14 best Airbnbs in the world for those dreaming of an unforgettable escape
Whether the girls' weekend away is finally leaving the group chat, or you've got your heart set on exploring the South of France this summer, browsing the best Airbnbs in the world will give you all the inspo you could possibly need to dream up a luxury escape.
If you’re anything like us, then for the most part, you'll see your accommodation simply as a place to rest your head while you explore a new city, or lap up every moment of a beach holiday. But — every once in a while — we love to browse Airbnb for blow-the-budget properties around the world that fuel our wanderlust – and not leave. There's no harm in just looking, right?
In the name of (virtually) whisking you away to the best Airbnbs in the world, we’ve searched high and low for the most luxe rentals on the site — no holds barred. From a castle in Scotland that would make an excellent luxury hen party house, to a California escape with all the Scandi vibes, here are the Airbnbs we’ll be adding to our wishlists in 2024. Time to start manifesting…
Best Airbnbs in the world at a glance:
- Best Airbnb for a romantic retreat for two: Cob Cottage — Mayne Island, Canada
- Best Airbnb for a group UK getaway: 16th Century Castle — Lochgilphead, Scotland
- Best Airbnb for a chic European city break: Apartment Georges Mandel — Paris, France
- Best Airbnb for a hedonistic Hen weekend: Villa Kalyani — Canggu, Bali
If you're well and truly in your holiday rental era, make sure you peruse our edit of the best trending Airbnbs — and also check out our selection of the best Airbnbs in the South of France, the best Airbnbs in the Costwolds, and the best wedding venue Airbnbs. Searching for 2024 holiday inspo? Learn about the top hotels in Puglia, Jamaica, Mallorca, and more with a browse through our trending travel content.
The Machinery Shed
Location: Blackheath, Australia.
Price per night: £489 per night.
Sleeps: 2.
Bathrooms: 1.Why we love it: Nestled in a 100 year old apple orchard with epic views of the Blue Mountains, it’s no surprise that this Airbnb is among the top three most sought-after in Australia. Blending rustic charm with modern facilities, the cosy Machinery Shed overlooks the Kanimbla Valley. The private oasis is surrounded by nature and can sleep up to two people - one for your next couple’s holiday? Inside, amongst the twinkly fairy lights are cosy interiors and modern amenities. There’s also an indoor and outdoor fire pit. La pièce de résistance? A free-standing outdoor bath tub so you can enjoy R&R surrounded by nature. Between mid February to the end of July you can also visit the orchard within the grounds. And, as it’s set in the Australian bush you’re sure to encounter plenty of wildlife year round.
Pavilion House Avalon Beach
Location: New South Wales, Australia.
Price: £2,081 per night.
Sleeps: 6.
Bathrooms: 3.Why we love it: Overlooking the stunning Avalon Beach with its golden sand and sandstone cliffs, this chic villa is one of the best Airbnb’s in the world. The Avalon villa sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms, and inside it looks like something straight out of a magazine. Think: sun-drenched spaces and on-trend neutral interior schemes with touches of gold and marble throughout. Divine! Outside there’s a dining space, fire-pit and BBQ grill that are ideal for entertaining. Or, if a tranquil retreat is more your thing, there’s also an outdoor pool, outdoor bath and shower, plus a sauna and steam room - what more could you want?! This Airbnb is a one hour drive from Sydney Airport and just a few minutes away from a number of beaches including Whale Beach and Palm Beach.
Cob Cottage
Location: Mayne Island, Canada.
Price: £117 per night.
Sleeps: 2.
Bathrooms: 1.Why we love it: Mayne Island’s Cob Cottage gives us major fairytale vibes. It’s often booked out, so if you do stumble upon a free weekend - act fast! This quirky, one-of-a-kind house was hand-sculpted using local and sustainable natural materials. The result? A one-bedroom, one-bathroom home surrounded by nature. The cottage masters rustic chic with natural wooden materials and earthy tones throughout. The living space has a small sofa and wood burner, there’s a fully kitted out kitchen and bathroom, and upstairs a cosy bedroom with wooden beams and curved white-washed walls. Outside there’s an outdoor fire pit, hammock and BBQ grill. This Airbnb offers a true escape as the local area is rural and quiet, with mostly farms and a small vineyard nearby. However, if civilization is calling your name, it’s a short walk to the beach and local grocery and deli.
Dee Dow Ranch
Location: Ojai, California.
Price: £2,891 per night.
Sleeps: 12.
Bathrooms: 5.5.Why we love it: This California escape has all the Scandi feels. The farmhouse is nestled in the upper hills of the Ojai Valley, and overlooks the Topatopa mountain range offering incredible sunset views. With soaring ceilings, sun-soaked living spaces and glass retracting doors so you never miss a mountain view, it marries a rustic style with understated luxury, and nails the indoor-outdoor living experience so you can really embrace Cali living. The property sleeps 12 guests across five bedrooms in the Main House and Guest Cabana and comes with top high-tech amenities. What’s more, there’s a TV lounge for movie nights, an outdoor heated infinity pool, tennis court and Bocce Ball area, plus plenty of sun traps for lounging or hosting.
