Best Airbnbs in London as tried, tested and wishlisted by our editors
Getting under the skin of London – finding the coolest neighbourhoods and best restaurants in London – can be tricky. But living like a local, in the nicest Airbnbs in London, or alternatively a OneFineStay or home via another tasteful rental company, is a brilliant place to start. We've scoured through the most beautiful London properties listed to bring you this edit: the smartest homestays in brilliant locations that we love the look of. Some are tried and tested, the others are on our wishlists. For a stay with room service, see our edit of the best hotels in London.
The Stables
Clerkenwell
After a week in a hotel, the small room started to feel claustrophobic; I wanted to move on to an Airbnb and I was looking for something centrally located, with an easy commute to my office on the Strand without the craziness of being directly in central London. The Stables in Clerkenwell were the perfect find. The flat offers luxury hotel-like perks, like robes and slippers, nice bath products, and a concierge service courtesy of the property management company, Stay & Escape. Both bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms attached, and the bed in the master bedroom is divine. Kelly, the property manager who greeted us on arrival, was a total dream; she was friendly, helpful, and on call for the entirety of our stay.
Though the apartment really is centrally located, it was so hard actually to leave The Stables once we were there. There is a decadence to going through mundanity with your partner when you see them infrequently, even more so when you’re doing so in a space this lush. And as we were only there for a few nights, we wanted to make the most of it. Once I’d walk the 25 minutes back from the Strand to the Airbnb, we’d lock in for the night. There are Sonos speakers installed across the flat, and one of us would DJ while the other cosplayed a professional chef and cooked dinner in the impeccable kitchen. From there, we’d sink into the huge couch in the living room, lower the projector screen, and watch a show before bed. This was luxury at its finest. Susie Plotkin
Cockspur Street
Trafalgar Square
Who on earth lives on Trafalgar Square? The chap on the column, of course. And lots of pigeons. But this is grand-scale Monopoly-board London, a land of giants, of embassies, members’ clubs and museums. Does anyone actually live here? Well, turns out they do. This OneFineStay apartment sits five floors up opposite Canada House, just off the Square in what used to be Norway House, and provides a snug vantage point to dip in and out of central London as you like. Pick up provisions from Fortnum & Mason; take a morning stroll past Buckingham Palace and around St James’s Park to spot the pelicans; be first in line to see the Monets at the National Gallery.
The apartment has two spacious bedrooms, cooled by ceiling fans and set off a Georgian-blue-and-white hallway that feels like it belongs to a larger house, with two bathrooms on the other side, lined with swirling marble. At the far end is a small but well-equipped kitchen, and a clubby sitting room with beams from the original building and lined with reclaimed wooden panels. It’s a little like sitting inside a walnut, or a Jeeves and Wooster-era bachelor pad, with a vintage Harrow XI cricket bat in one corner, a deer-antler lamp in another, and a herringbone-print sofa and pneumatic armchairs to sprawl decadently in before mixing an afternoon Old Fashioned on the Calligaris teak dining table. A few clues to the owners, perhaps, in the Japanese flower art on the bedroom walls, and eclectic bookshelves that take in ceramics, Sarah Perry, British folk traditions and Norwegian geography. Easy enough to dawdle here for a day but just outside the windows is all the thrill – even for staycationing Londoners like ourselves – of the city beat. Weekend mornings here can be quieter than some backwater suburbs; the clop of horses heading to Hyde Park, the Post Office Tower greeting us with ‘Good Morning London’ on its digital display.
We downloaded a Treasure Trail map for our son and followed clues around Trafalgar Square, through back streets to unnoticed plaques and footnotes of history – the pub of two halves by Charing Cross, the map of the Trafalgar Way by Canada House. There’s some hidden history in this building too – above the door stands a statue of St Olav, sword in hand; during the war, with Norway occupied, Norway House hosted the government in exile, with King Haakon VII among the frequent visitors. Had he visited during our stay we might have taken him – via the OneFineStay concierge team – for pavement-side drinks at the Sofitel St James round the corner, or the bar at Da Henrietta in Covent Garden. In a part of the city that can feel imposing and impersonal at times, this is a little pocket of character and warmth. Rick Jordan
Sleeps: Four
Price: From £466 per night, with a three-night minimum stay
Fulham Lodge
Fulham
Who knew that a derelict old keeper’s lodge on the outskirts of a cemetery could be transformed into such a phenomenal piece of modern architecture, spread over three floors and fit with a 43ft swimming pool? Owner Justin Maxwell Stuart had foresight. He took on the hefty project of renovating the 19th-century neo-gothic lodge, which was aired on Grand Designs in January 2021, and after four years of tiresome but impressive works, the place has been converted into a staggeringly attractive space – from abandoned house amid overgrown weeds to a smart and sophisticated London playden – this is the ultimate destination for a quirky break in the city. What’s more, when you book your stay with quality homes marketplace Smarter, it will give a portion of every booking to its sister charity Stay For Good Foundation as part of its commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.
