Short Stay Property Management in Cape Town: What It Is, Why It Works, and How Seeff Manages It End-to-End

Short stay accommodation has become a natural part of Cape Town’s property landscape, particularly across the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl. From international holidaymakers to business travellers and lifestyle visitors, demand for well-located, professionally managed short-term accommodation continues to grow.

Yet despite how common the term has become, many property owners still ask the same question: What exactly is “short stay” and how does it actually work for my property?

That question is precisely why Seeff Atlantic Seaboard & City Bowl has launched a dedicated Short Stay division: to take what can feel complex or overwhelming and turn it into a clear, well-managed property solution that delivers strong returns while protecting long-term value.

What is Short Stay, Really?

Short stay refers to professionally managed accommodation rented on a short-term basis, typically by the day, week or month, through platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com and similar channels.

But short stay is not simply listing a property online and hoping for the best.

At its core, short stay is a system. One that combines:

• Strategic pricing

• Professional presentation

• Active guest management

• Cleaning and turnover coordination

• Ongoing performance oversight

• Maintenance

• Marketing

• And reputation

When done properly, short stay becomes a structured extension of property management with hospitality standards layered on top.

A New Chapter for Short Stay on the Atlantic Seaboard & City Bowl

Professional, full-service short-stay management by Seeff Atlantic Seaboard & City Bowl is designed for property owners who want more from their investment  without the day-to-day hassle.

The launch of the Short Stay division brings a structured, hospitality-led and ROI approach to short-term letting, backed by trusted systems, local market insight and hands-on management.

We’re also pleased to welcome Elana Ward to the team. With over a decade of experience in the short-stay space, including previously founding and running Lastay, Elana brings deep operational expertise and a strong understanding of what it takes to run short-term accommodation well.

From bookings and guest experience to cleaning, marketing and revenue optimisation, Seeff Short Stay takes care of the entire process – professionally, consistently and with premium attention to detail.

Why Short Stay Works So Well in Cape Town

Cape Town remains one of the most desirable lifestyle destinations in the world. Tourism, remote work flexibility and seasonal and business travel patterns all continue to support strong short-term accommodation demand throughout the year.

The Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl are particularly well positioned for short stay success thanks to:

• Proximity to beaches, the CBD and lifestyle hubs

• World-class restaurants, culture and scenery

• Walkable neighbourhoods and strong infrastructure

• Ongoing international and local demand

For owners in these areas, short stay allows properties to respond directly to demand rather than being locked into fixed long-term rental structures that don’t always reflect market conditions.

Short Stay and Return on Investment

Flexibility is often what draws owners to short stay, but return on investment is just as important.

When short-term rentals are professionally managed, they can unlock a very different performance profile to traditional long-term letting. Well-located properties in high-demand areas are able to respond to seasonality, events and travel patterns in a way that fixed leases simply can’t.

When done properly, short stay can offer:

• Strong performance during peak travel periods

• The ability for owners to enjoy personal use of their property

• Income spread across multiple bookings rather than a single tenant

• Pricing that adjusts dynamically to real-time demand

Short-term rentals typically generate a higher income per night than long-term rentals do on a monthly basis. In popular areas, peak seasons, major events and holiday periods allow properties to command premium nightly rates, which can materially lift annual revenue.

Over a full year, professionally managed short stay can outperform long-term rentals by a meaningful margin, particularly in established lifestyle nodes like the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl.

That said, successful short stay is not about chasing the highest nightly rate.

Occupancy levels, guest experience, presentation, reviews and operational efficiency all play a critical role in sustainable returns. Empty nights, poor reviews or inconsistent standards quickly erode performance.

This is where professional management becomes essential.

Through revenue optimisation, active pricing strategies, guest vetting and communication, coordinated cleaning and maintenance, and ongoing compliance and quality control, short stay becomes a structured investment approach — not a reactive one.

When managed correctly, short stay can offer:

• Higher income potential

• Greater flexibility

• Better asset protection

• Stronger long-term returns

The difference lies not in the model itself, but in how well it is executed.

What Seeff’s Short Stay Division Takes Care Of

The Short Stay division at Seeff Atlantic Seaboard & City Bowl is designed to offer true end-to-end management, removing the day-to-day complexity for owners while enhancing overall performance, and protecting and maximising your asset.

Strategic Listings Across Multiple Platforms

Properties are listed across major booking platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com, with pricing strategies adjusted based on seasonality, demand patterns and local market activity.

Professional Photography and Marketing

Short stay is visual. High-quality photography and considered presentation play a major role in attracting bookings and setting guest expectations from the outset.

Guest Communication and Booking Management

From the first enquiry to check-out and reviews, guest communication is professionally handled, ensuring smooth stays, strong feedback and repeat bookings.

Cleaning, Turnover and Property Care

Professional cleaning, linen coordination and quality control are managed between stays, ensuring properties remain well cared for and consistently presented.

The goal is to make your investment work for you, not you working for your investment.

Who Short Stay Is Best Suited To

Short stay property management tends to work best for:

• Owners of well-located apartments and homes on the Atlantic Seaboard or in the City Bowl

• Investors looking for flexibility alongside performance

• Owners who want professional oversight rather than daily involvement

Properties aligned with lifestyle, business or holiday travel demand

As with any property strategy, suitability depends on location, presentation and management quality.

A Smarter, More Structured Way to Do Short Stay

Short stay in Cape Town has evolved. What was once informal has become increasingly professional, particularly in premium nodes where expectations are high and competition is strong.

At the same time, new residential developments across the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl are adding a fresh layer to the short-stay landscape. Modern apartments, mixed-use precincts and well-managed buildings are being designed with today’s lifestyle and travel patterns in mind – from security and convenience to amenities that suit both owners and guests.

These newer developments often lend themselves particularly well to short stay, offering:

• Contemporary layouts and finishes

• Strong building management and access control

• Central, walkable locations

Amenities that appeal to short-term guests without compromising long-term value

For owners considering short-term letting, understanding how short stay works, and choosing the right management partner, makes all the difference. In a market where both demand and standards continue to rise, professional management ensures properties are positioned correctly from the outset and remain competitive over time.

With Cape Town’s global appeal showing no signs of slowing, and new developments continuing to shape the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl, professionally managed short stay has become an increasingly valuable part of the local property landscape – particularly for owners looking to balance performance, flexibility and asset protection.

Because great property deserves great management.

If you’re considering short-stay letting, Elana would be happy to chat.

📧 elana.ward@seeff.com

📞 +27 79 899 2871