Vrbo, short for Vacation Rentals By Owner, has become a popular choice for travelers seeking unique and private stays. In Great Britain, Vrbo offers a wide variety of vacation rentals, from charming countryside cottages to modern city apartments. This guide dives into everything you need to know about using Vrbo in the UK, its differences from other platforms, and why it might be the best option for your next trip.
Is There a Vrbo in the UK?
Vrbo’s Expansion into the UK Market
Vrbo, for short Vacation Rentals By Owner, has been a very trendy destination among travelers looking for unusual and private stays
Vrbo Enters into UK Market
Yes, Vrbo is in Great Britain, which has become the go-to place for anyone seeking more privacy and roomy accommodations. Instead of booking a hotel, Vrbo offers whole houses, ideal for massive family groups or big groups of travelers. With such diversity in the UK market, there are many options when it comes to having properties around extremely popular destinations such as the Lake District and Cornwall. Even the metropolitan cities such as London and Edinburgh have tons of inventory.
Types of Vacation Rentals You’ll Find on Vrbo UK
Vrbo UK hosts a diverse range of property types, allowing travelers to choose from a variety of stays that cater to different needs and tastes. Here are some of the common options:
- Cottages: Ideal for countryside retreats in places like the Cotswolds or Wales.
- Seaside homes: Perfect for a coastal escape in Cornwall or Brighton.
- City apartments: Great for urban stays in cities like London, Manchester, or Edinburgh.
- Unique stays: Historic homes, converted barns, and even castles are available for a one-of-a-kind experience.
This variety ensures that whether you’re traveling for a family vacation or a romantic getaway, you’ll find a property that suits your needs.
Is Vrbo a British Company?
Vrbo’s Global Origins
NO, Vrbo is not based in the UK. Vrbo has its roots in 1995 in the US. In 2006, Vrbo was acquired by HomeAway, and then Expedia Group acquired HomeAway in 2015. Vrbo became one of the major players on the world’s vacation rental stage.
Although a US registered company, Vrbo has made tremendous penetration into the UK and Europe. Many UK-based travelers in Vrbo end up booking their stay within the UK and the rest of Europe. Through Expedia Group, Vrbo continues to expand to offer vacation rentals in more than 190 countries.
Vrbo’s Reach in the UK and Europe
What Does Vrbo Do?
Vrbo’s Focus on Vacation Rentals
Essentially, the core offering for Vrbo is a vacation rental, which allows a traveler to book an entire house directly from the property owner. In this regard, it differs with hotel rooms or shared spaces often found on other platforms. Benefits from renting a whole home include the provision of a more private space, accommodation, and a more home-like atmosphere, particularly well-suited for families, groups, or longer stays.
Why Travelers Choose Vrbo for UK Vacations
- Space: Whole-home rentals offer more living space compared to a typical hotel room.
- Privacy: Renting an entire property means you don’t have to share amenities with strangers.
- Personalization: Each property is unique, allowing travelers to find stays that fit their style and preferences.
- Cost-Effective for Groups: Large groups or families often find Vrbo more economical than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Vrbo vs. Airbnb: What Sets Them Apart?
Property Listings and Rental Types
This is perhaps one of the largest differences between Vrbo and Airbnb in its listings – namely the kind of property. Vrbo is mainly an all-inclusive home rental website, which means that any and all listings accessible are entire properties, so the traveler will have that all to themselves. If the primary concern for selecting the website was privacy, because perhaps one would not want to share their space with anyone, then it might be best suited to use Airbnb, considering that the website hosts shared rooms, private rooms within homes, and entire properties.
Booking Experience and Service Fees
Both websites are easy to book, but it seems Vrbo is more transparent with pricing. Meanwhile, Airbnb charges both the guest and the host some service fee. Vrbo only charges a service fee for the guest while potentially making it easier for travelers to see the actual cost. Vrbo’s fees may not vary that much depending on your location.
Customer Service and Support
Vrbo has a very good customer care system, which is 24/7 available to both travelers and hosts. Of course, having said that, while Airbnb has some support lines, Vrbo gets away with being a little less polished since it only offers whole-home rentals (at least, that’s the theory). That makes its customer service dealings a little smoother and easier to navigate for some users.
The Best Places to Book a Vrbo in Great Britain
London: A Hub for Urban Stays
In the heart of the lively city of London, Vrbo offers all kinds of possible accommodations: luxurious apartments in the Soho district and spacious homes in the suburbs like Richmond. The place is a mix of history and culture as well as up-to-date attractions, which crowns it with the title of the destination that most tourists prefer.
Countryside Escapes: The Cotswolds and Beyond
For those looking to escape everything, the Cotswolds, Lake District, and Yorkshire Dales make fantastic choices. Hundreds of cottages, farmhouses, and converted barns are ready and waiting on Vrbo, offering guests wonderfully warm and cozy rooms in the great outdoors. These are excellent places to hike, rest up, and appreciate the grandeur of the British countryside.
Coastal Getaways: Cornwall and Devon
If you are looking for a beach holiday, the coast of Cornwall and Devon are the must-visit destinations. Be it cliffside cottages or seaside houses, there’s an impressive range of seaside properties that offer panoramic ocean views on Vrbo.
Tips for Booking on Vrbo UK
Start Early for the Best Selection
Popular destinations like London, Cornwall, and the Cotswolds often get booked quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. It’s recommended to start searching and booking your Vrbo rental well in advance to secure the best options.
Use Filters to Find Your Ideal Stay
Vrbo’s platform offers a variety of filters that make it easy to narrow down your choices. You can filter by price range, property type, amenities (like pet-friendly homes or those with pools), and even specific locations.
Read Reviews Carefully
Just like any other platform, Vrbo provides you with a user experience at each of its listings. This is very helpful because you get real ideas about the place, the responsiveness of the host, and everything that comes in between to help you make an informed decision.
Why Vrbo is a Great Option for UK Travel
Vrbo offers a unique alternative to hotels and other sites for vacation rentals. Focusing on whole-home rentals, Vrbo enables travelers to experience the luxury of privacy, additional space, and a customized experience designed specifically to meet their needs. Whether looking for a city break in London, a seashore getaway in Cornwall, or a country adventure amidst rolling hills in the Cotswolds, Vrbo has an array of vacation rentals in Great Britain to suit every kind of traveler.
All in all, Vrbo Great Britain is a good platform where you are going to be comfortable and private while traveling within the UK. Due to wide assortments of properties and reasonable competitive pricing, it seems no wonder why Vrbo is getting to be the favorite among locals and foreigners alike.
