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In this Plum Guide review, discover why this vacation rental platform has become our company of choice when seeking out unique, luxurious vacation rentals. Hear about our first hand experience and discover in-depth all you need to know about Plum Guide before making a decision to book with them.
Plum Guide is a vacation rental platform that offers something truly unique for travellers.
Founded in January 2016, Plum Guide launched in Europe in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength since. This tasteful platform goes above and beyond in providing handpicked and thoroughly vetted properties that are guaranteed to meet the highest standards of quality through a 500 data-point test.
When booking a Plum Guide vacation rental, you can trust that every detail has been thoughtfully considered, from the design and comfort of the property to its location and amenities.
I was very excited when I first stumbled upon Plum Guide when browsing from my office cubicle some time in 2019. Drawn in by the exceptionally well put together property and location descriptions, together with the tastefully-shot photography, I was hooked!
Before you book
Read about Plum Guide’s philosophy, and why they believe we don’t have time for average stays.
A little blip that we will refer to as the “Virus That Cannot Be Named” put a halt to any plans I had to try Plum Guide out for a while, but I chose a Plum Guide apartment for my first international trip in a post-pandemic world, staying at this superb property in Rome.
Since then, I’ve very happily partnered with Plum Guide as an affiliate partner on this website and also regularly send friends and family their way too – including my parents, who stayed at (and loved) another Plum Guide apartment in Rome.
For the sake of transparency, I’ve subsequently had the pleasure of staying at one of their properties in Porto for the purpose of completing this review – which again, was an altogether delightful experience.
Rio & Sol is a wonderfully located luxury apartment rental in a renovated building alongside Porto’s Douro river and waking up in our light-filled, high-ceiling penthouse to the morning light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows made our time in Porto so incredibly special.
Coffee in hand and thoughtfully provided blanket around shoulders, we started our days in Porto watching boats meander their way through mist-shrouded waters as the city shed its night time veil.
But more on that later – this post is going to provide you with the works, and in detail too!
After introducing Plum Guide for the sake of those who don’t know a whole lot about it, I’ll then go into some further detail on my own experience with using Plum Guide.
Then it’s on to the meaty stuff, where you’ll learn all about what makes Plum Guide different, who it caters well to and what you can expect when searching for and booking a property.
By the end of this post, you’ll have all the details you need to decide if Plum Guide is a runner for you or not (hint: it will be, if you’re a design-conscious, discerning traveller who is looking for something exceptional).
What is Plum Guide?
Plum Guide is a luxury vacation rental platform that caters to discerning travellers who seek unique and high-quality properties for their vacations.
It offers a curated collection of properties that are hand-picked and personally inspected by a team of Home Critics, ensuring that only the best properties make it onto the platform.
Positioned as the “Michelin star of vacation rentals“, Plum Guide typically includes only the top 3% of properties in any given destination.
While you won’t find endless numbers of vacation rentals in each destination, what is there is quality assured – which means that all you need to do is one that fits your own design ideals, budget and location requirements.
The platform is designed to appeal to discerning travellers who appreciate the finer things in life, and are looking for properties that are not only visually stunning but also offer a range of unparalleled amenities and services.
They are on the lookout for properties that offer a memorable and luxurious vacation experience, that stands out from the rest.
The platform’s booking process is seamless and user-friendly, with transparent pricing and lack of hidden fees or charges. The platform also offers exceptional customer service, making it easy to plan the perfect vacation. The only thing that the platform lacks at the moments is an app, although the mobile version of its website functions extremely well.
The properties on Plum Guide are of a higher quality than those found on other vacation rental platforms, as a result of the rigorous vetting process that Plum Guide uses to ensure that properties meet their high standards.
They are uniquely designed and curated with design and art in mind, making them not just a place to stay but a destination in itself.
Plum Guide also offers a personalisation service, which allows guests to specify their preferences and requirements, and then matches them with properties that best suit their needs.
Where can you find Plum Guide properties?
Plum Guide properties are currently available in a variety of locations around the world, including major cities and popular vacation destinations. Some examples of locations where you can find Plum Guide properties include:
- Europe: London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Copenhagen, and more.
- North America: New York City, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and more.
- Asia: Tel Aviv, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Thailand
- Africa: Capetown
The list of locations is likely to change with time, as Plum Guide continues to expand its portfolio of properties. They are continuously adding new destinations and properties to their platform.
