Help with London flat?

The flat that I booked two months ago (through VBRO) for our family vacation to London was JUST cancelled -- and we are traveling over Xmas break!  Property owner says he "accidentally double-booked."  Any resources out there besides VBRO and AirBNB?  Advice?  We are 5 people and need 2 bathrooms, and of course want to be centrally located.  UGH and thank you!

We used Flipkey to book an apartment in Paris last year. It was a very good experience. In fact they just sent me an email today about London getaways. Good luck.

Bad luck, sorry!  I did well with Friendly Rentals in Spain.

Not just bad luck- that doesn't seem fair.  I'd go to VBRO and see if they can help and offer some compensation.

Tried conandrob240.  They sent us alternate listings to consider, but pickings are slim.  No monetary compensation.  Lesson learned!

londonconnection.com-

Have used twice. PM me for more specifics. also have a couple other agency names but haven't used them. Good luck!

lbr, that is terrible! I will think hard before using them based on this.  Good luck!

also, not sure if there is enuf time but check out ordering Oyster/travel cards online.

Wells Fargo Florham Park carries pounds, not sure about local branch.

We have use Home Away several times and have loved their apartments and their service.  You can find them and the neighborhoods you're interested online.  They were wonderfully helpful and professional.

home away london knightsbridge

Oops...sent the wrong link. https://www.homeaway.com/theme/london

Complain more vigorously to VBRO. They might do more for you if you make more noise. The situation really stinks with such late notice. We used VBRO for Dublin and Patis with no problems.

http://chsrentals.com/properties-london/the_coach_house/

??? not central but Tube is easy! (if you can't get Oyster in advance, you can still get discount card on site including 50% off kids 15 & younger....)

the exact same thing happened to us last year in London over xmas except it was an air b&b cancellation.  Air b&B offered something like $1000 off an alternate booking but there was nothing we could get at that time to book through them.  there are a lot of flat rental companies within London and the one we used was great - we ended up with a much better flat then my parents who used air b&b. I have never found vrbo helpful when there is a rental issue

Berkeley thank you so much for your research on my behalf!  That place looks great.  If I can't find something more centrally located I will definitely follow-up on that.

I have an American friend who lives there and is coming home for Christmas. Her flat will be empty. What are your dates? 

Annemarie -- our dates are 12/27-1/1.  Thank you!

London Connection is showing an apt in Knightsbridge for those dates. Knightsbridge might feel *busy* during that week but if you are looking for central...

@lbr I sent her a message. 

Thank you all for your help.  This community really rocks.  We were able to find an alternate flat for a bit more money, but not bank-breaking.  Perhaps it was meant to be.  First world problems, as they say... happy holidays to all!

glad it worked out! 

see Wall Street journal online article on London at Christmas--have a great time!

http://www.timeout.com/london/christmas

NizhoniGrrrl said:

Complain more vigorously to VBRO. They might do more for you if you make more noise. The situation really stinks with such late notice. We used VBRO for Dublin and Patis with no problems.

You can always tweet and FB out about your experience - might be amazed to see how quick to respond. Its ridiculous since its their reputation on the line. Glad you found a replacement!