Alternatives to Airbnb
Looking for a place to stay? Airbnb may come to mind as a great option for booking accommodation, with some travellers thinking it's a cheaper and more spacious alternative to booking a hotel room.
However, there are several downsides to the online American marketplace that are worth being aware of. There's also a world of other options out there that provide equally quirky, reliable and affordable accommodation worldwide.
Here, we explore some of the reasons why you might want to look for alternatives to Airbnb, as well as a few of the best options for when you do. Ready to discover some of the many amazing alternative sites to Airbnb? Let's explore.
- Why look for Airbnb alternatives?
- Airbnb vs VRBO vs Booking.com
- Alternatives in the UK
- Alternatives outside of the UK
- Looking for holiday villas?
- Alternatives for skiing
- Alternative ways to stay
- Holiday parks, cabins & lodges
- Accommodation with flights
Why look for alternative sites to Airbnb?
When Airbnb burst onto the scene in 2009, word quickly spread that it was the cooler, cheaper and more individual alternative to booking a hotel room. Whilst it might have seemed this way for a while, it's certainly not the case anymore.
Airbnb rental prices are rapidly rising, and additional fees have skyrocketed, with guests often having to fork out for service fees, cleaning fees and local occupancy taxes on top of the advertised nightly rates.
Alongside rising prices, recent Airbnb guests have commented that the level of service is declining. Many have complained about some of the hosts and their extreme rules and demands.
Meanwhile, a lack of regulations and supervision has led to situations where hosts have cancelled bookings at the last minute or failed to meet basic health and safety standards within the accommodation.
Plus, the Airbnb collection might not always offer the right property in the right area to meet your needs. You may also prefer to book directly with the owner for a more personalised service and fewer additional charges.
Another downside to Airbnb is that the company is having an impact on local housing markets, with wealthy investors snapping up available properties to make money on short-term rentals, meanwhile pricing locals out of their own neighbourhoods.
Depending on where you're staying, there are many benefits to using a local company to book your accommodation, including supporting local businesses, gaining access to local expertise and experiencing faster response times.
Airbnb vs VRBO vs Booking.com
When looking for accommodation for a holiday, event or get-together, VRBO and Booking.com, alongside Airbnb, are some of the household names that come to mind. But how do they differ and compare? Let's take a look at some of the key details and differences.
| Airbnb | VRBO | Booking.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 (California, USA) | 1995 (Colorado, USA) | 1996 (Amsterdam, Netherlands) |
| Primary target audience | Leisure &business travellers, aged 18-45 | Families, groups & older audiences | All travellers |
| What they offer | A variety of accommodation, from individual rooms to vacation homes | Whole homes for long stays | Everything you need for travel, from motels & hotels to flights, car hire & activities |
| Locations | 220+ countries | 190 countries | 220+ countries & territories |
| Average Trustpilot score | 1.3/5 | 1.3/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Booking flexibility / Cancellation policy | Multiple options available; its 'Flexible' policy allows cancellations up to 24 hours before check-in for a full refund | Varies depending on booking type; 'Relaxed' offers a 100% refund on cancellations 14 days before check-in | Depends on the booking; some properties allow guests to cancel up to one day before arrival |
| Additional fees for guests? | Yes; typically around 14% or less, but can be as high as 20%. Hosts may also charge fees for cleaning, pets & additional guests | Yes; varies between 6% & 15% of the subtotal. Guests may also be charged for additional guests, pets & cleaning | No; Booking.com does not charge guests any commission fees |
| Loyalty schemes? | No | Yes; the One Key* loyalty programme lets guests earn rewards on eligible bookings | Yes; the Genius* loyalty programme allows guests to unlock discounts & travel rewards on a variety of bookings |
Alternatives for UK accommodation
If you're planning a staycation or require short-term accommodation somewhere in the UK, there are so many brilliant alternatives to Airbnb. Below we take a look at just some of the tried and trusted accommodation across the UK.
