How Alex Uses PriceLabs to Automate Smart Pricing, Without Letting Go of Control

Executive Summary

Alex manages a short-term rental in southeast England with his wife, a charming, family-run holiday cottage just steps from their home. In his first year, Alex used fixed pricing suggested by Airbnb, but quickly realized it didn’t align with seasonal demand. After discovering PriceLabs in 2023, he implemented dynamic pricing to automate the heavy lifting while staying firmly in control of his business. By using tools like Base Price Help, Portfolio Analytics, and strategic minimum stay settings, Alex has grown his revenue, improved booking efficiency, and eliminated the stress of daily rate adjustments.

A Family-Run Stay, Managed Like a Business

What began as a passive feature of a home purchase soon evolved into a purpose-driven short-term rental. Alex and his wife treat their holiday let as a true business. The property itself, Kent Pool Cottage, offers a peaceful countryside escape with a private pool, nestled in the scenic beauty of southeast England’s national park region. That business-first mindset made it clear: pricing needed to evolve beyond a fixed rate.

Alex shares his journey with PriceLabs and advice for other hosts.

The Problem: Fixed Pricing Was Too Rigid

Alex relied on a year-round static rate during his first hosting year, based on Airbnb’s default suggestions. It didn’t take long to see the cracks in that approach.

“I felt I was overcharging guests in winter… and leaving money on the table in summer.”

He began searching for a smarter solution and found PriceLabs through trusted community reviews online.

The Solution: Let Automation Work, While Staying in Control

What made PriceLabs click for Alex was its perfect balance: automation where it matters, and control where it counts.

“I liked that I could define broad pricing rules, then let PriceLabs handle the daily changes.”

He didn’t need to micromanage, just set the foundation. Alex loves the tools that help him get the setup right, and track performance.

Base Price Help + History

• Used to set the correct Base Price based on the market and his personal preferences
• Helps track and tweak Base Price only when necessary

“I’ve only changed my base price a couple of times in 2025. Once it’s set right, you don’t need to touch it much.” says Alex

Portfolio Analytics

Even with just one listing, Alex tracks:

• Monthly Revenue, compared to previous years
• ADR (Average Daily Rate) trends
• Occupancy Rate to monitor seasonal performance

“These dashboards force you to know your numbers, and that’s how you run this like a business.” says Alex

His Favorite Customization: Minimum Stay Rules

Alex now varies his minimum night requirement based on multiple factors, including booking lead time:

• Shorter stays are allowed closer to check-in dates
• Longer minimum stays for bookings months in advance

“Before, I had a 2-night minimum year-round. Now I can ask for longer stays when I’ve got time—fewer changeovers, less cleaning, and better margins.”

Results: More Revenue, Less Stress

Since switching to PriceLabs:

• Revenue has grown steadily year over year
• Pricing feels fair, for guests and for the business
• Daily stress around rates has disappeared

“I don’t have to tweak prices every day. I just check my analytics and know that the algorithm’s doing the heavy lifting.”

Advice to Fellow Hosts

1. Know Your Numbers Early On
“Don’t wait to look at analytics. Even with one unit, it’s essential.”

2. Set Monthly Budgets
“Use a simple spreadsheet to define your monthly goals. Track them. It gives you clarity.”

3. Don’t Over-Customize Without Training
“PriceLabs Academy is excellent. Learn first, then start tweaking.”

“PriceLabs gives me exactly what I want—less manual work, more clarity, and full confidence in my pricing. I know I am not leaving money on the table and also charging a fair price.”
-Alex, Host, Kent Pool Cottage