My family (husband, two kids 12, 15) will be in London for a little over a week in June/July, 2024. I would like to stay in a flat rather than a hotel. I would like to use one of Rick’s recommended agencies (I can’t remember the name, but they offer budget lodging as well as the high end). I’m worried about how far out to try and book the flat. I checked on VRBO just out of curiosity as well as a couple aparthotels (which seem really spendy) for that time and am already finding lack of availability. How far out should I book accommodations?I’m thinking this should be done before we book anything else? Thanks!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8398 posts
Here is a link to a property that I stayed at. It could get warm in summer, but they did have fans available. I looked and they already have one booking for next June. I think I would make the reservation now for wherever you want to stay.
https://www.vrbo.com/439545ha?noDates=true&unitId=1065757
This unit is convenient to bus lines and a 10 minute walk to Westminster. I loved the location.
Posted by
Freedonia
15069 posts
It's not that they aren't available. The reservations system may not be able to take reservations this far out.
Wimbledon start on July 1 next year so that will add to the lack of availability.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Thanks for the heads up about Wimbledon!!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
163 posts
From my experience with AirBnB, I feel like most hosts only list pricing/availability six months out. My recommendation would be to search for sample places using fall/winter 2023 dates. If you see a place you like, and they don't show availability for next summer, just message the host and ask if you can book. I've always found them to be accommodating and to quickly open up my needed dates.
Posted by
Tucson
4156 posts
Check Booking.com, too.
You can limit to apartments and filter results in many ways. You'll need to include the kids initially. When you do, they'll ask for ages. At 12 and 15 they'll likely be considered to be adults for bedding purposes.
Make sure for any rental that the 2nd bedroom is a real bedroom and not the fold out sofa in the living room. Also take a good look at the bath pictures to make sure that the "shower" is a real shower with the shower head hanging on the wall or overhead and not a bath tub with it sitting on a cradle on the edge of the tub. That's probably not an issue in newer apartments but older ones might not have what we'd call a shower.
Note that owners may list their flats on several platforms. The pictures may vary and different information may be provided. Sometimes that's helpful and sometimes it's more confusing.
Do a Booking.com test with your dates to see if they have any availability. If not, try the same dates or similar ones for this year just to get an idea of what kind of places are available at what prices. Use the filters to better target the search. That's where you can put your price limits for the week's stay. Ignore the Property rating stars and use the Review score to indicate the quality you'd prefer.
Good luck with the looking. If you haven't used Booking.com in this way, it will be a bit of a learning curve. Enjoy the exploration.
Posted by
Baltimore
101 posts
If you find a place you like, check on hichee.com to see where else it's listed for rentals. We found a place we really liked on Airbnb and searched on hichee and found it for less on booking.com.
The place we rented was here: https://air.tl/2ZOz9nFO
It was really nice and huge. Plenty of room for the 7 of us. It was walking distance from Paddington and across the street from the Edgware Rd tube station. The only caveat is that it was on the third floor with no elevator, which was really only a minor issue on check in & out.
Posted by
Austin, TX
1929 posts
I also recommend booking.com
It may be just a little early to book a flat for June 2024 but you can try and see if any are listed. Be certain to book with free cancellation if you grab something now.
By September, there should be many more listings but also keep checking in July or August.
Booking offers flats as well as hotels, hostels, etc etc
Posted by
Tucson
116 posts
We have been staying in short term rentals in Europe (including London) for the last 8 years. We typically use airbnb or vrbo and book accomodations as soon as we know our travel plans. Typically 12-18 months in advance. The earlier you book the greater the selection. As one poster indicated if dates don't appear available send a message to the owner and they'll likely open dates for you. We're departing Thursday for Paris and booked that rental 2 years ago. While we're in Paris we're traveling with 8 others and there are few rentals suitable for 10 in the centre so we started planning for that rental earlier than usual. We'll also be in short term rentals in Florence and London and booked those 10 months ago. Good luck and happy planning.