Welcome to September! August was a busy month across our portfolio. Despite the forced change of housekeeping, we came through with very positive guest feedback and a set of numbers that point in the right direction for owners.
Big Picture
New bookings in August 2025
We took 86 bookings during August
Arrival window
The bookings that were made were between 8 Aug 2025 → 7 Jan 2027
Average stay length
The average length of stay from these bookings were 6.5 nights
Typical party
From the bookings made, the average booking make up was for 2 adults + 1 child
Dog-friendly share
~84% of the bookings made are bringing pets
Last-minute (≤7 days)
~14.6% of the total bookings that were made during August 2025, were made for last minute stays (within 7 days or less from when the booking was made).
Where the Bookings Came From (Channel Mix)
Shares calculated from the provided channel counts (total = 86):
| Channel | Bookings | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | 42 | 48.8% |
| Tripadvisor | 14 | 16.3% |
| Sykes | 13 | 15.1% |
| Airbnb | 8 | 9.3% |
| Visit South Devon | 5 | 5.8% |
| Direct | 4 | 4.7% |
Forward Bookings & Pace
- Live bookings for 2026: 98
- Live bookings for 2027: 3
- Year-to-date bookings: 844 vs 688 at the same point last year → +156 bookings (+22.7% YoY)
- We’re on course to beat last year’s record, despite managing fewer lodges than we did then.
What This Means for Owners
- Longer stays are winning. With an average of 6.5 nights, August favoured week-long holidays over short breaks. That supports stronger housekeeping efficiency and steadier income per booking.
- Families remain our core. Most parties are 2 adults + 1 child, so keeping family-friendly touches (board games, kid-safe crockery, blackout blinds, cot/high-chair available on request) helps convert browsers to bookers.
- Pets matter. ~1 in 9 August bookings included a dog fee. If your property can accommodate pets (secure outside space, easy-clean flooring, sofa throws), consider opting in—there’s clear demand.
- Last-minute still counts. ~15% of August bookings were within a week of arrival. Keeping calendars open and enabling instant-book helps capture these high-intent guests.
Owner Tips for the Month Ahead
- Lean into week-long stays: Make 7-night pricing attractive (e.g., a visible weekly discount vs nightly).
- Family-ready listing copy: Call out child-friendly features and nearby activities.
- Pet-friendly = more eyes: If suitable, enable dogs with a clear house rule set.
- Welcome late bookers: Keep availability accurate and turn-around times realistic to accept short-notice stays confidently.