It’s always best to check their website or contact them directly to get the most updated list of locations where they have properties available.
Personal experience staying at Plum Guide properties
Staying at a Plum Guide vacation rental in Porto
Nestled along the Portuguese coastline, the city of Porto sparkles with an energy that captivates. With a rich history that seems to be etched into every cobblestone street, the city is a symphony of stunning architecture, savoury cuisine and astonishing viewpoints of russet rooftops and the glistening Douro river.
Some destinations are better uncovered by staying away from touristy centres and getting lost in local neighbourhoods.
For our time in Porto, we decided to ditch the confines of a hotel room and embrace the local way of life in Miragaia, a hilly, authentic neighbourhood full of colourful buildings that’s set just to the west of Porto’s touristic Ribeira district, yet within walking distance of Porto’s main attractions.
Our Plum Guide apartment in Porto
Located on the top floor of a renovated riverside townhouse, Rio & Sol was a tranquil refuge in an otherwise buzz-filled city. The Douro river is such a focal point of Porto that I wanted to make sure that it was an important element during our time in the city – and this I ensured by booking an apartment with river views.
Not only does Rio & Sol come with views of the Douro, but it also comes with a generously proportioned balcony, which was a real highlight of this superb Porto apartment. Sitting on the balcony it was impossible not to feel completely immersed in the city and its unique atmosphere.
Waking up to the morning light filtering through the curtains and onto the balcony, we sat to watch, coffee in hand, as the city began to stir. Shrouded in a delicate mist, the light danced on the river’s surface as it ethereally poked holes onto the glassy surface of the Douro.
As the sun rose, boats began to glide along the river and we peered down from above as people started to bustle about their day. As the day progressed, the balcony transformed into a sun-soaked haven and when night fell, we had front-row seats as the skyline turned a burnt orange and the sun dipped below the horizon.
Location and proximity to attractions
Rio & Sol is located in the Miragaia area of Porto which is just west of the city centre and is bordered on one side by the Douro river. It’s a quieter area, where you can get a glimpse into local life away from the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions.
The building itself was set one street back from the riverfront. This meant that it was nicely quiet, but choicely located for taking in the stunning views of the Douro river.
We didn’t require public transport once during our time in Porto and got around solely on foot. In less than 15 minutes, we were able to reach the busy Ribeira district and Bolsa Palace – around 20 and we were at locations like Ponte Luiz I, Livrerio Lello and Porto Cathedral.
For a slightly longer city break of 4 nights, we found it to be the perfect location, as it allowed us to retreat a little from the bustling heart of the city to a quieter refuge just on its fringes.
Property description
Rio & Sol is a one-bedroom apartment located on the third floor of a typical townhouse in Miragaia, Porto. This generously sized one-bedroom apartment boasts high vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an abundance of natural light in the main living area.
All windows opened out onto that wonderful balcony, which I have already waxed plenty of lyrical about.
Its interior design provides for tasteful furnishings including an especially comfortable sofa, with a smart TV also found in the lovely living room. Coming with a smart, highly functional kitchen, we easily prepared hot breakfasts each morning alongside the coffee that was provided.
I love a good bathroom and this one was a delight – with marble tiles, an endless supply of towels and a huge, powerful rain-shower that came with dark-tinted glass, it had spa-like qualities that provided a touch of luxury, as did the premium toiletries provided.
An extra touch that I loved was the complimentary drinks trolley, which had the likes of gin and whiskey, but also came stocked with a local port and red wine from the Douro Valley.
The only downside I can think of is that access to the property is by stairs only, however, this third-floor vantage point comes with stunning views of Porto’s iconic Douro River, so I wasn’t inclined to complain.
Just do bear in mind that this particular apartment won’t suit those with mobility issues, should you feel inclined to book, as there is no elevator. There is, however, a ground-floor apartment in this building, run by the same hosts and which is also rather lovely (no balcony, however).
Comfort, cleanliness and facilities
From the second we stepped over the threshold from street level, the entrance hall and stairwell smelled incredible. Rio & Sol (and I’m gathering the three other apartments in the buildings too) is incredibly clean and the materials used in both the renovating and the decorating of the building are extremely high quality.
