Posts Tagged ‘first impressions’

First Impressions Matter For Your Vacation Rental Property

August 13th, 2020 | By Moxie Girl Team

First impressions matter, and for vacation rental owners, that means ensuring a welcoming atmosphere is essential when it comes to the guest experience. From the moment they park and get out of the car, the tone is being set for their stay in your vacation rental property. They’ve already spent hours, days, possibly weeks saving and comparing your rental with others and finally decided to book with you. Taking the time to ensure an inviting welcome can reap many benefits. Here are some ideas to support your process.

Check-In

Once you have a confirmed booking, be sure the guests have electronic access to basic information, such as:

  • Directions to the property
  • A clear address
  • Contact information
  • Parking instructions
  • Explanation of how to access the property

 

After traveling and pulling up to the vacation rental home, guests are ready for a smooth transition. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to get into your vacation rental easily. Difficult access is a guaranteed way to downgrade your customer service rating. The check-in process should be as easy as possible. Clear directions to access the home can keep this process simple and stress-free. If struggling to enter the home is the initial hiccup, it can easily go downhill from there.

Entering the Home

One of the first things your guest will notice is the temperature. If it’s a normal Arizona summer day, they will want to feel the welcoming breeze of the air conditioning. They should be indulging in the decor and set up of your vacation rental instead of the amazing race to the thermostat. It will never be “just right”, but the effort will be appreciated.

 

Ensuring a welcoming atmosphere also includes keeping your word. Does your vacation rental look anything like the pictures posted online? When the reality does not match the photos and/or description, there can be a disappointment. Anything shown in your listing, unless mentioned as unavailable for use, needs to be there.

Cleanliness

Whether you choose to clean your property yourself or partner with a professional vacation rental cleaning service, this investment is very important. Guest expectations are very high when it comes to the cleanliness of where they are staying. Checking the details and cleanliness of every room after the clean can prevent complaints and touch up visits. During the peak vacation season, guest turnover can be fast, resulting in same-day bookings and more efficient turns. Moxie Girl suggests deep cleaning your home during downtime to ensure attention to detail and thorough cleans. 

You can also ensure that the guests feel well taken care of by having essential products stocked and ready for use.

Welcome Binder

Welcome Binders are an important amenity for your vacation rental property. This extra step shows your guests that you care about their comfort while staying in your home. All of the information needed for reference can be found in this binder. 

  • Pull together basic information like nearby grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and the post office.
  • Highlight hidden gems in your city to help the guest experience them as well. This can include locally-owned restaurants, tours of areas unique to your location, and any nearby attractions. 
  • Frequently asked questions, including thermostat instructions, the wifi password, extra linens, and any quirks your home might have.
  • Contact information so that guests know the fastest way to reach you if they have any questions, concerns, or problems during their stay. 
  •  Check out instructions are helpful as well, especially a check out time-reminder and what to do with trash/recycle.

 

First impressions have lasting effects. Welcoming efforts made to support the initial impression will pay off in the return on investment through five-star reviews and increased bookings for your vacation rental home. Think of your own experiences. What do you appreciate? What level of service do you expect? Look at your reviews for feedback and make necessary adjustments when needed. The goal is to be as stress-free as possible for all parties involved. We can all appreciate that! Need some help making your vacation rental property guest-ready every time a new guest walks in? contact Moxie Girl today!