Airbnb in London

I read so many reports of Airbnb disasters in London, that we decided against Airbnb and VRBO for this trip. We just came back from our trip and used a serviced apartment, sometimes they are called aparthotels. We were happy with ours, it was the Native apartment complex the "Victoria" location. Ours was managed by Silver Dollar, but that probably doesn't matter.

There are a number of properties let as AirBnB in London illegally and it would be difficult for you to spot.

In addition AirBnB is hugely unpopular in London for the amount of rental property that has been taken away from locals to live in permanently.

I would take Becky’s advice and look in the regular short term rental market.

There are numerous “Aparthotels” in London—-these avoid the potential problems of illegal AirBnB rentals.

You can easily find them with a search on booking.com, then go to the actual property website to book, if you prefer. Often there will be more information and photos on booking.com than the property’s own website, and different cancellation conditions. On the other hand, you may be able to get a discounted price by joining the property’s loyalty program.

Here is an example of a place with 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartments in a great location in South Kensington:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-harrington.html

https://theharrington.com/

Or this one near St. Paul’s:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/kings-wardrobe.html

https://nativeplaces.com/kings-wardrobe-services/

chiming in - I am aware that a fairish number of London tourist rentals are actually non-existent listings hoping to relieve folks of their money. The photos and description of a legitimate apartment - often for sale - are copied and turned into vapourware listings. And others are council flats which are illegally sublet, or actually not delivered.

If looking for a tourist flat in London, be very careful, do searches on any photos and be very careful when dealing with the "owner".

Good luck, I hope you have success.