An 18th-century house near Spitalfields or a bedsit in Camberwell Green? The Landmark Trust, One Fine Stay, or Airbnb? Everyone wants to see inside other people's houses; now you can not only look but take up residency, too—and usually for far better rates than you'd find at a hotel. We scoured vacation rental sites for the most stylish short-term stays in London. Here are our 15 favorites at a range of rates. (Note that the pricier options often have room for a group, so the per person cost can be quite reasonable.)
Above: This 300-year-old house in Spitalfields/Shoreditch is owned by an artist and a musician. It features original detailing, such as French Huguenot paneling; a large, well-appointed modern kitchen; and three double bedrooms, each with its own bath; $1,471 per night (minimum of two nights) on Airbnb.
Above: A 650-square-foot apartment for two near Battersea Park has a Scandi-inspired kitchen with a glazed wall that opens onto a private patio; £140 (about $220) per night (minimum of five nights) via Ivy Lettings.
Above: An open kitchen in a two-story, light-filled flat in Notting Hill with two double bedrooms, two marble baths, and a wood-burning stove; $308 per night (minimum of four nights) on Flipkey.
Above: If you're traveling in a large group with kids in tow, this is the London house for you: Over three floors, the Highgate rental offers beds for at least seven people, plus a large garden, a piano, and plenty of toys; £400 (about $630) per night via Kid & Coe.
Above: Rent the top floor of a house in Wimbledon with a double bed and private bath. Shown here, the large shared downstairs dining room; $102 per night on Airbnb.
Above: Located just off Battersea Park, this under-the-eaves rental for four is filled with artwork by the host's mother and grandmother; $440 per night (minimum of four nights) via One Fine Stay.
Above: Another great choice for families with kids: a three-bedroom terrace house in Finchley with room for two adults, two children, and an infant. The house is fully babyproofed and even furnished with Eames rockers; £150 (about $235) per night via Kid & Coe.
Above: A room for two in an apartment in the Haggerston section of East London comes complete with your host's guide to the area; $74 per night on Airbnb.
Above: This 2,900-square-foot townhouse sleeps 12; for a big group, the math comes out to around $50 per person per night. Located in the vicinity of Waterloo and Lambeth, the house comes with a large garden and gas grill; £400 (about $630) per night (minimum of two nights) via Home Away.
Above: In London's East End, a former carpenter's workshop was converted into a house by Remodelista favorite Studiomama. It has room for five, is full of custom furniture, and even has a mini house-inside-the-house. Rates start at £700 (about $1,100) per week via The Modern House.
Above: A room for the solo traveler: a twin bed in a private room in a Camberwell Green apartment is $45 per night on Airbnb.
Above: Located on a quiet street on the South Bank, this double room has built-in wardrobes and access to the host's shared garden; $131 per night on Airbnb.
Above: A three-story cottage for six in Westminster offers original fireplaces and appealing updates, including Hypnos beds, Smeg appliances, and a Gaggia espresso machine; $286 per night on Airbnb.
Above: This four-story Vauxhall townhouse sleeps eight people and "can be dog friendly." Shown here, the light-filled dining room has two fully glazed walls looking onto the large garden. There's also parking for two cars; $646 per night (minimum of seven nights) on Airbnb.
Above: Built as part of the city's restructuring following the Great Fire of London, this Spitalfields abode housed Huguenot silk weavers in the 18th century. It has four floors and sleep six; £177 ($278) per night (minimum of four nights) via The Landmark Trust.
Traveling beyond London? See our Rental House posts, including:
- Editors' Picks: 15 Favorite Vacation Rental Resources
- Greatest Hits: 33 Top Rental Houses Featured on Remodelista
- Hotel Visit: Rent a Wing of Wiveton Hall in Norfolk
- Germany's Rent-A-Gardens
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