Airbnb has only been legal in London for a little over a year—and the home-sharing site floated a full-sized house down the river Thames to celebrate. More recently, the company welcomed curious visitors to the London “LiveThere” House, a five-story East London townhouse offering free immersive experiences like punch-making lessons with local personalities. If you want a place all to yourself, rentals average around $180/night. Here are some of our favorites for under $200.
1. London flat 2. Two-bedroom rental 3. One-bedroom apartment 4. 14th-floor studio 5. Notting Hill 6. Two-bedroom flat 7. Ground-floor studio 8. Carnaby Street apartment 9. Clerkenwell studio 10. Tourist apartment
Erica Jackson Curran is a former alt-weekly editor turned moonlight freelancer based in Richmond, Virginia.
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It's no surprise that the owner of this flat is an interior designer by trade; it wouldn't be out of place on the pages of a glossy shelter mag. In a Victorian neighborhood just a few minutes from bustling Portobello Road and a tube station, the apartment offers an open layout with a small but serviceable kitchen and a beautifully tiled bathroom.
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About 15 minutes from the heart of London, this two-bedroom rental sleeps up to six guests with a king-sized bed, two twins, and a large sofa bed. In a quiet neighborhood with plenty of space to spread out, it feels like an escape from the city's bustle yet it's an easy tube ride from London attractions like St. Paul's Cathedral, Oxford Street, Canary Wharf and Brick Lane Market.
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Located on two floors in a 150-year-old warehouse, this one-bedroom apartment was modeled after a five-star hotel, from its security to tech features. There's a smart TV, a SONOS sound system with speakers in every room, an alarm system and a full kitchen—plus linens are changed daily. Situated between Shoreditch and Spitalfields, the flat makes it easy for guests to explore local markets, restaurants and galleries on foot or by tube.
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Take in the city views from this 14th-floor studio, which manages to cram a full kitchen (with laundry), semi-separate bedroom, dining area and decent-sized bathroom into a small space. It's two minutes from King's Cross/St. Pancras Station, which links six London Underground lines—meaning it's easy to get just about anywhere from here. There's a 24-hour support team and maintenance team available should any problems arise.
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This tranquil garden flat in Notting Hill makes the most of London's sporadic sunshine. The bed is covered in luxurious linens, there's a large living and dining area, and the full kitchen has the feel of being outside thanks to a glass ceiling. Guests also have full access to the private patio out back. There are 40 restaurants within a 10-minute walk, including lots of international options, and Portobello Road is also nearby.
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Near Queen's Park Station and 15 minutes from central London, this two-bedroom flat has a bright and summery feel thanks to a big bank of windows overlooking a landscaped backyard. There's a large dining area in the conservatory, an open kitchen with a Nespresso machine and a big soaking tub. Superhost Tess has been praised by past guests for being helpful, welcoming and quick to recommend local places of interest.
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From the gold mosaic-tiled bathroom to the art-filled walls, this ground-floor studio has a bit of a luxe feel. The flat has its own private entrance, and it has a small kitchenette, a new air conditioning system, a large wardrobe, a workspace and fast wi-fi. It's located down a small, quiet lane in a busy area near Camberwell New Road, Vauxhall and Brixton—all good areas for shopping, dining and clubbing.
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This apartment on iconic Carnaby Street, a pedestrianized shopping street, has a lived-in feel—which may or may not appeal to some guests. Regardless of how you feel about the décor, the Soho location is hard to beat; it's near Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, The West End, Hyde Park, Bond Street and the Thames. There's a king-sized four-poster bed, kitchen and wardrobe for storing your stuff.
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Host Simon runs a small collection of self-contained studio suites in Clerkenwell, a vibrant little slice of central London. This particular studio has a private entrance with a double bedroom, an updated kitchen and electronic smart card lock access. It's five minutes from the Farringdon tube, but you might just find everything you need in Clerkenwell—Simon provides a thorough list of nearby breakfast bars, pubs, clubs, markets, green spaces, theaters and sights.
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A three-minute train ride from Tower Bridge, this apartment is ideal for the tourist looking to check the main sights off their list. It's on the second floor of a traditional Victorian building (no elevator), with lots of natural light coming through big windows and a recently renovated kitchen. Just outside the door, you can also catch a bus that runs 24 hours a day through the center of London. All amenities are provided.
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