Why partnering with an agency like Sykes Holiday Cottages can accelerate your STR success

If you're running a short-term rental (STR) business, you're probably juggling a million things – pricing, guest messaging, maintenance, legal compliance, and more. It’s no surprise that many hosts and property managers feel overwhelmed. On a recent episode of Holiday Let Insider, Rachel Brennan, Senior Manager of Property Onboarding at Sykes Holiday Cottages, offered clear, actionable advice for STR owners – particularly those wondering whether to go solo or partner with an agency.

At Host Planet, our mission is to help you build a sustainable and successful holiday letting business. In this post, we unpack Rachel’s top insights and explain why working with a national agency like Sykes could give your property the edge in a competitive market.

Faster visibility, more bookings with Sykes Holiday Cottages

Rachel made one thing clear: “The moment you list with an agency like Sykes, you tap into an established audience, proven booking systems, and hundreds of partner platforms.” This means faster cash flow – especially important if you’ve just bought or renovated a property. Instead of spending time building your own distribution strategy, you benefit immediately from wider exposure and smarter marketing.

Save time and avoid stress

One of the biggest draws for owners? Peace of mind. Agencies can handle everything from guest communications to cleaning, laundry, maintenance, and emergency support. "If you live far away from the property or have a full-time job, we can provide a totally hands-off service,” says Rachel. Sykes even offers a 24/7 owner hotline, a mobile app for bookings and payments, and access to vetted service providers.

Revenue management that works

Rachel also shared a behind-the-scenes look at Sykes' pricing strategy, which blends weekly base pricing with short break adjustments and dynamic pricing to respond to market changes. "We do over a thousand price changes per property each year," she explains, “so you're never leaving money on the table.”

Why trust and branding matter

Hosts often underestimate how much brand recognition matters to guests. Sykes has built a strong reputation, with 11 British Travel Awards under its belt and a rebooking rate of 55%. Rachel points out, “Guests want to book with companies they know and trust.” That brand loyalty means your property is more likely to be chosen – and rebooked.

Thinking of making the switch?

Whether you’re managing your STR independently or currently with another provider, Rachel encourages hosts to explore their options. “You’ve got nothing to lose by booking a free, no-obligation visit with our team,” she says. “We’ll meet you at the property, offer tailored advice, and help you make an informed decision.” Click here to get in touch with Sykes.

At Host Planet, we bring you expert-led content like this every week via our blog, podcasts, and downloadable resources. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated and be sure to register for our upcoming event, Holiday Let Success, taking place on 11 November with Sykes Holiday Cottages. It's free to attend and will feature a host of major brands and experts from across the sector, along with unparalleled networking opportunities.