Landlord & Owners Testimonials
Testimonial from Landlord of a 2 bed apartment, St Ives
I have owned my holiday rental for over 25 years. Over the last few years, it has become increasingly challenging with costs rising and bookings slowing down. I was looking at other options as clearly the old model of holiday letting wasn’t working. I even looked at selling but the local agents said that wasn’t a viable option either as so many holiday lets were on the market, and not selling.
It was around the start of the year that I got talking to Kelly who outlined Smart Choice Stays business model. It was identical to the Rent-to-Rent model that I was using at the time on two of my other properties, and that was working like a dream and had done for the previous four years.
As we developed the idea of Smart Choice Stays using my property, it became clear that Kelly was very switched on to what was needed to make the model work. After a relatively short time I decided that this was the right thing for me to do. From that day forward, it has proved to be the best thing I could have done. Smart choice Stays have proved to be very easy to work with, very professional and much in tune with the market. My property has had a complete makeover and is now looking the best it has looked. It is now 90% booked for the year.
I now have a net income that is greater than before. And the income is guaranteed. No more worrying about how many bookings I have got, or if the bookings will be cancelled. No more concerns about a grumpy holiday maker leaving a bad review because it rained all holiday and they need someone to take their frustration out on. With this model, I get to keep my property, get a guaranteed income and still have the opportunity to use it for my own short breaks.
If you are looking to unload the grief, hassle, uncertainty and stress of running your own holiday let, but want to guarantee covering the costs while still having access to your property for your own use, then Smart Choice Stays will provide you with the answer. Easy to work with, and very professional in their approach.
Testimonial from Landlord of a 3 bed cottage, St Ives
I own a three‑bedroom cottage in St Ives, Cornwall and, after a less‑than‑satisfactory experience with one of the larger letting agents, I made the decision to move to SmartChoice at the end of 2025 in preparation for the new season.
As I do not live close to the property, it was essential for me to find an agent who would genuinely look after the cottage as if it were their own. SmartChoice has exceeded expectations in this respect. Their attention to detail, proactive communication, and hands‑on approach have given me complete peace of mind.
In addition to managing the day‑to‑day care of the property, SmartChoice also successfully oversaw the complete replacement of an ageing roof, coordinating the works professionally and efficiently from start to finish.
What really sets SmartChoice apart is their boutique, personal service. They clearly take pride in the homes they manage and treat owners and properties with care, rather than as just another number on a large portfolio. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending SmartChoice to any property owner looking for a trustworthy, professional, and genuinely attentive management service
Testimonial from Landlord of a 2 bed apartment, St Ives
I started working with SmartChoice Stays after purchasing my property in St Ives, which required a fair amount of work before it was ready to be let. From the outset, the communication was excellent. During the onboarding process, Kelly and the team were clear, responsive, and proactive, helping guide every stage of getting the property guest-ready.
They supported me throughout the renovation, offering practical input on what needed to be done and coordinating the process so everything was completed efficiently. This made what could have been a stressful period feel straightforward and well-managed.
Since going live, the experience has continued to be very positive. The fixed fee model has been a major advantage for me. Having a guaranteed monthly income without the seasonal fluctuations and reliance on agency performance that come with more traditional management models has removed a lot of uncertainty. I know exactly what I’m receiving each month, regardless of booking performance, which gives real peace of mind.
The property itself has been very well looked after. Being local to the area, SmartChoice Stays have been able to attend the property quickly whenever needed, which has made a real difference. They have handled all day-to-day maintenance and kept everything in excellent condition, ensuring it remains a high-quality space for guests.
Overall, the service has been professional, reliable, and consistently delivered to a high standard. I would have no hesitation in recommending SmartChoice Stays to any property owner looking for a hands-off approach with a team they can trust.
