Communication. Communication. Communication. It’s key to making sure your guests leave satisfied.
Communicate clearly from the get go by drafting a thorough listing. Make sure that your listing illustrates exactly what your property has to offer. Photos and details should be updated to accurately depict what the property looks like. Your guests should know exactly what to expect upon arrival.
Next, make sure to handle any questions or outreach quickly and effectively. If you receive a message or a call from potential guests, get back to them ASAP. Guests will judge your communication from the beginning. They’ll want to know that you’re available to meet their needs in a timely fashion.
When a guest books a night with you, follow up with them before their arrival. Be sure that they have clear directions to get there and any instructions they’ll need for their stay. You can also ask a few quick questions to try and gain a better understanding of what their needs and wants will be during their stay. For example, if they’re coming to celebrate a special occasion, you could surprise them with some kind of complimentary gift in their room. Also, keep in mind that when you send out emails to your guests to keep them clear and concise. You can use bullet points to highlight the important pieces. You want to ensure that your guests can read the email in a timely fashion.
Once the guests arrive, ensure they are provided a clear guidebook. This can be printed and placed in their room or it can be something you provide digitally. You’ll want to ensure they have contact information. They’ll also need special instructions on how to operate the remotes and amenities such as the hot tub or sauna. Don’t take any of these things for granted, provide your guests with the information they need to have the best possible stay. You can also provide details for local places like restaurants or attractions they may want to check out. Provide contact information, directions, and a few more details.
Leave a guest book in the room to encourage your guests to provide feedback. Also, consider following up with them via email to see how they enjoyed their stay and to ask for any recommendations for improvement. You can even request that they review you online. About a week following their stay, send your visitors a thank you card.
From start to finish, communication plays an important role in a successful short-term rental experience. It can help you improve guest satisfaction and increase your occupancy rates. If you’d like additional help in keeping guests happy, please reach out to us at PMI: https://www.breckenridgevacationrentalmanagement.net/. We regularly partner with short-term rental owners.
