What do your guests want from you when they stay at your rental property?
Whether they’re in residence for a weekend or a month, they’re looking for an experience that makes them glad they chose your property.
The amenities are great, and they’ll appreciate the in-unit laundry, the espresso machine, and the hyper-fast Wi-Fi. But what are you doing to provide the experience that sets you apart on the short-term rental market and elicits five-star reviews from the guests who stay with you?
We’re all about creating a unique guest experience, because we know that’s what keeps properties occupied. It’s also what drives up your nightly rental rates.
Let’s move beyond the amenities (glorious as they surely are) and talk about what your guests have the privilege of enjoying while they’re renting your vacation home. Here’s our advice, as expert property managers in southwest Florida.
Why Experiences Matter to Short-Term Rental Guests
The vacation rental market is more competitive than ever, especially here in Florida, where more and more homeowners have realized that renting out their home, or even part of their home, can come with some impressive profits.
With increasing options for guests to choose from, creating a standout experience is crucial for property owners seeking to build long-term success. You want to be the professional rental property host, the one who is providing more than a place for people to sleep.
Amenities may attract guests initially, and you should spend a lot of time making sure you have all the amenities that your guests are looking for. But once you have that covered, it’s time to think bigger. The overall experience is what will keep people coming back and telling everyone what a great time they had at your property.
A personalized, seamless, and memorable stay makes your guests feel valued. It’s those extra details that transform a “good” stay into an “amazing” one—and that transformation directly impacts reviews, recommendations, and profitability.
This is worth your attention, time, and resources. Working with a property management partner can be an invaluable resource as you establish and market the types of guest experiences that will get the most attention and establish a competitive advantage.
How to Go Beyond Amenities to Deliver a Superior Guest Experience
A phenomenal guest experience looks different to different guests. If you’re someone who loves the beach, having chairs and umbrellas already reserved and set up will make a big difference to your satisfaction level while on vacation. If you’re a foodie, a cooking class or a wine tasting in the neighborhood will make all the difference in the world.
You’ll need to remain flexible, get to know your guests, and provide experiences and offerings that speak to who they are and why they’re in town.
Here’s a checklist that can get you started on crafting exactly the right plans.
- Personalize the Welcome
First impressions set the tone, and while your first impression is going to be your listing and any communication you have with guests as they move through the booking process, you want to impress them with the first moment that they arrive at their rental home.
From the moment guests book your property until they check out, the interactions should feel warm and personalized. A few ways to elevate your welcome experience include:
- Welcome Messages. Send a personalized welcome note before your guests’ arrival to introduce yourself and share your enthusiasm for hosting them. This is a good opportunity to share your contact information and provide any necessary information that they may need for arrival.
- Tailored Welcome Kits. Include small items based on their reason for travel—fresh flowers for a romantic getaway, for example, or a basket of easy snacks for a family trip. If you contract with a local fitness center, you can even offer gym passes for the duration of the stay, which will really stand out when you have fitness enthusiasts in town.
- Pre-Arrival Checklists. Provide clear check-in instructions, local activity guides, or even suggested packing lists to make their stay stress-free. Your guests will appreciate resources, whether it’s telling them to remember their sunscreen or providing it for them at the property.
Guests will remember how they were welcomed into your property, so make it count.
- Design Your Space with Guest Experience in Mind
A visually pleasing and functional space encourages guests to feel at home—and at ease—in your property. To elevate the experience, you can focus on the following aspects of design:
- Comfortable, High-End Furnishings. Invest in quality bedding, blackout curtains, and cozy seating to make your property inviting.
- Thoughtful Decoration Choices. Incorporate local touches, such as artwork by local artists, reflecting the area’s culture, to create a sense of place.
- Functional Spaces. Consider creating designated work areas for remote workers, an outdoor setup for al fresco dining, or cozy nooks for reading.
Offer things like beach chairs, bicycles, and toys for children. If you’re renting out a pet-friendly property, having dog beds or cat litter on hand will make your guests’ experience far more convenient and memorable.
- Offer Localized Experiences
Guests are increasingly looking for unique, authentic ways to explore your property’s surrounding area. Help them create unforgettable memories by offering insider tips and local experiences. Partner with local tour groups, restaurants, and other establishments to make offerings that will work for everyone. A little networking can go a long way. Here’s what has worked for us in the past:
- Insider Guides. Leave a detailed guide of your favorite hidden gems, including restaurants, trails, and attractions that typical tourists might miss.
- Promote Local Businesses: Collaborate with nearby tour companies, restaurants, or wellness centers to offer exclusive discounts or packages to your guests. Offering specials on spa treatments, yoga classes, or even childcare can make a difference.
- Highlight Seasonal Must-Dos. Provide guests with recommendations tailored to the season they’re visiting—think farmers’ markets in the spring and summer or the joy of golfing in the winter under sunny Florida skies.
- Anticipate Their Needs
Guests appreciate when they don’t have to ask for something because you’ve already thought of it. Anticipating their needs not only demonstrates your attentiveness but it also shows your commitment to their comfort. Stock essentials and extras. Go beyond the basics by providing niche items that might come in handy, such as phone chargers, umbrellas, and even board games for rainy days.
Don’t overlook guests with mobility needs—ensure there are ramps, grab bars, or elevators wherever necessary. Accessibility features are important and can enhance the guest experience, especially if that guest is differently-abled.
- Stay Responsive
Excellent communication is one of the most critical aspects of creating a standout guest experience. Ensure your guests can easily get in touch with you to address any questions or concerns during their stay. Here’s what they’ll be sure to note in reviews and comments:
- Fast Response Times. Respond to messages within minutes whenever possible—the sooner, the better.
- Proactive Follow-Ups. Check in on your guests (via text or email) a day after arrival to ensure everything is going smoothly.
- Offer Solutions Promptly. If something goes wrong (a leaking toilet or the Wi-Fi going out), resolve it quickly to maintain their trust.
- Encourage a Guest Community
Travelers value connection—whether it’s with their hosts, other travelers, or the locals. Encourage a sense of community through these simple actions:
- Social Media Groups. Create a private Facebook group for past and future guests to share tips, recommendations, and reviews.
- Interactive Guest Books. Leave a handwritten guest book for visitors to leave notes and tips for future travelers. Keep it unique, when you can. We know an owner who has a labyrinth in their backyard. They have a guest book specifically for guests to write how they interacted with that space. People have left poems and thank-you notices to the landscape architect who designed it.
- Invite Feedback. Ask for their suggestions or ideas on how to improve the experience—it shows you’re always striving to do better.
The Long-Term Payoff of Prioritizing Experience
Guests will rarely remember the thread count of the sheets or whether you had the latest coffee maker. But they will treasure how you made them feel throughout their stay. Focusing on personalized, memorable experiences builds stronger emotional connections with your guests, which leads to higher guest loyalty and more glowing reviews.
A unique guest experience not only enhances the appeal of your property but also helps justify premium pricing. Happy, satisfied guests are far more likely to recommend your property to friends or leave a review that helps boost your visibility in a sea of rental options.
Let’s start elevating your guest stay. It does not have to be overwhelming, and it’s easy enough to start small. If you’d like us to take a look at your property or your portfolio and make some personalized suggestions for you and your properties, we’re happy to do it.
Contact us at Realty Group of Southwest Florida. We partner with real estate investors in Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, and throughout Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
