Local Accommodation in the Azores: a growing and changing sector

In recent years, tourism in the Azores has evolved from a promising niche into a solid, thriving reality. In São Miguel alone, visitor numbers have increased year after year, despite global challenges, and tourists are favouring accommodation with a personal, local identity.

This growing demand has led many residents and emigrants with ties to the region to see their properties in a new light. Holiday homes, inherited properties or even real estate bought for rental purposes are increasingly being transformed into short-term rentals, a practical and attractive way to generate income.

At the same time, the Azores have gained international attention as a sustainable, safe, and authentic destination, attracting a diverse range of visitors — from young couples and digital nomads to families returning to their homeland.
They’re all looking for the same thing: a place that feels like home on the island.

But growth also brings new expectations. Today’s guests are more aware of the quality of service, the management of the property, and the overall experience. It’s no longer enough to have a beautiful space, it must also be managed, communicated and optimised professionally.

And this is where many property owners face the big question:

"Should I manage it myself or hand it over to professionals who know the market?"

Naturally, the answer depends on your specific situation. But before making a decision, you should consider factors like time availability, proximity to the property, technical know-how, and expected returns.

That’s exactly what we explore in this article with practical examples, pros and cons, to help you make an informed choice.

Managing your short-term rental: Is it for you?

One of the first decisions when converting a property into a short-term rental in the Azores is: "Should I do this myself or hire a company?"

Both options have clear benefits and challenges that aren’t always obvious at the start. Let’s break them down so you can decide confidently.

Managing your short-term rental on your own

This is the most common choice for those just starting. The idea of “doing everything yourself” suggests full control and, at first glance, lower costs. For certain types of hosts, it can even be the ideal solution. But it’s important to understand what this involves in practice.

Advantages of self-management:

• Full autonomy: You set the prices, choose the guests, handle communications, and clean when it suits you.

• Lower operational costs: You won’t pay third-party commissions, which seems to mean more profit, on paper.

• Flexible personal use: You control availability, so you can block off dates for yourself or family without restrictions.

Real challenges of self-management:

• Time and energy: Check-ins, urgent cleanings, last-minute bookings, guest messages… it all falls on your shoulders.

• Increasing technical demands: Guests compare dozens of listings. High-quality photos, optimised listings, dynamic pricing, and reputation management are all crucial and complex.

• Unexpected issues: A broken boiler, a poorly handled complaint, or a late check-in can affect your reviews and future bookings.

• Legal and administrative work: Registration with the local council, SEF guest reports, SREA registration, insurance, invoicing, everything must be handled precisely.

• Hard to scale: Managing one home is a big task. Two or more? It becomes a second job.

Working with a professional management company

For those who want to maximise income without giving up personal time — or dealing with legal and operational headaches, professional management is an increasingly strategic option.

Advantages of professional management:

• Full-service support: From licensing and property setup to day-to-day guest operations, everything is taken care of.

• Higher earning potential: Professionals use tools for dynamic pricing, multi-platform management (Airbnb, Booking, etc.), and occupancy optimisation.

• Ongoing legal and technical support: They handle all registrations, required documents, reporting and even tax returns if needed.

• 24/7 communication and reviews management: Happy guests mean more visibility and more bookings.

• Clear reporting and transparency: You always know what you’ve earned, what was spent, and what can be improved.

Drawbacks (and how they’re usually offset):

• Management fees: Yes, there’s a cost, but it’s often outweighed by higher earnings and fewer surprises.

• Less direct control: A good company will maintain close communication and let you stay involved, without the daily stress.

So, what’s the best choice?

Managing your own rental is perfectly doable, especially if you live nearby, have time to spare, and want to be hands-on.

But it’s important to be realistic: running a short-term rental is more work than it seems.
Hiring a professional management company is often the best way to ensure consistent income, smooth operations, and peace of mind.
If you have other work commitments, live off-island, or simply want stress-free returns, a trusted partner may be the smart move.

Above all, the key is to understand your own profile and what kind of relationship you want with your property.

What does Your Nest offer that’s different?

At Your Nest, we take care of everything — but with the care and attention of someone managing a home as if it were their own.
More than just a technical service, we offer a relationship of trust, with flexible plans and personalised communication.
We handle it all: from licensing and space preparation to guest check-ins, maintenance, and long-term performance optimisation.

All with a professional, transparent, and local approach.
Because we know the Azores, we know the market, and we know what guests are looking for.

Even if you’re just exploring your options, we’re happy to have a no-obligation chat.
👉 Get in touch here