Latest news with #holidayrental
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
Apology after 200 people turn up for 'wild party' in rental home
The owner of a holiday rental has apologised after hundreds of people turned up for what turned out to be a "wild party" at the house which was booked for eight guests. One of the owners of the five-bed house on Falcon Close in Rochdale, Greater Manchester said booking was made for what they were told was a gender reveal gathering on Wednesday he said he and his co-owner began receiving "concerned messages" from neighbours about loud music coming from the house at about 19:00 BST They arrived at the house and found around 200 people at the property, a live DJ playing and "huge speakers set up". He said: "We tried our best to shut the party down but our efforts failed due to the sheer amount of people at the house and people continuing to arrive."Police were called to the house to move on the partygoers, who then carried on into the streets until the early hours of Thursday, the co-owner said. He apologised for the disturbance, and said the party - believed to have been advertised on social media - was "completely against our house rules" and "not what our [house] was set up for". "We were lied to and were victims ourselves and received around £2,000 worth of damages to our home carpets and furniture," he said. Further measures were being put in place to prevent similar incidents in future, he said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Why travellers in Australia are still blown away when they find out what lies behind this hidden door in the mountains
An iconic hideaway in Australia continues to wow travellers, both local and international, when they discover what lies behind its mysterious mountainside entryway. Within the small Blue Mountains town of Bilpin is a one-of-a-kind holiday rental situated inside a cave. The unique, rustic Airbnb holiday property, located only 90 minutes from the Sydney CBD, is known as ' The Enchanted Cave ' - and it becomes clear why when guests take a step inside. The intimate two-person accommodation has been masterfully built beneath the clifftop of a natural rock platform and claims to be 'the only cave for a couple in the Blue Mountains region'. Upon arrival, access to the holiday stay is via its easy-to-miss, small, round wooden door. The listing charmingly describes this entryway as something that 'wouldn't be out of place in The Hobbit'. Once inside the cosy abode, the cave retreat fantasy truly takes hold. As described in the listing: 'Close the door. The view, the spa, the fire. I am Caveman.' Property owner Lionel, a builder who specialises in environmentally friendly design and construction, says he created the unique accommodation to offer an experience akin to 'a nature bath'. Lionel told FEMAIL that The Enchanted Cave, which is accessible by car, features 'incredibly beautiful views of World Heritage wilderness'. He said past visitors have commented on how 'relaxing and fulfilling' their stay inside the cave was – and how it often helped them reconnect with 'nature and their partner'. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque national park, the external sides of the accommodation feature floor-to-(cave)-roof glass, showcasing the majestic natural setting. Nestled high on the cliffs, the cave overlooks the treetops, with expansive views to be enjoyed from either inside or outside on the carved natural rock verandah. This romantic holiday venue offers couples a rare chance to feel as though they've escaped into their own world – while still enjoying all the amenities for a comfortable stay. There's a pleasant fire place for the dual purpose of atmosphere and warmth - best enjoyed with a cheese board and a glass of wine in hand while a sunken two-person hot tub has been positioned next to a huge window to take in the majestic bush views. A kitchenette in the corner of the cave is complete with a mini fridge, oven and cooktops to whip up a delicious meal. It's best to come prepared with supplies, as this certainly isn't the type of venue easily reached by an UberEats driver. With not another person in sight from high above the tree canopy, privacy certainly won't be an issue. The intimate two-person accommodation has been masterfully built beneath the clifftop of a natural rock platform and claims to be 'the only cave for a couple in the Blue Mountains region' There is a toilet too - but it's worth noting that it is a long-drop compost toilet due to the remote location, which can take a little getting used to. For those who love the idea of an 'off-the-grid' getaway but still want a touch of creature comfort technology, the venue includes a television beautifully built into one side of the cave wall. But with no Wi-Fi and limited phone signal, the idea is to disconnect and truly revel in the back-to-nature experience. And of course, there's a big, soft