HOLIDAY rental franchise, Pass the Keys, has announced the winners of its Property of the Year 2026 Awards, which spotlight the very best holiday rentals in the UK.
From a luxury lake house in the Cotswolds to an eco-friendly retreat in East Sussex, the awards recognise properties that offer standout guest experiences across a range of categories, including affordable, family, group, design-led and eco-conscious stays, capturing what people are seeking for their staycations in 2026.
Two properties in Shropshire have been recognised: a pristine apartment in Shrewsbury town centre was praised for its affordability at just £82 per night, while a spacious property featuring an indoor heated pool secured the Group Property of the Year award.
For more than a decade, Pass the Keys has been a leading UK holiday-let management franchise, overseeing more than 1,700 properties across 65 locations in the UK and Southern Spain, combining professional management with the local insight of on-the-ground partners.
Short-term let experts James Varley of Host Planet, Lisa Roads, the Holiday Property Coach, and Richard Vaughton of Yes Consulting formed the guest judge panel to select the winners.
Award Winners:
Affordable Property of the Year: 1 bed 40D Dahlia Contemporary town centre apartmentin Shrewsbury (Shropshire):
Affordable property of the year nominees had to be in the bottom 20% by price in their area and demonstrate great value. Judges noted this property as “pretty, charming, and well looked after; boasts great reviews.”
- Price: From £82 per night
- Sleeps: 2
- 1 bedroom/1 bathroom
Group Property of the Year: Saracens: Fabulous Retreat (sleeps 14) with Pool and Sauna, Hadnall (Shropshire)
Group properties were required to offer reasonable space for a larger group with ample living areas. Judges noted that “this property offers style, flexible spacious accommodation and an indoor swimming pool, making it appeal to a wide range of large group bookings.”
- Price: From £716 per night
- Sleeps: 14
- 7 bedrooms/8 bathrooms
Overall Property of the Year 2026: Stunning 5-bedroom lake-house with a hot tub and views, Somerford Keynes (Cotswolds)
Judges praised this property for its “total wow factor” and described it as “a luxury leisure stay.”
- Price: From £582 per night
- Sleeps: 12
- 5 bedrooms/5 bathrooms
- Hot tub
- Access to shared swimming pool and other facilities
Runner up: Charming Pet-Friendly Family Cottage in Eynsham (West Oxfordshire)
Judges noted that this is a “superb property” and “a special blend of old and new.”
- Price: From £205 per night
- Sleeps: 7
- 4 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Eco-friendly Property of the Year: Luxury Retreat with Countryside Viewsin East Chiltington, Lewes:
With more and more guests looking for eco-friendly breaks, entries were asked to demonstrate features and design choices appealing to a more sustainable-minded holidaymaker. Judges called this “a property which has been designed and built with sustainability at the heart, from electric car charging to sustainable energy management.”
- Price: From £697 per night
- Sleeps: 10
- 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms
Family Property of the Year: Bond-villain Style Home, with Panoramic Views in Newbury (South Oxfordshire):
Family properties were asked to demonstrate a special experience focused on families, with space to keep even kids entertained. Judges commented: “What an amazing house! Love it.”
- Price: From £412 per night
- Sleeps: 6
- 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms
Property Design of the Year: Stunning 5 bedroom lake-house with hot tub and views, Somerford Keynes (Cotswolds):
A clear favourite with the judges, the overall property of the year was also winner of property design of the year. Judges praised its “Grand Design” feel, describing it as “beautifully furnished and dressed.”
- Price: From £582 per night
- Sleeps: 12
- 5 bedrooms/5 bathrooms
CEO of Pass the Keys, Alexander Lyakhotskiy, said: “Our Properties of the Year Awards showcase what great holiday let management looks like in practice.
“These are homes that consistently exceed guest expectations. They are a testament to the strength of our franchise partners and their local market expertise.”
See all the winners of the 2026 Property of the Year Awards by clicking here.
All winning properties are available to book directly on Pass the Keys’ website at the links above, offering guests the reassurance of a national franchise combined with the expertise of a local manager. More information can be found on the Pass the Keys website.
