Nigerians preparing for the annual Detty December festivities are making a notable shift this year, abandoning shortlet apartments for hotels as booking prices hit unprecedented highs in major cities.
For years, shortlets in Lagos and Abuja were the preferred choice for holiday travelers seeking space, convenience, and flexibility. But this festive season, many visitors are shocked by the steep rates, hidden charges, and what some describe as a growing culture of “greedy pricing” in the short-term rental market.
The result is a quiet but decisive return to hotels.
Social media creator @Sisi_Yemmie voiced the frustration of many travelers, saying shortlet managers were already complaining about poor bookings due to excessive charges. “Their greed is too much. I’d rather book five rooms in a hotel than deal with shortlet drama,” she wrote.
Other Nigerians point to the added value hotels now offer. User @emekagadi noted that many hotels include complimentary breakfast — and sometimes lunch — at far cheaper rates than what hosts are demanding.
For some, the decision is rooted in bitter past experiences. “Many of my friends have sworn off Lagos shortlets,” said @TonyAbah01, adding that all eleven in his group opted for hotels this December.
Industry players say the warning signs have been visible for months. Real estate manager @AdisaAkomolede reported that hosts raised their rates to unrealistic levels as December approached, pricing out ordinary travelers and even foreign visitors.
In Abuja, the pattern is similar. According to @KriscrisG, many operators are either leaving the business or switching to long-term leases because the shortlet market has become unsustainable.
Meanwhile, complaints continue to pile up about cleaning charges, “service” fees, inflated taxes, and other unexplained add-ons that make shortlets significantly more expensive than advertised.
Celebrities Raise Alarm Over Price Surge
BBNaija stars Leo DaSilva and Nina added their voices, posting screenshots showing Lagos shortlets going for as high as ₦13 million for 11 nights and ₦700,000 per night in some parts of Lekki and Ikoyi.
Nina wrote:
“THIS IS RIDICULOUS… I paid 4.2m for 13 nights for an Airbnb in Lekki. Some places have the nerve to charge 700k per night. You must be raving mad.”
Leo warned that the excessive pricing would only send more guests back to hotels.
Industry Insight: ‘Demand Has Dropped to an All-Time Low’
Shortlet agent Jennifer Ike, who has spent five years in the business, described the current season as the slowest she has ever witnessed.
“What we are experiencing is a very low demand for shortlet apartments this December, which has never happened in my five years in the business,” she said. According to her, most units that are booked opened their calendars early in November. Everything else is “sitting empty.”
Ike blamed a mix of insecurity, economic pressure, cancellations, and unjustified price hikes for the downturn, stressing that many hosts are now struggling to resell canceled bookings.
Flashback to Detty December 2024
Last year, Lagos dominated the festive period with record-breaking revenue in hospitality and leisure.
A report by MO Africa showed:
- Hotels: ₦54 billion
- Shortlets: ₦21 billion
- Nightclubs: ₦4.32 billion
- Recreational centres: ₦4.5 billion
This year, however, industry analysts predict a major dip in shortlet earnings due to the mass migration back to hotels.
