Looking for a place to stay in London often doesn't come cheap. Thameside hotel rooms cost a bomb. Thameside houses cost a fortune. But we’re going to let you in on a little secret….staying ON the Thames means getting the view and the location, as well as ample change left to spare on exploring the city. It's certainly a unique way to stay, and offers a sense of calm in the middle of the hustle and bustle of city life. We'd go as far as to say that an Airbnb houseboat in London might just be the capital’s best-kept secret, so we’ve curated the cream of the crop for you to choose from. Here at Plum Guide, we have done a lot of hard work to pick out the very best houseboats for your trip to the English capital, so read on and whet your appetite for staying on the Thames.
Reside at Plain Sailing
Embrace your inner Bond villain at this home with a difference. Moored in the West India Quay, this unabashed luxury yacht has all the trappings of a Monte Carlo casino. The saloon features a wrap-around cream leather sofa, hand crafted drinks bar and swathes of glossy cherry mahogany wood, it’s everything you’d expect from one of the finest luxury holiday rentals in London. The upper decking will be the show-stopping centre piece of this unforgettable experience, where you can feast on meals cooked by the private chef and pop champagne corks under the stars and twinkling lights of London’s East End. After a morning mimosa on the lower deck, regain your land legs and explore your locale. The stellar restaurants of Canary Wharf are all but five minutes away and the West India Quay DLR is mere footsteps from your port side, connecting you with the rest of the London Underground network.
Plain Sailing, Plum Guide home in London
5 Bedrooms | Sleeps 10 | 6 Bathrooms
Key highlights:
Share meals together on the lower deck
Show off your mixing skills at the mahogany bar
Cosy up on the soft wrap-around couch
Take a trip to The Harpy Houseboat
You're guaranteed a memorable stay in The Harpy Houseboat. This has got to be one of the most amazing views in London. Moored near Tower Bridge on the Thames’ south bank, this stunning home is the former 'HMS Harpy’. Once an Edwardian base for customs and excise officers, and a landing stage for King George V, it’s now a unique and beautifully maintained floating home. The oldest and one of the largest homes on the river, The Harpy is unlike purpose-built houseboats – all the cabins are above water level with river views. History fans and nautical nuts will have plenty to get their teeth into, those interested in luxury river living will appreciate the opportunity to sit out on deck, and if vintage furniture is your thing you'll...
The Harpy Houseboat, Plum Guide home in London
4 Bedrooms | Sleeps 10 | 3 Bathrooms
Key highlights:
Take in unrivalled views of Tower Bridge
Spend lazy days out on the deck
Spread out in the spectacular living space
Enjoy living at Buena Vista
Ok, so technically this home isn't actually a houseboat... but it is the next best thing. Overlooking the marina and all its boats, the view will have you feeling like you're relaxing on the water yourself. If you have ever dreamt of living in Central London whilst having views over the marina and its boats, then this space ticks all the boxes. This exceptional one-bedroom apartment is minutes away from Tower Bridge and provides an oasis of calm. And while it may not actually be a houseboat, it is undoubtedly one of the greatest London luxury vacation rentals on offer.
Buena Vista, Plum Guide home in London
1 Bedroom | Sleeps 4 | 1 Bathroom
Key highlights:
Admire all the boats at St Katherine's Dock
Pamper yourself in the luxurious bathroom
Have dinner on the balcony overlooking the water
Book a stay at All Afloat
Cross the gangplank onto this incredible floating home on the Thames. Moored just a couple of blocks from Tower Bridge, this former 1930s steel barge is a ten-minute walk from the Tower of London. The top deck has been converted into a long, open living space with views of St Kathrine’s Dock Marina from the huge windows. We love the semi-outdoor dining room, housed in a glass atrium-style space to the rear of the ship, with seating for ten. Choose to relax in the stylish white lounge on the upper deck, or head downstairs to the snug with its u-shaped sofa around a striking suspended fireplace. Bedrooms are on the lower deck, but that doesn’t mean dark cabins with tiny portholes. Spacious rooms have walls of windows and if there are portholes, they’re the size of a bass drum, letting in tonnes of natural light. If you manage to bag the master bedroom, its ensuite comes with a sauna. Welcome aboard, matey!
All Afloat, Plum Guide home in London
5 Bedrooms | Sleeps 10 | 5 Bathrooms
Key highlights:
Host an extravagant meal in the glasshouse on the upper deck
Seclude yourself away with a good book in the snug below deck
Unwind in the master bedroom's private sauna
