Airbnb isn’t the only place to turn when it comes to finding an apartment or vacation rental for your next getaway. While there are a number of benefits to booking with the platform, expanding your network a bit can open up plenty of other options that better suit your budget and needs.
Although Airbnb is a great catch-all site offering a wide range of properties – from someone’s spare bedroom to luxury concept homes – users have started to be vocal on issues such as high cleaning costs and protocol above and beyond for departures on certain rentals. The Airbnb team said it is addressing issues with the launch of AirCover, a policy that provides travel protection, as well as other efforts such as view all charges before booking.
For me, these stories hit home: after ceiling leaks and a lack of hot water resulted in nothing but a 100 euro cleaning fee in a two-month Tuscan rental in the spring Last time my partner and I found ourselves looking at other sites for long term stays. A number of reliable and competitively priced rental platforms abound for booking rentals, from those focusing on high-end apartments in some of the world’s most cosmopolitan capitals to platforms set up to house swaps between controlled guests (and controlled houses).
Read on for some alternative booking platforms to check for your next trip.
For budget and mid-range travelers
Booking.com, Expedia.co.uk, Hotels.com and other hotel websites
True Story: After a completed camping trip to Corsica this summer, my partner and I found ourselves looking for last minute accommodation during high season on a resort island. After our only option on a certain platform involved a star wars-themed apartment for a relatively obscene amount of money considering the decoration, we turned to Booking.com and found a lavishly equipped and maintained condo just two blocks from the beach – for about the same price, thanks to the first option’s cleaning fee. Whereas I had previously turned to Booking.com just for hotels, it is also worth looking for serviced apartments.
And it’s not the only site to turn to: Check out Expedia and Hotels.com for properties offering similar cushions.
Vrbo
You’ve probably – maybe, definitely – heard of this alternative. While the options vary wildly by market, it’s a great platform to explore if you can’t quite find what you’re looking for elsewhere. There are also no shared spaces listed, so you are guaranteed to have a place to yourself.
Depending on where you are looking, properties may include the range of apartments you would normally see on Airbnb (as is the case, for example, in Rio, where I recently booked a week-long stay for $65 a night), or focus primarily on high-end accommodations — think fancy apartments and big houses. There are over two million available for hire, so there is plenty to choose from. Although it should always be part of a superficial source of accommodation, the platform generally shines in terms of selection if you plan to enter with friends or family on the costs of a slightly nicer property or if you want to rent a house to refuel.
A little more luxurious
probe
probe design-focused apartments give you a taste of what it’s like to vacation like a celebrity – while the locations are definitely upscale, you can indulge in high-concept spaces filled with touches of designers. I used the app to book a stay in Rome which featured a prime location on a quiet downtown street, with a small kitchen (not that we ate much anyway) and a bright layout that would have been the perfect (respectable) party pad with friends. The properties are managed directly by the company and not by private owners, so if you want a luxury stay with standards in elegant central neighborhoods (and without waiting for hosts to respond), Sonder is a solid choice.
onefinestay
If you want to splurge, onefinestay’s the selection is there for that. This platform focuses on luxury accommodations ideal for family reunions, honeymoons, trips with friends, or other special occasions (or solo getaways if you’re a wealthy entrepreneur or celebrity). Not only can you book a celebrity-level stay, but the rate also includes complimentary concierge service and a professional management team to look after your experience. The Concierge is able to customize travel itineraries for guests, whether you and yours are coming to town for shopping, visiting museums (fancy a private trip louver tour?), or for some of the best food in the world. (Staff can arrange everything from grocery deliveries to private chefs). If you are heading to another stopover, the company can even take care of shipping your luggage to your next destination.
But don’t let all that put you off: the prizes are within reach of all non-tycoons in many cases. For a apartment in the Marais accommodating six people, for example, the starting price of $335 per night easily rivals some four- and five-star hotel rooms in the city, making a stay a great value when it’s distributed among a larger group.
Can’t decide where to go with your gang? The company will provide you with all the inspiration you want, with curations like the Paris Home Collection offering a catalog of 43 dream places to spend a stay in France. You will find a wide variety of indoor stays, from a romantic Montmartre from apartments with golden ceilings to ultra-modern lofts to chic boroughs. Check out these city collections for a comprehensive guide to kickstart your trip planning as well.
Pure and simple luxury
ThirdHouse
If you like the idea of home rentals with a focus on luxury properties and premium service, ThirdHouse could be the right platform for you. Home swapping allows owners of luxury second homes to swap stays with others from similar real estate portfolios. The site currently offers over 14,000 homes with an average value of $2.4 million – the required starting value is over $500,000. These are not your standard vacation homes.
Are you a percenter and want to up your game even more? Join the highly exclusive ThirdHome Reserve, where average property values are over $5 million and are managed and booked, of course, by a dedicated white-glove concierge team.
Inspiration
If you’re one of those people who loves the idea of subscription boxes—or always forgets to use all their PTOs—subscription vacation platform Inspiration could be the right fit for your travel style. The company has a portfolio of exclusive luxury vacation homes (as well as top hotel stays) available to those who sign up for a “pass” type membership. For $2,500 a month, you can choose from a list of over 1.5 million options in over 100 destinations, including homes as well as cruises and more. You only pay travel expenses and “consumables” once there.
For people who want to take a break not only from daily life but also from mental work, Inspirato will do everything for you. Everything is supposed to be taken care of seamlessly once the trip begins: your fridge will be stocked with the food you want (taken care of by an on-site concierge) and the kitchen is cleaned at the end of the trip. day, thanks to the daily cleaning. The Inspirato team can make recommendations based on your travel style and preferences, help you plan your trip, and arrange field experiences for you.
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