Walking into the five-bedroom property, you’ll be struck first by the design and how every corner of space has been thoughtfully and thoroughly utilised. The open-plan living area on the ground floor is bright, slick and fun, playing with a blue-and-white colour palette in the walls and furnishings to create a non-clichéd nautical theme, which continues to run throughout the house, from the unique fish figurines to the cushions dotted about. The contemporary kitchen becomes the central hub and provides the perfect dinner party setting, with Great Gatsby-style bar stools and a grand long dining table to seat 10. The large bifold doors open out to a beautifully manicured garden and the two surrounding living areas provide both a room to read the paper with your morning coffee, and a spot to snuggle up in front of the TV in the evenings.
The best feature of the house though has got to be the spiralling stone staircase that takes you down to the outrageous basement, where there's a spa-like swimming pool and sauna, chill-out entertainment room with its own elaborate bar and an extensive wine cellar to have a peak at (this is strictly locked to guests but a salivating sight). Spend the days floating in a zen paradise and end them knocking back a few G&Ts. Stumble back upstairs to the master bedroom at the very top of the house for a peaceful retreat away from it all – wade your way through the thousands of cushions to hit the fluffy, plumped-up pillows on the superking bed – or hole up downstairs in one of the four other bedrooms. Enjoy a bubble bath in one of the humongous tubs, blast your favourite tunes from the sound system which has speakers paired up in most rooms, and dim the lights to create whatever atmosphere you are after.
The renovation of this lodge was extensive and there is now so much to it (did we mention the moat in the garden?). The fusion of old and new protects the historical charm of the house – it is still a classical gothic structure in the grounds of a cemetery – but open the door and you’ll be transfixed by the modern creativity and design. It is truly a thrilling place to stay. Cordelia Aspinall
Sleeps: Nine
Price: From £1,942 a night (five nights minimum)
Chic modern duplex
Fulham
Sumptuous shades of brown – chocolate, latte, caramel and sisal – create a cosy retreat in this Fulham apartment, which feels as on trend as it does elegant. The interiors are luxe through and through, with bespoke designs from House Of Red studio and a smart mix of textures – velvet chairs, squashy tufted sofas and leather dining seating all working pleasingly together for a refined feel that doesn’t scrimp on comfort. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms means ample room for the whole family, there’s a workspace for business travellers and a large fully-stocked kitchen. You’re all set for sightseeing, being just steps from swish Kensington and Chelsea, where you’ll be whisked into the West End and tranquil Hyde Park in minutes.
Sleeps: Five
Price: From around £1,075 for a two-night stay
Glass-fronted penthouse
West Kensington
Despite punchy features including double-height wood-beamed ceilings threaded with cool exposed bulbs, a smart modern interiors scheme, three double bedrooms and a sociable kitchen-diner replete with invisible hob, a stay here is all about one thing: the windows. They showcase incredible views. Dramatic three-metre high glazing floods the space with sunlight overlooking a far-reaching stretch of the city’s iconic skyline – something made more impressive when the sun begins to sink low. Gather together around the sofa or peel off to your own space – each bedroom has its own private roof terrace. Air conditioning, underfloor heating and a state-of-the-art air filtration system ensure a comfortable stay year-round, and it’s just a hop and a skip from West Brompton Underground Station, where you’ll be whisked to Kensington’s museum quarter within a few quick stops.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From around £940 for a two-night stay
A cosy bolthole concealed within a Victorian tower
Battersea
Battersea has had a serious regeneration of late, but this cosy Airbnb remains pleasingly old school, tucked away atop a Victorian tower attached to a traditional London brick home. Inside, a neutral palette makes a soothing, airy retreat, and sunbeams settle on the thoughtful selection of furniture from the large original windows. There’s plenty of room to cook in the pleasingly pretty sage green and white farmhouse kitchen, and a big dining table to enjoy it all on. There’s a balcony for morning coffees before the day begins – the home's location is ideal for getting around the city, as it has great transport links. Do make time to stay local, though – Battersea Park, Clapham Common and the cafes, restaurants and bars of Northcote Road are all a short walk away.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £574 for a four-night stay
Custom-designed houseboat
Limehouse marina
A trip to the capital isn’t complete without a walk down the river, but a stay here allows you to go one better and sleep bobbing on the Thames itself. Inside, the interior has been decked out lavishly. There’s a large kitchen diner with island seating roomier than you’ll find in plenty of London flats, two double bedrooms, a curved dining spot at the bow, plus a deep soaking tub for relaxing after a long inner city stomp. There’s plenty of comfy seating, books to read and a television. Don’t worry about motion sickness either – we’re assured the rocking movement on the water is very minimal. Out of the window, you’ll see bobbing ducks, geese and expansive harbour views. Just off shore, the whole of London right at your fingertips.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £673 for a two-night stay
Unique industrial home
London Fields
