19 Best London Airbnbs, From Quirky East London Penthouses to Sleek Soho Flats
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Getting under the skin of London—finding the coolest neighborhoods and best restaurants in London—can be tricky. But living like a local, in one of the capital’s finest Airbnbs, 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. For a stay with room service, see our edit of the best hotels in London.
We've vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
Read our complete London travel guide here.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Elevator, washing machine
Neighborhood: Trafalgar SquareWho 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; or 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 myself—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
Bed & bath: 5 bedrooms, 5 baths
Top amenities: Indoor pool, sauna, fireplace
Neighborhood: FulhamWho 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 43-foot-long swimming pool? Owner Justin Maxwell Stuart had foresight. He took on the hefty project of renovating the 19th-century neo-gothic lodge, 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.
Walking into the five-bedroom property, I was struck first by the design and how every corner of space has been thoughtfully and thoroughly utilized. The open-plan living area on the ground floor is bright, slick, and fun, playing with a blue-and-white color 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 dining table that seats 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 the evenings.
The best feature of the house though has got to be the spiraling 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 king bed—or hole up downstairs in one of the four other bedrooms. Enjoy a bubble bath in one of the humongous tubs, blast your favorite 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 I 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
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Projector, 24/7 check-in, elevator
Neighborhood: HackneyYou'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.
Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths
Top amenities: Airbnb Luxe, fireplace, small patio
Neighborhood: ChelseaA classic, pastel-painted townhouse near Chelsea’s Sloane Square is the setting for this serene rental, one of the best Airbnbs in London. Interiors are more muted than the candy-colored 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.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths
Top amenities: Room-darkening shades, Bluetooth sound system
Neighborhood: SouthwarkLondon 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.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Room-darkening blinds; piano; TV with Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Netflix
Neighborhood: HackneyThis converted East London loft has been given a modern facelift, swapping exposed bricks for crisp white plaster walls and a breezy neutral color 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.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Washer/dryer, luggage drop-off allowed, patio
Neighborhood: LeytonEvery 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 cozy 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.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Private backyard, BBQ
Neighborhood: Elephant and CastleThis chic Elephant & Castle apartment is smack bang in the center 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.
Bed & bath: 2 bedroom, 3 baths
Top amenities: Private patio, washing machine with laundry detergent tablets provided, hospitality pack with kitchen staples and English delicacies
Neighborhood: ChelseaThis quirky two-bedroom apartment belongs in our most colorful Airbnbs gallery, too, with its pastel pink Smeg fridge, pink-walled sunroom (shown above), and patterned wallpapers. Situated in a quiet neighborhood, there's a small balcony off both bedrooms and a garden out back to get some fresh air without leaving your home base, though South Kensington museums like the Victoria and Albert and Science museums are nearby, too. You'll have all the essentials and then some inside: The host, Robert, leaves a hospitality pack filled with bread, milk, eggs, butter, biscuits, and chocolates for guests, and the kitchen is stocked with basics like coffee, tea, sugar, oil and vinegar, and salt and pepper. To note, the second bedroom, with its two twin beds, also houses a sink and shower in the room, so guests may end up wanting to share the one larger bathroom.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Backyard, washer/dryer
Neighborhood: ChelseaAnyone 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.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 3 baths
Top amenities: Room-darkening shades, children's gear available (high chair, crib, dinnerware, toys), washer/dryer
Neighborhood: IslingtonRounding out our edit of the best Airbnbs in London, this vast pad sits on the upper cusp of Islington, on a quiet cobblestone street lined with grand Victorian buildings. Interiors are cozy and colorful—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 neighborhood’s best restaurants—we recommend pasta spot Trullo.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Private garden, grill, public pool across the street
Neighborhood: Barnsbury EstateAmong our top-rated vacation rentals: This charming two-bed rental unit near Granary Square. If you want your own private ivy-lined patio in London, you've got it here, with a backyard grill to boot. And the apartment is just a few blocks from Camden Lock—an area around Regent's Canal that's great for morning strolls. Inside, the home has two bedrooms, each with king-size beds, and is minimally designed.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Washer/dryer, fully-equipped kitchen, Sonos sound system
Neighborhood: Holland ParkThe 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 paneled living room is packed with art.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Filled bookcase, fireplace, Pack ’n Play crib
Neighborhood: AngelThis Georgian property sits in a row of classic North London terraces. The deep colors used on the ground floor—a soothing, gray-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.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Lavazza coffee machine, luggage dropoff allowed
Neighborhood: KnightsbridgeThis 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. Of note, it is on the fourth floor of the building and there is not an elevator.
Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Freestanding bath, dedicated workspace, record player
Neighborhood: Notting HillThe open-plan kitchen is the heart of this Notting Hill split-level flat. There’s an open fireplace for cozy 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 neighborhood below.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Private patio garden, dedicated workspace with a printer, window bench
Neighborhood: World’s End EstateYou'll never want to leave this Scandinavian-inspired home in the heart of Chelsea. The one-bedroom flat feels surprisingly spacious, in part because of its rare indoor-outdoor floor plan, featuring floor-to-ceiling accordion glass doors that open both the living room and kitchen onto the petite, ivy-covered patio. Perks of this London Airbnb include room-darkening curtains and a fireplace in the living room. The Thames River is a two-minute walk in one direction, and the shops and bistros of King's Road are also right around the corner.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Gym and lounge access, king-size bed, Wi-Fi
Neighborhood: BlackfriarsFor those looking to spend a few days away from home, this one-bedroom Airbnb (located inside an aparthotel) checks all the boxes: contactless check-in, space to cook your own meals, “blazing-fast Wi-Fi” per one reviewer, and a dedicated work space, plus a spacious lounge area downstairs. The room is just big enough for one, or a couple, with a king-size bed and clean, amenities-filled bathroom. Outside, there are places to sit along the River Thames, and in the hotel lobby, a café that previous guests recommend for gelato or coffee.
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Sonos sound system, balcony, coffee maker
Neighborhood: Earl’s CourtThis sophisticated Airbnb boasts high ceilings and is filled with natural light, statement art, and impressive decor. Both the living space and the lofted bedroom (complete with a king bed) feature Sonos sound systems. The apartment's balcony overlooks a beautiful garden square and features a café table where you can enjoy a coffee while watching the morning bustle below. Holland Park is just steps away.
A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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