Hosting Tips

Finding reliable Airbnb cleaners is one of the hardest parts of running a successful short-term rental, especially outside major cities. This guide explains how to find holiday rental cleaning services that meet guest expectations, what standards to look for, and why cleaning is so central to reviews, occupancy and long-term income. It also explores when managing cleaners yourself can work, when it becomes time-consuming and risky, and why many hosts eventually move to professional Airbnb management once they see how closely cleaning, maintenance and guest experience are linked. Written for UK hosts in both urban and rural areas, this article offers practical advice for doing it yourself, alongside an honest look at when handing it over can lead to better results and less stress.

Running an Airbnb in the UK involves far more than setting a nightly rate and welcoming guests. From cleaning and laundry to maintenance, management fees, platform charges and setup costs, the true cost of hosting is often underestimated by new and experienced hosts alike. This guide breaks down the real, ongoing costs of running an Airbnb business in the UK, highlights the most common hidden expenses, and explains how professional management can simplify operations and protect long-term profitability. It’s designed to help UK hosts make informed decisions, compare self-managing versus full-service management, and understand what it genuinely takes to run a successful, sustainable short-term rental.

Airbnb pricing has a far bigger impact on performance than most owners realise. This guide explains how professional Airbnb management companies actually set prices, why dynamic pricing tools alone are not enough, and how local demand knowledge and human revenue expertise shape results. It breaks down what affects Airbnb performance beyond nightly rate, how managers balance occupancy with income, and why smart pricing decisions can significantly improve annual returns without increasing workload.

Can an Airbnb really be a hands-off investment in the UK? This article gives an honest, practical answer for time-poor owners and overseas hosts. It breaks down what “hands-off” actually looks like in reality, how much involvement is still required, and which tasks can be fully delegated with the right management setup. The post contrasts self-managing with professional Airbnb management, explains how a good operator removes day-to-day mental load, and outlines how owners can stay as involved or as hands-off as they choose. It closes by showing how a well-run Airbnb business can deliver strong returns without dominating your time.

Not all Airbnb management companies inspect properties in the same way. This guide breaks down the different types of inspections involved in professional holiday let management, from checks after every guest stay to deeper housekeeping, maintenance, onboarding and accessibility inspections. It explains how thorough inspections protect the condition of the home, reduce guest complaints and improve long-term performance, and highlights why inspection-led management is a key difference between average and high-performing Airbnb operators.

Five-star Airbnb ratings depend on reliability and accuracy rather than luxury features, with cleanliness, functional amenities, and fast host communication being the primary drivers of guest satisfaction. Data from over 6,000 Cotswolds reviews shows that guests reward properties matching their descriptions and solving problems quickly, while a single oversight like a dirty oven or broken heating can reduce bookings. Hosts should prioritise hotel-standard hygiene, comfortable bedding, fully equipped kitchens, and honest property photos over expensive extras to achieve consistent five-star reviews.

When choosing an Airbnb management company, owners are often pushed to pick between a small local operator or a large national brand. In practice, the strongest results usually come from companies that sit in between. This article explains why hybrid Airbnb management companies consistently outperform purely local or purely national models by combining on-the-ground expertise with professional systems, pricing tools and processes. It breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, shows why the hybrid model works particularly well in complex regions like the Cotswolds, and outlines the key questions owners should ask when comparing companies that manage Airbnb properties.

A clear, practical guide explaining what full-service Airbnb management actually includes, and how it differs from partial or listing-only support. The post breaks down every stage of professional Airbnb management, from property setup and pricing to guest communication, cleaning, maintenance and inspections, helping owners understand how full-service management removes both the workload and the decision-making involved in hosting. It’s written for UK hosts comparing companies that manage Airbnb rentals and looking for a genuinely hands-off way to run their property.

A practical, owner focused guide to finding the right Airbnb management service near you, with a clear explanation of what full service management should include and why it matters. The post outlines typical fees, the time involved in hosting, how pricing works, how professional cleaning and inspections protect your home, and what separates the best Airbnb management companies in the Cotswolds and surrounding areas. It also explains the local regions Red Kite Hosts covers and why many owners choose a hands off, full service approach for better reviews, higher occupancy and stronger income.

A practical guide to choosing the right holiday let management company in the Cotswolds. The post explains typical management fees, what full service support should include and why strong local housekeeping, maintenance networks and guest communication matter so much in this region. It also outlines what makes a great manager in the Cotswolds, highlights other companies in the area and sets out why many owners choose Red Kite Hosts for full service holiday let management across the Cotswolds and neighbouring counties.

We’ve analysed over 6,000 guest reviews from more than 20,000 bookings to understand what guests value most and how we can keep improving. With an average rating of 4.8 stars, above Airbnb’s global average, we’ve learned that the key themes guests mention most are cleanliness, comfort, maintenance, heating, and check-in. In this post, we share real anonymised guest comments to show exactly what stands out to guests and how our system, from detailed cleaning processes to digital guidebooks and trusted local contractors, help us deliver a consistently excellent experience.