All surfaces sparkled and had the same level of cleanliness that one would associate with a luxury hotel. Our bed was, again, akin to one at a luxury hotel, with silky cotton sheets, plump pillows and an exceptionally comfortable mattress. Shuttered windows kept out all light as we slept, leading to a great quality of sleep.
There were little touches everywhere in the apartment – from the gorgeous toiletries and drinks trolley, down to robes and slippers in the wardrobe. Also, not only was there an iron and ironing board, but also a hand-held steamer for clothes.
The outdoor balcony was equipped with a table and chairs, perfect for dining al fresco and there were also fleecy blankets left in a basket by the door, which were greatly appreciated for enjoying the chilly January mornings.
Getting in and out of the apartment was extremely straightforward as there was no fiddling with, or need for, keys. Both the front door and that of our apartment operated via a code which meant that we didn’t need to worry about bringing keys with us when out and about for the day.
Our Rio & Sol hosts
The cherry on top when booking Rio & Sol has to be the warm, hospitable hosts, Sergio and Conceição (who also goes by the name of Maria). Upon booking, I received a lovely message of welcome from Maria, who also reached out to me both a couple of weeks before, and the morning of our arrival with further instructions.
When we arrived, Maria and Sergio came to greet us and generously gave us around 30 minutes of their time to mark points of interest and their favourite restaurants on a map for us.
Having stayed in too many Airbnbs where the contact is minimal and strictly virtual, it was lovely to meet the people behind this fantastic property and get to know the area a little bit better from those who know it intimately.
Value for money
While I was provided with a discounted rate to stay at this apartment, for the purpose of the exercise I stuck strictly to searching for what I would do ordinarily and what sort of experience I wanted to have in Porto.
That was; somewhere luxurious but good value, a quieter local neighbourhood within walking distance of the main sights, somewhere with Douro river views and something that was visually striking. Rio & Sol definitely satisfied on all fronts.
Before the discount, the total cost for 4 nights came to €687.42 – which works out at €171.86 per night. While rates were a little lower as we visited Porto in the first week of January, this offers genuinely good value for a premium property with such high spec and facilities.
Conclusion
In summary, staying at Rio & Sol was a truly luxurious and relaxing experience. From the high-quality materials used in decorating and renovating the building, to the comfy bed with sumptuous sheets, everything was impeccable.
Additionally, the outdoor balcony was a great spot for relaxing and enjoying views of the Douro river, and for dining al fresco. On top of all this, the hosts Sergio and Maria were incredibly hospitable and went out of their way to make our stay memorable.
All in all, I absolutely would stay here again and highly recommend it for a romantic break (or any other time) – although it might not suit those who want to be in the thick of city centre. The only possible negatives are the stairs and slightly out-of-city centre location, but these won’t be negatives for many. For a luxury stay in Porto at a good price, Rio & Sol is hard to beat.
For balance: not my first Plum Guide stay
My experience in Porto with Plum Guide was not my first stay at a Plum Guide apartment. I had previously stayed in one of their apartments in Rome, Kalos, and the experience completely suitably impressed me.
Set in the heart of the Spagna district between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Navona, Kalos was a luxe gem tucked down a typical Roman side street. The interiors were sophisticated and mature in feel and with two balconies, there was ample space for enjoying the skyline of this area of Rome.
My parents also booked an apartment through Plum Guide and raved about their experience upon returning home to all who would listen.
I’m genuinely looking forward to my next stay at a Plum Guide apartment, whatever destination I land on next!
What makes Plum Guide different
Who are Plum Guide’s customers?
“At Plum Guide, we have a very clear idea of the exact audience we want to engage with. They are the ‘discerning travellers’ and they expect absolute quality without exception, which also means they are likely to be ideal guests for our hosts”.
plum guide
To break this out further, Plum Guide’s customers are typically travellers who are looking for high-quality, luxury vacation rentals. The platform caters to a variety of different types of travellers, so if you include yourself in any of the following categories (and come with the same requirements) then you’re likely to fit the bill:
Couples and families: Plum Guide’s properties are suitable for couples and families looking for a luxurious and memorable vacation experience.
They offer a wide range of properties that cater to different needs and preferences, such as family-friendly properties with multiple bedrooms and amenities suitable for children, or romantic boltholes that are perfect for two.
Business travellers: Plum Guide’s properties are also suitable for executives who are looking for a comfortable and high-quality place to stay while on a business trip. They have properties located in major business and financial centres, as well as properties that offer features such as fast internet and workspaces.
