So, here’s the deal. One of my clients in Lasalle ON had an Airbnb listing that was doing “okay” but not great. Occupancy was hovering below 60%, and as every host knows, that means lost revenue. Naturally, I thought, why not give VRBO a shot and see if we can bring that number up?
Well, two months later, here’s the honest, no-fluff recap of what happened and what I learned as her short-term rental property manager.
Testing the Waters with VRBO
Since this was a brand-new VRBO listing, we played by the book:
- Followed all their setup recommendations.
- Applied the extra 20% discount for new bookings which effectively dropped the nightly rate for this spacious 2-bedroom unit to around $80/night (which is an absolute steal, by the way).
Sounds promising, right? But the results weren’t as exciting:
- 5 inquiries
- 1 booking, 1 cancellation (same person)
- 0 completed stays
And here’s the kicker — while there were no actual stays, I still spent around 20 hours answering inquiries. One guest in particular asked me for bathroom photos, tried negotiating rates, wanted clarification on every house rule imaginable… and then ghosted me.
If you’re a host, you know that sinking feeling.
Airbnb vs VRBO: A Clear Winner
On Airbnb, the same property would have easily had 3–12 confirmed bookings in 2 months. The conversion rate on Airbnb is so much stronger — roughly 8 out of 10 inquiries turn into real bookings, and about half the time, guests just book instantly without any back-and-forth.
From a property management standpoint, this makes Airbnb much more efficient. Less time answering endless questions, more time focusing on guest experience and property upkeep.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not writing off VRBO completely. It’s still growing, and with the money they’re throwing into ads, I’m curious to see where they’ll be in a year or two. But as of right now? Airbnb is still the king of short-term rentals, at least in the Windsor-Essex market.
My Advice for New STR Hosts
If you’re just dipping your toes into the hosting world, here’s my friendly advice: Start with Airbnb.
It’s the most established short-term rental platform, has a huge guest base, and you’ll see results faster. Once you’re comfortable and want to diversify, sure — give VRBO a try. Just don’t expect it to perform like Airbnb right out of the gate.
How I Help My Clients Win
Managing short-term rentals isn’t just about listing on the right platform — it’s about strategy, pricing, guest experience, and time management. And that’s where my business comes in.
At CoHostsCircle, we specialize in Airbnb property management and short-term rental property management. Whether you’re a homeowner or an investor, we help you:
- Optimize your listing so it actually gets booked.
- Respond to guests quickly (without losing your sanity).
- Keep occupancy rates high and consistent.
- Maximize your rental income without the day-to-day stress.
If you’ve ever thought, “I want to host, but I don’t have the time (or patience),” — that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be keeping VRBO in the mix, and when we finally land a few real bookings there, I’ll share an update. But for now, if you’re a new host wondering where to focus your energy, my advice is clear: Airbnb first, VRBO second.
Short-term rentals can be such a rewarding business if you set yourself up right. And if you’d rather not go through all the trial and error alone, let’s chat — I’d love to help you make hosting easier and more profitable.