The Earthship
Location: Taos, New Mexico.
Price: £182 per night.
Sleeps: 4.
Bathrooms: 1.Why we love it: Now this one is extra special and no doubt one of the best Airbnb’s in the world. If off-grid living with modern amenities appeals, check out The Earthship in the high desert mesa just outside Taos, New Mexico. Built by the host over three years, this Airbnb is self-sufficient, collecting rain water and generating its own electricity. Inside there’s sunny living spaces, with earthy toned interiors and incredible desert views. The open-plan studio space sleeps up to four people across two beds. Don’t be fooled by the off-grid location though as this Airbnb comes with a seriously impressive list of modern amenities including WiFi, TV with Netflix, a washing machine and more.
Villa Kalyani
Location: Canggu, Bali.
Price: £881 per night.
Sleeps: 10.
Bathrooms: 5.5.Why we love it: Girls holiday, anyone? This is not only one of the best Airbnb’s in the world, but one of the best Airbnb’s for a girls holiday. It’s a boujee option, but the uber-modern villa by the sea is sure to please everyone. In classic Balinese style, this villa embraces the indoor-outdoor living trend, is decorated with a chic boho interior scheme and has multiple swimming pools. The main home has three bedrooms, with an additional two bedrooms in the guest house. There’s a plunge pool, waterfall, daybeds, outdoor screen projector for movie nights, bar, tennis court, squash court, games room and access to a shared gym. There’s even a professional DJ booth with two decks and a dance floor. This Airbnb also has an on-site chef, butler and guard, and for an additional cost the host can organise airport transfers, car rental, spa services and stock up on groceries ahead of arrival. The contemporary Balinese rental is just minutes from the beach, too. When can we move in?!
La Tropical
Location: Mérida, Mexico.
Price: £174 per night.
Sleeps: 2.
Bathrooms: 1.5.Why we love it: A stylish retreat in the heart of Mérida Mexico, this architectural gem sleeps two and feels uber-private making it a perfect couple’s getaway. The high ceilings and glass partitions blend indoor and outdoor living seamlessly, with both the bathroom and bedroom opening up to the lush tropic gardens where there is a 15 metre swimming pool.. The sleek Airbnb blends a luxe design featuring travertine marble, cedar and Mexican stucco, with an eclectic mix of custom-made furniture, natural materials boosting sustainability credentials and hand woven artwork from local artists. You’ll also find state-of-the-art amenities throughout, and a small dedicated workspace with super-fast wifi for those on a working holiday.
Casa Serena
Location: Flamingo, Costa Rica.
Price: £276 per night.
Sleeps: 6.
Bathrooms: 3.5.Why we love it: Perched 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean with both ocean and mountain views, this Costa Rica Airbnb is the ultimate retreat. The interiors feel ultra-soothing, with a simple monochrome scheme and inspiring views all around the property. Outside, there’s a private infinity pool overlooking the ocean and a terrace with a BBQ. It’s surrounded by lush tropics, so you can hear the local Howler monkeys making their way around the forest throughout the day - dreamy! Located within a 900-acre development, you can also access a shared tennis court, ocean view clubhouse with an infinity pool, jacuzzi, swim-up bar, and a restaurant. There’s plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby if adventure calls. The property overlooks a mile of stunning white sand on Flamingo beach, or Playa Conchal is five minutes down the road. Just a 40 minute drive away, you’ll find one of the world’s most famous surfing beaches: Playa Grande and the bustling surf town of Tamarindo with its array of shops, restaurants, night spots, and surfing schools..
Apartment Georges Mandel
Location: Paris, France.
Price: £8,574 per night.
Sleeps: 8.
Bathrooms: 2.Why we love it: Ok this one is especially boujee. With Eiffel Tower views and a vintage Parisian feel, this is definitely one of the best Airbnbs in the world. The elegant 19th Haussmannian style home blends modern, classical, and naturalistic elements. With timeless Herringbone parquet floors, Italian Calacatta Oro marble and antique wainscoting, (aka vintage style panelling) - it’s pure luxury and costs a cool £8,000+ per night. There’s an open-plan kitchen and living room, with tall French doors opening to balconies with views of the Trocadero. The master bedroom features an ensuite with a marble tub, and it can sleep up to eight people across four bedrooms. It’s elegant and timeless, with modern amenities and a daily housekeeping service. In the heart of the prestigious 16th arrondissement, it’s a short drive to many of Paris’ best bits, and just eight minutes away to the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées Obviously, despite its price, this gem is often booked up. BRB adding to our vision board…
16th Century Castle
Location: Lochgilphead, Scotland.
Price: £1,185 per night.
Sleeps: 10.