bed near the cave entryway. Be prepared to wake up to the sound of birdsong. For those keen to venture out, the property is on the doorstep of the world famous Blue Mountains National Park walking trails. For those who love the idea of an 'off-the-grid' getaway but still want a touch of creature comfort technology, the venue includes a television beautifully built into one side of the cave wall The cost of staying at such a rare property does attract a higher price tag. A minimum two-night stay starts from $1,230 per night. The cave retreat has rave reviews from past guests, with an average rating of 4.84 stars. Among the comments from previous holidaymakers are descriptions of the property as 'magical', 'dream-like' and 'memorable'. 'Cannot recommend highly enough for those seeking an escape from the usual city life. It is a truly unexpected and unique space, one in a million,' read part of one review. 'Highly recommended for anyone seeking a beautiful place to disconnect,' confirmed another. A visitor earlier this year described the cave retreat as the place to go 'to reconnect with nature', adding that it had 'everything you needed to completely unwind'. 'Release your inner child (cave person or hobbit) in this most extraordinary cliff dwelling,' stated another. Many couples commented about choosing to visit the romantic cave abode for a special occasion, like anniversaries. Although many comments were positive, it's worth noting that some visitors were not prepared for just how rustic the stay would be. In the bush, things like errant bugs, the drop toilet (and its slight odour!), outdoor residue and other quirks are all part of the secluded bush location experience. But what it lacks in standard luxury resort amenities, it more than makes up for in uniqueness and breathtaking natural beauty. And being located less than an hour and a half from Sydney means that just when you're starting to yearn for the buzz of city life, you can be back there before you know it.
Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The celebrity holiday homes that you can stay in
Who hasn't stayed in a holiday rental and sniffed around looking for clues about the owner? It's even more fun if you can critique the tastes of public figures by staying in their villas. It can pay off even if you aren't a fan. Fashion designers and film-makers — with practice in constructing elaborate fantasy worlds — can make bold, imaginative decisions when it comes to their own holiday homes. And often — thanks to hit albums or top-line billing in films — they don't have the cost considerations that the rest of us face. Or much in the way of self-doubt. Most of these properties are Big Vision stuff, with price tags to match. David Copperfield doesn't just own one private island in the Caribbean, he has an archipelago of 11 and his personality is writ large across them. Sting has 900 acres of prime Tuscan landscape to call his own. But celebrity holiday lets can also provide some surprises. These houses and villas, available to rent, anywhere from California to the English countryside, can also show a gentleness and an affinity with both nature and classic architecture. This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue Best for Britpop fansPearl Lowe and her husband, Danny Goffey of Supergrass, turned a 19th-century gothic-inspired mansion into a boho-accented party pad after buying it in 2017. Now a fashion and textile designer, Lowe has adorned each of the nine bedrooms in her 1920s-inspired image, with brass bedsteads, velvet sofas and exuberant wallpaper mixed in with maximalist beading and tassels. You can walk to funky Frome from the end of the tree-lined drive but also ramble straight into impossibly lush Somerset countryside from a garden that has a hot tub and a gypsy caravan. With its mix of art galleries and very trendy restaurants, Bruton is a 20-minute drive away. This was the couple's family home when their children were growing up, but you may need to make a booking fast. Or think of it as a try before you buy — Pearl's Place is on the market for £ Seven nights' self-catering for 18 from £10,995 a week ( Best for modern-day MedicisSelf-sufficiency, celeb-style. The music legend Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, bought their estate in Tuscany in 1997. The family tend to take up residence there in the early part of the summer but it's available to mere mortals the rest of the time. There's also a large private swimming pool, tennis court and yoga pavilion amid acres of olive groves and serried rows of vines. Perched on a hilltop, Il Palagio is near the medieval town of Figline Valdarno and a 40-minute drive from Florence. The main house, which dates from the 16th century, has nine bedrooms with a further six bedrooms split between two cottages while cellars have been turned into dining rooms and a meditation room. With guitars and mandolins sprinkled