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5 Airbnb alternatives to know about
Self-catering breaks at home and abroad are as popular as ever, with a vast selection of rental properties available for unforgettable holidays, whether you're looking for a cosy cottage or a luxurious home with incredible features.
The most desirable holiday cottages, villas and other rentals can get booked up in the blink of an eye, so if you've ever tried to reserve one and found that it's full, you've probably wondered 'what are the best Airbnb alternatives when there's little availability?' Well, here at House Beautiful, we thought we'd help you out with the search by bringing you some of the best Airbnb alternatives for booking holiday rentals online.
From Booking.com to Plum Guide, these are the sites you'll want to check out this year.
Airbnb might be Britain's go-to site for beach cottages, country boltholes in the Cotswolds, quirky treehouses and properties with hot tubs, but it's not the only place to find a dream holiday rental.
Whether you're looking for an Airbnb alternative in the UK that's by the sea, nestled in the country or bang in the middle of a city, you'll want to keep scrolling for our selection of self-catering providers.
We've picked some of the best Airbnb alternatives for finding holiday apartments, cottages and houses, so these are the ones to know about, whatever your staycation style.
These holiday booking sites are ideal for everyone too, including couples, families, solo travellers and even holidaymakers with dogs. Here are our favourite Airbnb alternatives for 2024.
Booking.com
You might know this Airbnb alternative for its hotels but Booking.com has a huge selection of rentals. One thing we love about the site is that it has variety down to a T. You can book a log cabin with a hot tub in Cumbria, something fabulously remote in the Outer Hebrides to see the Northern Lights, or an Insta-worthy apartment in London. The free cancellation feature, which applies to many properties (check before booking) offers peace of mind. The user ratings are also handy for helping you choose a quality rental. You can search by apartments, cabins, cottages, boats, farm stays and even glamping – you name it, Booking.com has it.
Vrbo
Previously known as HomeAway before it relaunched in the UK under its American name, Vrbo has been a key player in holiday rentals across the pond since the 90s. This Airbnb alternative has a similar offering to its competitor, with villas, apartments, castles, log cabins and everything in between from homeowners all around the UK. With Vrbo, you can plan ahead using Trip Boards to save the places you love until you're ready to book. While the properties are brought to you by homeowners, there's 24/7 support from Vrbo. It's a particularly good choice for families, with popular destinations including Whitby, St Ives, London and Tenby. We like the filters for searching by preferred feature, including properties with hot tubs, the ones with parking, and cosy spots with a fireplace.
Holidaycottages.co.uk
One of the things we love about Holidaycottages.co.uk is its boutique feel. There are over 6,000 cottages available from this Airbnb alternative but it retains a distinct personal approach. The focus is on country escapes and you'll find rentals up and down the country, from the Isle of Skye to Newquay. There are romantic rentals with character, impressive retreats for families and dog-friendly breaks. The website also has dedicated sections for holidaymakers in search of quirky getaways, cottages by the sea and luxury rentals. If you have your heart set on a cottage, Holidaycottages.co.uk is a great place to start.
Plum Guide
This Airbnb alternative is for you if you like the idea of booking a stay in one of ‘the world’s most remarkable homes’. Something of a travel insider favourite, Plum Guide is a curated collection of homes that sets itself apart with its discerning level of scrutiny and strict vetting process, which means it rejects thousands of properties that don’t meet its high standards. Those that do are the best of the best, featuring rentals, holiday homes and short-term lets around the UK, Europe and parts of the US and Mexico. From a charming, immaculately restored Puglian trullo to a gorgeous studio on Tulum beach, this site has an impressive range and is full of high-design gems.
Welcome Beyond
If you love boutique gems - but know just how hard it is to find the best ones - Welcome Beyond is the Airbnb alternative to know. It hand-picks small hotels and rentals, each differing entirely from the next, with one shared quality: originality. Founded by two Berlin-based brothers who have made their way around the globe over the years, Welcome Beyond features properties from Croatia to Costa Rica, Ireland to India, Spain to Sri Lanka. Many of the unique spots reflect their owners' passion for architecture and design, with everything from sleek, smart villas in the Med to rustic, quirky haciendas in Mexico. Ever wanted to stay in an elegant glass house in the Netherlands or a tree house in Tanzania? This platform has it all.
Rural Retreats
With over 500 hand-picked holiday homes, we like this boutique rental site for the charm, character and unique features you'll find at its cottages. For an Airbnb alternative that offers memorable escapes, Rural Retreats is a site worth checking out. There are charming chocolate-box thatched cottages, like this adorable one in the Cotswolds, quirky stays, such as this romantic tower in Shropshire, and even lighthouses for a seaside getaway with a difference. Many of its buildings have historical importance, including Grade II Listed rentals, and the majority are nestled within glorious countryside so you can really get away from it all. There are also no additional fees and you'll receive a hamper when you arrive.
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