Hotels across Lagos recorded a significant rise in bookings during the 2025 Detty December season as local and foreign visitors turned away from short-let apartments amid steep price increases.
Operators in major hospitality hubs such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Ikeja confirmed that occupancy levels peaked weeks earlier than usual, driven largely by tourists, returning Nigerians in the diaspora, and event-driven travellers attending concerts, festivals and end-of-year social functions.
Industry players attributed the surge to what many visitors described as “unreasonable” short-let pricing. Several short-let apartments reportedly doubled or tripled their nightly rates ahead of December, making hotels a more predictable and, in some cases, cheaper alternative.
A hotel manager in Victoria Island said guests increasingly preferred hotels because of fixed pricing, security, housekeeping services and uninterrupted power supply, factors that became more attractive as short-let costs rose sharply.
Travel and hospitality analysts noted that while short-let apartments gained popularity in recent years for flexibility and privacy, excessive seasonal pricing is beginning to push customers back to traditional hotels, especially during peak travel periods like Detty December.
Some visitors also cited concerns over last-minute cancellations and additional charges often associated with short-let bookings, saying hotels offered better consumer protection and clearer booking terms.
The development has provided a strong revenue boost for Lagos hotels, many of which reported near-full occupancy throughout December. Analysts believe the trend could force a pricing correction in the short-let market if operators hope to remain competitive in future festive seasons.
As Lagos continues to position itself as Africa’s entertainment and tourism hub during the yuletide period, stakeholders say pricing discipline and service quality will play a key role in shaping visitor preferences beyond Detty December.
