VRBO, Airbnb, Booking.com - which platform is better for my short term rental?

Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Algorithm

Holiday Booking Platforms - how to decide where to list?

You’ve just scored an investment gem in Cabarita Beach, NSW. The paperwork is fresh, the furnishings are on order, and you’re picturing five-star guest reviews already. But before the champagne’s gone flat, you hit the ultimate host dilemma: Where do I list this place?

Welcome to the Platform Wars - a digital battlefield where Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com compete for your listing like it's the last avocado on toast at a Byron café.

The good news? You don’t have to pick just one.

Meet the Big Three

• Airbnb: The Instagram Darling

Airbnb is the aesthetic overachiever of booking platforms. It turned staying in strangers' homes into a curated experience. Guests aren’t just booking a room; they’re booking a vibe. Airbnb Guests are typically millennials and Gen Z travellers who live for photo ops and oat milk lattes. They’ll pay more for your timber bathtub or macramé swing chair, so long as it matches their feed. But they’re also picky. A flickering lightbulb could mean a 4-star review and a strongly worded DM.

What You Get: High nightly rates, design-conscious guests, and serious exposure. But expect lots of messaging, feedback, and the occasional essay-long review.

• VRBO: The Family MVP

VRBO is the reliable parent in this trio. No fluff, no filters- just solid, practical bookings from solid, practical people. If your property has multiple bedrooms, parking, and a dishwasher that actually works, VRBO’s your playground. VRBO Guests are family travellers who book in advance, read every review, and travel with snacks, scooters, and maybe a small pet. They're not in it for the aesthetics- they’re after space, safety, and sanity.

What You Get: Longer bookings, fewer cancellation dramas, and guests who really appreciate a working laundry.

• Booking.com: The Workhorse

Booking.com is the Swiss Army knife of platforms. Its reach is enormous and its user base diverse—from business travellers to last-minute weekenders. The Guests tend to be practical and spontaneous. They might not care about your handwoven jute rug, but they will care that your lockbox code works and the WiFi is fast.

What You Get: High visibility and consistent bookings. Less charm, more churn- but that’s not always a bad thing.

Know Your Territory

• Byron Bay: Boho Meets Big Money

If your Byron property has a kombucha bar and hammocks strung under fairy lights, you’re Airbnb-ready. But don’t discount VRBO- parents love Byron’s beaches, too, and they’ll pay well for space and quiet.

Hot Tip: Lead with Airbnb for the "experience seekers", but list on VRBO during peak school holidays for long stays.

• Pottsville: Family First

Pottsville is classic VRBO territory- affordable, relaxed, and ideal for kids and caravans. Think family road trips over yoga retreats.

That’s why Airbnb management in Pottsville NSW works best when it leans into the rhythm of school calendars and beach season. Families plan ahead. They want smooth check-ins, clean sheets, and a working kettle. No incense sticks required.

Strategy: Prioritise VRBO and Booking.com here. Airbnb is useful during school holidays or if your place is particularly stylish.

• Cabarita Beach: The Sweet Spot

Cabarita Beach offers a little bit of everything. Not as chaotic as Byron, not as sleepy as Pottsville, it’s ripe for a multi-platform approach.

Play it smart: Airbnb for unique or design-driven properties, VRBO for family groups, and Booking.com for steady year-round income.

Tailor Your Listings

You wouldn’t use the same dating profile on every app (or at least, we hope you wouldn’t). Your listings need to speak each platform’s language.

• Airbnb: Sell the lifestyle. Use words like “curated,” “coastal retreat,” and “sun-drenched sanctuary.” Think glossy magazine.

• VRBO: Focus on space and practicality. Highlight the number of bedrooms, kid-friendly features, and the coffee machine.

• Booking.com: Be clear, concise, and honest. “Three-bedroom home with fast WiFi and parking” is perfect. This is a search-first, scroll-later crowd.

The Money Talk: Commissions & Calculations

Each platform takes its cut. Know what you’re paying to play:

• Airbnb: ~3% from hosts + 6–12% guest service fees.

• VRBO: Choose 5% per booking or a $499 annual subscription.

• Booking.com: 15–18% host commission (no guest service fees).

Booking.com seems pricey, but that higher commission includes guest acquisition. Airbnb takes less from you, but guests might balk at their fee hike. It all balances- if you’re using the right strategy.

So, Which Platform Wins?

Trick question. The winners are hosts who use them all - smartly.

Scenario A:

• You own a funky cottage with a clawfoot tub and sunset views→ Prioritise Airbnb, support with VRBO for longer stays, and use Booking.com for filler bookings.

Scenario B:

• You’ve got a spacious beachside townhouse with a bunk room and a big fridge→ Focus on VRBO, with Airbnb as a peak season backup and Booking.com for weekdays or off-season.

Scenario C:

• You manage a standard apartment with a solid location and competitive rates→ Booking.com is your bread and butter. Airbnb grabs seasonal spikes, and VRBO fills family demand.

The Golden Rule: Flexibility = Profit

Short-term rental trends shift constantly. Algorithms change, user behaviour evolves, and new platforms emerge. The best hosts aren’t married to one platform - they’re agile, data-driven, and proactive.

Your checklist for staying ahead:

• Review your RevPAR monthly, not just occupancy

• Monitor guest feedback across all platforms

• Adjust pricing dynamically (automated tools help)

• Diversify listings to stay visible in shifting markets

Final Word: Don’t Panic - Pivot

The platform wars aren’t about picking a side. They’re about knowing when and how to use each one. The smartest hosts in Northern Rivers treat platforms like tools, not tribes. They optimise, adapt, and keep their eyes on the prize: high returns and happy guests.

So stop stressing over which is “best.” Get strategic. Go multi-platform.

And remember, channel managers are your best friend.

Now go forth and conquer.

Which platform is better for my short term rental?

There you have it, a complete rundown of VRBO, Airbnb, Booking.com. Now the question is - which platform do you think is better?

If you need help deciding which booking platform is right for you, get in touch with Coastal Luxe Property Hosting who can assist.