Standing out in the vacation rental market is much more than having an attractive property. With hundreds of other options to choose from, many potential renters are going through vacation rentals quickly.
The most important factors for them when booking include feeling comfortable with the area (safety), being able to afford the place (price), and communication with the host. If they do not get all three elements, they will likely go elsewhere. Continue reading below as we discuss these factors and help you gain more bookings and better reviews.
Top 3 Features People Look for in a Vacation Rental
Guests actually follow their heart when booking, not their head. This means you have to position yourself in a way that ignites their emotions, and the three factors below are the most important to consider.
Good Location
Understanding the features of your location is vital when becoming a better vacation rental manager. Basically, your guest wants to step out of your front door and into the vacation experience. Great locations mean fewer hours spent driving and more hours spent on vacation.
Therefore, your listing needs to clearly show the proximity of your rentals to popular landmarks, restaurants, and public transportation.
Whether your rental sits in a quiet neighborhood, mention the ease of getting to major attractions. Guests are willing to pay a premium for convenience, so make this feature the headliner in your listings rather than an afterthought.
Affordability
Affordability doesn’t simply refer to having the lowest cost options. Guests want good value for their dollar. Unanticipated cleaning fees, service charges, or other surprise costs kill a booking mid-process.
Establishing credibility through transparency about rates and providing guests with a detailed understanding of what they receive for the quoted price can help build trust. Practical amenities such as a fully stocked kitchen or free parking can add to the overall perceived value. When guests believe the rate they paid was worth the experience, they book confidently and leave positive reviews.
Responsive Management
The worst thing that can happen to a guest after he/she books your vacation rental home is that you disappear and do not respond to his/her inquiries until long after check-in.
Guests want to believe that their host(s) will be available to assist with any questions prior to their arrival and address any issues that arise during their stay. Rapid, friendly communication demonstrates that you genuinely care about your guests’ comfort and safety.
That is where partnering with a property management firm becomes the smarter idea. Work with a full-service Washington DC property manager to stay on top of the needs of your guests in the vacation rental.
Vacation Rental Amenities to Stand Out Against Competitors
A couple of extra features can help seal the deal. Travelers are making fast decisions when browsing through listings, and small gestures such as high-speed, reliable wi-fi, a spotless, fully equipped kitchen, and easy self-check-in can give you an edge on the competition.
1. High-Speed, Reliable Wi-Fi
Guests will immediately rule out a rental property because of slow Wi-Fi. Families with children, remote workers, and people streaming movies will not rent a property if there’s no reliable internet.
To ensure this doesn’t happen at your property, consider using a Mesh System to reduce dead spots and test your speeds monthly. In addition, include your internet speed in your listing description to give potential renters confidence.
Reliable internet is an important part of generating good reviews and increasing guest satisfaction, knowing you’re able to work/study/stream without interruptions.
2. A Spotless, Well-Equipped Kitchen
Many people choose vacation rentals over hotel rooms, mainly to save money on food. If there’s no functional kitchen in your rental unit, you’ve lost your main selling point.
What differentiates you from other units in terms of functionality is how clean, neat, and organized your kitchen area is. You don’t need high-end appliances; simply make sure that everything works properly.
By adding a few welcoming touches – i.e., coffee pods, etc. You may create an even bigger impression than you think. Often, the deciding factor between two rentals is whether they both offer a convenient way for guests to cook meals during their trip.
3. Seamless Self-Check-In
Privacy and flexibility are two of the things that travel lovers appreciate most. With a Smart Lock or Secure Lockbox, guests can check into their vacation home on their own schedule.
No need to worry about coordinating with you after long flights or late-night drives. You can assign a unique code to each guest and include photo-based instructions for easy self-check-in.
Prominent highlighting of Keyless Entry in your listing will signal to guests that you offer modern, convenient services. The ease of self-check-in creates a positive start to the whole trip for both you and the guest, which typically translates into a great review.
4. A Dedicated Workspace
Remote workers are now commonplace. There are numerous guests who will search for “workspace”. Create a practical space (small desk, comfortable office chair, decent lighting, and outlets) with a neutral background to enable guests to easily take video calls. By mentioning this designated area in your headlines or photos, you can attract remote workers and business travelers.
5. An Inviting Outdoor Area
Guests need room to relax and breathe. The presence of a private balcony, patio, or a well-maintained outdoor community garden provides guests room to breathe. Even a small bistro table with two chairs and a few string lights can provide a relaxing setting for morning coffee or late-night cocktails. Adding a grill or fire pit to your space’s amenities will also increase its appeal and give it a true getaway feeling.
Conclusion
Guests are looking for an excellent location, a fair price, and a responsive owner/host. The last one is important; you need to show your guests that you’re ready to handle their complaints and regularly implement proper roofing maintenance to ensure their comfort.
By including functional features, such as reliable Wi-Fi, a stocked kitchen, and self-check-in, to streamline the travel process, you will attract many more bookings. Providing the best possible service to your guests requires considerable effort.
A full-service Washington, DC, property manager provides daily communication with guests, handles all required maintenance, and keeps listings up to date so guests remain satisfied and leave positive reviews. Provide the same level of service and see your calendar book up quickly.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
