Today, Vrbo® announced the 2026 Holiday Homes of the Year, a collection of standout homes recognized for exceptional guest reviews, trusted hosts, and sought-after amenities. The list features properties across the UK and internationally, including family‑friendly homes, large group getaways, luxury retreats, unique architectural escapes, and nature‑forward destinations.

Program Background and Highlights 

Now in its fifth year, the annual list recognizes properties that exemplify exceptional quality, reliability, and Vrbo’s high standards for stays travellers can trust. In fact, several of the homes have earned more than 100 perfect 10/10 guest ratings, reflecting the positive experiences guests can expect every time they book a Vrbo. 

This edition features an impressive variety of accommodation styles in the UK’s most coveted destinations, including Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Highlands or North Yorkshire. UK travelers who want to travel internationally can also find properties in Faro, Portugal; Andalusia, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mykonos, Greece; or Tuscany, Italy.  

Travellers can explore previous years’ standout homes and stay updated on future collections by visiting Vrbo’s Holiday Homes of the Year hub. 

UK 2026 Holiday Homes of the Year  

• The View, Downderry, Cornwall, England: “The View,” a luxurious five‑bedroom beachfront house on Cornwall’s Cornish Riviera in Downderry, offers a direct beach access, sweeping 180° sea views from most rooms and an hot tub. Family- and pet-friendly, the property sleeps up to 10 and features a stylish sitting room with original artwork, a log burner and vinyl player, plus a kitchen/dining area with panoramic ocean views and ample off‑street parking—delivering the perfect blend of luxury, comfort and coastal beauty for a Cornish getaway. 

• Barberry Farm Cottage, Dittisham, Devon, England: Barberry Farm Cottage marries rustic charm with modern sophistication in a redesigned four‑bedroom retreat for eight. The impressive open‑plan living space, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows on two sides, frames a meadow garden, pond and stream, while interiors feature muted earthy tones, timber‑clad walls, a navy‑paneled snug with wood‑burning stove and a social kitchen island. Multiple terraces, a pergola‑shaded patio and landscaped grounds complete this idyllic countryside escape. 

• Rushay, Bridport, Dorset, England: Rushay is a magnificent 1906 Arts & Crafts country house for up to 20 guests, just a 20‑minute walk from Charmouth’s fossil‑rich Jurassic Coast. The estate includes a six‑bedroom main house with log‑fired sitting rooms and a chef‑worthy Aga kitchen, plus a renovated three‑bedroom cottage, and outdoor amenities such as a private tennis court, sweeping lawns, a wildflower croquet lawn with spring orchids and a west‑facing terrace with an Argentinian asado BBQ. Blending historic charm with modern comforts, Rushay offers fossil hunting, hill‑fort exploration, local dining and versatile reception spaces—an idyllic Dorset backdrop for celebrations and country escapes. 

• Cotswold House, North Nibley, Gloucestershire, England: Cotswold House is a stylish six‑bedroom luxury property in North Nibley for up to 17 guests, blending vintage charm with modern convenience. It offers two wood‑burner sitting rooms, a well‑equipped kitchen with range oven and twin refrigerators, an exciting games room, and a private garden with a relaxing hot tub—styled with carefully selected vintage furnishings and a refined Farrow & Ball palette. Ideally located for easy access from London, Bristol and Birmingham, this child‑friendly retreat is perfect for family gatherings, celebrations and countryside escapes. 

• The Lighthouse, Gairloch, The Highlands, Scotland: The Lighthouse is a luxury retreat in the Scottish Highlands, offering spectacular south‑facing sea views to the Torridon mountains and a larch‑ and Douglas‑fir exterior beneath a zinc roof that blends with the landscape. Inside, British craftsmanship and natural materials define a first‑floor open‑plan living space with floor‑to‑ceiling windows opening onto a balcony and dining deck. Overlooking Gairloch pier with coastal paths to a nearby beach, the property is ideal for peaceful getaways, family adventures or outdoor pursuits such as golf, fishing and whale watching. 

