Home for the Holidays
The fact that Airbnb, the world’s largest homesharing platform, plans to go public in a pandemic year proves that the demand for holiday rentals is still strong. But it’s not the only booking service out there—here are some of our favourites
PLUM GUIDE
The Plum Guide markets itself as one of the few holiday home booking platforms that truly vets its selections, claiming that only 3 per cent of the properties that apply pass the rigorous inspection
( of its home critics. The properties that do pass muster are often spacious homes with sumptuous interiors—from a former carpentry workshop turned chic loft in Madrid to a seven-room cottage with an outdoor wooden tub in the Cotswolds, England. The playful writing and stylish pictures on the website make it a pleasure to browse even if you’re only after decorating ideas. plumguide.com
LE COLLECTIONIST
Once you enter the Le Collectionist website, you’ll notice that almost every third entry is labelled as exclusive. That’s because the team has worked hard to ensure that only the best vacation homes are listed—they only accept those that elicit what they mysteriously describe as a “love at first sight” feeling. More than 1,000 homes in 150 destinations have made the cut, among them sprawling villas set in the drool-worthy locations of France’s Cap Ferret and Comporta in Portugal. Le Collectionist can also arrange details of your stay, be it as simple as booking a masseuse or private chef or as extravagant as a once-in-a-lifetime day out, like a skiing lesson on the slopes of Courchevel with an Olympic ski cross champion. lecollectionist.com
THE LUXE NOMAD
There’s growing demand for properties that can cater to multigenerational travellers, especially in Asia. Start-up The Luxe Nomad features a wide range of expansive homes that are perfect for extended family gatherings. Whether you’re after a beachfront villa in Canggu, a cliffside house in Phuket or a cosy chalet in Niseko, you’re bound to find something that suits your fancy. theluxenomad.com