The most luxurious Airbnbs in the world

When travelling there is no reason to slum it – there are pockets of luxury everywhere you look...

Finding a really good Airbnb can be a minefield. You can never be 100% sure that it will look like the photos when you get there and you never know what condition it’s going to be left in when you arrive.

Thankfully, there’s Airbnb Plus, which, if you haven’t heard of it, launched back in February to mark the American company’s 10-year anniversary. Here, you’ll only find properties that have been hand-selected and verified by Airbnb for “quality and comfort,” by meeting a stringent 100-point checklist.

Because we’re all about finding the best of the best, we’ve pulled together the top 13 most wish-listed Airbnb Plus properties – the listings that most people around the world are lusting after, with everything from fireplaces to sea views. If you get the chance, and move quick enough, to stay at one of these in-demand abodes, you won’t be disappointed…

A modern hillside home in Austin

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Austin, Texas, overlooking Wild Basion wilderness preserve
  • Highlights: Shared decking
  • Looks: Mid-century styling
  • Price: £95 per night

A loft-style apartment in Old Barcelona

  • Sleeps: 3 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Sant Pere/Santa Caterina in Barcelona’s oldest district
  • Highlights: Private balcony
  • Looks: Open plan living space
  • Price: £79 per night

A beachfront villa in Cape Town

  • Sleeps: 8 (4 bed & 3 bath)
  • Location: In the fishing village of Kommnetjie, Cape Town
  • Highlights: Access to the entire cabin with infinity pool
  • Looks: Rustic, with an indoor fireplace
  • Price: £232 per night

A chic loft in Chicago

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Irving Park, Avondale – a quiet Chicago neighbourhood
  • Highlights: Private roof terrace and garage parking
  • Looks: Bare brick decor
  • Price: £53 per night

A unique garden flat in West London

  • Sleeps: 3 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Fulham, near South Kensington and Chelsea
  • Highlights: Private garden with pergola
  • Looks: Original floorboards and additional quirky details
  • Price: £115 per night

A perfectly placed loft in Los Angeles

  • Sleeps: 4 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Right in the bustling heart of downtown LA, near the metro
  • Highlights: Private garden terrace with a rooftop pool and spa
  • Looks: Stunning wall art
  • Price: £95 per night

An architectural treehouse studio in Melbourne

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Prahran, Victoria – 30 mins from Melbourne Airport
  • Highlights: Rainfall shower
  • Looks: Original art on the walls
  • Price: £59 per night

A contemporary design greenhouse in Milan

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Porta Venezia, giving excellent access to the heart of Milan
  • Highlights: A helpful doorman in the building
  • Looks: Greenery and plant-life throughout the apartment
  • Price: £85 per night

An elegant studio in Rome

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Overlooking St Peter’s Basilica, close to the metro
  • Highlights: Private balcony and Espresso machine in kitchenette
  • Looks: Classical Roman styling
  • Price: £69 per night

A luxurious boutique loft suite in San Francisco

  • Sleeps: 4 (2 bed & 2 bath)
  • Location: Picturesque Mission district
  • Highlights: Private roof terrace with views of downtown San Francisco
  • Looks: Fireplace in master bedroom
  • Price: £227 per night

A Shikumen loft-style suite in Shanghai

  • Sleeps: 4 (2 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Luwan, close to the heart of Shanghai
  • Highlights: Cinema projector and screen in master bedroom
  • Looks: Enclosed garden with swinging bench
  • Price: £67 per night

A modern, secluded cabin in New South Wales

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: A private one-acre plot of land in Bayview, NSW
  • Highlights: Covered veranda with serene views of the Pacific Ocean
  • Looks: Original fireplace left in living area
  • Price: £122 per night

A luxury guest suite near downtown Toronto

  • Sleeps: 2 (1 bed & 1 bath)
  • Location: Set in the green Parkview area of Toronto
  • Highlights: Hot tub and firepit in the garden
  • Looks: Jewel town accents and original artwork hangs on the walls
  • Price: £71 per night

Next, find out what we thought of the New York institution, The Mark Hotel…

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