Hillcrest Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Is Airbnb profitable in Hillcrest in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Hillcrest, based on AirROI data from August 2024 to July 2025, reveals key trends in the niche market of 82 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Hillcrest, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Hillcrest Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Hillcrest Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Hillcrest (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Hillcrest is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Hillcrest is typically December, while July often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Hillcrest across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $1,215+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $817 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $511 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $261, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Hillcrest
Hillcrest Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Hillcrest STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Decembersees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while November experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Hillcrest:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 77%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 59% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 36%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 20% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Hillcrest
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Hillcrest (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Hillcrest involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Hillcrest typically peaks in July and dips lowest during September. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $100+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $62 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $45 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $32 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Hillcrest
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Hillcrest (2025)
Peak Season (December, March, April)
- Revenue averages $893 per month
- Occupancy rates average 48.4%
- Daily rates average $58
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $635 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 40.1%
- Daily rates hold near $57
Low Season (January, July, November)
- Revenue drops to average $543 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 33.1%
- Daily rates adjust to average $57
Seasonality Insights for Hillcrest
- The Airbnb seasonality in Hillcrest shows moderate seasonality with distinct peak and low periods. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Hillcrest's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $980, occupancy reaching a high of 50.9%, and ADRs peaking at $61.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $526, occupancy could drop to 31.3%, and ADRs may adjust down to $54.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Hillcrest.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Hillcrest seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Hillcrest (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Hillcrest? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Central | The heart of Hillcrest, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, and amenities. Popular with families and tourists seeking a laid-back suburban experience near nature. | Hillcrest Corner, Heritage Market, Cradle of Humankind, Giba Gorge, Hillcrest Village |
| Hibiscus Coast | Known for beautiful beaches and coastal attractions, making it an ideal location for visitors seeking a seaside getaway. Family-friendly with plenty of activities for all ages. | Margate Beach, Southbroom Golf Club, Wild Coast Sun, Amanzimtoti Beach, Khomarini River |
| The Valley of a Thousand Hills | Renowned for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage, this area attracts tourists looking for adventure and nature experiences such as hiking and traditional Zulu culture. | Nanda’s Valley, Dukuza Museum, Shongweni Dam, Hiking trails, Cultural experiences |
| Cotswold Downs | A golf estate offering luxury accommodations with scenic views. Popular with visitors looking for a high-end stay and golf enthusiasts. | Cotswold Downs Golf Club, Nature reserves, Luxury homes, Scenic landscapes, Event venues |
| Kearsney College | Close to prestigious schools and educational institutions, attracting families visiting for sports events and school activities. Offers a family-friendly environment. | Kearsney College facilities, Sports events, Nearby parks, Community events |
| Assagay | A tranquil area known for its large homes and proximity to nature, ideal for guests looking for peace and quiet while still being close to attractions in Hillcrest. | Assagay Valley, Local markets, Nature walks, Saddlewood, Cafes |
| Waterfall | A developing suburb with modern amenities and growth potential, making it attractive to investors and longer-term visitors to the area. | Waterfall Mall, Thornybush Nature Reserve, Local eateries, Easy access to KZN landmarks |
| Pinetown | Just a short drive from Hillcrest, offers a mix of suburban and urban experiences, appealing to both tourists and business travelers. | Pinetown Shopping Centre, Local eateries, Cultural experiences, Proximity to Durban |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Hillcrest (2025)
While Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Hillcrest to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 2% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Hillcrest (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Hillcrestbased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Highbury House - Beautiful large home & garden
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
A charming suburban escape
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Serene Winston park retreat
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Lavender Cottage in Central Hillcrest
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Home in Winston Park!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Studio 2 @ Churchill lane
Entire Place • 1 bedroom
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Hillcrest (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Hillcrest based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanda | 8 | $55,272 | 203 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Sean | 2 | $38,787 | 218 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Claire | 1 | $22,109 | 10 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Benjamin | 1 | $20,854 | 5 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Brad And Mandy | 2 | $20,409 | 375 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Roy | 2 | $20,023 | 20 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Jesze | 4 | $14,629 | 10 | 3.63/5.0 |
| Nicole | 1 | $13,701 | 17 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Hamilton | 1 | $13,441 | 106 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Wendy | 1 | $11,741 | 66 | 4.85/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Hillcrest.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Hillcrest STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Hillcrest. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsHillcrest Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Hillcrest
- The Hillcrest Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 79.3% of the 82 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Hillcrest, House properties are the most common (36.6%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Houses represent a significant 36.6% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
- The presence of 24.4% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
- Smaller segments like unique stays, outdoor/unique (combined 2.4%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Hillcrest Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Hillcrest
- The dominant room capacity in Hillcrest is 1 bedroom listings, making up 53.7% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 74.4% of the active Airbnb listings in Hillcrest, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- With over half the market (53.7%) consisting of studios or 1-bedroom units, Hillcrest is particularly well-suited for individuals or couples.