Thinking of starting a holiday let in Worcestershire? From choosing the right location to preparing your property, setting up systems and building strong reviews, this step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know. Whether you do it yourself or work with a professional holiday let management company, these are the foundations for success in Worcester city and the county’s countryside.

Regular maintenance inspections keep holiday homes guest-ready, prevent costly repairs, and protect your reviews. In this post, we share why inspections matter, common issues they catch, and how our detailed checklist helps us spot problems before guests do. ensuring properties stay in excellent condition year-round.

Curious what it’s like to work with Red Kite Hosts? This behind-the-scenes post walks through every stage of our owner journey, from initial enquiry to listing launch and ongoing management. We explain how we onboard each property with care, recruit dedicated housekeepers, carry out regular inspections, and provide hands-on, full-service support. Whether you’re managing your own Airbnb or exploring letting for the first time, this post offers a detailed look at how we help owners succeed, and why we’re different from larger, less personal agencies.

Not all Airbnbs are professionally cleaned, but they should be. This post explains why professional cleaning matters, how it differs from domestic cleaning, and what guests really expect. With insights from over 2,000 guest reviews and a look at how Red Kite Hosts handles cleaning across all the homes we manage, this guide is a must-read for anyone thinking of letting their property on Airbnb.

Setting up a holiday home properly makes all the difference to guest experience and performance. In this post, we share key items from our in-house setup checklist — including essentials and highly recommended touches for every room. Whether you're launching your first Airbnb or looking to improve your existing setup, this guide will help you get started. Want the full checklist and expert help? Get in touch with Red Kite Hosts.

Pet-friendly Airbnbs in the Cotswolds earn 24% more on average. Based on 18 months of booking data, this post explains why pet-friendly homes perform better — and what you can do to take advantage.

Not sure if you need a property management company for your Airbnb or holiday let? This post helps first-time hosts and hands-on owners figure out if it’s time to get support. It breaks down the signs you might need help – like poor reviews, pricing issues, or constant guest questions – and explains how a good short let management company can improve your income, guest experience, and peace of mind. It also answers the big question: will I earn less by using a management company? (Spoiler: not with Red Kite Hosts.)

This blog post explores the most common complaints and questions Airbnb and holiday let guests have—like confusion over heating, Wi-Fi, parking, and local recommendations—and explains how holiday home owners and managers can drastically reduce these issues with better communication. At Red Kite Hosts, we use digital guidebooks to share clear, searchable, always-up-to-date information with guests. From hot tub instructions to local tips, these guidebooks help guests find what they need without sending long, overwhelming messages. The result? Happier guests, fewer questions, smoother stays, and better reviews.

This guide explains how often you should deep clean your holiday cottage, what’s included in a proper deep clean, and why it matters. Drawing on our’ experience managing 100+ properties, it outlines the difference between regular changeovers and deep cleans, provides a cost benchmark based on property size, and shows how we handle the entire process for you — from scheduling and housekeeping coordination to quality tracking via Breezeway.

Thinking of letting your property on Airbnb in Bath? This guide covers everything you need to know, from year-round demand and average earnings to local hosting tips and regulations. Learn what makes Bath a top-performing market for short-term rentals, discover which properties earn the most, and try our free Airbnb earnings calculator to see your projected income month by month.

Airbnb Superhost status is a mark of consistent, high-quality hospitality, and a key trust signal for guests booking a stay. In this post, we explain what it means to be a Superhost, how to qualify and maintain the badge, and why it can lead to more bookings. We also share why partnering with a Superhost management company like Red Kite Hosts gives your property an edge, from expert listing optimisation to access to exclusive Airbnb insights and events.

Hot water, heating, and Wi-Fi are the most common guest-reported issues in short lets — but with the right preparation, they’re often quick to fix. Red Kite Hosts uses detailed documentation, smart troubleshooting, and trusted contractors to resolve problems fast and protect the guest experience.

How to automate check-in for rural holiday cottages using reliable tools like physical lockboxes, smart guest messaging, and synced housekeeping — without overcomplicating things.

National agencies offer systems, small local operators offer care — but Red Kite Hosts combines both. Here’s why the best-performing holiday lets are managed by companies that do it all.

Summer is the most profitable time of year for Airbnb hosts — so small improvements go a long way. Here are five quick ways to refresh your listing, attract more bookings, and maximise peak season income.

Keeping an Airbnb guest-ready takes more than a standard clean. Discover what makes short-term rental cleaning different, the key details to never miss, and how professional cleaners protect your reviews and property.

Wondering whether to manage your Airbnb yourself or use a management company? This guide breaks down the real earnings, hidden costs, and why most hosts end up earning more with expert support.

Want better Airbnb reviews? Discover how professional changeover cleaning, handled by dedicated short-term rental cleaners, increases your review ratings, improves guest satisfaction, and boosts your income.

Thinking of listing your property on Airbnb? Learn what a short let management company actually does — from guest communication and pricing to cleaning and maintenance — and whether it’s the right choice for your holiday let or rental property.