
Every so often someone comes up with an idea that’s just so brilliant, I’m amazed I haven’t heard of it before. Wimdu is one of those things. It’s a website (or ‘accommodation platform’ to use the technical term) that brings travellers together with people around the world who have accommodation. It’s not small, either. They currently list over 150,000 properties in over 50 countries around the world.
So what do they offer? I asked Wimdu’s lovely Joshua Goodwin to tell us more about it:
‘We offer a range of accommodation. Anything from a small private room in a Berliner’s flat to a villa in rural Spain. We list many unusual properties too but the vast majority of our business comes through city breaks and beach holidays. We are the number one alternative to hotels.’
So why choose Wimdu?
‘People stay with us because they prefer the comfort and authenticity of a home over a faceless hotel chain which they can stay at anywhere in the world.’
And what are the benefits of choosing Wimdu to book your accommodation?
‘People can decide to take a room in an apartment or the whole property which means we can suit almost all budgets. We want people to take a classic villa by the sea over an overpriced and over subscribed hotel you get with a package holiday. We want to show people that the extra comfort and authenticity does not come at extra cost and the average family will save money through us.’
I LOVE this idea. And presumably local people in these resorts benefit too?
‘Absolutely. I like how it takes a lot of tourism money away from the multinational hotels and puts the money back into local hands. It encourages people to mix with locals more, as you can often find yourself just surrrounded by fellow natives and it can really water down the culture which is a shame.’
So who are your hosts? Are they posh people with grand villas by the sea, or just ordinary folk?
‘You don’t have to own a second home to make a bit of money, just a spare room in the house or perhaps your child is away at uni or moved out and its a great way to make a bit of income.’
And to celebrate this absolutely FABULOUS idea, Wimdu have given me two £200 vouchers to give away.
As usual, there are a few ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment saying which accommodation you would choose on the Wimdu website (I would choose the stunningly beautiful modern apartment overlooking Lake d’Orta pictured above)
Usual English Mum competition rules apply. Competition ends Saturday 23rd February at midnight.
* THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. WELL DONE TO STACEY GUILLIAT and ERICA PRICE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ENTRIES*
I would love to stay at the “Cozy apartment in heart of Venice” with channel view
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/B2XESSCU?path=%2Fsouthern-france
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/BQZ5G3L5?path=%2Fbarcelona
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/55M5RUHJ?path=%2Fvenice
*with link this time* *blush, blush*
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/C2EV40AM?min_bedrooms=1&path=%2Fantibes&sort_by=score&suburbs%5B%5D=Antibes
Twitter @JDavison415
Apartment – Arlington Road, NW1 7HH London, United Kingdom
Tweeted as @cillastubbs
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/7QHXK1TD?amenities%5B%5D=balcony_terace&city=Brooklyn&min_bedrooms=1&object_types%5B%5D=apartment&object_types%5B%5D=house&path=%2Fsearch&search_geolocation=103515-williamsburg—green-point&sort_by=price_asc
Paris .Centre Le Marais
Apartment – rue pernelle, 75004 Paris, France
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/3TJ5LJ9X?path=%2Flondon
House – XXXX Navan, County Meath, Ireland
mrsshaunaferguson(at)gmail(dot)com
have tweeted as @kimneville2
I have liked on FB too
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/27LGH1SZ?path=%2Famsterdam
I’ve had a good nosey and i like this!
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/B7L5VUCD?city=Normandy&min_bedrooms=2&path=%2Fsearch&search_geolocation=86993-normandy&sort_by=price_asc
@jenlouisej
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/55CUV47A?distance=20&lat=51.5787&lng=-0.375674&path=%2Fsearch
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/BIXKRJIP?amenities%5B%5D=pets_allowed&city=Dorset%2C+UK&distance=55.01545447639059&guests=4&lat=50.7390661&lng=-2.3382345999999643&min_bedrooms=1&path=%2Fsearch&sort_by=score
https://twitter.com/LSullySullivan/status/304344130706870274
“Cozy apartment in heart of Venice”
Amazing!!
I LIKE THE SUNSHINE APPARTMENT IN NEW YORK
Private room – Lake Road, LA23 2EQ Windermere, United Kingdom
Perfect for a romantic break away x
https://twitter.com/PaulaMaher/status/304720713871405056
I’d choose here in Edinburgh.
Villa – Carrer de Pere Amorós, 07570 Artà, Spain
Absolutely gorgeous. What a dream holiday destination.
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/14LY29QC
(liked on fb and tweeted as well!)
I would choose the 4S Fantastic Small Luxury Chic Studio with En-suite Bathroom in Commercial Road London – it looks lovely for my little family.
the cozy attic in Barcelona! So gorgeous
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/86N6KFJB?path=%2Flondon
Liked on facebook too
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/2U5851SB?min_bedrooms=3&object_types%5B%5D=house&path=%2Flondon&sort_by=score
I have also liked on FB and tweeted.
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/2Q7MRAB5?page=3&path=%2Flondon
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/41ZNLSWF?path=%2Fparis
http://www.wimdu.co.uk/offers/4SFVOOM0?min_bedrooms=1&path=%2Fparis&sort_by=price_desc
Spacious 3-room house
Caernarfon, United Kingdom
Also – liked on fb
Apartment
Tweeted as jrandrews72
Liked on Facebook as jrandrews72
Apartment – Kempsford Gardens, sw5 9la London, United Kingdom as it is nice and central yet quiet and would give us the chance to show our 9 year old daughter around London. I have also liked and tweeted as @wittymacs
This looks stunning
Liked and tweeted @shell_shoez27 (twitter) and Michelle Stacey Hughes (facebook) Good Luck all x
I like on FB and I tweeted
https://twitter.com/Leannz0r/status/305460417394790401