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Airbnb rentals in Whitstable, Broadstairs and Goudhurst this summer: Just what does £3,000 get you for seven days in the Garden of England?

05:00, 17 April 2023

updated: 14:56, 17 April 2023

For £3,000 this summer, two adults and two children could jet off to an all-inclusive hotel in sun-drenched southern Spain or the Canary Islands. And still have a few quid left over for souvenirs.

Or you could also swap that for a week at an Airbnb in Kent. Granted, the sun doesn't come as standard, you have to make your own way there and food and drink is down to you. What would you choose?

The Costa del Sol or the Garden of England? You choose... Picture: Airbnb
The Costa del Sol or the Garden of England? You choose... Picture: Airbnb

So just what does three thousand fat ones get you in his fine county of ours?

We compared prices at some of the county's top-priced Airbnb rentals for a week for a family between August 14-21. All were still available as of April 13.

And, before you ask, travel giant Tui can get you to sunnier climes for the cost mentioned above.

Goudhurst - £3,069 (includes £445 Airbnb service fee)

Before you baulk at the cost, it should be said this has a £292 discount applied - and the building you're renting out is pretty impressive.

Live in up in the countryside in Goudhurst. Picture: Airbnb
Live in up in the countryside in Goudhurst. Picture: Airbnb

A restored pump house set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, if you like an industrial feel to your holiday accommodation then you have come to the right place. The blurb on the site describes it as having an "achingly cool" interior. We're talking steel staircase, exposed brick walls, that sort of thing.

There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, capable of accommodating six guests, with a walled courtyard and fire pit (outside, natch) too.

And if you don't like to miss your favourite TV shows while you're away, there are two 65" TVs plus a 55" one in one of the bedrooms.

The former pumping station. Picture: Airbnb
The former pumping station. Picture: Airbnb

Whitstable - £3,005 (includes £80 cleaning fee and £435 Airbnb 'service fee')

You would expect Whitstable to command a hefty price - it has, after all, come a long way from being a cheap accommodation option for students attending nearby universities in Canterbury as it was in the 1990s.

Experience life as a DfL does in Whitstable. Picture: Airbnb
Experience life as a DfL does in Whitstable. Picture: Airbnb

So for a smidge over £3,000 you can spend seven nights in two-bedroom townhouse which is, according to the description, a "50 second walk" to the beach. Depends how fast or slow you walk I guess.

It's also "centrally located in Whitstable village". Which may come as news to many who live there, unaware the town is a village. But let's not quibble over the description.

For your £357 a night (before that enormous Airbnb service charge is added) you get two bedrooms, a free parking space (something of a luxury in Whitstable) in a new home with a balcony offering sea views.

Beach views - and a parking spot! Picture: Airbnb
Beach views - and a parking spot! Picture: Airbnb

Dungeness - £3,085

Now this is a fascinating little two-bedroom place. Situated on the shingle shores of Dungeness, it offers views across the Channel in one direction and the lighthouse and currently being decommissioned nuclear power station on the other. Be fair, where else can you tick off such a trio?

Described as having a "quirky contemporary design", a key feature is the kitchen which is built into a "stripped-back Victorian railway carriage" and sliding doors that open onto the beach.

There are worse views in the county. Picture: Airbnb
There are worse views in the county. Picture: Airbnb

Capable of sleeping four people, there's a warning in the particulars that should, while you holiday, decided to hold a commercial photo shoot or decide to film a TV or film at the property, you'll get hit with an extra charge for not obtaining the necessary licences. Curses.

Oh, and if you're bringing your dogs, due to the "high quality furnishings" there's a request their nails be clipped before you arrive.

Who doesn't love a lighthouse and a nuclear power station? Picture: Airbnb
Who doesn't love a lighthouse and a nuclear power station? Picture: Airbnb

Westbrook - £3,018 (includes £80 cleaning fee)

On the edge of Westbrook Bay, you get three double bedrooms with this large detached property - one with a balcony overlooking the gardens - and two living rooms. Plus there's a large kitchen with dining area. Ample room for a family of six apparently.

Family home available in Westbrook. Picture: Airbnb
Family home available in Westbrook. Picture: Airbnb

It's also just 150 metres from the sandy beach - plus, weather permitting, you get a large garden with barbecue and furniture.

Westbrook Bay is only a short stroll from Margate seafront too, making for an easy day out, while the property also comes with private parking for two cars.

Still, £3,000 is still a fair few quid for a week. In case you were wondering, that's £420 a night.

Probably best not to slide down those bannisters. Think of your deposit. Picture: Airbnb
Probably best not to slide down those bannisters. Think of your deposit. Picture: Airbnb

Palm Bay - £3,006 (includes £80 cleaning fee)

Four bedrooms allow up to eight guests at this large family house in Palm Bay - just along the coast from Cliftonville in Margate.

Described as being between Margate Old Town and Botany Bay, you will be paying £418 a night for a week's stay here.

Palm Bay property lurks between Margate and Botany Bay. Picture: Airbnb
Palm Bay property lurks between Margate and Botany Bay. Picture: Airbnb

The beach is a one-minute walk away and should the weather keep you inside, well there's a 58-inch TV inside for your viewing pleasure.

There's also a rather strict 'no noise after 10pm' rule - as apparently the neighbours are rather sensitive. So if you were thinking of this being a party house you may wish to look elsewhere.

Inside the Palm Bay house. Picture: Airbnb
Inside the Palm Bay house. Picture: Airbnb

Hythe - £2,883 (includes £80 cleaning fee and £418 Airbnb service fee)

That pesky service fee pushes the price of this beach front townhouse in Hythe higher than the £350 a night it's advertised for.

But for your money you do get four bedrooms - one of which offers a sea-facing balcony. There's also a nifty little arcade machine in one of them - ideal to ensure your kids get little to no sleep during their holidays (assuming, of course, they get excited by Pac-Man or Space Invaders. So perhaps more one for the big kids in your family.)

And one of the rooms has an arcade machine. Picture: Airbnb
And one of the rooms has an arcade machine. Picture: Airbnb

It does however claim to be a mere 2.7 miles from Tankerton, near Whitstable - rather than the hour drive and 25 miles which actually sits between the two places on opposite coasts. A mistake, clearly.

It's all decked out in a "smart and contemporary style" should you be interested.

Broadstairs - £3,008 (includes £70 cleaning fee)

There is no denying North Foreland Golf Club is one of the most picturesque in the county. And if you want to watch people hack, I mean drive, chip and putt, their way around the course courtesy of the overlooking balcony in this up-market apartment, then this could be just the place.

A rather pleasant view over the golf course. Picture: Airbnb
A rather pleasant view over the golf course. Picture: Airbnb

And, frankly, if you don't like golf, well the views are pretty impressive.

Firstly, it's worth pointing out the cost of a week's stay here - in an apartment in the swanky new £10m The Fairways development - has been discounted by a whopping £629. So it's, almost, a bargain. That brings the price down from £510 a night to a mere £420.

Ever wanted to experience a gated community? Here's your chance. Picture: Airbnb
Ever wanted to experience a gated community? Here's your chance. Picture: Airbnb

Part of a gated complex, this first-floor pad has one bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room to allow up to four people to stay.

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