Sykes Cottages
Fancy the idea of renting a cosy cottage somewhere? Sykes Cottages* represents a whopping 22,500 holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, with different styles and sizes available, from romantic retreats for two to larger properties that can house more than 20 people.
With an average rating of 4.6/5 on Trustpilot, Sykes Cottages is rated highly, with many customers commenting on its easy booking process and great customer service. Some of the many popular locations where you can stay around the UK with Sykes Cottages include Cornwall, Yorkshire, Devon, the Lake District, Anglesey and the Isle of Skye.
Holidaycottages.co.uk
Holidaycottages.co.uk is one of the UK's leading cottage providers with thousands of properties in its collection across the UK and Ireland, including in the Lake District, Northumberland, Norfolk, Shropshire, Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands.
Highly recommended by customers (it has an average customer rating of 4.7/5 on Feefo and Trustpilot), Holidaycottages.co.uk* is known for its award-winning customer service, with its dedicated property managers personally inspecting every property for total peace of mind.
There's also the option to secure your booking with a low deposit and spread the rest of your balance into manageable payments.
Luxury Cottages
Founded in 2019, Luxury Cottages* is another holiday lettings company that handpicks and inspects every property, reassuring guests that wherever they choose to stay has been approved by its dedicated team of experts. This commitment to excellent customer service is backed up by the company's 4.6/5 average customer rating on Trustpilot.
Properties in the Luxury Cottages' collection include everything from intimate hideaways with hot tubs for two in the Cotswolds to Grade II listed manor houses by Lake Windermere that can sleep up to 36 people. The company is also proud to be a Certified B Corporation, claiming it prioritises people and the planet ahead of making a profit.
National Trust Holidays
With a wealth of accommodation situated by the coast, in the countryside or at National Trust properties across the country, National Trust Holidays* is a great option for those who want to stay in comfortable accommodation while making the most of the great outdoors.
Some of the many different types of properties on offer include bothies, bunkhouses, hotels and holiday cottages.
Other perks of booking through National Trust Holidays are that you'll gain free access to National Trust places during your stay. The company is also extremely family-friendly with kids-go-free deals available. Over 300 of its holiday cottages are dog-friendly, too.
Snaptrip
Founded in 2014 and based in London, Snaptrip* aims to make staycations easier and more affordable, offering over 60,000 self-catering holiday properties across the UK. Its collection features a property to suit every type of holidaymaker, from solo travellers and couples to large groups and families with dogs. Each property is 100% verified for total peace of mind.
With an average customer rating on Trustpilot is 4.6/5 (Excellent), Snaptrip prides itself on providing you with the lowest prices. You can also unlock further discounts and exclusive prices when you sign up for free to be a Snaptrip member.
Alternatives for accommodation abroad
Looking for accommodation across Europe, Asia, North America or further afield? There are so many great international alternatives to Airbnb, each one providing a wealth of comfortable and reliable accommodation options.
Oliver's Travels
Recognised as the 'Best Villa Rental Company' in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, Oliver's Travels* aims to provide one-of-a-kind accommodation options with wow factor, with its collection featuring characterful properties in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Thailand and beyond.
As well as personally hand-selecting each property, Oliver's Travels offers a best price guarantee and provides bespoke advice and recommendations on every destination. Sending more than 100,000 happy customers on holiday each year, the company also boasts an average customer rating of 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (Excellent).
Pierre & Vacances
Pierre & Vacances* specialises in self-catering accommodation across France and Spain, although its catalogue also features properties in many other countries such as Croatia, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Mauritius.
You can choose from a wide selection of sought-after residences, premium properties and holiday villages with sea or mountain views; you can also opt to upgrade your stay with dining packages and spa treatments at selected locations.
Some of the many other perks of booking your accommodation with Pierre & Vacances include low-deposit bookings, flexible rates and tailored arrival and departure times.
The company is also super family-friendly, providing spacious accommodation options for families, as well as baby kits, childcare facilities and a wide range of activities for children.