The design of this Hackney home has been a labour of love for host James, who has spent years painstakingly renovating each and every part – mixing together various salvaged woods panels to create the floors, designing the unique kitchen bespokely-made from recycled black paper, and installing the crittall windows and cosy woodburning stove. It means there are many design gems to discover; old gas pipes as taps, a vintage Contan sofa, art from here, there and everywhere, plus cushions and bathroom tiles hauled back from previous travels in Morocco. If you can tear yourself away, you’re well-placed to tick off some of London’s loveliest sights, from the famous Columbia Road flower market, to London Fields – all which are within easy walking distance.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £380 for a two-night stay
An expansive open-plan home with balcony
From the hotel-like perks arranged by property management company, Stay & Escape, to the soulful art that lines to exposed brick walls, this Airbnb has it all. Unlike many other rental flats that can feel a little sterile, this one is all heart and warmth, but not due to cosiness (read: small spaces and low ceilings) – the 22-foot high ceilings and open-plan design gives you and three others all the room you need to spread out (and dance around with the Sonos in-built flat-wide speakers cranked up). This is a home that has been decorated and fitted out to be lived in, not just passed through. In place of standard uncomfortable couches and missing basics in the kitchen, every detail has been carefully considered when kitting this flat out, with as much thought as if you were setting up your own home, with no budget limitations. Both bedrooms – a king-sized master bedroom and double – are ensuite, with Egyptian cotton sheets adorning beds, fluffy towels, robes, slippers and a welcome bottle of wine in a basket to greet you on arrival. Top notch amenities run from all the high end kitchen appliances you can shake a stick at through to a complete array of premium bathroom supplies. If you can bring yourself to leave this central London bolthole, you’re right in the thick of it in Clerkenwell, a short walk from the Barbian Centre and Leather Lane Market, as well as pretty much every bar, restaurant, pub, cafe and shop you can think of.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From £1,700 per night, minimum stay three nights
Cool warehouse conversion
Hackney
You'll want to book a warehouse stay for an immersive, quintessentially East London vibe. The area is full of former industrial buildings now converted into chic apartments – and this a fabulous option among the bunch. Exposed brick walls and whitewashed floorboards keep the industrial vibe, and an eclectic mix of furniture and plenty of plants bring in plenty of London’s characteristic cool. There’s a full kitchen, plus a large open-plan living dining space that bleeds into a sleeping space with a comfy double bed. Plenty of windows ensure a steady stream of sunlight all day. The location is also excellent; it sits right between London Fields and Victoria Park. It’s just a five-minute stroll to Broadway and Netil markets, plus trendy Mare Street with its wealth of cafes, bars, shops and restaurants.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £195 per night
Hidden gem full of treasures
Leyton
Every detail in this beautiful flat has been properly considered, and the effect is a homage to Bohemia straight out of a home design magazine; travertine sinks, tadelakt walls and honey-hued woods abound inside and out. Scattered throughout, you’ll find a mix of local trinkets and ceramics mixed with items brought home from the owner’s travels – a French trunk, Hungarian milking stools and a Chinese elm wood bench, among other gems to discover – plus lots of reclaimed vintage. There’s a large decked area outside with low-slung cushioned loungers for soaking up summer rays and, when the sun goes down, twinkly Edison bulbs and glowing salt lamps keep things cosy indoors. While this home isn’t especially central, Leyton is well-connected with public transport, with the Central Line ready to whisk you into the thick of it within 30 minutes.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £175 per night
Boutique home
Lower Clapton
This flat toes the line between retro flair and modernity in a pleasingly eclectic and artful way – unsurprisingly, given that both hosts are designers. A pink, cream and ochre colour scheme injects a shot of dopamine to proceedings, and every room has at least one statement piece, from the giant cocoon of a chair in the living room to the concrete coffee machine in the kitchen and the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling ribbed headboard. The location is suburban enough to be quiet while still within walking distance of plenty of excellent coffee shops and boutiques to explore. It’s been a total hit with previous guests to date, too, maintaining an impressive five-star rating overall.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £110 per night
© 2017 Paratore PhotographyBright modern loft
Hackney
This converted East London loft has been given a modern facelift, swapping exposed bricks for crisp white plaster walls and a breezy neutral colour scheme. A string of industrial-style furniture, including big tin lampshades in the kitchen and minimal metal side tables, nods to the building’s former life. The open-plan kitchen living room is perfect for entertaining, and there’s a roomy dining table for big family suppers. There’s one bedroom, but little ones can kip happily on the sofa bed – and everyone will love settling into the hanging chair with a book after a sightseeing session. The star of the show? A gleaming grand piano, ready for guests to play as they please.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £199 per night
A stylish Victorian apartment
This chic Elephant & Castle apartment is smack bang in the centre of Zone 1, so you can check off all the sights – Big Ben, Borough Market, Tate Modern and a string of other museums – within 20 minutes on foot. A soothing palette of neutrals and tasteful modern furniture choices make a soothing sanctuary to return to at the end of the day.
