How to save £100s with these city-centre rentals

Planning a big family holiday or a city escape with a bunch of friends? From spacious beach side penthouses to urban mansions, you can save hundreds of pounds with these stylish – and surprisingly luxurious – big-group holiday rentals...

5 mins

London: £35 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £107 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Mondrian London, South Bank 
Budget alternative: £35 per person, per night (5 people sharing, £175 p/n) Riverside Flat, South Bank



Stay right in the heart of London, overlooking the Thames River and St Paul's cathedral. This smart South Bank apartment sleeps five people and is fully furnished, with a modern kitchen which leads to the flat's balcony and BBQ area. You'll also find a stylish bathroom, a lounge which can sleep three people, and free Wi-Fi.

Take advantage of the flat's great location by visiting the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and St Paul's Cathedral – all of which are all just a few minutes' walk away. A picturesque stroll along the South Bank will deliver you to the London Eye and Westminster – round the corner from Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. You can explore London's diverse range of districts from the nearby tube stop, Blackfriars.

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Barcelona: £11.83 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £45 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Ayre Hotel Rosellon, Eixample
Budget alternative: £11.83 per person, per night (6 people sharing, £71 p/n) Sagrada Familia's view, Eixample



This cosy flat is not only located near Gaudi's most famous structure, the Sagrada Familia, but the flat's balcony also comes with a view of the basilica. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the flat comfortably sleeps six people. The contemporary-styled apartment is located on the leafy Avinguda de Gaudi where you can find local traders and restaurants.

More of Gaudi's works, Caso Batllo and La Pedrera, are a 20 minute walk away, whilst Park Guell is 30 minutes away by foot. The apartment is situated near the Sagrada Familia metro station (Lines 2 and 5) and the Sant Pau – Dos de Maig metro station (Line 5).

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Istanbul: £16.50 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £42.50 per person, per night (2 people sharing) La Maison, Besiktas
Budget alternative: £16.50 per person, per night (8 people sharing, £132 p/n) 3-bedroom apartment, Besiktas



Enjoy sweeping vistas of the Bosphorus Strait in this apartment in Besiktas. The three bedrooms and living room sleep eight people in a mixture of double, single and sofa beds, whilst the balcony is the ideal place for a glass of raki or two while the Bosphorus buzzes with activity below. You'll also have a fully-furnished kitchen as well as Wi-Fi and aircon.

The Dolmabahçe Palace is within walking distance of the apartment. A trip across the Galata Bridge to the Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and more of Istanbul's heavyweight attractions will take about 15 minutes by taxi (or a 5km urban hike through the lively streets, if you're really on a tight budget).

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New York: £27.50 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £120 per person, per night (based on two people) Franklin Hotel, Upper East Side
Budget alternative: £27.50 per person, per night (based on six people, £168 p/n) Two-bedroom flat, Upper East Side



Experience a taste of real NYC in this recently renovated two-bedroom flat which comfortably sleeps six people. Central Park, the Lincoln Centre and the Guggenheim Museum are all within walking distance. As are the likes of Madison Avenue, Bloomingdale's and an abundance of top-notch restaurants. New York's classics are also easily reachable from the nearby Subway station on 86th & Lexington. The flat is fully furnished with a modern bathroom and kitchen as well as aircon, Wi-Fi and a TV.

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Los Angeles: £35.63 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £111 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Le Montrose Suite Hotel, West Hollywood
Budget alternative: £35.63 per person, per night (8 people sharing, £219 p/n) West Hollywood house, West Hollywood



Indulge in the glamour of LA in this four-bedroom house situated in a leafy street just a few blocks from Santa Monica Boulevard, sandwiched between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. This is the perfect base for star-spotting and ticking off LA's icons. The Palm restaurant (a favourite with Hollywood's elite) is a short stroll away, and a 10-minute drive will enable you to escape the city and explore Runyon Canyon Park and the Hollywood Hills.

The house itself is spacious, with an open-plan kitchen and living room. It's stylishly furnished with hardwood floors and high ceilings, and you can unwind in the private garden – with Wi-Fi and two street parking passes to boot.

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Rio de Janeiro: £28.83 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £140 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Promenade Princess, Copacabana
Budget alternative: £28.83 per person, per night (6 people sharing, £182 p/n) Penthouse on beach block, Copacabana



Stay just one block from Copacabana Beach in this fully furnished penthouse. The apartment's three bedrooms comfortably sleep six people, whilst the three modern bathrooms will easily wash away the sandy remains of the Copacabana. You can plan your Rio adventures in the open-plan dining and living room, using the Wi-Fi as the sea breeze rolls through the flat.

You'll find fine dining, quaint boutiques, and lively nightlife in the Copacabana area. Cantagalo metro station (line 1) is nearby and can whisk you to nearby Ipanema. Botafogo metro station (for Sugarloaf Mountain) and Largo do Machado (Christ the Redeemer) can also be reached from Metro line 1 – although Rio's extensive bus service or relatively inexpensive taxis will take you closer.

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Buenos Aires: £5.68 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £82 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Rooney's Boutique Hotel, Monserrat
Budget alternative: £5.68 per person, per night (19 people sharing, £108p/n) Mansion Boero, San Telmo



At £108 per night this mansion is a steal, especially given 19 people can stay within the seven bedrooms and two living rooms. Even if you can't cobble together 18 friends or family, this is a real bargain!

Unchanged, but well maintained, since it was built in 1919, the house features a large garden with a swimming pool and an Argentinian parrilla (BBQ). The roof terrace also provides excellent views of the Buenos Aires skyline. The kitchen is fully fitted and the stately dining table is the perfect setting for an Argentinian feast for the whole group.