Luxury travellers: Plum Guide’s properties are especially appealing to luxury travellers who are looking for high-end, exclusive properties with exceptional amenities and services.
They offer properties that are uniquely designed and curated with design and art in mind, making them not just a place to stay but a destination in itself.
I’ve signed up to Plum Guide’s mailing list and love seeing the emails with notifications of new properties come through – there’s usually an hour’s worth of wishful thinking and procrastination that follows these emails!
Experiential travellers: Plum Guide’s properties are also suitable for experiential travelers who are looking for unique and memorable experiences. They have properties that are located in unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations, as well as properties that offer features such as private pools and rooftop terraces.
What differentiates Plum Guide from its competitors?
Plum Guide differentiates itself from its competitors in several ways:
Vetting process: Plum Guide has a rigorous and thorough vetting process for properties, which ensures that only the highest-quality properties are available on their platform.
This vetting process includes an in-person inspection of the property by Plum Guide’s team of Home Critics, who evaluate the property against a strict set of criteria. This is designed to ensure that only the best properties are available on the platform, guaranteeing guests an exceptional vacation experience.
The property is assessed on a prescribed test of 500 data points, so that only the creme de da creme make the list.
Property quality: Plum Guide only lists properties that meet their high standards for quality, which includes factors such as design, comfort, amenities, location, and overall guest experience. This ensures that guests are provided with a memorable and luxurious vacation experience.
Customer service: Plum Guide prides itself on its exceptional customer service, which is available to guests throughout the booking process and during their stay. This ensures that guests have a smooth and stress-free vacation experience.
The Plum Promise: Plum Guide offers what they call “The Plum Promise” in order to guarantee peace of mind with each booking. This is centred on three pillars of 1) expert vetted homes; 2) instant care and; 3) total reassurance.
As well as providing meticulously vetted homes, Plum Guide’s customer care team is available 24/7 and Plum Guide also provides reassurances around what happens should the host cancel (a very rare occurrence).
If it happens 48 hours after your booking, customer service will help you find a new home up to 20% more expensive than the original; within 5 days of check-in and it’s up to 50%.
Personalisation: Plum Guide offers a personalisation service that allows guests to specify their preferences and requirements, and then matches them with properties that best suit their needs.
Plum Awards: Plum Awards are given to properties who pass all four stages of Plum Guide’s rigorous testing. First, properties need to make it through stage one onto a shortlist. Having made a shortlist based on their accolades on paper, their hosts are then interviewed (stage two).
If a property has “Plum Award” badge on its listing, it has passed the final two stages; that is, it has both delighted a Plum Guide guest and has passed the Plum Home Test, conducted by an independent Home Critic.
If you see a “nominated for a Plum Award” on certain properties as you browse, this means that the property is new to the collection, is viewed as ‘up and coming’ and has passed three of the four stages.
No reviews: Plum Guide differs from most other booking platforms in that it doesn’t publish reviews. This is on the basis that reviews are completely subjective and everyone’s opinions are different – what’s acceptable to one party may absolutely not be to another.
Feedback is collected from guests after a stay, with any negative points fed back to hosts to rectify. If the host fails to address these, the property is delisted from Plum Guide. Read more about Plum Guide’s findings on reviews, as well as their “Long Live The Critic” marketing campaign.
Plum Guide vs Airbnb – what’s the difference?
There are several advantages that Plum Guide has over Airbnb, making it a better alternative for travellers who are looking for a high-quality vacation rental experience.
One of the main advantages of Plum Guide is the level of quality that it offers. All of the properties listed on Plum Guide are carefully inspected and vetted in person to ensure that they meet the company’s high standards.
This means that you can be confident that you are staying in a top-quality vacation rental when you book through Plum Guide. In contrast, Airbnb properties are not inspected or vetted to the same extent and they allow any property owner to list their property on the platform, with no guarantee as to standards.
Another advantage of Plum Guide is the range of special features and services that it offers to enhance your vacation experience. Depending on the property, these can include things like concierge services, personalised recommendations, chefs, babysitting services and local guides to help you make the most of your trip.
Thirdly, Plum Guide has a dedicated customer service team that is available to assist you with any issues or questions that may arise during your stay. They also offer a match-making service to help you find the right property. This is a major advantage over Airbnb, who do not offer the same level of support or assistance to its users.