• Oughtershaw Hall, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England: Oughtershaw Hall, an elegant former shooting lodge dating from the 1850s, sleeps 16 across eight distinctive bedrooms and sits amid tranquil woodlands with sweeping valley views. Modern comforts include a heated indoor pool, an eight‑seater sauna and a games room, while stone‑flagged passages lead to four fireside seating areas and a vast kitchen with an impressive dining table for convivial gatherings. Outside, romantic gardens along Oughtershaw Beck and a patio with Yorkshire vistas complete the experience. 

This year’s global honorees also include exceptional homes across US, Germany, Mexico, US, France, Italy, Greece and Spain, ranging from beachfront villas and lakefront escapes to countryside retreats, architectural standouts, and nature forward stays near coastlines, forests, and iconic outdoor attractions. See the full list of international homes here. 

What Vrbo Says About This Year’s Collection 

“The Holiday Homes of the Year showcase the finest holiday homes on Vrbo. New this year, every property on the list has earned the ‘Loved by Guests’ badge — a recognition reserved only for the top 10% of homes in a destination based on real guest reviews,” said Larry Plawsky, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Vrbo. “This list should inspire travellers to take their next group getaway and demonstrates how easy it is to find a trusted, high-quality vacation rental every time they plan a trip.” 

“This year’s list reflects just how far traveller expectations have evolved and how our partners continue to rise to the occasion,” said Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Vrbo. “From unique design and standout amenities to the small, thoughtful touches that build trust, these homes deliver the kind of exceptional experiences that today’s travellers don’t just appreciate, they expect. We’re proud to celebrate hosts who are setting a new standard for quality and helping shape the future of holiday homes.” 

Vrbo’s Holiday Home of the Year Selection Criteria  

• Loved by Guests: Homes recognized within the top 10% of properties in a destination based on verified guest reviews  

• Premier Host Quality: Properties managed by reliable hosts with a proven record of great hospitality, including a 99% booking acceptance rate and zero host cancellations 

• Exceptional Ratings & Reviews: Minimum of 15 exceptional guest ratings and verified positive reviews 

• Desirable Locations: Properties in highly searched leisure — often steps from oceans, lakes, or mountains 

• Great for Groups: Spacious layouts with private pools, hot tubs, large kitchens, game rooms, and multiple gathering areas ideal for families and multi‑generational groups 

• Distinctive “Wow” Factor: Properties offering memorable features or standout design 

---

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is Vrbo’s Holiday Home of the Year? 

Holiday Homes of the Year is Vrbo’s annual list highlighting top-rated holiday homes known for exceptional reviews, reliable hosts, and amenities that make them ideal for families, groups, and memorable getaways. 

• What’s the difference between Premier Host and Loved by Guests? 

Premier Host 

Highlights hosts with a strong record of reliability, including: 

• Consistently high booking acceptance rates 

• No host‑initiated cancellations 

• 9.2 or above overall guest rating 

Loved by Guests 

Recognizes homes that deliver exceptional guest experiences, based on: 

• Ranking in the top 10% of properties within their destination 

• 9.4 or above overall guest rating. 

• How are the homes selected? 

Homes are chosen based on verified guest ratings, host reliability, standout amenities, suitability for families and groups, and locations in popular leisure destinations. 

• What types of amenities do these homes offer? 

Popular features include private pools, hot tubs, game rooms, spacious kitchens, outdoor living spaces, direct beach or lake access, mountain or ski proximity, and unique architectural elements. 

• Where are the 2026 Holiday Homes of the Year located? 

The 2026 list includes standout homes across the UK in destinations such as Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, the Highlands or North Yorkshire, along with international homes across Mexico, US, Spain, France, Portugal, Greece and Italy. 

The 2026 list includes standout homes across the UK and internationally. 

UK highlights: 

• Cornwall 

• Devon 

• Dorset 

• Gloucestershire 

• Highlands  

• North Yorkshire  

International highlights: 

• Portugal 

• Spain 

• Mexico 

• US 

• France 

• Greece 

• Italy 

• Are these homes good for family or group travel? 

Yes. Many homes offer multibedroom layouts, multiple gathering spaces and amenities ideal for families, multigenerational trips, and group getaways. 

• How can travelers book these homes? 

All Holiday Homes of the Year properties can be viewed and booked directly on Vrbo. See the full list here.