The Cotswolds is unique. Guests do not come here to sleep in a flat and spend all day sightseeing. They choose the region for comfort, nature, food, firesides, walks and a sense of calm. The home is a major part of the experience, which means standards must be high.

A great management company in the Cotswolds should offer:

Local housekeeping teams

Cottage style homes, stone floors, wood burners and larger footprints require detailed, consistent cleaning. The best companies have trained, local housekeepers who understand these property types.

Reliable local contractors

Rural locations mean issues cannot always wait. Good management companies build strong contractor networks and know who can reach Bourton on the Water, Chipping Norton or Broadway quickly.

24 hour guest support

Guests expect reassurance, clarity and solutions, especially in unfamiliar countryside properties. Support must be responsive and helpful at all hours for urgent issues.

Detailed, accurate guidebooks

Homes in the Cotswolds often have quirks, character and systems that need explaining. Digital guidebooks reduce confusion and improve guest experience immediately. Physical guidebooks are a valid alternative but the major downside is the difficulty updating information as things change - the lockbox code changes, the coffee machine is replaced, the local shop changes its opening hours.

Preventative inspections

Homes need regular checks so issues are fixed before guests arrive.

Dynamic pricing and platform expertise

The Cotswolds market has seasonal peaks and mid-week dips. Great managers tailor pricing to each home and understand how Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo reward different listing setups.

Strong local knowledge

Understanding where guests like to stay, what they expect and how to position each home makes a big difference to performance.

Other Cotswolds management companies

There are several reputable holiday let management companies operating in the region, including Sykes and Pass the Keys. Each offers different levels of service and pricing, and it is worth comparing their offering with what you need as an owner.

Why many owners choose Red Kite Hosts

Many owners come to us because they want to protect their home, reduce stress and earn a reliable income without the daily workload of hosting.

We focus on delivering consistently high guest experience, which leads to better reviews, stronger visibility on booking platforms and ultimately higher income. Here are the factors that make the biggest difference.

Better reviews produce better performance

Higher ratings lead to increased visibility, more bookings, stronger nightly rates, longer stays and repeat guests.

Exceptional guest communication

We manage guest messaging 24 hours a day for urgent issues and use digital guidebooks to give guests the right information at the right time. Not too much. Not too little.

High quality housekeeping and maintenance

We pay housekeepers well and expect high standards. Maintenance is handled quickly with local contractors, and we use detailed property logs to diagnose issues remotely. This prevents disruption to guests and protects the home.

Listing and pricing optimisation

Every platform works differently.

We attend Airbnb's annual Superhost conference for top hosts in Northern Europe and stay updated on how listings perform best. Combined with dynamic pricing software and market insight, this helps our owners achieve better occupancy and stronger monthly income.

Where in the Cotswolds do we manage properties?

We cover the full Cotswolds region, including:

• Chipping Norton
• Stow on the Wold
• Bourton on the Water
• Broadway
• Cirencester
• Burford
• Moreton in Marsh
• Winchcombe
• Tetbury
• Cotswolds villages across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire

We also manage homes in the surrounding areas including Cheltenham, Bath, Oxford, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

A simple checklist for choosing a manager in the Cotswolds

Use this to compare any company you are considering:

• Do they have local housekeepers? Is it the same housekeeper every time or a revolving team?
• Do they have contractors who can actually reach your village fast?
• Do they offer 24 hour support?
• Do they carry out inspections of the home or only react when problems arise?
• Do they handle maintenance and repairs efficiently?
• Do they have strong reviews from existing homes?
• Do they use dynamic pricing?
• Do they understand the Cotswolds market, not just generic Airbnb hosting?

If the answer is not clearly yes to all of these, the home will not perform as well as it could.

FAQ

Is the Cotswolds a good place for a holiday let?

Yes. Demand is strong year round, especially for longer countryside stays and weekend breaks.

How much does holiday let management cost in the Cotswolds?

Most owners pay between 15 and 20 percent for full service management. We charge 15 to 18 percent plus VAT.

Do I need a management company?

Not necessarily, but many owners earn more and experience fewer issues with professional support.

What type of homes perform best in the Cotswolds?

Well presented cottages, barn conversions and countryside homes with strong comfort, cleanliness and accurate listings.

Final thoughts

The Cotswolds is one of the strongest short term rental markets in the UK, but it is also a region where guest expectations are high. The right management company will help you protect your home, reduce stress and earn more through better reviews and stronger pricing.

If your property is in the Cotswolds or the surrounding area and you want full service support, we would be happy to have a chat about if we would be the right fit to help.

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