New research has revealed the UK's highest rated areas for Airbnbs and a Welsh market town makes the top 10 list.
Over the years, since its launch in 2008, this online platform has become increasingly popular as a way for people to find their own unique accommodation, from staying in a room at someone's home to securing a luxurious or unique place to call home for a few days or weeks.
With the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting plans for holidays abroad, the staycation became increasingly popular in 2020 and 2021, with more people discovering the incredible places to stay and explore on our own, unique island.
READ MORE: 12 lush places for solo travellers to stay without breaking the bank
Website homeedit.com found out which UK areas have the best Airbnbs and which county of Wales could grab the crown of Wales' best staycation destination.
The research considered a number of factors including the number of Airbnbs, the average person capacity and the number of reviews.
The only Welsh location to make the top 10 UK list isn't a coastal area but Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, which can now claim to be Wales' highest rated area for Airbnbs, according to homeedit.com at least.
The result is the website's top 10 highest rated areas for Airbnbs in the UK:
The border hugging county has a range of reasons to tempt people to use Abergavenny as a base to stay awhile and explore the area.
From the market town you can enjoy the world-famous Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a peaceful retreat with riverbank picnics, woodland strolls and hilltop views to tempt you out of your Airbnb accommodation.
If you want to take the activity up a level the river provides a wealth of opportunities, from fishing to sweat-inducing canoeing and kayaking.
There's history too with one of Wales' greatest buildings nearby too, the spectacular Tintern Abbey rising up from the valley floor to take your breath away.
Being a border region between Wales and England means plenty of fighting through history, so plenty of castles too.
Arguably Chepstow and Raglan are the most magnificent due to their size and amount of ruins left to clamber around, but there are plenty of smaller romantic castle ruins to delight you, including Caldicot, Grosmont and Skenfrith.
Unique shopping and socialising experiences are in abundance too in neighbouring towns such as Usk, Raglan, Chepstow and Monmouth and plenty of country pubs such as the haunted Skirrid Inn to visit.
But Abergavenny is considered by many as being the gem of the towns in the county, perfectly placed for not only the Wye Valley, but the Brecon Beacons National Park to the north and the low-lying landscape of the atmospheric Gwent Levels to the south.
Website Visit Monmouthshire claims that if you're coming to this county then you're coming to Wales' food capital, and the epicentre of that is the thriving market town of Abergavenny.
The website states that the town's status as a foodie mecca is well established with its annual Abergavenny Food Festival a staple on the culinary calendar, and the regular food and craft markets attract the best artisan producers from across the region.
Shopping can supplement the eating, drinking and socialising with a variety of independent shops in the town centre from arts and crafts to cooking and fashion to, of course, food and drink delis.
Main attractions in the town other than eating and shopping include Abergavenny Castle and Museum, St Mary's Priory church, the historic market hall and Borough Theatre, and castle meadows.
The town has its own castle ruins, a pretty park, a number of golf clubs and oodles of glorious countryside, riverside and hillside walks surrounding it.
Six of the best Airbnb accommodations to consider in and around Abergavenny include a central contemporary apartment and a cabin with a hot tub.
Courtyard Cottage
A newly-renovated one-bed cottage in the grounds of a country house near Abergavenny that has featured in Conde Nast Traveller's Best Airbnbs in the UK, this property is full of charm inside surrounded by stunning views outside.
Stylishly designed, it retains the stone walls, beams and arched windows of the coach house it once was, and is located just a few miles outside the town.
There's a well-equipped kitchen, a cosy wood burner including logs and kindling, a smart TV and books, WiFi, 100% cotton bed linen, fluffy cotton towels and individual bathroom products.
Outside, the kitchen garden is a great place to chill and there's also a courtyard with a table and chairs right next to the cottage for peaceful rural based alfresco dining. Find out more here.
A night in the cells
Called The Old Police, this building is a unique Airbnb proposition, a conversion of a period law building into six, self-contained apartments where some of the original police station and magistrates court have been retained too.
Only two minutes walk to the town centre, the property is stationed on Baker Street, where the famous fictional character Sherlock Holmes called home at the 221b version in London.
So each apartment is named after a character from the Sherlock Holmes books, plus author Arthur Conan Doyle. So how about spending the night with Sherlock, Dr Watson or Mrs Hudson?
Each flat sleeps between six and eight eight people if required using additional sofa beds, with modern and stylish bold interiors that include regular references to Sherlock Holmes.
Each unit is fully equipped with Smart TVs and Netflix, in case you fancy watching an episode of BBC Cymru Wales' award-winning programme Sherlock while you stay there. Find out more here.
Stylish central apartment
Following a complete full building renovation, including sound proofing, this modern apartment is on the first floor of the owners' building.
This particular unit, complete with WiFi, has two bedrooms and can accommodate up to four guests.
There's another apartment on the first floor and a further apartment on the second floor above the highly rated "Tapas Twist" tapas bar on the ground floor, so it's not far to stumble home after a great evening in the restaurant below.
The period property is the heart of the town so anywhere you plan to visit for socialising is just a short stroll away.
All three apartments can be rented out together to accommodate larger groups and children are welcome. Find out more here.
Central cottage
Recently refurbished specifically with Airbnb guests in mind, this cottage is described as sleek and high-quality accommodation for up to three guests.
Its location is ideal for visitors keen for easy access to the centre of Abergavenny - it's literally a minute away.
The 2021 update was keen to create a relaxing atmosphere and that includes no worrying about where to put the car as it comes with off-street parking.
There are two bedrooms that can accommodate up to three guests and a lounge that opens out into the garden.
Find out more about this home here.
Daisy Lodge and hot tub
Daisy Lodge is a beautiful bespoke, ecological building, which is energy efficient and was produced in Lapland, Finland, so it's come a long way to delight guests just outside Abergavenny.
No prizes for guessing the main draw of this accommodation - an exclusive use hot tub on the deck for watching the sunset, or the sunrise, from the warm bubbles accompanied by a glass of chilled bubbles.
But the views are special too, with the one bed, two guest cabin feeling like it's in the heart of the country although it's only about three miles from Abergavenny.
There is a raft of facilities provided including bath robes, designer bedding and underfloor heating throughout the lodge and also a bioethanol fire to create further ambience. Find out more about the lodge here.
Walkers Rest at The Hayloft
Nestled in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park near the village of Llanelly, this recent addition to a former 1800s pub is a cosy yet spacious self catering space.
The distinctive and charming cottage is located opposite an old church with views across the valley, and it offers an ideal getaway with walks in every direction and outdoor activities further afield.
Abergavenny is just a short drive away, and the charming property can accommodate two guests, more if the sofa bed is used, and there's a separate yurt in the garden too available during the summer months.
Views and peace can be found here, mainly from the 50 square metre patio area with a whole range of furniture provided, including benches, coffee table, dining chairs, cushions, and a BBQ.
Find out more about Walkers Rest here.
Views and luxury interiors
Larchfield Grange has been recently renovated and can accommodate up to eight guests in four bedrooms and has a handy three bathrooms too, so ideal for larger groups.
Inside the interiors are based on comfort and contemporary, tactile and tasteful, with pops of accent colour, metallics and velvet that give it a luxury feel.
The sociable open-plan kitchen-dining room features a large dining table, with eight chairs and is well-equipped for all home cooking needs.
Open the patio doors to discover the furnished terrace overlooking the garden, making the perfect indoor-outdoor dining space for all the family or group of friends to enjoy.
Outside, the home's location can be fully enjoyed with views from different angles and also a secret garden with children's castle and seating area, all looking out to The Blorenge Mountain.
Find out more about this property here.
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