Many property owners are surprised to see that two very similar homes in the same neighbourhood can have very different performance as holiday rentals.
Same building, similar size, similar location — yet one property stays booked while another struggles to attract guests.
In competitive destinations like Marbella, location alone is no longer enough to guarantee strong performance.
In this article, we explain why some holiday rental listings perform better than others in the same area and which operational factors usually make the difference.
First impressions strongly influence booking decisions.
Listings that perform better usually invest in:
High-quality professional photos
Clear, well-written descriptions
Accurate representation of spaces and amenities
Guests compare multiple listings side by side.
Small differences in presentation can significantly affect conversion rates.
Even a well-located property can struggle if it does not stand out visually.
Many guests contact hosts before booking.
Listings that perform better typically offer:
Faster response times
Clear and helpful answers
Consistent availability
Delayed or unclear communication can lead guests to book another property instead.
Platforms also reward fast response rates with better visibility.
Properties in the same area can perform very differently depending on how pricing is managed.
Better-performing listings usually:
Adjust prices based on seasonality
React to demand fluctuations
Optimise minimum stay settings
Fixed pricing often leads to:
Missed opportunities during peak demand
Long gaps during quieter periods
Dynamic strategy helps align availability with actual market behaviour.
Strong performance is not only about getting bookings, but also about keeping listings attractive over time.
Positive guest experience leads to:
Better reviews
Higher platform ranking
Increased booking confidence
Common operational factors that influence reviews include:
Cleanliness at arrival
Smooth check-in
Fast problem resolution
Operational weaknesses quickly translate into lower performance.
Two similar properties may start performing equally, but over time:
One remains well maintained
The other slowly deteriorates
Wear and tear in holiday rentals happens faster due to:
Frequent guest turnover
Intensive use of appliances and furniture
Properties that are not monitored regularly may see declining performance even in strong locations.
High-performing listings usually operate with:
Structured cleaning schedules
Clear guest communication templates
Reliable technician networks
This consistency prevents small issues from becoming repeated problems.
Self-managed properties often struggle to maintain the same level of operational stability during busy periods.
While location attracts initial interest, management quality determines:
Guest satisfaction
Review scores
Platform visibility
Long-term booking stability
Two properties in the same area can deliver very different guest experiences depending on how they are managed.
This is why performance gaps often widen over time.
At Pass the Keys Marbella, we focus on optimising both visibility and operations.
We support properties through:
Professional listing presentation
Guest communication and support
Pricing strategy adjustments
Cleaning and turnover coordination
Ongoing performance monitoring
Our goal is to ensure that properties not only attract bookings, but also perform consistently over the long term.
If your property is underperforming compared to similar homes in your area, it may not be a location issue.
Our local team can review your listing and operations to identify where performance improvements are possible.
Contact Pass the Keys Marbella today to discuss how professional management can improve your rental results.
👉 Book a free call with Pass the Keys Marbella to discuss Airbnb management options for your home:
🔗 https://calendly.com/ana-torrens-passthekeys
Sometimes small changes make a big difference.