Creating a welcoming space for your vacation rental is a pivotal part of the guest experience. Not only does it make them feel at home during their stay, but it can also make a lasting impression that encourages them to return. With the right tips and tricks, you can make your rental a home away from home for every guest.
From providing small touches like complimentary snacks to ensuring that you meet all of their needs, you can make every guest enjoy their stay and feel comfortable in your vacation rental. With this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to create a welcoming space in your vacation rental for your guests to have an unforgettable experience.
Why Creating a Full Welcoming Space is Important for Vacation Rentals
The vacation rental industry is worth billions of dollars and continues to grow. We project home rentals will account for 25% of all global travel by 2025. For many travelers, staying in a vacation rental is the preferred accommodation option. It offers a more authentic travel experience and is often more affordable than staying in a hotel. So what does this mean for you as a landlord? It’s more important than ever for your rental to be welcoming so that guests have a great experience and come back again and again.
Tips for Creating a Welcoming Space
When creating a welcoming space for your vacation rental, it’s necessary to ponder every aspect of the guest experience. Every detail counts, so it’s helpful to classify it as cleanliness, organization, comfort, and convenience. Here are some tips on how to make guests feel comfortable in your home.Â
Make Sure Your Rental is Clean and Organized:
First and foremost, you want to be sure that your rental is clean and organized. Nothing makes guests feel more unwelcome than a dirty and cluttered space, so it’s good to prioritize this in your cleaning and organizing efforts.Â
Provide Extra Amenities and Comforts:
Beyond cleaning and organization, are a few extra amenities and comforts you can provide to make your vacation rental feel more welcoming. For example, you can arrange a bottle of wine or snacks for guests to enjoy at the end of a long day. You can also provide extra amenities like toiletries, books, magazines, and other travel necessities.
Personalize the Space and Make It Inviting
Beyond cleanliness and organization, there are a few ways to personalize your space and make it inviting. For example, you can display framed pictures and other mementos that show guests who live in the rental, along with information about the area. You can add small touches like flowers, candles, decorative pillows, and other decorative items to make the rental feel more like home.
Make Sure Guests Have What They Need
Beyond cleanliness, organization, amenities, and comforts, you also want to ensure that guests have everything they need while staying in your rental. For example, you can be sure that snacks, toiletries, and other necessities are readily available. You can also provide guests with a list of nearby attractions and restaurants, not forgetting directions for them to explore the area. Beyond these general tips, you should also not forget to meet each guest’s needs. For example, if a guest has a specific medical condition, you want to ascertain that you are prepared to accommodate them.
Personalize the Space and Make It Inviting
Beyond cleanliness and organization, there are a few ways to personalize your space and make it inviting. For example, you can display framed pictures and other mementos that show guests who live in the rental, along with information about the area. You can add small touches like flowers, candles, decorative pillows, and other decorative items to make the rental feel more like home.
Make Sure Guests Have What They Need
Beyond cleanliness, organization, amenities, and comforts, you also want to ensure that guests have everything they need while staying in your rental. For example, you can be sure that snacks, toiletries, and other necessities are readily available. You can also provide guests with a list of nearby attractions and restaurants, not forgetting directions for them to explore the area. Beyond these general tips, you should also not forget to meet each guest’s needs. For example, if a guest has a specific medical condition, you want to ascertain that you are prepared to accommodate them.
You should take a look at the post about what guests want to know about your vacation rentals.
How to keep your welcoming space clean
Focus on the trouble spots
First things first, give extra attention to the most important areas of cleanliness. Those would be the kitchen and the bathrooms. If you offer your guests space in the refrigerator, give it a thorough cleaning. And if you make a point to keep all of the condiments and other items nicely organized, your guest will be encouraged do the same.
Make room for your guests’ things
We certainly love our tchotchkes, but too much of a good thing may look like clutter to a visitor. In addition to keeping your space clean, it’s important to keep it tidy. Your guests may not want to live out of their suitcase for their whole stay, so you can offer them a welcoming space to put out their toiletries and personal items on a shelf or nightstand. You can also offer your guests room for their clothes and larger items in a closet or dresser.
Disinfect all surfaces
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been wide awareness on hand washing and surface disinfecting. Even though the risk of getting infected from touching a surface contaminated by the virus is low, your guest and you will feel safer knowing that you disinfect all surfaces after a guest checks out.
Follow the guidance of the CDC and WHO on cleaning and disinfecting your home
Pay attention to details
Once you’ve gotten your space clean and ready for your next guest, check the details:
- Look for stray hairs on the couch
- Clean off dust on the edges of shelves, picture frames, and doorways
- Wipe down all the surfaces of fixtures and appliances
- Check the kitchen counter for crumbs
- Sweep or vacuum under the furniture
Examples of Small Touches to Make Guests Feel At Home
- Before guests even arrive at your vacation rental, you can make them feel welcome with small touches like personalized welcome letters and gift baskets.
- To make guests feel even more welcome once they arrive, you can offer extras like a local phone number that guests can use to contact you, along with a list of nearby attractions and restaurants.
- To prepare for all guests, you can also provide items like first-aid kits, extra toiletries, and a list of nearby pharmacies. Beyond these specific examples, there are endless ways to make guests feel welcome, comfortable, and prepared during their stay.
Once you know what you want to provide, you can start brainstorming ways to make it happen. Click on the image to learn some of the best ways to upgrade your living space without breaking the bank.
Strategies for Anticipating and Meeting Guests’ Needs
Because guests have different needs, prepare for all kinds of situations. Whether you’re dealing with a medical emergency or a minor inconvenience, you want to be ready to help with whatever may arise. Here are a few ways that you can prepare for different guest needs.
Know Your Area and Be Ready for Emergencies
The most crucial thing you can do is to know your area. Make sure you’re familiar with the surrounding neighborhoods, nearby attractions and restaurants, and basic directions like how to get to the nearest hospital or pharmacy. Beyond this, it’s also important to be ready for emergencies, such as a medical or fire situation. You can prepare for these situations by having a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and basic first-aid knowledge.
Be Prepared for Guests’ Basic Needs
Beyond emergencies, you also want to be prepared for guests’ basic needs. For example, you can provide enough toilet paper, paper towels, and soap in the bathroom. You can also stock up on necessities like hand sanitizer, shampoo, and conditioner.
Beyond these few examples, you should also provide plenty of clean towels, sheets, and washcloths, including plenty of clean dishes and silverware.
Conclusion
Creating a welcoming space in your vacation rental is essential for the guest experience. Not only does it make them feel at home, but it can also make a lasting impression that encourages them to return. With the right tips and tricks, you can ensure that every guest enjoys their stay and feels comfortable in your holiday rental. From providing small touches like extra amenities and comforts to giving guests everything they need, they can have an unforgettable experience in your vacation rental.