As the short-term rental market becomes increasingly competitive, understanding which property types deliver the strongest returns has become essential for Airbnb hosts and investors. Data from leading STR analytics platforms—including Airbtics, AirROI, and AirDNA—shows clear trends in the UK market for 2024–2025.
Performance is measured primarily by annual revenue per listing, supported by occupancy rates and demand within each city. While 1–2 bedroom units tend to dominate in volume due to lower purchase costs and consistent occupancy, it is the 2–3 bedroom units that often generate the highest overall revenue in major UK cities.
Below is a breakdown of the best-performing Airbnb unit sizes in key UK markets based on the latest analytics.
London – 3 Bedroom Units Lead the Market
London remains the strongest and most dynamic short-term rental market in the UK. Despite high property prices, 3-bedroom units consistently outperform all other sizes in annual revenue.
These units attract:
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Larger groups and families
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Business travellers seeking more space
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Medium-term corporate bookings
With supply limited compared to 1–2 bedroom units, 3-bed properties often achieve higher occupancy and premium nightly rates.
Birmingham – 3 Bedroom Units Offer the Best Returns
Birmingham’s Airbnb market is driven by city events, corporate demand, and weekend tourism.
Analytics show that 3-bedroom properties deliver the highest revenue, outpacing smaller units due to their ability to host groups attending:
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Conferences
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Sporting events
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Exhibitions at the NEC and ICC
Lower acquisition costs compared to London also make 3-bed units a strong investment option in Birmingham.
Liverpool – 2 Bedroom Units Perform Best
Liverpool’s STR market is heavily influenced by tourism, nightlife, football matches, and waterfront events.
According to 2024–2025 revenue estimates, 2-bedroom units outperform other configurations, benefiting from:
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High weekend demand
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Lower operating costs
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Strong year-round occupancy
These units perfectly match traveller groups visiting for city breaks and events.
Manchester – 3 Bedroom Units Dominate
Manchester continues to grow as a major destination for tech, business, sports, and tourism.
Data shows that 3-bedroom Airbnb units generate the strongest annual returns, driven by:
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Group bookings for concerts and football matches
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Corporate stays
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Long weekend trips
The city’s consistent event calendar keeps demand stable throughout the year.
Scotland (Edinburgh & Glasgow) – 2 Bedroom Units Perform Best
For Scotland, data proxies are taken from Edinburgh (tourist hub) and Glasgow (urban/business hub).
In both markets, 2-bedroom units deliver the highest occupancy and revenue balance.
Edinburgh performs particularly well due to:
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Festivals
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Tourism seasons
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Year-round visitor traffic
Meanwhile, Glasgow sees strong demand from:
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Events
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Students & families
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Short corporate stays
Bristol – 2 Bedroom Units Lead the Market
Bristol’s Airbnb market leans heavily toward 2-bedroom units, which consistently outperform other sizes.
These units benefit from:
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Steady demand from business travellers
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Weekend tourism
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University-related stays
Lower competition in the 2-bed segment also supports stronger pricing power.
Conclusion
Across the UK, Airbnb performance varies by city, but clear patterns emerge:
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3-bed units dominate in London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
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2-bed units perform best in Liverpool, Scotland, and Bristol.
For hosts and investors, aligning property size with city-specific demand can significantly increase annual revenue and overall ROI.
Understanding these trends is essential before investing or launching a new Airbnb unit in 2024–2025.