Sleeps: Three
Price: From £220 per night, with a four-night minimum
An arty hideaway with views of The Shard
London is full of high rise apartments with glittering skyline views, but this may be the most novel around. Situated just a hop from buzzy Borough Market and the Tate Modern, the hosts have created a playful, childlike space with huge windows looking directly out to The Shard. An open chest of drawers turns into a staircase leading to a tiny room, the oven has a children’s nursery aesthetic, and if you pull back the hand-stitched curtain hiding the secret door to the bathroom, you can take a shower under the moonlight. Traditional and holistic spa treatments are bookable, and there’s an array of the city’s best restaurants, delis and bakeries just minutes from your door.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From £294 per night, with a two-night minimum
Alessio ParatoreA traditional flat
Knightsbridge
This is the London Airbnb for culture lovers – set just a few minutes' walk from some of London’s finest museums, including the V&A and the Natural History Museum. Floral fabrics wouldn’t look out of place in a grand country pile, and there are quirky touches – tall lamps, hand-blown glass vases, a gallery wall in the living room – dotted around the snug space.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From £135 a night
All rights reserved.A classic apartment
Chelsea
Anyone who lives in London knows the rarity of having your very own outdoor space. This ground-floor flat in Chelsea opens onto a south-facing patio that acts as an all-day sun trap. Inside, host Marc has made use of lots of geometric stripes to make the space feel roomier than it is – on the open fireplace’s chimney breast in the living room, in one of the two bedrooms, and the sweet breakfast room.
Sleeps: Five
Price: From £150 a night
A designer townhouse
Chelsea
A classic, pastel-painted townhouse near Chelsea’s Sloane Square is the setting for this serene Airbnb. Interiors are more muted than the candy-coloured façade might suggest – monochromatic armchairs, a glossy, oatmeal-hued kitchen, four creamy bedrooms. There’s room for six around the formal dining table, which makes this a brilliant option for those hosting during their time in the capital, and a compact but cute patio for those rare sunshiny days.
Sleeps: Seven
Price: From £1,200 a night
An arty apartment
Holland Park
The pretty first-floor balcony at this West London flat overlooks the peaceful streets around leafy Holland Park, a corner of the capital that’s close to Kensington Gardens and Notting Hill. The flat’s double-height ceilings give the feeling of bags of space and the panelled living room is packed with art.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From £275 per night
A quirky Georgian townhouse
Angel
This Georgian property sits in a row of classic North London terraces. The deep colours used on the ground floor – a soothing, grey-green living room and bold navy kitchen – are balanced out by the light-filled bedrooms upstairs. The house is just steps from Islington Green and Camden Passage, and a short walk from Hoxton, on the edge of East London.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From £295 a night
A light-filled flat
Notting Hill
The open-plan kitchen is the heart of this Notting Hill split-level flat. There’s an open fireplace for cosy nights in, and exposed brick walls add texture to the clean white-washed rooms. The loveliest of the two bedrooms has a roll-top bath and there’s a petite study overlooking the surrounding rooftops. The roof terrace might be this Airbnb’s biggest draw: it overlooks the buzzy neighbourhood below.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From £275 a night- Islington, on a quiet cobblestone street lined with grand Victorian buildings. Interiors are cosy and colourful – a mustard-velvet armchair is offset by calming sage walls in the living room, and there is bang-on-trend Seventies geometric wallpaper in the hallways. The sweet sun-trap terrace is a brilliant spot for a pre-supper drink before you head out to one of the neighbourhood’s best restaurants – we recommend pasta spot Trullo.\n<strong>Sleeps:</strong> Four<br>\n<strong>Price:</strong> From £460 a night<br>","contentType":"photo","credit":"","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_320,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_640,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_640,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_1280,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_1024,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_2048,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_1280,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611bf3174e09f53b43733509/master/w_1280,c_limit/sophisticated-designer-victorian-house-001-airbnb-sept20-pr.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
A Victorian townhouse
Islington
This vast pad sits on the upper cusp of Islington, on a quiet cobblestone street lined with grand Victorian buildings. Interiors are cosy and colourful – a mustard-velvet armchair is offset by calming sage walls in the living room, and there is bang-on-trend Seventies geometric wallpaper in the hallways. The sweet sun-trap terrace is a brilliant spot for a pre-supper drink before you head out to one of the neighbourhood’s best restaurants – we recommend pasta spot Trullo.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From £460 a night