Plum Guide also offers vacation rentals that sit more within the ‘luxury’ end of the market. You will not find any rooms in houses listed – the property will be entirely yours for the duration of your rental.
With that, comes a more expensive average nightly property rate in comparison to Airbnb but again, that is only because the best properties in a destination make the cut.
There is also generally a good spread of price points by Plum Guide within the luxury segment, so you will most definitely find plenty of affordable luxury options on their platform too.
Platform usability and the booking process
Booking a property through Plum Guide is a seamless and user-friendly experience. The platform’s intuitive design makes it easy to browse properties, filter your search based on your preferences and needs, and book the perfect property for your vacation.
The booking process is straightforward, and you can easily view the property’s availability, pricing, and booking terms.
One of the things that sets Plum Guide apart from other vacation rental platforms is its transparent pricing. There are no hidden fees or charges, and you can expect the price you see to be the final price. This means that you can budget for your vacation with confidence and avoid any unpleasant surprises at checkout.
One thing that would be lacking for me at the moment is a dedicated app, which I would expect to see as the platform grows. Its mobile site, however, navigates in an easy to use manner so it means it’s not too much of a complaint.
Ease of finding high quality properties on Plum Guide
Finding the perfect property on Plum Guide is a breeze.
With its rigorous vetting process, you can rest assured that every property on the platform is of the highest quality and has been personally inspected by a team of Home Critics.
This eliminates the need to sift through countless properties, trying to determine which ones are up to your standards. You know what you’re getting is good, so all you really need to narrow your search down to is location, price and whether you dig the interior design and facilities or not.
The platform’s personalisation service also makes it easy to find the perfect property by narrowing your search down to location, price, and personal preferences. The service allows you to specify your preferences and requirements, and then matches you with properties that best suit your needs.
This feature is especially useful for discerning travellers who are looking for a specific type of property, in a specific location, and within a specific budget range.
The platform also has a wide range of properties that cater to different needs and preferences, so you can easily find a property that meets all of your requirements. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious villa, a cozy cabin, or a sleek city pad, Plum Guide has something to offer.
The platform’s easy-to-use search feature also makes it easy to find the perfect property by location, price, and amenities. You can also filter your search results by property type, number of bedrooms, and more, making it easy to find the perfect property that fits your needs.
Overall, speaking as a self-classified discerning traveller, finding the perfect property on Plum Guide is an effortless experience.
With its rigorous vetting process, personalisation service, and wide range of properties, you can rest assured that you will find a property that meets your high standards and exceeds your expectations. So you can focus on the most important thing, which is enjoying your vacation.
Plum Guide Matchmaking service
Plum Guide even takes it a step further in terms of making it easy for you to find the perfect property.
Plum Guide matchmakers are a personalised service offered by Plum Guide that helps guests find the perfect property for their vacation.
The matchmakers are a team of experts who work closely with guests to understand their preferences, needs, and budget, and then use that information to match them with properties that best suit their requirements.
The matchmakers take into account factors such as the number of guests, the desired location, the type of property, and the amenities and services required. They also consider the guests’ budget, and work to find properties that offer the best value for money.
Guests can contact the matchmakers at any time, whether they are looking to book a property or if they have any questions or concerns.
The matchmakers are available to assist guests throughout the booking process, and are also available to help guests plan their vacation and make recommendations for things to see and do in the area.
The service offered by Plum Guide matchmakers is designed to make the process of finding and booking a vacation rental as easy and stress-free as possible. With their help, guests can be sure that they are booking the perfect property for their vacation and have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Sometimes, it’s nice to speak to a real person and have someone guide you through a process, so this service could be particularly useful if you’re planning a large family gathering, or arranging accommodation for a wedding.
What sort of properties will you find on Plum Guide?
Plum Guide offers a wide variety of properties that cater to different needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a chic city apartment, a cozy countryside cottage, or a luxurious villa, you’ll find it on Plum Guide.
The properties available on the platform range from more wallet-friendly luxe options to high-end, bells-and-whistles luxury rentals, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs and budget. Whatever the nightly rate, all rentals are chosen for their exceptional design, style, and amenities.
