1. New York

There are cheaper apartments on newyorkproperties.co.uk, but the luxury pads with views of the Empire State Building still represent good value compared with a hotel room of the same standard. From £182 for a studio (sleeps 3) to £270 for a two-bed (sleeps six).

2. Krakow

Phoebe and Richard Ryrko and their three children moved to Krakow for a year's sabbatical but ended up staying permanently, opening this beautiful three-bedroom apartment housed in a 19th-century building four minutes from the main square. £94 per night for two then £6pp up to 10 people. 5mariicuriestreet.com, 020-7871 9466 .

3. Cape Town

Live like a Capetonian, not a tourist and book an apartment like this one opposite the beach at Camps Bay. From about £200 a day (or £30pp), sleeps 7. villaafrica.com, 0027 21 790 3634.

4. Paris

A bijou one-bed apartment housed in a 1914 art nouveau apartment block in Montmartre with hand-made bed, feather boa lamp and silk chaise longue ... très romantic.

Three night minimum stay £280, i-escape.com/swellapartmentparis.php.

5. Rio

Decent, affordable accommodation is hard to come by in this city, so a beachside apartment in Ipanema with balcony and views of Sugar Loaf is a bit of a find. £1,390 per week (about £33pp per night), sleeps 6, holidaylettings.co.uk.