50 luxury London home-owners are inviting people to use their property as an alternative to a hotel.

With a twist on the increasingly popular trend of home-swapping, more than 50 luxury London home-owners are inviting people to use their property as an alternative to a hotel.

Under a new business venture called ‘onefinestay’, visitors can gain exclusive use of homes – which have an average value of £1.1 million – with payment based on the pro-rata rental value of the property.

Prices range from £150 a night for a one bedroom apartment to more than £1,000 a night for luxury properties in some of London's most prestigious districts.

As part of the service, the property is cleaned, guests are greeted on behalf of the home owners, and 'room service' is provided from local restaurants. Guests are also given the use of iPhones loaded with information about the local area.

The concept is the brainchild of Greg Marsh, formerly of venture capital firm Index Venture. A trial version of the service has been running for the past 8 months.

Initially self-funded, the business has now been boosted by £2.3m of investment, led by venture capital firm Index Ventures.

Greg Marsh says the service combines the convenience of a hotel with the chance to "live like a local".

The company aims to have at least 250 properties signed-up by the end of the year. Homes already available include a pied-a-terre in Mayfair, a family home in Holland Park, a bachelor pad in Primrose Hill, a houseboat on the River Thames and a converted Victorian church in Islington.


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