- Beachfront villas with private pools, stunning ocean views, and luxurious outdoor living spaces – like this one
- Chic city apartments with modern design, state-of-the-art appliances, and prime location in the heart of the city – like this one
- Mountain chalets with breathtaking views, cozy fireplaces, and hot tubs for relaxation – like this one
- Lavish country estates with sprawling grounds, swimming pools, and elegant interiors – like this one
In addition to these luxurious properties, Plum Guide also has a range of more modestly priced options available, such as charming cottages and cozy apartments. No matter what type of property you are looking for, Plum Guide has something to suit every taste and budget.
Plum Guide Home Critics and the Plum Test – a rigorous vetting process
One of the things that sets Plum Guide apart from other vacation rental platforms is its rigorous vetting process. The platform uses a strict set of criteria to evaluate properties and ensure that they meet their high standards for quality.
This includes an in-person inspection by a team of Home Critics who evaluate the properties on factors such as design, comfort, amenities, location, and overall guest experience.
Plum Guide Home Critics
Hired for their expertise in design, hospitality and luxury travel, Plum Guide home critics are comprehensively trained in Plum Guide’s “Science behind the Perfect Stay”.
What is that, exactly?
The Science behind the Perfect Stay started with a single question: “what makes a perfect stay?”. This questions was then put to experts such as psychologists, designers, hoteliers, architects – travellers themselves – which led to the basis of Plum Guide’s framework and their 500 point test.
‘Home Truths’
Plum Guide recognises that all properties are not perfect, and in an attempt to remain transparent about properties, share on each listing a set of ‘Home Truths’.
This information includes details about the property that might not be immediately obvious from the photos or description, such as the presence of stairs and no elevator, patchy Wi-Fi, a noisy location etc.
The purpose of “Home Truths” is to give travellers an accurate and realistic understanding of the properties they are considering, so their expectations are set appropriately and they can make informed decisions about their bookings.
The Plum Test
The Plum Test is the process that Plum Guide uses to evaluate and select properties to be included on the platform. This process is designed to ensure that only the highest-quality properties are available on the platform, guaranteeing guests an exceptional vacation experience.
The process begins with an in-person inspection of the property by a team of Plum Guide Home Critics. The Home Critics evaluate the property against a strict set of criteria which includes design, comfort, amenities, location, and overall guest experience.
They also take into account factors such as the property’s price and location, and ensure that it is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
During the Plum Test, the Home Critics also check for various features such as the quality of bedding, kitchen equipment, and other amenities. They assess if the property is well-maintained, has working appliances, and meets safety standards.
They also check the cleanliness of the property and the overall aesthetic of the property, this includes the design, artwork, and overall look and feel of the property – they even pay attention to how the space smells.
The second essential stage of the test is a host interview – unlike many other booking providers, Plum Guide recognise that the hosts play a crucial role in a successful vacation rental and take the step to make sure that the hosts of all properties listed are up to scratch.
Plum Awards are then given to properties who pass all four stages of Plum Guide’s rigorous testing. If a property has “Plum Award” badge on its listing, it has passed the final two stages; that is, it has both delighted a Plum Guide guest and has passed the Plum Home Test, conducted by an independent Home Critic.
If you see a “nominated for a Plum Award” on certain properties as you browse, this means that the property is new to the collection, is viewed as ‘up and coming’ and has passed three of the four stages. The properties are also re-evaluated regularly to ensure that they continue to meet Plum Guide’s high standards.
The pros and cons of booking with Plum Guide
Plum Guide offers a wide range of high-quality and vetted properties for guests, falling towards the higher end of the market. If you you fall anywhere into the luxury travel market – from affordable right up to the premium end – then the ‘con’s’ of booking with Plum Guide will likely be minimal.
However, like any service, there are pros and cons to using Plum Guide and I will outline the broadest of these below.
Pros
Rigorous vetting process: Plum Guide has a thorough vetting process for properties, which ensures that only the highest-quality properties are available on their platform. This vetting process includes an in-person inspection of the property by Plum Guide’s team of Home Critics, who evaluate the property against a strict set of criteria.
This is designed to ensure that only the best properties are available on the platform, guaranteeing guests an exceptional vacation experience. You don’t need to worry about subjective customer reviews, as Plum Guide has undertaken a rigorous test that it applies to all properties.
High-quality properties: Plum Guide only lists properties that meet their high standards for quality, which includes factors such as design, comfort, amenities, location, and overall guest experience.