The Plum Guide
With an average customer rating of 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, The Plum Guide has a strong reputation for providing extraordinary homes in some of the world's most sophisticated locations, including Paris, Rome, Barcelona, New York and Los Angeles.
Each property is vetted by experts, who can also provide recommendations on the best homes in the best locations that meet your needs.
In addition, The Plum Guide* offers exceptional customer service and peace of mind with every booking, offering to find you a new Plum home up to 20% more expensive than the original in the extremely rare circumstance that your hosts cancels your reservation 48 hours after booking (should this happen within five days of check-in, it's up to 50%).
Vintage Travel
Founded in 1990, Village Travel is a family-owned company specialising in beautiful villas with private pools, with its handpicked selection covering some of the most sought-after destinations across Europe, including the Balearic Islands, Croatia, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal.
As well as benefiting from the peace and tranquility that come with staying in a Vintage Travel* property, you'll receive a complimentary welcome pack on arrival containing tea, coffee, essential food items and a bottle of wine (contents may vary by region).
Complimentary towels, bed linen, cots and high chairs are also provided. With this dedication to service and a spectacular selection of properties for every occasion and group size, it's no wonder Vintage Travel has an average customer rating of 4.8/5 on Trustpilot.
Looking specifically for holiday villas?
If your heart's set on a holiday villa, there are so many reputable companies offering a wide choice of spectacular properties around Europe, Asia and beyond.
CV Villas
Launching in 1972 as a husband-and-wife team after they fell in love with Corfu, CV Villas has become a pioneering specialist in luxury villa holidays with its collection comprising properties in every destination from Spain to Sri Lanka.
All villas are handpicked for their comfort, style and diversity, and every booking is fully protected for total peace of mind.
Covering a wide range of regions including Greece, Italy and the Caribbean, CV Villas* is highly commended for its exceptional customer service backed up by 50 years of experience.
This is evidenced by its outstanding feedback from customers, who compliment its knowledgeable team and tailored advice. The company's average score on Feefo is an impressive 4.8/5.
Simpson Travel
Simpson Travel* is another prestigious holiday company providing an impressive selection of handpicked villas and hotels in some of Europe's most desirable destinations, including Italy, Greece, Mallorca, Turkey, Corsica and mainland France.
With over 40 years of experience, the UK-based tour operator has gained a stellar reputation with its customers thanks to its outstanding choice of villas in idyllic locations, along with its expert knowledge, exceptional customer service and full financial protection provided on all package holidays.
Its average score on Trustpilot is superb at 4.9/5, and the company has won a range of travel awards in recent years from the likes of The British Travel Awards, Condé Nast Traveller and The Telegraph.
Solmar Villas
Rated 4.8/5 on Feefo and awarded nine British Travel Awards in 2024, Solmar Villas* has a great reputation for providing expertly picked villa holidays at a range of different price points. Its collection comprises beach villas, golf villas and large villas with pools in many sought-after spots, including Greece, France, Spain, Italy and the USA.
As well as offering an impressive selection of beautiful properties to stay in, the British family-run company also provides the option to secure an array of holiday extras through its booking system, including tailored flights, car hire, airport transfers, airport hotels and car insurance.
Solmar Villas is also proud to offer 24/7 customer support and ATOL protection on all package holidays.
Alternatives for skiing accommodation
Heading for the slopes? There are many great alternatives to Airbnb providing high-quality accommodation in many of the world's most popular ski resorts, including Val d'Isère, Zermatt and Chamonix. Find out about some of our recommendations for high-quality ski accommodation below.
Erna Low
Established in 1932, Erna Low is a pioneer in customisable ski holidays. Whether you're choosing to go luxury or low budget, it offers the perfect one-stop shop for everything you need for a flawless ski trip, including flights, accommodation, transfers, equipment hire, ski lessons and more, with its price guarantee ensuring you get the best deal every time.
As well as providing flexibility and customisation options, the ski specialist also offers low-deposit bookings and ABTOT and ATOL protection on all holidays. Some of the many popular ski resorts you can tick off your bucket list with Erna Low* include The Three Valleys, Grand Massif and Paradiski.
