How to Holiday like A Star, On A Budget

After living the life of luxury at the Lindos Sun Hotel the other week, I couldn’t believe how little we paid for our stay in our hot tub suite. It got me thinking, surely there are other beautiful places to stay where you can holiday like a star… but on a budget!

Schofield’s recently published a list of celebrity homes that you can hire and the prices are much less than you’d expect… I am definitely adding a fair few to my bucket list!

Casa Elizabeth Luxury Estate

My personal favourite is one of my idol’s former homes in Palm Springs, a luxury estate owned by none other than Elizabeth Taylor. Paintings, treasures and priceless belongings are around every glamorous corner whilst a waterfall edged pool and spa provide an outside oasis. 

Sleeping 8 people, Ms Taylor’s house works out at an average of £424 per night on HomeAway, only £53 each! I will definitely be adding this property to my ‘must go to’ list.

Need to know

Location: Palm Springs, California
Owned by: Elizabeth Taylor
Bedrooms: 4  – 3 king size, 1 twin/single
Bathrooms: 5
Max. capacity: 8
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Average price per week: £2474
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £51.50

A Palm Springs Retreat

A close neighbour is a private retreat owned and lived in by legendary Bing Crosby. Located in the Old Movie Colony, Mr Crosby’s unique villa offers incredible mountain views, outdoor pools, fresh fruit trees and a screening room. The interiors feature a mix of wooden furnishings, open beams and travel souvenirs, complete with a mini bar and jukebox! I can just imagine Bing having a spot of karaoke with his celebrity pals. I’m saving this gem to my wishlist! (Pictures available on AirBnb).

Need to know

Location: Palm Springs, California
Owned by: Bing Crosby
Bedrooms: 4  
Bathrooms: 4 
Max. capacity: 8
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Average price per week: £3222
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £67.13

Hollywood Celebrity Estate

Also in California is a legendary location where many A listers roamed the hallways. Sitting atop Sunset Boulevard is the Orson Welles Estate, not only owned by this classic Hollywood actor but also a previous home to stars including Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Barbara Streisand and Rita Hayworth… I’d love to know what dramas and parties happened in that house!

Featuring a lagoon pool, outdoor decking overlooking Hollywood’s panoramic views and a bubbling hot tub, the estate sleeps 8 people in four spacious bedrooms. You can secure this house of the rich and famous for just £612 a night on HomeAway, working out at £76.50 per person, an extremely reasonable price for a centrally located  LA getaway.

Need to know

Location: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood
Owned by: Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, Barbara Streisand, Rita Hayworth
Bedrooms: 4  – 2 king size, 2 double
Bathrooms: 4 
Max. capacity: 8
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Average price per week: £4513
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £75

The Merv Griffin Estate

Also located in the land of the stars is the home of the legendary entertainer Merv Griffin (for those of you who know nothing of the 80’s, he was best known for hosting Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy). Surrounded by palm trees, green grass and views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the equestrian compound is a luxurious getaway for a group of up to 26. An infinity pool looks out over the scenery whilst a 2.5 acre private pond is a perfect spot for a paddle boat ride. Available on HomeAway.

Need to know

Location: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood
Owned by: Merv Griffin
Bedrooms: 13 – 4 king size, 9 queen size
Bathrooms: 11
Max. capacity: 26
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Average price per week: £4692
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £30

The Gingerbread House

Although not made of sweets or home to a wicked witch, the Gingerbread House in Hawaii is a remote 1930’s cottage, tucked away in the quiet lush gardens of Maui. The cottage is most famous for housing Jimi Hendrix whilst he filmed Rainbow Bridge back in the 1970’s. The home is a studio, just 10 minutes from the beaches, so is a unique Hawaiian getaway for a couple on an adventure. A full kitchenette and spacious bathroom is contained within the high ceilings, windows looking out onto lush greenery. An outside patio sits under a tree canopy close enough to the surrounding farm where you can help yourself to freshly picked fruit or explore the close by Sacred Garden. Doesn’t it just sound idyllic?! (Pictures on the AirBnb listing).

Need to know

Location: Maui, Hawaii
Lived in by: Jimi Hendrix
Bedrooms: 1 queen size bed and a day bed
Bathrooms: 1
Max. capacity: 2
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Average price per week: £834 plus taxes
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £69.50

A Luxury Yacht

For those who fancy a stay on the water, you can head over to San Diego, waking up to the views of Harbour Island from a 46 foot yacht, once enjoyed by the UK’s top boy band One Direction. Up to 4 people (or 6 for an additional cost) can enjoy sunset ocean views and the luxury amenities of the Sheraton Hotel next door.

Need to know

Location: San Diego
Used by: One Direction
Bedrooms: 2 queen size
Bathrooms: 1.5
Max. capacity: 4
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Average price per week: £930.54
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £38.77

Il Palagio

A little closer to home in the Tuscan countryside is perhaps one of the more well known celebrity locations. Il Palagio, a beautiful 16th century estate, is now home to Sting and Trudie Styler and has only been available for private hire for the last few years. Apart from the beautiful views, a private tennis court and lake for swimming are available to be enjoyed.

Overlooking rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and more stunning scenery, this luxurious estate will set you back £6000 a week, however if you can gather up the troops and fill the six houses, one week in the Tuscan hills will cost £120 per person (for 50 people), leaving a lot of spend for the fabulous Italian wine (and pasta).

Need to know

Location: Tuscany, Italy
Owned by: Sting and Trudi Styler
Bedrooms: 6 houses
Max. capacity: 50
Average price per week: £6000
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £20

Ocean View Guesthouse

Set on a high cliff in California is a one-of-a-kind house offering some of the best views in Malibu. 4 miles of sandy beach and ocean waves can be seen from the hilltop home, mountain landscapes the other side. Spot dolphins and whales from the dining room whilst the sun rises and sets over the horizon. The sound of the waves will send you and your guests to sleep, or perhaps one of the many books contained in one of the library-style bedroom. An outdoor spa and patio enjoys a sea backdrop and if you’re feeling slightly active (stop it, just get in the hot tub) then a detached gym makes up one of the buildings on the private estate. Oh yeah, and Denzel Washington used to live here… (Pictures available on AirBnb).

Need to know

Location: Malibu, California
Owned by: Denzel Washington, Jimmy Page, Jan Michael Vincent, Captain and Tenille
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Max. capacity: 8
Minimum stay: 7 nights (but you then get a 15% discount on the nightly price)
Average price per week: £2470 (plus AirBnb fees)
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £44.10

Meadowgate

For those who don’t even want to leave the English countryside, Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘homemade home’ Meadowgate is a steal for a group of 14, perfect for a special birthday or wedding celebration. At £248 per person for a whole week, you can enjoy the beautiful views of Welcombe in Devon, with serene surrounding beaches just minutes away. 

The house is full of Kirstie’s crafts and has a games room, open fire and Aga perfect for low season winter breaks.

Need to know

Location: Welcombe, Devon
Owned by: Kirstie Allsopp
Bedrooms: 6 – 4 double and 2 twin (1 with bunk beds for 4)
Bathrooms: 3
Max. capacity: 14
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Average price per week: £2721
Average price per person (at capacity) per night: £32.40

To find out more places you can holiday like a star for less, check out Schofield’s infographic here. 

This is a collaborative post. All views are my own.