A woman has revealed how she let strangers stay in her home for six weeks while she visited family abroad – and says the secret travel hack is a ‘must’ for parents.
Priya Sadhwani and her husband, Vivek, were desperate to be with family and friends after giving birth to their first child, Lila.
The pair, aged 33 and 35, had moved to London from New York, US, in September 2021 for work.
READ MORE: Brits left fuming after staff cruise switch Premier League match for NFL game
- Advertisement -
But with all the costs of a newborn, they weren’t in a position to fork out an estimated £16,000 for flights and a short-term rental.
Feeling deflated, they scoured other options and came across a home swapping website.
In total, their six week stay cost just £1,045, which included a cleaning fee of £445 and the annual cost of the site’s service at £600.
No money is exchanged between members, though their guests paid them back in a much more valuable way.
“When we returned home, the first thing we noticed was a pack of diapers the size of our baby’s left behind by our guests,” the partnerships lead told What’s The Jam.
- Advertisement -
“Another guest borrowed our spare stroller when theirs broke.
“The service encourages more of a community feel rather than a transactional one.
“It felt less like booking accommodation and more like sharing homes with friends.
- Advertisement -
“We were definitely nervous the first time we hosted.
“It’s our primary home, which we renovated a few years ago, so we’re quite house proud.
“We wanted to make sure that whoever stayed would treat it with care.
“We started by hosting to earn credits, meaning we hosted while we were away on planned holidays, and those experiences really put us at ease.
“The guests were respectful, left lovely gifts and communicated beautifully.”
Priya, Vivek and Lila set off in August 2025 to the Big Apple, leaving their belongings and furniture behind for strangers to use and make themselves feel at home.
And it appears other hosts had the same idea.
She said: “Our first stay was even better than the photos.
“It was a direct swap with a family who had a baby a bit older than ours.
“There was a garden, a rarity in New York City, which backed their loft.
“And the family were starting a cheesecake business and had left a divine cheesecake for us in the fridge.
“Plus diapers in Lila’s size that their son had outgrown.
“It instantly felt homely, rather than transactional.
“Like stepping into someone’s life, instead of a cold Airbnb or hotel room.
“With a baby, that made a huge difference – it felt so much more relaxed and far less stressful than dealing with check-in times or hidden fees.
“After that, we spent three weeks in Carroll Gardens in a home with a gym and rooftop.
“Both families were so welcoming and we even joined the first family for their baby’s first birthday celebrations.”
Priya used her parental leave to make the trip, and, following their experiences, now have many more trips planned using the service.
Since joining Kindred, they’ve hosted guests for 57 nights and have stayed in other people’s homes for 34 nights.
And it’s saved them an estimated £16,000 in total.
She added: “Guests were respectful of our home and it was a bonus to return to a professionally cleaned space.
“We’re still in touch with the two families we swapped with.
“The family whose home we stayed in in the Hamptons are actually coming to stay with us in London soon.
“The financial savings have been substantial.
“Our stay in New York City was coming out at around £15,000 for a similar loft and just over £2,000 for our home in the Hamptons.
“The Kindred passport fee paid for itself in the first month.
“We’re planning a trip for our daughter’s birthday next year and hope to find a home in a European city which can accommodate both our families.
“I always do a quick video call with anyone staying at our home, as it’s nice for both sides to put a face to the name.
“And I can usually run through a few house rules, like no outdoor shoes in the house.
“I’ve never turned anyone down because of the call, but it gives me peace of mind and usually ends up being a lovely chat.
“Kindred has truly been life-changing for travel and visiting family and friends.
“We’re heading to Paris soon and then back to the States to visit family after that.
“It’s taken away so much of the logistical headache that comes with travelling with a baby – it just makes the whole experience feel more human and connected.”
Kindred works through a credit system – earning one credit for each night you host – which can be spent on a stay in another member’s home for one night.
Justine Palefsky, CEO and co-founder of Kindred, said: “Parents need a home that truly works for their family so they can live comfortably when they travel.
“With home swapping, families can stay in homes that are already equipped for life with children around their age – whether that means blackout shades, the right toys, or a crib already in place.
“Traveling with kids can already feel like an extreme sport, and the last thing parents need is to have to lug all this gear with them to have a comfortable stay.
“A family swapcation allows families to stay in comfortable, kid-proofed homes in family oriented neighbourhoods, while saving a significant amount of their travel budget.
“We see this spike most during school holidays – from half term to Christmas to the summer break – when traditional accommodation costs soar.
“That’s why family travel is now one of the fastest-growing segments on Kindred.”
READ MORE: Travel lover stays in ‘cheapest Airbnb in world’ costing just £1.75 per night….and he loves it
