Winter can sometimes feel like a quieter time for bookings, but it also brings its own kind of magic. Crisp mornings, cosy evenings, and the peacefulness of nature in colder weather can all make for memorable guest experiences. With a few small tweaks, you can make your space stand out and keep bookings healthy throughout the season. 

Be flexible with check-in days, stay lengths and special offers 

Demand naturally softens in winter, and guests often start looking for more flexibility. Offering shorter stays (especially at weekends) or freeing up more check-in days for the season can make a noticeable difference. Below are a few of our recommendations: 

• Allow two-night stays with check-ins/check outs on any day 
• Make sure shorter length stays are bookable online (rather than by enquiry only) 
• Consider removing any supplementary charges for shorter stays and use pro-rata nightly pricing instead  
• Try a winter special offer to help fill the gaps in availability. 15-20% off is usually enough to have an impact

This creates affordability and drives your occupancy and opens you up to a wider pool of potential guests by giving them more choice to book on dates that suit them.

The Carn in Herefordshire is a great example of how this flexibility can work in practice. They move to a two-night minimum with any-day check-in over the winter months to attract more guests and increase bookings.

Highlight your winter-ready features 

When guests are browsing winter stays, they want to know they’ll be warm and comfortable. Make sure your spaces and listing clearly shows off the features that make colder weather enjoyable: 

• Wood burners, log fires or heated interiors  
• Cosy throws, blankets, warming drinks and hot water bottles 
• Hot tubs or saunas 
• Covered outdoor spaces or cosy firepit areas

Top tip: Ensuring you have a well-stocked supply of firewood in winter helps create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere that your guests will really appreciate.  

Anything that helps guests picture themselves feeling cosy and relaxed will work in your favour, so it’s worth investing in professional photography if your gallery doesn’t already convey this.

Highlight local winter activities that guests can enjoy 

Winter can still be a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors. Consider highlighting any regional winter attractions that might appeal to guests on your listing: 

• Local firework displays or winter fayres & markets 
• Seasonal spectacles like starling murmurations, stargazing or accessible winter walks  
• Local events or cosy pubs

You don’t need to overcomplicate things—just highlighting what guests can enjoy nearby, or adding a small extra touch, can help your space stand out.

Add thoughtful seasonal touches 

Small additions can make a winter stay feel extra special. Things like: 

• Extra throws, blankets, hot water bottles and logs 
• A basket of local treats – think warming, seasonal hot drinks  
• A cosy reading corner  
• Boardgames and books 
• A few simple seasonal decorations

These little touches help guests settle in, feel cared for, and enjoy the slower pace of a winter break. We also know it’s these things that guests really appreciate and love to highlight in their reviews of a stay during winter, which creates confidence in other potential guests to book an off-season break.

Use winter for maintenance and improvements 

If your calendar is quieter (or your space closes over winter), this can be the ideal time to catch up on maintenance or make any upgrades you’ve been considering. Tackling bigger or noisier jobs now reduces disruption during peak season and helps your space look it's best when demand picks up again. You can find more useful tips on upgrading during the winter months here. 

For more information or a chat about anything mentioned here, please email the Owners Team on owners@canopyandstars.co.uk.  

Winter glamping doesn’t have to be a quiet period. With a bit of flexibility, some seasonal thinking, and a few thoughtful additions, you can make the colder months a successful and rewarding part of your year. Remember that whatever challenges you’re facing or questions you have, we’re always on hand to talk them over. Get in touch with your Account Manager on 0117 204 7857 or by emailing owners@canopyandstars.co.uk.