Berkeley International Review [Best Matchmaker In The UK?]

Wondering if matchmaker Mairead Molloy and her team have what it takes to find your ideal partner? This Berkeley International review has all the info you’re looking for, from how much the service costs to what to expect if you sign up.

You’ll also see what some clients had to say about their experience. Everything you need to decide if Berkeley International is the right matchmaking service for you!

Let’s dive in with…

The Backstory On Berkeley International 

A bespoke matchmaking agency based in London, Berkeley International works with singles not just in the UK, but globally as well. Mairead Molloy, the firm’s Global Director, joined in 2004.

Molloy has a diverse background that includes owning and managing a hotel in Cannes. Following the sale of the hotel, she relocated to London to pursue a degree in psychology. It was during this time she discovered Berkeley International.

As Molloy describes it, the agency's distinguishing factor is the emphasis on personal attention and customer service. 

In her own words, 

"What sets us apart is the care we put into each person. Customer service is our number one priority — it has to be. We want to be better than the rest and look after our clients so they have a good experience."

While Berkeley International is headquartered in London, they also have a presence in cities around the world, including Paris, Cannes, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, New York, Milan, Monaco, Brussels, Hong Kong, and Melbourne.

A Peek At Their Clientele 

The Berkeley International team typically works with high-net-worth clients, such as lawyers, doctors, actors, and executives. 

As Mairead Molloy shared with Harper's Bazaar, the women who turn to Berkeley International are educated and independent professionals. They come to the agency with the desire to find compatible partners who share similar goals and values.

Molloy stresses that while appearance is a big factor for many women, looking at non-superficial qualities is key. As she explains, 

"While attraction is important, you also want someone that you can have a conversation with, that's as educated as you, that you can take home to your family and that has the same life values."

On the other hand, Molloy said male clients approach Berkeley International with a clear idea of what they are looking for in a partner and are unafraid to express their preferences. In addition to a list of physical attributes, many male clients prioritize finding a partner with a good sense of humor. 

"Some men have a preference for different body shapes, style, hair color, but interestingly, most just want someone with a sense of humor. That beats everything else. Life's short, if you can have fun with someone, then the rest follows."

Becoming A Berkeley International Client

Potential clients start by completing an online inquiry. Next, a member of the team will reach out for a preliminary chat, delving into your personality and what you're looking for in a partner. 

This conversation is also a screening of sorts, as not everyone who applies will be accepted as a client. If both parties agree to move forward, you'll be invited to a meeting at one of their offices, or they can come to you.

As Molloy shared in an interview, 

"People can come in and talk to us over a glass of wine or we go to their houses.”

These face-to-face interactions play a part in the vetting process before a client can officially come on board. Molloy emphasizes that meeting in person serves to safeguard their current clientele. 

“Most obviously we ask for ID, and we visit them in person to make sure they are being totally honest about who they are and we ask for any necessary documentation such as divorce papers. This is primarily to protect our existing clients.”

They typically match members with other members, however if no suitable match can be found within their clientele, the team will extend their search through personalized headhunting. 

The agency does not maintain an online database of member photographs or biographies, as outlined in its website's FAQ section. That means as a client, you won't be shown pictures of potential matches before going on a date. 

As Molloy articulated to Dating Advice: 

“We meet you, talk to you, interview you, and we don’t do profiles or photographs. We talk to you about the person. It’s all very gallant and traditional.” 

All dates are arranged for you, including travel if desired. After each date, the Berkeley matchmakers sit down with you to see how it went and provide feedback. According to Molloy, it’s usually a casual conversation over a cup of coffee. 

“We use feedback in a positive manner to get clients ready for the next date. The number of dates that a member can request is unlimited.” 

How Much Does Hiring Berkeley International Cost? 

Berkeley International’s matchmaking packages start around £15,000 for a year's worth of service. 

The cost will vary based on factors such as the geographical scope of your search and specific match preferences. 

In a conversation with Business Insider, Molloy discussed how pricing can extend upwards of £60,000 or more in cases where the team conducts private headhunting for clients. And a highly tailored package with ultra-specific requests may cost up to £100,000.

That’s right in line with what other international matchmaking services charge. Enamour, for instance, caters exclusively to accomplished and selective singles. The team maintains a highly curated, invitation-only database of potential matches, and also uses both recruiting technology and an extensive network of scouts to pinpoint candidates from a variety of offline and online sources. 

Enamour packages start around $20,000 USD for a 6-month search, with an array of customizable packages available.

Now that you have an idea of what hiring Berkeley International will cost, let’s take a look at what some clients had to say about working with this luxury matchmaker. 

Berkeley International Reviews

This elite dating agency has a 4-star rating on its Google Business page.

Many of the 5-star reviews mentioned a positive experience:

This client shared that he met someone, and things were going well:

And these clients found the experience gave them more confidence:

This reviewer shared how the team put her at ease:

There were several 1-star reviews, however in most cases a representative of Berkeley International responded to say they had no record of the reviewer having been a client.

Berkeley International has a 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot based on 20+ reviews.

This client shared she met someone through the service:

This client was happy with the process:

And this Berkeley International reviewer reported having an overall positive experience:

Several of the 1-star reviews were made by the same people on Google, which a representative said could not be verified as actual clients. 

Is Berkeley International The Right Matchmaker For You?

When it comes to finding the best service, much depends on factors like budget and how you feel about the matchmaking process.

For instance, some more traditional matchmakers, like Mairead Molloy, don’t share photos of potential matches. While they are still selected with compatibility factors in mind and you’ll likely receive a verbal description of who you’ll be meeting, it’s still essentially a blind date. 

Physical appearance can play a significant role in chemistry for many people, and you may prefer to review photos of matches to avoid any potentially awkward first dates with singles you’re not attracted to. 

If that’s the case, you may also want to consider a service like VIDA Select that allows you to accept or decline matches based on a full profile and photo array. And thanks to taking a modern approach to matchmaking, VIDA’s team has access to the largest source of eligible singles there is! 

VIDA offers packages on a pay-as-you-go basis, so there are no long-term contracts. Instead, service is purchased by the month, giving you the flexibility to start, stop, and pause your search at any time.

Basic matchmaking packages start at only $1195, with Premium options beginning at $1795. Elite matchmaking service begins at just $2595. The cost of your package highly aligns with the number of hours your dedicated matchmaker will devote to your search, given factors such as how many cities you’d like to include and the specificity of your criteria.

On average, VIDA clients begin a relationship with a match within 3 months of starting service. To find out more about VIDA, go here!

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