Bathrooms: 5.Why we love it: Located within the ancient landscape of Kilmartin Glen and restored in 2019, the owners of this 16th century castle wanted to create an authentic retreat that felt welcoming, warm and rustic - and they’ve nailed it. This historic Airbnb retains many of its original features, but despite the authentic feel, the rooms are well-equipped with modern appliances. All five bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and modern comforts including a wood burning stove, roll top copper bath and luxe bedding. The grand hall is ideal for family time around the fire. Or, roll down the retractable movie screen and transform the space into a movie theatre. Outside, the gardens have been landscaped by award winning Chelsea Flower Show garden designer Amber Crowley, and feature a bio diverse wild swimming pool (for our brave cold water swimmers), plus an outdoor kitchen, orchard, sunken fire pit, Kamado Joe, BBQ grill and pizza oven. The hosts grow their own organic vegetables, fruit and herbs on site which guests are welcome to use. What’s more, this property also makes a lovely Airbnb wedding venue for those having a small intimate ceremony, with an outdoor glasshouse if you need to escape the Scottish rain.
Cove Spring House
Location: Saint James, Barbados.
Price: £19,455 per night.
Sleeps: 16+.
Bathrooms: 10.Why we love it: Set between the iconic cities of Holetown and Speightstown in Barbados, this castle-inspired property is up there with the best Airbnbs in the world. First off, let’s talk about those soaring sea views. The resort-like property is perched at the top of coral cliffs overlooking the breathtaking Caribbean sea with a large outdoor pool and private beach area below. The cliff-top home has plenty of outdoor terraces so you can lap up the sea views all day long. There’s also lots of outdoor spots for entertaining, including a patio with a bar, kitchen, BBQ grill and pizza oven. Inside, the interiors are simple yet modern with a luxurious neutral scheme throughout. The main house has seven bedrooms, with an additional three bedrooms in the cottage so that the rental can sleep over 16 people throughout. There’s a well-equipped gym in the main house, plus a family room with red velvet chairs that’s ideal for at-home movie nights. If you can bring yourself to leave this Barbadian dream, it’s well placed to explore the country’s best restaurants and luxury boutiques nearby.
Palais Chahar Mahal
Location: Marrakech, Morocco.
Price: £2,101 per night.
Sleeps: 10.
Bathrooms: 5.Why we love it: For the ultimate luxe escape in Morocco, look no further than this enchanting estate. Surrounded by a lake and fruit grove is one of the best Airbnbs in the world. The five-bedroom property can sleep up to 10 guests. Each bedroom comes with a king size or queen size bed, its own private terrace or balcony, and an ensuite bathroom. The interiors are luxurious and traditional, with boujee furnishings - think marble floors and velvet armchairs. Outside, there’s a huge palm-tree lined outdoor pool, hot tub, jacuzzi and hammam for a total spa-like reset. Enjoy the fragrance from the rose bushes, jacaranda groves, and fruit orchards, take a stroll over the footbridge and around the lake or lap up the Atlas Mountain views from an upper deck terrace. Your stay includes breakfast, plus a chef, butler, housekeeping and airport transfers. If you can tear yourself away from the Airbnb, there’s plenty to explore nearby as it’s set on the route to Ourika Valley.
008 Villa
Location: Cape Town, South Africa.
Price: £1,673 per night.
Sleeps: 14.
Bathrooms: 7.5.Why we love it: This sleek villa in Cape Town looks like something straight out of Netflix hit Selling Sunet. The three floor property can sleep 14 guests across seven bedrooms - and has won many awards in its time. Just a five minutes walk from Campus Bay Beach and with epic mountain views, the property has been cleverly designed to offer a sense of weightlessness against the rugged mountain backdrop - think floating stairs and glass doors combined with touches of greenery throughout. It’s minimalism at its finest and really delivers on the views. There are two outdoor pools including one infinity pool on the first floor overlooking the mountainside - just imagine the sunsets! The property also comes with a 24/7 concierge service and for an additional cost daily beverage and pantry restock, activity planning, airport escort, laundry services, additional staffing and even personal shopping and protection services.
Villa Syrene
Location: Sorrento, Italy.
Price: £37,513 per night.
Sleeps: 12.
Bathrooms: 6.Why we love it: This beachfront villa nestled into the side of a cliff in Sorrento is described as a ‘museum-like seaside estate with historic gardens’ - and this is by no means an exaggeration. This villa certainly looks like it’s straight out of a museum with its period decor - think high ceilings, marble floors, stone busts and brass details throughout. Each room is full of character, from the all-red master bedroom to the marble-clad bathrooms with freestanding tubs. The gardens blend Gothic, English and Italian Renaissance styles perfectly, and have panoramic views of the Bay of Naples, the island of Procida, and Mount Vesuvius. The romantic gardens slope to the shoreline where you’ll find a private boat dock for a day at sea. Among the sun traps and stone terraces with breathtaking views of the Med, there’s a palm-tree shaded outdoor swimming pool and an outdoor brick oven for cooking up an alfresco feast. The luxe villa sleeps up to 12 guests across six bedrooms, and even has a fitness room (with the best gym views we’ve ever seen), and a library for a quiet escape.
