leadership means less hassle for everyone—especially if you’re the type who just decides to go away last minute.

Insider Facts: The Strategy That Makes Last Minute Stand Out

The secret sauce behind Last Minute Cottages isn’t just low prices—it’s how they move fast and adapt. Ever noticed how their listings seem to update non-stop? That’s no accident. Their CEO pushed for a real-time inventory system back in 2022, so every booking, cancellation, or new deal shows up right away. Forget hunting through old or already-booked properties; what you see is actually up for grabs.

The focus on speed doesn’t stop at tech. Their deals are direct from owners, which cuts out middlemen. This means faster responses when you send an inquiry—even in the middle of the night, thanks to their on-call support team. Not getting ghosted by a host is a big win if you’re booking last-minute.

Here are a few ways their strategy stands out:

• Last Minute is picky about property partners. They only list verified cottages, so you dodge the fake listing drama you find on sketchier sites.
• The team often negotiates unique discounts only visible on the platform, especially for gaps in owner schedules. So that random Tuesday-Wednesday slot? Cheaper, if you’re flexible.
• They use smart algorithms to flag unbooked properties and automatically lower prices as dates get closer. Literally, the longer you wait, the more you could save—if you’re willing to risk it.

If you’re curious about just how last minute most bookings are, check this out:

Clearly, spontaneous getaways are where the action is. The CEO’s push for speed, trust, and flexible deals is what keeps Last Minute an actual lifesaver for last-second travelers.

Tips to Make the Most of Last Minute Stays

If you're thinking about booking a cottage at the last minute, you can seriously improve your odds of landing an awesome spot by paying attention to a few key moves. Whether you're after a quick getaway or you just forgot to plan, these tips will help you get the most from last minute deals and avoid classic hiccups.

• Be flexible about location and dates. The top tip from frequent users is to keep your mind open. If you aren’t stuck on one area or you can shift your trip by a day or two, you’ll see way more options pop up. Popular weekends fill up fast, but midweek or off-season days can have hidden gems.
• Use alerts and filters. Big platforms like Last Minute Cottages actually let you set up email alerts for new deals. Set your must-haves—pet friendly, hot tub, whatever matters—and let the site ping you the second the price drops or something becomes available.
• Double-check the booking rules. Some cottages have a minimum stay, last-minute booking cut-offs, or extra cleaning charges that only show up at checkout. Always click through the final price breakdown, so you don’t get caught by weird fees or rules that’ll mess up your plans.
• Contact owners directly for last-minute upgrades. There’s often room to negotiate if you’re polite. If a property isn’t filled and your stay is only a few days away, owners might throw in extras or cut you a deal. Just don’t ask for a wild discount—keep it reasonable.
• Read reviews for recent stays. Last minute cottage options might be sitting empty for a reason. Scan the reviews, especially the most recent ones, to spot any recurring problems like sketchy Wi-Fi or heating issues.

Let’s look at how waiting until the last minute can actually pay off. Average discounts on last minute bookings often beat what you’d snag months ahead if you know when to look. Check out this table for average savings by how close to your stay you book:

So the closer you cut it, the bigger the discount—just remember, it’s a gamble. For the best shot, plan to book midweek and check for new listings in the late afternoon when owners update their calendars. Being ready to pounce as soon as an alert hits your inbox is a solid strategy to snag the best last minute cottages.