Ski France
Specialising in ski holidays to (you guessed it!) France, Ski France* has almost 40 years of experience and an impressive average Trustpilot score of 4.8/5.
Its collection comprises a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, chalets and apartments to suit every type of skier and budget. Popular ski regions covered by Ski France include the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Massif Central, with last-minute deals and low-deposit bookings also available.
Ski France also has a sister brand named Summer France, which specialises in summer holidays in France's most beautiful spots, providing a wide selection of apartments, cottages and villas with private pools.
Alternative ways to stay
Did you know there are other ways to squeeze the most out of your trip and location? Whether that's meeting like-minded travellers before you arrive or gaining access to free accommodation by pet-sitting, you can unlock a world of different ways to stay around the world when you consider some of the less traditional alternatives to Airbnb.
Spotahome
Looking for a mid to long-term base? Spotahome is an online booking platform that lets you temporarily rent quality homes around the world for a minimum of 30 days.
Thousands of deposit-free options are available to browse in over 800 cities such as Edinburgh, Florence, Madrid, Stockholm and Dubai, with offers and rates proving cheaper than typical estate-agent options.
All owners and properties are fully verified for total peace of mind, with listings showing you real photos and videos of the accommodation; even the insides of drawers and cupboards!
What's more, Spotahome* offers a flexible cancellation policy should you change your mind before the owner has responded to your request.
Trusted Housesitters
Founded in 2010, Trusted Housesitters* is a rapidly growing community of verified pet sitters with over 240,000 members worldwide.
Operating in 180 countries, it provides travellers with the opportunity to stay in unique locations and create memorable experiences for free by housesitting and providing care for people's pets. Meanwhile, pet parents get the reassurance that their homes and pets are safe while travelling away from home.
If you like the sound of Trusted Housesitters, you'll need to purchase a sitter plan and create a profile. Then once you're verified, you'll be able to search for and apply for amazing house sits with the chance to visit every location from Lisbon to Los Angeles.
So far, most members seem extremely happy with the set-up; the company's average customer score on Trustpilot is 4.5/5.
Hostel World
Travelling on a budget and want to make friends along the way? Hostel World* is a leading online travel agent and social network providing travellers with suitable hostels and the chance to connect with other travellers staying in the same hostel or city before they go.
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Ireland, the company partners with over 16,500 hostels in more than 170 countries around the world, covering popular European cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona and Berlin, as well as far-flung favourites like Bangkok, Hanoi and Melbourne.
Rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, Hostel World offers flexible booking and free cancellation and is proud to be a certified climate-neutral company thanks to its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
YHA
Craving something out of the ordinary but don't fancy venturing too far? YHA has been a specialist in hostels, camping and glamping in England and Wales since 1930, providing a varied choice of affordable accommodation in some of the UK's most popular spots, including London, Cornwall, Norfolk, Northumberland and the Lake District.
Promising the best prices when you book direct, YHA* accommodates groups of all sizes, including solo travellers, couples, families, large groups and even dogs.
When you sign up to be a YHA member, you'll gain access to exclusive discounts on YHA bookings and at top outdoor brands. Plus, you'll be able to enjoy discounted stays at more than 2,500 hostels around the world with automatic Hostelling International membership.
Holiday parks, cabins & lodges
Fancy a home-away-from-home experience in the great outdoors? You don't need to rely on Airbnb. There are so many amazing holiday companies specialising in holiday parks, lodges and cabins in some of the most beautiful natural spots across the country.
Forest Holidays
If you love to be surrounded by nature, Forest Holidays provides a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
With 13 incredible locations across England, Scotland and Wales, it offers a variety of self-catering cabins in forest surroundings with a private hot tub in every cabin (ideal for soaking your feet after a long bike ride or woodland stroll).
Perfect for the whole family (including dogs), Forest Holidays* also offers a range of activities including cycling, archery and adventures with its expert Forest Rangers.