around and its own recording studio, there are plenty of clues to the ownership (although to be fair, Il Palagio's website spells it out pretty clearly too). Details Seven nights' all-inclusive for 29 from £188,003 ( Fly to Florence/Pisa Best for architecture loversThis sprawling compound gives guests the choice of two celebrity owners to boast about. Located in the very smart Old Las Palmas area of Palm Springs, 432 Hermosa was built in 1964 by the architect Donald Wexler for the singer Dinah Shore. In 2014 Leonardo DiCaprio snapped it up. While the actor is said to stay regularly, you won't find much trace of him — instead, this sprawling single-storey building majoring in glass and glamour has been sensitively updated to showcase its mid-century heritage, with carports a built-in bar and more than a sprinkling of shag-pile carpet. This means that all the 1960s Palm Springs essentials are here to get starry-eyed about, including six bedrooms, seven (and a half) bathrooms and a swimming pool with a guest cottage, and views onto the San Jacinto mountain range beyond. Details Two nights' self-catering for 16 from £5,568 ( Fly to Palm Springs • 13 of the most luxurious villas in Europe Best for party tricks Think that owning a private island is pretty aspirational? In 2006 the American illusionist David Copperfield bought a chain of 11 islands in the Exumas, a district of the Bahamas made up of more than 365 islands and cays. Today it's the most high-octane private property in the Caribbean, sleeping up to 24 guests across a main house and a series of smaller properties. The turquoise waters and creamy sand have been augmented with all the ultra-luxury aquatic toys you can want, including jet skis and water trampolines. Copperfield has also added plenty of trademark touches. There's a secret village, a full-scale cinema called Dave's Drive-In and sculptures on the ocean floor to bring a bit of extra fun to snorkelling. Meanwhile the 30 staff have the magical ability to appear with cocktails and gourmet meals at any one of its 40 beaches. Details Five nights' all-inclusive for 12 from £211,590 ( Fly to the Bahamas Best for proper relaxationGentler than most celebrity holiday rentals, this three-bedroom villa is proof that the bad boy of rock has a very mellow side. Set on the beach (obviously), there's a touch of Balinese contemplation in the wooden decking and infinity-style swimming pool. Decorated in soothing creams and whites, the vibe is so serene, Richards has said that he'd like to see out his days here, but if the Rolling Stones tour again in 2026, there should be plenty of time to nip in. And you may get a starry neighbour thrown in. Just along the beach, Lucky House is owned by 1980s supermodel Christie Brinkley. Both villas have access to the hotel facilities of Parrot Cay, a short wander along the white sand beaches of this Caribbean island and come with butler service. Details Seven nights' B&B for six from £84,000, including flights, transfers and butler service ( Best for immersion in natureFrom the masks on the wall to the family photos and Illy espresso machine, this is the surprisingly low-key holiday hangout of one of the world's most famous film directors. Not content with winning five Oscars and starting a series of acclaimed vineyards, Coppola has also opened hotels in Italy, Guatemala and Argentina as well as Georgia, USA. But the director of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now has a special affinity with Belize and recently made a collection of villas on the island available for exclusive hire. Blancaneaux Lodge, which he bought in 1980, was originally a family home, becoming a hotel in 1993. Deep in the rainforest, surrounded by ancient pines and palmetto trees, his own two-bedroom villa overlooks the Privassion River. Nature has primacy here; toucans drop in, a plunge pool and hammock beckons, and you can even rustle up a meal in the kitchenette, although a walkie-talkie means you're in constant touch with Blancaneaux's staff for meals and service. Details One night room-only for four from £817 ( Fly to Belize
Times
13-05-2025
- Times
Our holiday let had spy cameras, but Vrbo won't pay compensation promised
My husband and I booked a house in Gran Canaria from the holiday rental company Vrbo. We had planned to spend eight nights in a large house surrounded by beautiful countryside in a tranquil setting. But after unpacking and settling down for the evening, we noticed that there were surveillance cameras in the kitchen and living area. This was a horrible shock to us and goes against Vrbo's policy. The following morning I had a conversation with Vrbo through its online chat service. I sent photos of the cameras and it immediately offered to cancel the booking and set up a refund of the €1,254 rental payment. The customer service agent also agreed to give me €600 compensation on condition that I book alternative accommodation