Hillcrest Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Hillcrest
- The most common guest capacity trend in Hillcrest vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (51.2%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
- Properties designed for 2 guests and 4 guests dominate the Hillcrest STR market, accounting for 74.4% of listings.
- A significant 51.2% of listings cater specifically to 1-2 guests, highlighting strong demand from couples and solo travelers in Hillcrest.
- On average, properties in Hillcrest are equipped to host 2.9 guests.
Hillcrest Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Hillcrest
- The most common availability pattern in Hillcrest falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 54.9% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 78.1% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 1-30 days range is most frequent in Hillcrest (30.5%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 23.2% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Hillcrest Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
46 listings
56.1% of total
2 Nights
19 listings
23.2% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
1.2% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
2.4% of total
30+ Nights
14 listings
17.1% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Hillcrest is 1 Night, adopted by 56.1% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (79.3%) of the Hillcrest Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
- A significant segment (17.1%) caters to monthly stays (30+ nights) in Hillcrest, pointing to opportunities in the extended-stay market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 56.1% of Hillcrest hosts use this setting.
- Explore offering discounts for stays of 30+ nights to attract the 17.1% of the market seeking extended stays.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Hillcrest.
Hillcrest Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Refundable
6 listings
7.3% of total
Non-refundable
2 listings
2.4% of total
Super Strict 30 Days
1 listings
1.2% of total
Flexible
37 listings
45.1% of total
Moderate
20 listings
24.4% of total
Firm
13 listings
15.9% of total
Strict
3 listings
3.7% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Hillcrest
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Hillcrest is Flexible, used by 45.1% of listings.
- There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (69.5%) and stricter (19.6%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
- Strict cancellation policies are quite rare (3.7%), potentially making listings with this policy less competitive unless justified by high demand or property type.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 45.1% market standard in Hillcrest.
- Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 3.7% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Hillcrest.
Hillcrest STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Hillcrest
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Hillcrest is 31 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during June (average 46 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in October (average 17 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Winter (32 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Fall (23 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (31 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Hillcrest.
- For June stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 46 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
- Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 32 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Hillcrest averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Hillcrest (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Hillcrest
- Essential amenities in Hillcrest that guests expect include: Wifi, Free parking on premises. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like TV, Hot water, Kitchen are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Hillcrest: Wifi, Free parking on premises.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Wifi, Free parking on premises.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like TV or Hot water to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Hillcrest to stay competitive.
Hillcrest Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Hillcrest
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Hillcrest consists of primarily domestic travelers (87%), often arriving from nearby KwaZulu-Natal, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Afrikaans.
- Domestic travelers account for 86.7% of guests.
- Key international markets include South Africa (86.7%) and United Kingdom (4.8%).
- Top languages spoken are English (62.2%) followed by Afrikaans (14.9%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Target domestic marketing efforts towards travelers from KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Hillcrest Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westbrook | 42 | $1,268 | $176.90 | 32% |
| KwaDukuza Local Municipality | 1,606 | $1,237 | $186.22 | 32% |
| Umhlanga Rocks | 766 | $1,087 | $139.66 | 34% |
| Impendle Local Municipality | 18 | $1,083 | $135.84 | 31% |
| Umdloti / eMdloti | 361 | $977 | $130.56 | 34% |
| Okhahlamba Local Municipality | 176 | $976 | $134.15 | 32% |
| uMgeni Local Municipality | 415 | $899 | $103.56 | 32% |
| Umkomaas | 15 | $811 | $85.92 | 35% |
| uMdoni Local Municipality | 167 | $733 | $121.10 | 28% |
| Gillitts | 13 | $715 | $61.83 | 33% |