This ensures that guests are provided with a memorable and luxurious vacation experience. If you’re looking for an exceptional vacation rental, then you’re likely to find it on Plum Guide.
Personalisation service: Plum Guide offers a personalisation service through its match-making service that allows guests to specify their preferences and requirements, and then matches them with properties that best suit their needs.
This can be particularly helpful for those searching for something very specific, or who would like more of a ‘concierge’ service.
Exceptional customer service: Plum Guide prides itself on its exceptional customer service, which is available to guests throughout the booking process and during their stay. As part of The Plum Promise, their in-house care team is immediately available, 24/7.
Cons
- Price: The properties on Plum Guide can be on the higher end of the price spectrum. If you are looking for a budget option, you will not find it on Plum Guide. They also only offer whole properties, so you will not find a private room with a host either, as per the Airbnb model.
- Limited properties: While the properties on Plum Guide are high-quality, the platform does not have as many properties as some of its competitors, as it only accepts around 3% of homes in any given destination. You are only seeing the premium properties in a destination on Plum Guide.
- Limited destinations: Plum Guide currently operates in a limited number of destinations, which means that it may not be suitable for guests looking to book properties in other locations.
Whenever I am looking for vacation rentals in a destination, I head to Plum Guide first, but there are not always properties available where I’m looking for them.
This will change in time as they add more to the platform (Capetown and Johannesburg have just recently been added, for example) but one can envisage it taking some time to onboard everywhere. - Lack of app: Plum Guide does not currently have an app. With apps being available for so many other booking providers, this is a little inconvenient when you need to check your booking quickly, as you’ll need to access it via email or by logging into the mobile or desktop version of the website.
It would be nice to see an app developed as Plum Guide begins to acquire more and more regular customers (like me!). - Plum Guide can’t control everything: As with all booking platforms that serve as a middle man in connecting travellers with accommodation, Plum Guide cannot control the experience that you ultimately end up having.
Nothing in this world is perfect and when booking somewhere you always run the risk of the host having a bad day, a property having an unforeseen problem etc – Plum Guide isn’t able to control this (although their customer service will do their utmost to resolve for you).
Is Plum Guide reputable?
Plum Guide is very much a reputable vacation rental platform.
The company receives positive reviews from both customers and industry experts for its rigorous vetting process, which ensures that only the highest-quality properties are available on the platform.
Additionally, Plum Guide is regularly commended for its exceptional customer service, which is available to guests throughout the booking process and during their stay.
An important part of The Plum Promise centres on providing social reassurance to customers. The promise that in the very rare event where a host cancels 48 hours after your booking, they will find you a new Plum home that’s up to 20% more expensive than the original. Within 5 days of check-in, it’s up to 50%.
For social proof, take a look at its Trust Pilot ranking. At the time of writing, Plum Guide had received an average score of 4.3 / 5 stars with a total of 2,533 reviews.
To put that into context, Airbnb received a Trust Pilot ranking of 1.3 / 5 stars out of 10,210 reviews and my go-to Plum Guide alternative booking platform VRBO received 2.2 / 5 stars, with 114,961 reviews.
People are always going to run into issues and complain, but Plum Guide does seem to be doing as much as it can control the right way, and its success is reflected in its decidedly positive customer experiences.
Conclusion – should you book with Plum Guide?
Luxury travellers should look no further than Plum Guide for their vacation rental needs. Out of the hundreds of properties available in a given destination, only 3% are accepted by Plum Guide after undergoing an intense vetting process – guaranteeing customers unparalleled quality and the best possible experience.
Additionally, Plum Guide offers excellent customer service throughout the booking process and during a stay, with The Plum Promise guaranteeing high-quality properties, customer service and transparency.
Finally, Plum Guide has an excellent reputation among customers and experts alike, with its Trust Pilot ranking being significantly higher than the likes of both Airbnb and VRBO.
Having personally experienced Plum Guide, I can confidently say that they go above and beyond to provide an outstanding vacation experience and that the whole experience, from searching for to staying at a property, is thoroughly enjoyable.
It truly is the gold standard for vacation rentals and I look forward to seeing them grow over the next few years.
For the discerning traveller looking for an unforgettable experience and luxurious accommodation, Plum Guide is a must-try. With its stringent selection process, unrivalled customer service and dedication to quality, it is the perfect place to find your dream vacation rental.