We stayed in 34 Airbnbs this year equating to 131 nights in these apartments, which is almost a quarter of our year spent sleeping in strangers homes. Airbnb has been a lifesaver this year nomad-ing around the world. Staying in a hotel is nice for vacation, but when you're living full time in other countries you need the conveniences that an Airbnb provides like a kitchen, laundry and a living room to just decompress for a night or two. I won't even try to total up the dollar amount we spent on the platform this year but if you're open to signing my petition for Airbnb to get a loyalty program that would be much appreciated! ;)
Looking back at the wonderful (and of course a few bad) experiences this year, a few properties really stood out as places we will think back fondly on, and hopefully be back to some day! Hopefully they help you with some future vacation inspo! Without further ado, here are our picks for the top 3 Airbnb's we stayed in this year:
3. Grace, MyLady Tinos, Greece
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom around $160 / night
Situated in a private complex of only a few apartments this two-story stunner has panoramic sea views, two terraces and a gorgeous shower with better views than most people's vacation homes. The apartment is built in the traditional white Cycladic style with multiple arches and beautiful architectural features and the complex shares a gorgeous infinity pool plus a couple fire pits (and lots of kittens which was a huge bonus for me!)
What We Loved: Waking up every morning, throwing open the balcony doors and being greeted by the sounds and scents of the Aegean Sea. Plus the house is situated perfectly for stunning sunsets directly from either terrace. People pay 100's of dollars at bars, restaurants and hotels throughout Greece for this view and yours is included in the cost of your room for much less per night!
About Tinos: Tinos is a relatively quiet but beautiful Greek island located in the island region of the Cyclades. It is the second largest island in this region and the first one you'll get to from Athens. It's only a short 30-minute ferry ride from the famous Mykonos, but based on the differences between the two it could be a world away. Where Mykonos is known for its parties and lively nightlife, Tinos is more family friendly and relaxing (also much cheaper). But the dollar difference doesn't translate to missing out on anything - Tinos still has the quintessential Greek vibe just minus the crowds. I highly recommend checking it out!
2. Villa Marija Korcula, Croatia
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath around $140 / night
Villa Marija is a little slice of heaven located on the island of Korcula in Southern Croatia. The apartment is located on the quiet side of a bay that looks directly back in to Korcula town which is only a short walk away. Because it is up a few sets of steps from the street (and your free parking) the "penthouse" has incredible views and two terraces, plus an awesome kitchen window, to enjoy them from. The beds were really comfortable and the kitchen was well equipped making it the perfect place for a stay with family or friends!
What We Loved: Your own private dock to use a tanning platform and your jumping point into the Sea for a morning swim with the locals! Plus the hosts who are a wonderful family that greet you at the ferry and invite you to dine at their family restaurant, the best on the island in our opinion!
About Korcula: Of all the places we visited in Croatia, Korcula was by far our favorite. It’s situated in the Dalmatian coast between Dubrovnik and Split making it easily accessible from both major airports and has a great location right off the Peljusac Peninsula where the wine tasting and fresh seafood is the stuff of dreams. Unlike its neighboring islands of Hvar and Brac, Korcula has a very relaxed vibe, missing out on some of the nightlife that the others provide. But because it’s the largest island in this island group, there are a plethora of things to do from amazing beaches to wine tasting and excellent dinners.
1. Villa Patria Lovina, Bali
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath around $150 / night
Now to our undisputed favorite! This open-air villa is located in the Northern part of Bali up in the hills above Lovina which gives you views directly out to the ocean (I guess there was a theme here!). Most of the living space is outdoors in a covered pergola with the exception of the bedroom that is enclosed and air conditioned, which is traditional for Balinese houses. The villa's property is gated and features a massive and beautiful garden with koi ponds and traditional statues, an infinity pool with stunning views and as a bonus it comes with the kindest staff who take care of your every need. For a (small) extra fee you can hire a personal chef and have breakfast, lunch and / or dinner served to you every day at your villa.
What We Loved: The most relaxing morning's spent reading, listening to the sound of birds chirping, roosters crowing and gecko's chatting with a gorgeous breeze rustling through the trees. The staff could not have been nicer and felt like family at the end of our stay. Plus the open air shower, especially when it was raining!
About Lovina: Lovina is in Northern Bali, the complete opposite of the over-crowded and extremely built out Southern Bali. While both are great, we really loved the local-feel of Northern Bali. The villages are traditional, each featuring three separate temples, and the locals still look in awe as you're passing through as they're not as accustomed to tourists. The short motorbike drive down to the main town of Lovina from the villa has you passing through a multitude of functioning rice paddies and there are incredible waterfalls scattered around the mountain. You won't get the same shopping or dining that you do in Southern Bali, but if you're looking for a more "real" Balinese experience, this is it.
Bonus: Lugdunum at the heart of the old Lyon, Lyon, France
1 Bedroom, 1 Bath around $120 / night
Since we had a definite beach theme here, I figured I'd throw in an honorable mention in one of our favorite cities - Lyon, France. This apartment is right in the heart of Old Town Lyon, but set back in a historic building offering an awesome authentic experience and extremely quiet living space. The space is massive and resembles a loft with huge ceilings and has amazing views back to the famous cathedral. We stayed a week here and had everything we needed - functioning kitchen, laundry, big bathroom and really comfortable bed. Plus the perfect jumping off point to explore all that Lyon has to offer. We highly recommend!
We hope this inspires a trip that includes one of these gorgeous apartments in 2023!
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