Next year’s travel plans are already taking shape for Conde Nast Traveller’s jetsetting in-house team and while we’re always on the lookout for the next bijou boutique or smart inner-city high-rise hotel to call home for a night, there are some situations where Airbnb is the smarter choice. There’s something irresistible about having the privacy of your own space without the wake-up call from housekeeping knocking or neighbours thudding through thin walls. A homestay gives you room to take in a destination at your own pace and, in any case, many offer a slew of hotel-worthy amenities such as pools, outdoor kitchens and full fleets of staff to attend to you and you alone. Between us, we’re tackling Europe, Asia and Africa next year, and we’ve sought out perfect Airbnbs for our needs in even the most remote locales. From a Madeiran bolthole with a wraparound pool to a traditional Thai villa with its own private chef, here are the Airbnbs our editors think are worth travelling for in 2026.