Bookings can be secured with a low deposit, and the rest of your balance can be spread into interest-free monthly payments. Its average score on Feefo is exceptional at 4.8/5, suggesting guests are super-happy with the woodland set-up it provides.
Away Resorts
Founded in 2008, Away Resorts* is an award-winning holiday park operator offering a selection of cottages, apartments, caravans, lodges, houses and glamping sites across more than 20 holiday parks in the UK.
Suitable for every type of traveller from couples and families to large groups and those with dogs, Away Resorts' holiday parks come with everyday value prices with flexible payment options, holiday cancellation plans and any-day arrivals available.
A wide variety of activities and entertainment is also on offer, including karaoke, mini discos, quizzes, outdoor cinemas and bingo. And if you fancy a tipple or a bite to eat, there are bars and restaurants on site.
Haven
Another great option for low-key holidays in the UK is a stay with Haven. Its award-winning holiday parks are situated in coastal locations across England, Scotland and Wales.
Haven provides a wide variety of accommodation options across caravans, apartments, lodges, chalets and glamping tents, yurts and geodomes. You can choose to stay for two nights, three nights, a week, 10 days or a fortnight.
As well as providing relaxing self-catering holidays, Haven* offers swimming pools on site and a great choice of activities for the whole family to enjoy; there's archery, climbing, karting, kayaking, mini golf, footgolf, fishing, pottery and so much more.
You'll also find great-value food and drink offers on site, cementing Haven as a great go-to choice for an unforgettable break that won't break the bank.
Holiday accommodation with flights
All set to book an international stay with an alternative to Airbnb, but want your flights included too? Many major holiday companies provide accommodation and flights, so all you need to be concerned about is when to go and what to pack.
TUI
As the UK's leading travel brand with over 100 years' experience, TUI* has served over 27 million customers, offering a collection of more than 4,000 properties across over 100 destinations around the world, including Spain, Dubai and the United States.
When booking with TUI, you have the option to depart from over 21 major and regional airports, including London Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin.
Thanks to its large choice of properties in a variety of different locations to suit every traveller, as well as its low-deposit bookings and 24/7 customer support, TUI has earned an impressive average customer score of 4.5/5 on Trustpilot. It also won a whopping 20 awards at the British Travel Awards in 2024, cementing its reputation as a package holiday provider you can trust.
Jet2Villas
A sub-brand of Jet2holidays* (which gets a 4.5/5 average rating on Trustpilot), Jet2Villas provides all the perks of a package holiday with the freedom and home-away-from-home feeling of a villa.
When you book a villa holiday with Jet2Villas, your return flights with Jet2.com*, 22 kg of baggage allowance and free car hire are included in the price of your stay, meaning all you need to think about is which of the beautiful properties tickles your fancy.
Jet2Villas* bookings can be secured with a low deposit, and there are many free child places available. There's also a wide range of villa types to choose from, including individual villas, complex villas, hotel resort villas and villas with heated pools.
Some of the top destinations for villa holidays with Jet2Villas include Lanzarote, Majorca, Cyprus, Menorca and the Algarve.
SPL Villas
Launched in 2017 as Villas We Trust before expanding and relaunching in 2020, SPL Villas* provides a selection of handpicked villas and flight packages to many luxury destinations such as Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Greece and the USA.
Its expert and experienced team ensures all villas are spotless on arrival and coordinates in-resort support to ensure that your villa holiday goes as smoothly as possible.
Catering to a wide variety of travellers, including couples, families and large groups, SPL offers ATOL protection on all flight and villa packages. You have the option to fly from a wide choice of airports across the UK, with SPL Villas partnering with many major carriers, including Aer Lingus, Jet2.com and TUI.
So, now you know: there are so many wonderful alternatives to Airbnb. Whether you're looking for low-key and low-budget self-catering stays in the UK or sophisticated villas in some of the world's most beautiful destinations, there's a wealth of reliable companies out there with countless accolades and 5-star customer ratings.
Ready to book your next stay in 2025/2026? Browse our complete collection of offers on villa and self-catering holidays as well as online deals on holiday parks across the UK.
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