Plum Guide
London platform that matches guests with hand-picked homes
Quick Overview
| Company | Plu&m Limited |
|---|---|
| Category | Vacation Rental Platforms |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2016 |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom |
| Data Location | Not stated on pages opened |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Curated listing selection, matchmaking, ID verification for instant book guests |
| Pricing | Host fee 3% per booking plus taxes; one-time joining fee of £300 |
| Best For | Hosts with high-quality homes and guests wanting vetted stays |
| Replaces | Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com |
Detailed Review
Plu&m Limited, named in the terms with its registered office in England and Wales, operates Plum Guide. The our-story page gives 2016 as the launch year and says venture and angel investors back the company.
Where Airbnb lets almost anyone list, Plum Guide screens homes before they appear. The become-a-host page says about 75% of bookings come through a matchmaking step by the Plum team.
Money for hosts
Hosts pay a 3% service fee on each booking plus local and sales taxes. A one-time joining fee of £300 (€300 or $400, depending on currency) is charged once the first booking of a listing has checked in, and it is taken from that first payout.
What Plum does and does not do
Section 1.8 of the terms says Plum offers an introduction service and the host decides whether to accept a request. Section 1.6 says Plum does not own or manage the accommodation, so repairs and house rules stay with the host.
Guest checks
Guests booking instantly are identity-checked through Onfido. A concierge and matchmaking team is described on the host page, which suits travellers who prefer being advised over searching alone.
Limitations to Consider
The screened catalogue is small next to an open marketplace, every listing pays the £300 joining fee, and no controlling owner is named.
Who Should Use Plum Guide
Owners of well-presented homes and guests who want a vetted shortlist instead of thousands of results.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low 3% host fee
- Screened homes
- Team matchmaking
- Registered company named
- ID check for instant book
Cons
- Selective acceptance
- £300 per listing to start
- Host stays responsible for the home
- Investors only vaguely described
Alternatives to Plum Guide
Other European vacation rental platforms worth comparing before you decide:
See all European vacation rental platforms or compare them directly against Airbnb on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
After check-in of the first booking of a listing, deducted from that payout.
Yes, the terms say hosts decide whether to accept each request.
The our-story page mentions venture and angel investors without naming a controlling owner.