How to Book a London Apartment Direct and Skip the Airbnb Fees
If you have ever reached the final screen of an Airbnb or Booking.com checkout, you will have seen it: a "service fee" quietly added on top of the nightly rate. On a week-long London stay that fee often runs to £80–£200+ — money that goes to the platform, not the home or the people looking after it.
What the OTA service fee actually is
Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb and Booking.com charge guests a service fee — typically around 14–16% on Airbnb — to cover their platform and payment processing. That fee is layered on top of the host's own price. Book the identical apartment directly with the operator and that guest fee simply disappears.
How to book direct in three steps
- Find the home. Browse our full London collection or jump to a use-case page such as two-bedroom apartments or family & large-group apartments.
- Check your dates. Each listing shows live availability and an instant total — no surprise fees at the end.
- Book with us directly. You deal with Regal Realms, get the same 24/7 support, and pay a better total price.
Is booking direct safe?
Yes. Every Regal Realms apartment is professionally managed, slept in and inspected by our team, with secure payment, a clear booking confirmation and direct contact throughout your stay. You are booking with the same people who run the home on the platforms — just without the middle layer.
Why it is usually cheaper
Booking direct removes the guest service fee, and because we are not absorbing platform commission we can keep nightly rates keen — especially on weekly and monthly stays, where discounts apply automatically.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I save by booking a London apartment direct?
- You avoid the OTA guest service fee — commonly around 14–16% on Airbnb — which on a week-long stay typically saves £80–£200 or more versus booking the same apartment through the platform.
- Is it safe to book directly instead of through Airbnb?
- Yes. Regal Realms apartments are professionally managed and inspected, with secure payment, clear confirmation and direct 24/7 support — the same team that manages the listings on the platforms.
- Do I get the same apartment if I book direct?
- Yes — the identical professionally managed home, without the platform service fee added at checkout.