Buying a holiday rental property

[Dilbertian]

I would like to buy a 2 or 3 bedroom holiday rental property in a particular tourist destination and use it 4-6 times a year. Rent it out the rest of the time for holiday lets managed by an agency. The idea being that we would book some weeks ahead of time, but also grab last minute opportunities if the place is vacant. We wouldn't pay for our use of the property and the rental income would cover the cost of running it, and give us some return on our investment.

Is this complete pie in the sky, or can it be done?

Exactly what I did.
Small 2 bed which is all I needed. In a place I knew well (and know lots of local people which may or may not be key to the ease of running it)
I generally have a week at Easter and a week in August and then Air bnb it the rest of the time. As and when there is an empty weekend we use it. So maybe 5 or 6 times a year.
It wasn't ever about making a profit. It was about having a 2nd home in my happy place and making enough money to cover the costs.
I easily cover my costs plus some left over. (It gets re-invested in either new furniture or up-keep or over payment on the mortgage)

I have good local support in terms of a cleaner and a Gardner.

Possibly the best move I ever made (it was a scary one. I'm on my own, and don't really earn enough to pay for both houses)

In terms of buying it, I got it on a buy to let mortgage so needed 25% deposit and the bank wanted reports from companies like Sykes cottages to estimate what the rental income would be. This was very easy and I still only use air BnB to get all my bookings

This is something I've thought about and looked into a little. From what I understand, it's harder to get a mortgage for a holiday let now (pre Covid) - you need a substantial deposit and you don't have a great choice of money lenders. Not impossible and the landscape is ever though.

For me it's not the right time, so I haven't done much research, but that was what I gleaned. I'd still love to do it and like you, not to make a profit but to have lovely 2nd home that pays for itself.

I'm keen to hear any updates on how it goes for you!

Following
I'm buying a house at the moment in our happy place and may consider holiday lets at some point.
Good luck