In the growing and high-demand real estate market that focuses on vacation rental homes, guest experience is everything.
Rental property owners need to be constantly seeking out strategies that will allow their rental properties to stand out in a crowded market. Your guest experiences need to not only meet but exceed expectations. There are a lot of tourists coming to Florida all year long. That creates a lot of demand, which is good news for your vacation rental occupancy.
One of the best ways to compete with all the other vacation properties on the market is to provide an enhanced guest experience. As local property managers in Anna Maria Island, we have found that it’s often the small, thoughtful touches that transform a good stay into an especially memorable one.
Make your property feel like a home away from home for your guests.
Here are some of the simple and impactful touches that we recommend when you’re trying to elevate the guest experience with your vacation rental property.
Provide Guests with a Warm Welcome
Think about how you’re going to welcome your guests to your property. We recommend that you start with a personalized welcome note, letting them know that you’re glad they’re staying with you. In today’s digital environment, we believe that a handwritten note adds a personal touch that sets a hospitable tone for the stay.
Address guests by name and express gratitude for their choice to book your place. Offer any assistance they might need during their stay.
Include a welcome basket that includes a few treats and necessities. Simple snacks, some bottled water and other beverages, and maybe a map of the area will show thoughtfulness and consideration. You might want to provide an entire guide to the area, including those maps we mentioned as well as brochures and any personal recommendations for local attractions and eateries.
Think about welcoming touches such as lighting. Keep the porch light on if your guests are arriving after dark. Provide soft, warm lighting inside that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere upon arrival.
Focus on Providing Comforts in the Kitchen
One of the reasons that vacation guests will choose a property like yours instead of a hotel is that they want to enjoy access to a kitchen, where they can make their own coffee, keep their own snacks, and prepare their own meals. Provide a well-stocked kitchen, and you’ll find you have some very grateful guests.
- Set Up a Collection of Coffee and Tea
Set up a well-equipped coffee and tea station with a quality coffee maker, a selection of teas, sugar, and milk or cream. Include some biscuits or pastries to complement the warm beverages.
- Provide Basic Seasonings and Cooking Supplies
Your guests will want to cook, but they won’t want to invest in a new set of salt and pepper shakers. Stock the kitchen with essential cooking oils, salt, pepper, and a selection of commonly used herbs and spices. Ensuring your guests have the basics makes cooking and dining more convenient and enjoyable.
Nesting in the Bedrooms
Personal touches in the bedrooms lead to a sense of privacy, comfort, and serenity. Invest in high-quality bedding so your guests can really enjoy sinking into sleep. Give them comfortable mattresses and plush, high-thread-count linens. A variety of pillows with different firmness levels can cater to varying preferences.
Place a reading lamp, an alarm clock, and a couple of latest magazines or books on the bedside table. A small notepad and pen are great for jotting down thoughts or planning the next day’s adventures. Is there a place next to the bed where your guests can charge their phones? As you may know from personal experience, this is important.
Spa-Like Bathroom Basics
You have a lot of opportunities to offer personal touches in the bathroom that will give your guests a good experience where they feel pampered and cared-for. Consider spa-like toiletries. When you provide luxurious shampoos, lotions, and soaps that they might not have expected, you’re keeping your standards high and exceeding their expectations. Display them elegantly in the bathroom for added aesthetics.
Make sure you have plenty of towels in various sizes. Washing clothes are necessary, too. Consider leaving a stash of cotton balls and cotton swabs. An extremely posh touch could be offering robes. This will enhance your guests’ feeling that they’re in a retreat setting created just for them.
Invest in Good Technology for Special Touches
Technology is more important to your vacation guests now than ever before. They’re looking for high speed internet, either because they’re working while they’re vacationing or because they want to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Ensure that your rental offers reliable, high-speed internet access. Provide clear instructions for logging on to make the connection process seamless.
You can also equip your vacation rental home with USB charging stations in convenient locations. In today’s tech-driven world, this simple amenity can make a world of difference.
Make the Experience Local
Decorate your property with artwork from local artists, and include information on who they are and where more of their art can be viewed. You’ll also want to include unique decor from the region to provide a sense of place and support the local community. People want to feel like they’re in Florida; there’s no reason to set your property up as a Tuscan vineyard. Lean into the coastal Florida vibe, and your guests will be glad they’re there.
Provide a Guidebook with Insider Tips
We mentioned this earlier when we were talking about how to welcome your guests to your home, but we want to circle back to it because we think it’s so important. Create a customized guidebook with insider info on the best local spots. Be detailed with your descriptions and tell your guests why you’re making these recommendations.
By paying attention to these little details, you increase the likelihood of providing an exceptional guest experience; one that resonates long after farewell. Always remember that the smallest gestures can lead to the most significant impressions, inevitably translating into returning guests and glowing referrals.
We can help you create the best guest experience in Anna Maria Island and the surrounding towns. Contact us at Anchor Down Vacation Rentals.