In theory I am a travel-aholic. I sit at my desk in my tiny apartment wishing I could take luxurious trips. I plan for hours fictional vacations that I know I can't afford. A few months ago I stumbled across a site called Airbnb and everything changed. Wait, vacation can be affordable?
This is in no way an endorsement for Airbnb, I'm simply a huge fan! I've always been wary of Couch Surfing and to be honest I like my privacy while on vacation. Airbnb offers shared rooms, but why share a room when you can rent an entire home or apartment for yourself? There are tons of places on the cheap all over the world. Seen here are a few of my favorites from across the globe. All for under $200 a night! I can't imagine paying for a hotel room ever again.
It was difficult picking only 10 vacation rentals for under $200. They have so many to choose from! Maybe you could all continue the list in the comments section. What are your favorite rentals, Airbnb or not, for under $200 a night?
• Mission Loft - San Francisco, CA - $175 p/night
• Boat & Breakfast - Bainbridge Island, WA - $125 p/night
• Montmartre With Garden - Paris, France - $199 p/night
• Wonderful Loft - Rome, Italy - $120 p/night
• South Beach Gem - Miami, FL - $78 p/night
• Quietness in the Centre - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - $158 p/night
• Beautiful Hollywood Hills Bungalow - Los Angeles, CA - $180 p/night
• Luxury Beachfront Holiday Homes - Phuket, Thailand - $185 p/night
• City Centre - Copenhagen, Denmark - $175 p/night
• Casa Selva - San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua - $130 p/night
Images: As credited above.
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Two of my favorites are Anya's House, $175/night, Hana, Maui (http://www.anyashouse.com/index.html), and the Lalu Yurt, $150/night, Bjorklund Ranch, Santa Barbaran (http://www.vrbo.com/103877). Both amazing.
I love that site too! I can't wait until I can check it our for real. What great selections!
Dope!
I've not been here, but I just read about these amazingly charming cottages in Laguna Beach:
http://www.manzanitacottages.com/tour_cottages.htm
I discovered airbnb this year and spend many a day dream travel drooling. My favourites are the unexpected ones... an island filled with teepees, a treehouse, a whole island in fiji. Yes please.
I discovered this site a few months ago when friends I was traveling with rented us a fantastic loft in downtown LA for the price of a sleazy motel. This website has seriously changed my traveling life, it's truly as good as it looks!
This has entirely solved my problem of where to stay on my week long visit to the west coast... thanks!
Spent a week in August 2010 at "Haven" in France's Loire Valley. Everything you'd expect from the French countryside.
http://www.rentalsfrance.com/loire/haven_in_touraine/1976.html
I used this site for the first time in early June for a place in Santa Monica. At first I was little weary but the host had great reviews and in the end a group of 4 girls had a blast and saved a bunch of $. I paid it forward and wrote the host a nice review as well.
This is fantastic. Thanks for the tip! I'm going on a trip to New Orleans next year, and I'm definitely using this site. There's lots of New Orleans stuff on there!
Hi,
If you are looking for a great place to stay in Montreal, QC check out my place.
www.montrealduparc.com
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/145144
Newly renovated and 5 minutes from downtown.
First, $200/night is too much for a getaway in my book, and second, gushing on about the so-called merits of anything is, in fact, an endorsement. signed, cheapo language police
@secret agent girl: cosign. Throwing in some non-airbnb options would have at least added a little non-endorsement window-dressing, but...this pings my "okay, this is a sales pitch, please go sell somebody else" radar.
You can also stay for FREE by doing an apartment exchange! Bonus-- if you have pets, the people staying at your place will take care of them, and vice versa.
Lots of reputable home exchange sites out there!
oh my god, THANK YOU for this post. My bf and I are traveling to Paris next summer and I totally want to use this site. I am looking at all the charming apartments and am falling in love.
uh, airbnb.com has some explaining to do:
http://ejroundtheworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/violated-travelers-lost-faith-difficult.html