Spoiler alert: Winter will come, and so will the panic texts from STR owners asking why bookings are dead and rates are tanking.
Let’s get ahead of it.
If you own or operate short-term rentals in a seasonal market like Myrtle Beach, the off-season slump is not a surprise. But what separates the cash-flowing pros from the property panic crew is one thing: strategy.
Let’s talk about winter Airbnb pricing strategy, seasonal positioning, and how to actually profit when demand drops.
❄️ The Problem: Winter Isn’t Built for the Casual Host
Here’s what happens every November:
Beach traffic dries up
Events slow down
Tourists disappear
STR bookings hit a wall
Hosts start slashing prices, canceling cleaners, and praying for a snowbird
Sound familiar?
Winter isn’t the issue. The lack of a pricing + positioning plan is.
💡 The Truth: Winter Can Be Profitable (If You Know How to Pivot)
Let’s be real: you’re not getting $400 a night for an oceanfront 2-bed in January.
But you can:
✅ Lock in longer stays
✅ Attract remote workers
✅ Fill mid-week gaps with promo stacking
✅ Partner with traveling professionals
✅ Optimize for occupancy over nightly rate
The game is different, but it’s still winnable.
The Strategy: How to Prep Your STR for Off-Season Profit
1. Build Out a Tiered Winter Pricing Plan
Most STR owners panic and randomly lower prices without a plan. Don’t do that.
Instead:
Identify 3 tiers: low-demand days, weekends, holidays
Use software (like PriceLabs or Wheelhouse) to automate dynamic pricing within your range.
Factor in break-even occupancy — don’t race to the bottom, race to sustainability
🔑 Pro Tip: A $79/night stay that fills 5 nights a week beats a $129 listing that sits empty.
2. Position for Mid-Term Stays
Think 2–8 weeks.
There’s a market in Myrtle Beach and other seasonal zones for:
Remote workers escaping cold cities
Traveling nurses (Hospitals love furnished places near the coast)
Couples in-between homes
Snowbirds waiting for delayed closings
Update your listing title and description to reflect flexibility, mention “discounts for longer stays,” and target keywords like “remote work,” “monthly rental,” and “snowbird-friendly.”
3. Stack Promotions That Actually Convert
Airbnb’s algorithm loves activity — so give it a reason to boost you.
Add a 10% weekly discount or 20–25% monthly discount
Run a short “last-minute” deal to fill gaps
Turn on “early bird” discounts to book February and March now
🤓 Bonus: Use the “Compare Similar Listings” tool in Airbnb to spot overpriced competitors. Undercut strategically and win the algorithm war.
4. Highlight Off-Season Benefits in Your Listing
People aren’t looking for beach days in January. But they are looking for:
Quiet escapes
Work-from-paradise stays
Heated pools & hot tubs
Golf getaways
Low-season event access (festivals, oyster roasts, etc.)
Your copy and photos need to pivot. Swap out beach shots with cozy interiors, fireplace features, WiFi speed test screenshots, and photos of winter festivals or snow-free golf courses.
5. Build Your Direct Booking List
If Airbnb’s algorithm buries you in winter, it pays to have a direct booking list ready to go.
Now’s the time to:
Run a re-engagement email to past guests with a winter special
Promote snowbird packages on Facebook (targeting NJ, NY, PA, OH)
Offer “book now, stay later” deposit options to pad early-year cash flow
📊 Case Study: The $85 Night That Paid Off
One of our coastal STR owners in Murrells Inlet dropped his nightly rate from $135 to $85 for January and added a 20% monthly discount.
Instead of chasing random weekend bookings, he locked in a 6-week remote worker stay for $3,000 (cleaning fee + monthly rate + service fees included).
That’s $500/week in a season where most owners saw zero bookings, all because he pivoted early and priced smart.
📩 Need Help Dialing In Your STR Winter Game Plan?
Whether you’re working with a condo, townhome, or oceanfront single-family, your numbers have to make sense — year-round.
📲 DM me “WINTER” and I’ll send you:
✅ My personal STR seasonality worksheet
✅ Real pricing examples from Myrtle Beach investors
✅ A game plan that doesn’t include praying for snowbirds