When a holiday home struggles to attract bookings, the first thing people usually blame is the location. The assumption is often that there simply isn’t enough demand in the area, or that the market has become too competitive. But in reality, that’s not always the full story.
Quite often, there are nearby properties performing extremely well at the exact same time. Same town, similar surroundings, similar access to attractions, but very different results.
Guests Buy the Feeling
A big part of that comes down to how the home actually feels to potential guests. Some homes feel like somewhere you simply stay for the night, while others immediately create a sense of escape and make people imagine themselves spending time there before they’ve even booked.
That emotional side of design is something people often overlook when planning a holiday home or Airbnb. There can be a tendency to focus heavily on floor area, bedroom count, or adding more features, but guests don’t always choose accommodation based purely on specifications. In many cases, they respond much more strongly to atmosphere, layout, natural light, privacy, and how connected the space feels to its surroundings.
The Problem With Playing It Safe
A lot of modern holiday homes also fall into the trap of trying to appeal to absolutely everyone. The interiors become very safe, very neutral, and very similar to every other listing online. While there’s nothing technically wrong with that approach, it can make it incredibly difficult to stand out in a crowded market where guests are scrolling through hundreds of options.
What Makes a Property Memorable?
The homes that tend to perform best usually have a strong sense of identity. They feel considered and intentional without necessarily being extravagant. Often, the most memorable places are actually relatively simple buildings where the proportions feel good, the indoor-outdoor connection works naturally, and the home feels relaxing to spend time in.
Interestingly, this doesn’t always correlate with size or budget. Some of the most successful short-stay accommodation works because it understands exactly what experience it’s trying to create. Rather than trying to maximise every square metre possible, the design focuses on how people will actually use the space during their stay.
Why Design Matters More Than Ever
As competition continues increasing across the short-stay market, simply building a “nice” holiday home is becoming less of a guarantee than it once was. Guests are increasingly choosing places that feel memorable, authentic, and enjoyable to spend time in, not just places that technically meet their accommodation needs.
The Takeaway
At the end of the day, people rarely recommend a holiday home to friends because it had an extra hallway or slightly larger spare bedroom. They recommend it because it felt good to be there.
Thinking About Building?
If you’re planning a holiday home, Airbnb, or short-stay accommodation, it’s worth thinking about the guest experience from the very beginning.
The most successful properties often aren’t the biggest or most expensive. They’re the ones that create a memorable experience people want to return to and recommend to others.
Feel free to reach out to the Modhaven team for a free consultation here.
