If you’re the type of traveler who prefers a vacation rental over a hotel, Plum Guide is the latest and greatest resource for your booking needs. Though websites like Airbnb and VRBO have done an amazing job at expanding travel and accommodation options, they have also become a bit oversaturated, making it difficult to find the perfect rental for your needs.
Plum Guide is a more exclusive alternative that guarantees listings that are made to impress. From simple studios to multi-bedroom mansions, Plum Guide makes booking your next vacation all the more enjoyable and easy. Ready to learn more about this exciting new addition to the travel industry?
Keep reading for my full review on Plum Guide below!
Plum Guide Overview
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Who is Plum Guide?
Plum Guide is an innovative brand that makes finding the most luxurious peer-to-peer vacation rentals easier and faster. Though it was founded in the U.K. back in 2016, Plum Guide has since expanded across 29 different countries around the world, sourcing only the best rentals in each area.
In addition to showcasing the nicest rentals in a specific location, Plum Guide also eases the burden of decision-making for the discerning traveler. Since there are more than 15 million vacation rentals available online, Plum Guide uses renowned “Home Critics” to sort through the endless selection of rentals to find the cream of the crop.
Basically, if quality, comfort, and style are at the top of your list of priorities when planning a trip, Plum Guide is an incredibly useful resource to turn to.
How do I use Plum Guide?
Using Plum Guide is beyond easy. Simply visit their website and begin your search. In order to make your process as quick as possible, plugin all relevant info including your desired location, dates, and number of travelers.
As you browse through all of the available listings, be sure to look through all of the photos so that you can reserve a space that is aligned with your standards and style. Since each listing has its own rules and cancellation policies, it is important to double-check this as well.
As you are searching, you also have the option to filter your preferences.
Where does Plum Guide have vacation rentals in?
Whether you’re looking to stay in a modern yet magical desert oasis in Joshua Tree or a massive chateau in Saint-Tropez, Plum Guide has got you covered. Since the Plum Guide headquarters are based in London, there are tons of amazing properties to explore in London and other parts of the United Kingdom.
Though they have already acquired rentals across 29 countries, Plum Guide is just getting started, so users can expect to have access to even more properties and locations in the near future. Some of these countries include the United Kingdom, United States, France, Italy, Portugal, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Mexico, Cyprus, Malta, Ireland, and Turkey. With more than 12,000 listings to choose from, there are plenty of top-notch options to explore that offer the best in style, amenities, and setting.
What is the average cost of a Plum Guide property?
Since the price of each rental is dependents on size, location, and the number of guests, you can expect to find a pretty wide range of prices on Plum Guide. For example, a stylish studio apartment in Barcelona may cost no more than $70 per night, but a four-bedroom villa in St. Tropez may cost closer to $3,000 per night.
As a general rule of thumb, Plum Guide Users can expect to find that one-bedroom accommodations cost an average of about $250 per night, while larger homes that have two to four bedrooms have an average of $1,000 per night. Since the point of Plum Guide is to showcase only the most luxe and quality properties, it makes sense that their prices would be on the higher side of the aisle.
How does a property get on Plum Guide? What criteria?
In order for a rental to partner with Plum Guide, the property must first undergo a rigorous test that examines everything from data to design. In fact, the test is meticulous that only 3% of properties in a given area pass and become a part of the Plum Guide community.
The 150+ point test covers all the necessary bases, so after the owner of a property has applied to get on Plum Guide, the company’s in-house critics review the property down to the smallest of details to decide whether or not it is fit for Plum Guide. Everything from the decor, style, design, and location is taken into account.
Plum Guide vs. Airbnb, what is the difference?
While Airbnb is an amazing resource for travelers, Plum Guide takes it to the next level by only working with properties that offer a first-class experience. Since Airbnb has become incredibly popular over the last ten years, it has also become a bit oversaturated, making it difficult to weed through all of the properties.
Plum Guide on the other hand only lists the best of the best, allowing for your search process to be as easy as possible. The options of Plum Guide are exclusive and high-end, so expect to find a slimmer selection of options when browsing through Plum Guide. Since it caters to the discerning traveler, Plum Guide also lists more extravagant properties, meaning the prices are a bit higher as well. However, thanks to the rigorous testing process, you can rest easy knowing that your stay at a Plum Guide residence will be smooth and special.
Why Plum Guide for luxury vacation rentals?
Since taking a luxury vacation is supposed to be relaxing and restorative, Plum Guide takes the extra stress out of the planning process by pre-vetting all properties. High-end travelers can rest easy knowing that all of the properties they are viewing on Plum Guide will live up to their standards, ensuring that there are no unwelcome or unexpected surprises along the way.
In addition to showing only the most coveted rental properties available across the world, Plum Guide is also very easy to use and follow. All fees are broken down at the time of booking so that you can see exactly what you are paying for and why. Even if you are a die-hard Airbnb fan, Plum Guide takes to travel to the next level, and it is worth exploring the next time you are ready to treat yourself to some top-notch travel.
Favorite Listings on Plum Guide
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
