How to choose a great location to have an Airbnb holiday rental property

Location, location, location – it is the age old saying and so important when you are choosing where to set up your Airbnb holiday rental property. When we refer to location it isn’t just about whether it is close to the beach or near local cafes, we are talking about the actual regions you consider and how far they are from major cities

Should an Airbnb rental property be within 3 hours of a city?

If your holiday rental property is within a 3-hour drive of a major city you have a much better chance of attracting weekend guests who are looking for a weekend getaway close to home. Anything further than that starts to lose the appeal for weekend travellers as the time and distance involved to travel to the location is too far. 

Anywhere that is further than 3 hours away, guests are unlikely to consider your holiday rental for a weekend stay so you may be limiting yourself to bookings that are predominantly during holiday periods or long weekends. 

It’s also crucial to choose a location for your holiday that is easy for you to get to so that you are more likely to go and use it as well.

Does location affect weekday or weekend Airbnb rental bookings?

Another important thing to consider when it comes to location is if it will be more popular on weekdays, weekends or even both. Obviously choosing a location that will attract both types of guests will give you a better chance of overall success, but there are also still a range of profitable holiday rentals that are further away from major attractions. These properties are generally more popular for longer holiday periods where guests are happy to travel longer distances in exchange for a longer stay.

Should your Airbnb rental property be close to local tourist attractions?

No matter where your holiday rental is in Australia, you want to ensure it has access to local attractions that will help to encourage guests to stay at your property, these are some of the most popular attractions that work to help bring in guests to your holiday rental.

• Beaches
  • Beaches are probably the most popular attraction for guests and often guest numbers and bookings will peak significantly during the summer if your holiday rental has a beach nearby. 

• • Guests love all things to do with beachside rentals, from rustic beach shacks that remind them of their childhood to busy beach locations that have a bustling nightlife.

• • When you’re purchasing a holiday rental in a beach location, think carefully about the style of the home and the overall proximity to the beach. You’ll want to make sure your holiday rental has a style that appeals to a range of guests, whether it’s something more rustic and tranquil or a modern beach house keeping your holiday rental on theme is crucial.

• • This helps to create a feeling of complete escape for your guests rather than them feeling like they are staying in a space similar to their home. If you’re in a warm beachside location you may also want to consider things like alfresco or outdoor areas so your guests can enjoy the sun on their holiday. If you’re within a 5-minute walk to the beach you will also benefit from being able to charge your guests a more premium rate.

• Mountains
  • Holidays to mountain locations is another popular choice for guests. Mountain locations attract hikers, mountaineers and even skiers if there is snow in the cooler months. 
  • Cabins, chalets and lodges all give your guests the mountain getaway ambiance they may be after. Mountains are also popular in warmer months not just in the winter, but if there’s snow – ski season attracts the highest prices.
  • When buying in a mountain location you may want to look for things like wood cabins, log fires and the proximity to ski slopes as key factors that could entice guests to book your holiday rental. 
  • Mountain views and luxury features like spa baths could also help you tack on a more premium price tag.

• Countryside
  • Countryside getaways are gaining popularity in recent years and farmstays, cottages and rustic buildings help to appeal to guests seeking the quiet solitude of the countryside. Guests come to these countryside locations to escape from the cities and to get back in touch with nature. Country areas that have a strong food and wine culture are also very popular when it comes to countryside holiday rentals.
  • When you’re purchasing a holiday rental in the countryside it’s important to balance the wildness of the country with comfort and amenities that will draw guests to your rental.

• Historical Significance
  • History buffs may seek out holiday rentals in areas that have cultural or historical significance. They will often take part in tours and will also look for properties that help to reflect the history of the area they’re visiting.
  • Historical locations don’t need to be ancient or decrepit either – even one or two hundred year old properties can help draw in guests.

• Cities
  • Often tourists wishing to travel the world will choose to stay in major cities due to the convenience of being able to fly into the city and explore locally. One of the key reasons for Airbnb’s success is its abundance and range of accommodation in major cities throughout the world.

• • Guests that are heading to city locations will also be looking for a property that reflects the style of the area so they can really enjoy living like a true local. The most important factor in these properties is ensuring you choose a location that is close to the city’s main tourist attractions, shopping locations, restaurants, bars and cafes.

What unique locations can also work as an Airbnb rental property?

The list above is probably fairly obvious, most people go on holidays to the beach, into nature, to see major attractions or visit popular cities. So any property in those locations will have different levels of success depending on their proximity to those things.

Other locations that might see demand could be homes that are near popular motor racing circuits, annual major cultural events or music concerts. These types of properties might not have year round demand but depending on their location there may be very few competing properties therefore rental rates will be a premium.

Can a property management company help find a location for a new Airbnb?

If you are looking to chat to an Airbnb property management expert about the factors to consider when choosing the location for your holiday rental, you can contact our team. At Professional Holiday Homes we know that location is everything and we are committed to helping you make the most out of the location of your holiday rental