If you’ve searched for the perfect UK getaway over the last few years, you’ll know that a resurgence in UK travel has resulted in an explosion of new places to stay, and that the truly great places – those with undeniable style – can be hard to find. Enter one of our favourite travel finds, Kip Hideaways.
Set up by two travel-obsessed friends, Sarah de Vere-Drummond and Liz Simpson, Kip’s wonderfully-curated website is dedicated to uncovering and showcasing all the very best design-led, affordable and under-the-radar staycation rentals in the UK. It’s like having a little black book of all the coolest places to stay, or the kind of insider knowledge you’d get from a trusted friend: unique, honest and impartial. If you’re anything like us and spend hours online looking at beautiful places to stay, you may find this highly addictive browsing.
In partnership with Kip Hideaways.
As Sarah explains, she and Liz had “both worked in the boutique travel industry for years and realised there was a gap in the market for our expertise.” The knowledgeable duo therefore “wanted to create a one-stop shop of all the most special self-catered stays in the UK,” Sarah continues, “just a really gorgeous collection of places to stay that don’t cost the earth.”
Browsing the website is almost as dreamy as staying in one of their hideaways – you’ll find over 200 unique stays to pore over, from a treetop design cabin overlooking a wild sea loch in the Scottish Highlands to a stunningly-converted Scandi cabin just a short walk from beautiful crescent-shaped Carbis Bay in Cornwall. “We were super conscious that we wanted to be highly curated and unique,” explains Sarah, “there is so much choice (and dross!) online that trying to find somewhere can be overwhelming and then often disappointing when you stay.”
Moss Cabin, Lake District
And, if you’re thinking about getting all the gang together for a celebration, the exciting new Kip with Friends collection of bigger hideaways (for 8-18 guests) means loved ones no longer need to look enviously over your holiday Instagram feed; these cottages, cabins and castles are big enough for everyone.
Kip with Friends is the result of the duo hearing customer challenges over finding larger properties for extended groups. “Since launching Kip [we’ve heard] how hard it is to find larger properties for group getaways that still have the same high-quality, unique style and special touches that we look for in our smaller rentals,” Sarah tells us. “This also really chimed with us personally,” she continues, “as, whilst we really enjoy getting away from it all, we also love nothing more than bringing all of our favourite people together. So we thought, let’s find these places.”
Asked what these new offerings bring, Liz explains, “whilst welcoming larger groups they are absolutely not hen and stag party pads. They are soul-filled, hugely stylish places that have been created with a real attention to detail and heaps of personal touches by their owners.”
Touches such as a hand-drawn map of favourite walks; an outdoor hot tub where you can stargaze by night; or a homemade cake waiting by the teapot when you arrive. “It’s been brilliant finding owners who genuinely care that their guests have an amazing stay.” the team asserts.
Campion Barn, Cornwall
Kip’s curated collection of unique stays can be accessed as part of a monthly or annual membership scheme which will help you save time searching – all the hard work has been done for you. There are no booking fees or service charges and you’ll get the very best rates – booking direct with the owners – plus special gifts on arrival and exclusive member offers.
Membership costs just £19 a year or £3.99 a month. Sign up this month using the code KIPWITHFRIENDS, and they’ll also send you a free membership to gift to a friend.
Let the 2023 holiday planning commence.
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