The mansion is situated in San Telmo – the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. The cobbled streets of San Telmo boast a diverse range of antique shops and traditional Argentinian cafés and bars.

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Cape Town: £46.20 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £90 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Atlantic House, Camps Bay
Budget alternative: £46.20 per person, per night (10 people sharing, £465 p/n) Villa Wescamp, Camps Bay



This luxurious contemporary villa in Camps Bay boasts five en-suite bedrooms, as well as a swimming pool and parking facilities. Floor to ceiling windows bestow jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean, whilst Table Mountain looms in the background.

If you can pull yourself away from the villa, Cape Town is waiting to be explored. Camps Bay Beach, Table Mountain and hiking trails to Lion's Head and Signal Hill are all within easy reach. You can refuel back at the villa by taking advantage of the fully furnished kitchen or BBQ, or take a short stroll into Camps Bay to sample the neighbourhood's restaurants and bars.

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Sydney: £50 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £106.50 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Ravesi's, Bondi Beach
Budget alternative: £50 per person, per night (6 people sharing, £302 p/n) Beach-front penthouse, Bondi Beach



Wake up to uninterrupted views of the sun rising over Bondi Beach in this apartment that's just seconds from the beach and only 15 minutes from the centre of Sydney. Its three double bedrooms comfortably sleep six people, and the open plan dining room, living room and kitchen provide ample space for everyone.

Try your hand at surfing or catch some rays on one of Australia's most famous beaches – which now doubles as your front garden. The fashionable shops, bars and restaurants in the Bondi area are just a short walk from the flat, as are transport links to the centre of Sydney.

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Dubai: £24.50 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £86.94 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Arjaan By Rotana Dubai, Dubai Marina
Budget alternative: £24.50 per person, per night (6 people sharing, £150 p/n) Three-bedroom apartment, Dubai Marina



Enjoy the high life of Dubai for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. This three bedroom apartment, situated on the 20th floor of a luxury tower in Dubai Marina, provides views of The Palm Islands, Jumeirah beach (15-minute walk away), and the Burj Al Arab.

The roomy apartment has three double bedrooms, three bathrooms and easily accommodates six people. The kitchen is, erm, eye-catching – but with the restaurants of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach on your doorstep, who needs to cook anyway? The apartment is fully-furnished and comes with Wi-Fi and a TV: handy for when the mercury is soaring during summer. The shared pool is great for cooling off, too.

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Delhi: £20.83 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £82 per person, per night (2 people sharing) The Connaught New Delhi, Connaught Place
Budget alternative: £20.83 per person, per night (8 people sharing, £127 p/n) Three-bedroom apartment, Connaught Place



In a city that swarms with activity you can find peace and tranquilly in this spacious, newly constructed three bedroom apartment. The contemporary flat, located in swanky Connaught Place, offers visitors a great base to explore Delhi. The Rajiv Chowk Metro Station is just a short walk away, and is connected to the blue and yellow lines that whizz you around the city. The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh gurdwara is practically on your doorstep, as is the Jantar Mantar observatory.

The apartment easily accommodates six people, with three separate bathrooms. Guests also have access to a private car par as well as a balcony. With a daily cleaning service and an optional chef, this is luxury living on a budget.

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Bangkok: £23.50 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £66.50 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Shangri-La, Central Bangkok
Budget alternative: £23.50 per person, per night (6 people sharing, £141 p/n) The River, Central Bangkok



Enjoy five star accommodation for a budget price in one of Bangkok's grandest and newest skyscrapers. Built in 2012 on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Shangri-la Hotel, this tower provides panoramic views across bustling Bangkok. The two-bedroom apartment's central location makes exploring the city incredibly easy, especially with The River complex's private ferry making regular trips to the BTS Saphan Taksin Skytrain station.

The spacious apartment sleeps six people in two bedrooms and a sofa bed in the living room. Three bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony are all perks of the flat. The apartment complex includes infinity edge pools, lap pools – perfect for recovering after a day exploring the Thai capital.

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Hong Kong: £44.22 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £169.50 per person, per night (2 people sharing) JW Marriot Hotel, Causeway Bay
Budget alternative: £44.22 per person, per night (9 people sharing, £398 p/n) Harbour view, Causeway Bay



In a city where spacious flats come at an eye-watering cost, this three-bedroom apartment that overlooks Victoria Harbour is a rare find. Vibrantly styled with a fully-equipped kitchen, aircon, Wi-Fi, and two bathrooms, the flat sleeps nine people.

The apartment is located in Causeway Bay, where many luxury brands and restaurants can be found – it's one of the most sought-after and expensive spots in Hong Kong. You can unwind for free in nearby Victoria Park or escape the city to hike Dragon's Back – one of the world's best day walks.

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Hoi An: £12.66 p/p

Staying in a hotel: £66.50 per person, per night (2 people sharing) Ancient House River Resort, Cam Thanh
Budget alternative: £12.66 per person, per night (9 people sharing, £115 p/n) An Hai Villa, Cam Thanh



Discover the quiet side of Hoi An with this tranquil villa, 4km away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The three bedrooms come furnished with a double and single bed meaning nine people can easily share the villa. A swimming pool, large garden and terrace await, and the beach is just over 2km away.

The kitchen is fully equipped, and meals can be provided if you're not up for group catering. A car and moped are available for rental (if you're feeling brave), and the old town of Hoi An is a short journey away.

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All images: House Trip

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