5 Signs Your Dubai Property Should Be a Holiday Home
Dubai attracts millions of visitors annually for business, tourism, and events, making it a prime destination for property investors. Still, many owners leave their apartments underused, either tied up in long-term leases or left empty.
If you own a property in Dubai and wonder if it could do better as a holiday home, this guide is for you. Here are five signs that your property is ready for the short-term rental market, and how One Perfect Stay (OPS) can help you maximize its potential.
1. Your Property Sits Empty for Most of the Year
Why it’s a sign
Many owners use their Dubai apartment only for occasional visits, leaving it empty most of the time. Meanwhile, service charges, utilities, and maintenance bills continue to accumulate. An empty apartment costs money and can reduce your investment returns.
Why STR is better
Converting your vacant property into a licensed holiday home allows it to generate income while remaining available whenever you wish to use it. Unlike a long-term lease, short-term rentals give you the flexibility to block off dates for personal stays.
OPS advantage
OPS works with many secondary homeowners and overseas landlords. We handle compliance, guest turnover, and revenue so your property earns income all year, even if you’re not in Dubai. When you’re ready to visit, we reserve your dates and prepare your home for you.
Partner with OPS today to stop paying for an empty apartment and start generating a revenue stream.
2. Your Property Is in a Tourist Hotspot
Why it’s a sign
Location is everything in short-term rentals. Properties in high-demand neighborhoods, such as Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah, Business Bay, and those near Dubai Creek, are consistently sought after by tourists and business travelers. If your property is near landmarks, beaches, or nightlife, you’re sitting on untapped potential.
Why STR is better
Tourists are willing to pay a premium for convenience and proximity. A two-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina, for example, can command significantly higher nightly rates compared to a traditional 12-month lease.
OPS advantage
OPS has helped Dubai Marina holiday homes, Downtown Dubai apartments, family villas in Jumeirah, and Business Bay rentals perform well by marketing each area’s unique strengths. We use professional photos, clear descriptions, and smart pricing to attract guests in these popular neighborhoods.
Curious if your location qualifies? OPS offers free property assessments to show you exactly what your property could earn.
3. You Live Abroad or Don’t Have Time to Manage Guests
Why it’s a sign
Short-term rentals can be highly profitable, but they require regular attention, including guest check-ins, cleaning, maintenance, and round-the-clock support. For landlords who live abroad or have busy schedules, managing all this from a distance can be challenging.
Why STR with management is better
With the right partner, you don’t have to worry about late-night guest arrivals or fixing the AC in the heat of summer. A professional holiday home operator takes care of your guests so you don’t have to.
OPS advantage
OPS is built for overseas owners. We handle guest communications, ID registrations, check-ins, and emergency calls. Our housekeeping and maintenance teams keep the property spotless and functional, while our revenue managers ensure the property is always priced right. For landlords abroad, OPS provides monthly reports and direct bank transfers, so you’re fully informed without being on the ground.
Work with OPS and enjoy the income of hosting without the stress of managing it yourself.
4. You Want Flexibility Instead of a 1-Year Lease
Why it’s a sign
Many landlords choose long-term rentals out of habit, but a 1-year lease has drawbacks. You can’t use your property, you might get unreliable tenants, and you often earn less than with short-term stays. If you want flexibility, short-term rentals give you more control.
Why STR is better
Holiday homes let you earn more while keeping the option to use your property whenever you like. During major events like the Dubai Shopping Festival, Art Dubai, or the ILT20 Cricket, nightly rates increase, which you miss out on with a fixed lease.
OPS advantage
OPS helps you maximize the use of your property’s calendar, balancing bookings with high nightly rates during peak periods. Unlike with a long-term tenant, you can always use your property when you want. Our pricing model adjusts your earnings to match seasonal trends, events, and booking patterns.
Book a consultation with OPS to discover how flexible hosting can benefit you.
5. Your Property Has Features Guests Love
Why it’s a sign
Not every apartment or villa is suitable for the holiday home market, but if yours has features such as sea views, balconies, pools, gyms, modern kitchens, or is conveniently close to metro stations, it’s a strong choice. Guests often look for these types of properties, and such accommodations tend to do well.
Why STR is better
A long-term tenant might not pay more for a balcony with a Marina view, but short-term guests often will. Well-designed, well-located properties tend to receive higher nightly rates and better reviews, resulting in steady bookings.
OPS advantage
OPS highlights your property’s best features with professional photos and guest-ready staging. We focus on details, from fresh linens to stocked kitchens, to help you earn five-star reviews. These reviews boost your listing on sites like Airbnb and Booking.com.
List with OPS and let us showcase your property’s strengths to the global travel market.
Bringing It All Together
If your property is empty, in a tourist hotspot, or has standout features, it may be missing out on a long-term lease or unused apartment. With millions of visitors to Dubai each year, the short-term rental market is growing, and landlords who act now can reap the most benefits.
OPS is here to make the switch easy. We handle compliance, safety, guest experience, and revenue, so you don’t have to. Whether you live abroad, are short on time, or want to achieve better returns, OPS can transform your property into a professional holiday home.
Why Choose OPS?
→ Compliance handled: DET permits, renewals, and safety checks done for you.
→ End-to-end management: Guest communication, check-ins, and maintenance.
→ Revenue focus: Data-driven pricing to maximize yield.
→ Flexibility: Block dates for personal use at any time.
→ Transparency: Receive monthly reports and direct payouts, ensuring you’re always in control.
Ready to see if your property qualifies? Partner with OPS today and discover how your apartment or villa can thrive as a holiday home.
Final Word
Not every property is right for short-term rentals, but many more are than most landlords think. If your apartment or villa matches even one of the signs above, it’s worth exploring the opportunity. Leaving your property empty or in a long lease means missing out on higher returns, flexibility, and the chance to let your home work for you.
OPS makes the process easy. We handle everything from permits to guest reviews, so your property stays safe, compliant, and profitable. All you need to do is relax and watch your second home become a valuable investment.
List with OPS today, and let us help you turn potential into performance.