How to Market Your Holiday Let in Sussex in 2026: Why Professional Management Matters

If you own a holiday let in Sussex, you already know the market is competitive. With 2026 around the corner, simply listing your property online is no longer enough to attract bookings. Whether you run a cosy apartment in Brighton, a charming seaside cottage in Hove, or a peaceful countryside retreat near Arundel, a structured marketing strategy is essential to stand out, increase bookings, and boost revenue.

At Huluki Sussex Stays, we implement these modern strategies on behalf of property owners, handling everything from listing optimisation to guest communications. In this guide, we outline what’s involved in successfully marketing a holiday let in 2026—and why many owners choose to hand this complex work over to professionals.

Optimise Your Holiday Let Listings for Maximum Visibility

Online booking platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo remain central to holiday let marketing. However, with thousands of properties listed, it’s critical that your listing is optimised to capture attention and rank well in searches.

Key Strategies for Listing Optimisation:

• Compelling Titles and Descriptions: Use phrases like holiday let Sussex, luxury short-term rental in Brighton, and seaside cottage Hove. Highlight unique features, such as sea views, private gardens, or modern interiors.
• Professional Photography: High-quality images are essential. Showcase interiors, outdoor spaces, and nearby attractions to entice potential guests.
• Amenities and Extras: Highlight practical benefits like free Wi-Fi, parking, or pet-friendly policies. Amenities often influence booking decisions.
• Geo-Targeted Keywords: Incorporate location-specific phrases in your listing description to improve visibility in searches like “self-catering holiday let in Arundel.”

Properly optimised listings increase clicks and ultimately improve booking rates, giving your property a competitive edge. This requires ongoing refinement and testing—work that Huluki handles for all our managed properties.

Leverage Social Media to Drive Engagement and Bookings

In 2026, social media remains a critical marketing tool for holiday lets. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok allow you to visually engage potential guests, showcase your property, and build brand credibility.

Social Media Marketing Tips:

• Post Engaging Visual Content: Share photos and short videos of your property, interiors, and nearby attractions like Hove beaches or the South Downs National Park.
• Instagram Stories and Reels: Use these features to create virtual tours or highlight seasonal events.
• Run Targeted Ads: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram enable targeting specific demographics, interests, and locations. For instance, you can target couples looking for romantic breaks in Sussex or families planning weekend getaways.
• Collaborate with Influencers or Local Bloggers: Partnering with micro-influencers who specialise in travel in Sussex can increase your reach and credibility.

A strategic social media presence not only keeps your property top-of-mind but also builds trust with potential guests. Managing multiple platforms consistently requires significant time and expertise.

Focus on Local SEO to Rank Higher in Searches

Local SEO is one of the most effective ways to increase bookings for a holiday let in Sussex. Optimising your website, Google Business Profile, and blog content for location-specific searches ensures your property appears when potential guests are actively looking for stays in your area.

Local SEO Strategies:

• Google Business Profile: Claim and complete your listing with accurate property details, photos, and guest reviews.
• Local Keywords: Include phrases like holiday cottages in Brighton, self-catering rentals Hove, and luxury holiday let Arundel on your website and blog content.
• Blogging for Local Authority: Publish posts like “Top Things to Do in Brighton for Holiday Let Guests” or “Best Local Eateries Near Your Holiday Let in Hove.” This improves organic search rankings whilst providing useful information to visitors.
• Citations on Local Directories: Ensure your business is listed in high-quality local directories for travel and accommodation.

By implementing these strategies, your property becomes more discoverable by guests who are ready to book. At Huluki, we manage all SEO elements for our clients’ properties.

Encourage Guest Reviews and Leverage Testimonials

Guest reviews are amongst the most trusted sources of information for potential holidaymakers. Positive feedback not only boosts confidence but also improves ranking on booking platforms and Google.

How to Collect and Utilise Reviews:

• Request Reviews Promptly: Send a thank-you email after each stay with a direct link to your review page.
• Respond to Reviews: Show appreciation for positive feedback and address any concerns professionally.
• Feature Testimonials on Your Website: Highlighting reviews on your homepage or dedicated testimonial page increases trust. You can also share reviews on social media for added reach.

High-quality reviews act as a powerful marketing tool, influencing booking decisions significantly. Consistent review management is part of Huluki’s comprehensive service.

Maximise Direct Bookings with Your Own Website

Whilst third-party platforms are effective, encouraging direct bookings allows you to retain more revenue and establish a direct connection with guests.

Tips to Increase Direct Bookings:

• Professional Website: Create a clean, user-friendly website with booking functionality, high-resolution images, and clear information about your property.
• Exclusive Offers: Provide perks like early check-in, complimentary local experiences, or discounted stays for direct bookings.
• SEO Optimisation: Use local and property-specific keywords like luxury holiday let Hove and self-catering accommodation in Brighton to attract search traffic.

A direct booking website complements your platform listings and strengthens your brand identity.

Visit our contact page to learn more about how Huluki can manage your property’s complete online presence.

Utilise Paid Advertising for Quick Visibility

Paid advertising can complement organic marketing strategies, particularly during peak seasons. Google Ads and social media ads allow you to target guests actively looking for holiday lets in Sussex.

Paid Advertising Tips:

• Google Ads: Target searches for “holiday let Sussex” or “short-term rentals near Arundel” to appear at the top of search results.
• Social Media Ads: Use demographic and interest targeting to reach families, couples, or solo travellers.
• Retargeting: Display ads to visitors who have previously viewed your website to encourage them to book.

Paid campaigns give immediate exposure and can be highly cost-effective when optimised properly. Managing ad budgets and performance requires expertise and constant monitoring.

Enhance Your Property’s Visual Appeal and Staging

A well-presented property makes a lasting impression on guests. Proper staging can significantly increase perceived value and boost bookings.

• Use natural lighting and declutter interiors for appealing photos.
• Highlight key features like cosy fireplaces, outdoor seating, or modern kitchens.
• Add subtle décor touches to make spaces feel warm and inviting.

Combining staging with high-quality photography strengthens all your marketing channels, from social media to booking platforms.

Analyse Performance and Adjust Strategies

Continuous monitoring and adjustment are key to holiday let success. Track bookings, website traffic, ad performance, and social engagement to identify what works best.

Analytics Tips:

• Monitor which listings or ads generate the most bookings.
• Track guest demographics to refine marketing targeting.
• Adjust pricing, promotional offers, and content strategies based on performance insights.

Data-driven adjustments ensure your marketing remains effective and your occupancy stays high. This ongoing analysis is part of Huluki’s systematic approach to property management.

Conclusion: Let Huluki Handle the Complexity

Marketing a holiday let in Sussex in 2026 requires a multi-pronged approach: optimised listings, strong social media presence, local SEO, guest reviews, direct booking strategy, and paid advertising. As you can see, achieving consistent results demands significant time, expertise, and ongoing attention.

Most property owners prefer to focus on their core business or personal time rather than managing these complex marketing channels themselves. That’s where Huluki Sussex Stays comes in. Our team specialises in handling all aspects of holiday let management, from professional photography and listing optimisation to guest communications and revenue management.

If you’d prefer professional management rather than handling this yourself, contact Huluki Sussex Stays. We’ll take care of everything so you can enjoy the benefits of property ownership without the day-to-day work.

For owners who prefer a consultancy approach where we guide you through implementing these strategies yourself, we also offer hourly consultancy services. Get in touch to discuss which option works best for your situation.