ONEFINESTAY

Billing itself as London’s first ‘unhotel’, there’s something deliciously novel about this concept which we can’t believe hasn’t been done (properly) before. Like couch surfing but on a seriously cool scale, onefinestay has hooked up with some of the city’s loveliest properties and opened them for visitors to stay whilst the residents are away.

But this is no housesitting job – whether you choose a quirky Brixton flats or a traditional family homes in the ‘burbs, you’ll still get hotel service from a personal welcome and White Company amenities to a concierge on a scooter that’ll come racing down whenever you need something; plus you get all the benefits of a fully-functioning home including wi-fi, free local calls and a kitchen to call your own. Just don’t change the locks or turn houseguest-from-hell and kill the kids’ cat; they frown upon that.