7 Most Awesome Airbnb Homes You Need to Check out Pronto...

1. Shoreditch, London

Rs. 38,710 approx Per Night

Beats a Hotel because...

It's loft-style living in the heart of East London, with city views and a 1,400-sq-ft lounge. Sure, it ain't that cheap, but if three of you (the maximum) share this, it's a relative bargain; a junior suite at Shoreditch's Ace Hotel around the corner could set you back  r43,227 approx.

It's a steal because...

The flat has a huge kitchen and dining area with wood floors, exposed brick walls, and a searing wooden ceiling.

You wouldn't expect...

The indoor hammock, 3m-wide movie screen and piano.

What the website doesn't tell you...

The hosts leave you a guidebook they've written. Their best tip? Cocktails at the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, a nearby bar with a secret room that you enter through a fridge door.

Book here

2. Koh Samui, Thailand

From Rs.82,790 Approx per night

Beats a Hotel because...​

It beats everything, to be honest. This is one of the most 'wow' villas we've ever seen, from the infinity pool overlooking a tropical forest to the contemporary furniture made by local island artisans.

It's a steal because...​

At  Rs.82,790 approx a night for the whole villa, it sleeps eight, making it perfect for a group.

​You wouldn't expect...​

An on-site 24/7 chef and cleaner. The hosts tell us they "surprise our guests at the pool with a fresh coconut milk drink from our own coconut trees".

​What the website doesn't tell you...​

You can pick up mango and papaya from the garden. And there's snorkeling around the corals at Pirate Beach, a mere three-minute drive away.

Book here

3. Berlin

From Rs.9,360 approx per night

Beats a Hotel because...​

Not all of us can afford the penthouse suite in a hotel. A two-bed loft at nearby Soho House Berlin costs  Rs.87,515 onwards.

It's a steal because...​

It's a two-bedroom apartment packed with designer furniture and artwork. Plus, it boasts an amazing roof terrace in one of the hippest parts of the city, Prenzlauer Berg, from only  `9,360 approx per night for the whole place. 

​You wouldn't expect...​

To be able to gaze at the clouds from the free-standing bathroom. There's also an in-house bar hidden behind a wooden cabinet. Dreams are made of this.

​What the website doesn't tell you...​

The host usually leaves the wine fridge full with a collection he replenishes at a wine festival in northern Italy. Now that's our sort of host.

Book here

4. ​Malibu, California

From Rs.33,096 approx per night

Beats a Hotel because...​

You can't really afford a beach-front hotel in this exclusive area unless you're actual Hollywood royalty.

​It's a steal because...​

The house is available for  Rs.33,096 approx per night, and for that you get three bedrooms (and four double beds, two and a half bathrooms, and a terrace).

​You wouldn't expect...​

That you can take your dog. We've also got it on good authority from the owners that you can see dolphins from the shore 'almost every day'.

​What the website doesn't tell you...​

The house was designed so that the ocean is visible from every single room (and that includes bathrooms)...so go easy on what you do in there.

Book here

5. ​Paris

From Rs.61,954 approx per night

Beats a Hotel because...​

Getting the key to a two-bedroom apartment in the 7th Arrondissement makes you feel like a resident rather than a tourist. A similar view from an Eiffel duplex terrace suit in the Shangri-La Hotel is a purse-punishing  Rs.1,70,601 (approx) per night!

​It's a steal because...​

The flat accommodates up to nine guests comfortably.

​You wouldn't expect...​

To get that close to an iconic landmark—the tower is just a croissant's throw from the apartment. Host Alexis leaves the balcony door open so when guests enter the apartment, they immediately go to the window to see that view. It's the sort of erection we're ready to see at 6am.

​What the website doesn't tell you...​

There's a front desk in the apartment's building with a concierge to help you catch a cab or make any reservations (handy if you're not fluent in French). 

Book here

6. Ibiza

From Rs.19,300 approx per night

Beats a Hotel because...​

You get an entire, spotless Spanish-style four-bedroom villa on the island's south-east coast, with total privacy for late-night shenanigans!

​It's a steal because...​

It rents from  Rs.19,300 per night (Rs.1,608 per person) and sleeps 12—less than the price of a couple of cocktails.

​You wouldn't expect...​

To be in the countryside, yet so close to everything. It's five minutes from the airport, 10 minutes to Ibiza's old town and close to the Blue Marlin, Ushuaia, and Space DC clubs.

​What the website doesn't tell you...​

Nearby Sa Caletta, which the hosts say is one of the best beaches in Ibiza, is also packed with great restaurants. And although the property is extremely close to the airport, you never hear planes.

Book here

7. Sydney, Australia

From Rs.12,734 approx per night

Beats a Hotel because...​

This three-level, two-bedroom, terraced sandstone house with a balcony and hammock is the sort of place you can't believe exists outside a stylish interiors magazine.

It's a steal because...​

It's in a picture-postcard location, a 10-minute stroll (or free shuttle-bus ride which stops just opposite the house) from Manly and Fairlight beaches.

​You wouldn't expect...​

That a scenic ferry journey from Manly harbour will deposit you in the heart of Sydney in just 30 minutes.

​What the website doesn't tell you...​

Artworks throughout the house are collected from the host Jay Jay's travels. One holiday here, and you'll want to redecorate your own pad immediately.

Book here