Guest Experience

The old adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ has never been more true than in the vacation rental sector. Addressing last-minute repairs and correcting issues can be costly – both financially and for the reputation of your business. Disruption caused by maintenance issues can severely impact the experience of your guests. The added expense of reactive or emergency vacation rental maintenance is also not going to be popular with the property owners. 

Fortunately, it’s easy to stay one step ahead, with Breezeway’s preventive vacation rental maintenance checklist. Completing checks and tasks periodically and systematically can help to ensure that your maintenance is never an emergency – giving you control and your guests and property owners peace of mind. 

Your vacation home maintenance checklist also keeps standards high. Rather than approaching maintenance tasks afresh each time, automating processes make sure that nothing gets missed. 

To get started with preventive vacation rental maintenance, you’ll need to break down tasks by frequency and plan them across the year. Your maintenance checklist will vary from property to property, but here’s our template to give you a head start. 

Where to begin

Before diving into the checklist, set yourself up for success by ensuring your vacation rental business requires the minimal maintenance possible. 

Firstly make sure your vacation rental guest rules are designed to prevent damage. Make it clear to guests how to enjoy your property without causing unnecessary wear and tear. This will make your job much easier in the long run.

Your guest welcome book should also include guidance on how to look after and properly use the amenities of the house – from electrical appliances to pool rules. This is a simple and effective way to avoid breakages within your property. 

Avantio clients can benefit from our partnership with Breezeway, a comprehensive platform making preventive maintenance tasks a breeze with automated scheduling, operational management, and all tasks managed from one location. 

You can also manage all operational and maintenance tasks directly within the Avantio software, thanks to our operations module. 

Vacation rental maintenance after each check-out

After each guest checks out of the property, it’s important to conduct some routine maintenance. This extends beyond just cleaning, although your vacation rental cleaning checklist is a crucial part of preventive maintenance. 

• Check the property for any damaged or missing items as a result of the previous guests. 
• Survey the property for any other issues that may have arisen, checking plumbing and appliances for faults or breakages.
• Make sure all cupboards, closets, drawers, and doors open and close smoothly without sticking. 
• Check all windows and external doors open and close as intended. Check any smart locks. 
• See if the Wifi connection is still strong, and that any devices in the property are connecting properly. 
• Check all devices and tech (TV, sound systems etc) are working properly. Check remotes and replace batteries if necessary. 
• Check all light fittings and lamps. 
• Ensure security systems like cameras or alarms are working.
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Monthly preventive maintenance

At least once a month, make sure you check these preventive maintenance items off the list. 

• Check that any pest control units are present and correct.
• Make sure that first aid kits are fully stocked, and that any emergency information is still clear and accurate.
• Check fire extinguishers and any other fire safety equipment is present and correct. 
• Check all outlets appear to be in working order. 
• Maintain outside or garden areas by trimming lawns, plants, and shrubs where necessary. 
• Check gutters for any build up of leaves, ice, or other debris.

Seasonal or biannual preventive maintenance

There are certain tasks which may be necessary depending on the season, or need to be done more frequently than once a year, but not every month. Here are some of the seasonal or biannual preventive maintenance tasks to keep in mind. 

• If you change your property’s decor according to the season, be sure to schedule this as part of your maintenance.
• Change the filters in your furnace, air conditioner system, dryer, dishwasher, and ventilation systems. 
• Arrange for a general deep cleaning of your property at least every six months.
• Check for any areas of worn paint or wall marks and touch up if necessary.
• In warmer weather, ensure that garden sprinklers are working properly.
• Check all kitchen items and appliances, including utensils and tableware, replacing any as necessary. 
• Review the condition of all furniture in the property, and schedule repairs or replacements if required. 
• Every six months arrange a deep clean of any external amenities, such as barbecue, hot tub, or private pool.
• Check that any external spaces like balcony or decking are free from rot or damage.
• If your property is in a cooler climate, remember to inspect pipework to prevent cracking and leaks. 

Annual vacation rental maintenance

Some preventive maintenance tasks only need to be conducted annually, but it doesn’t make them any less important! Be sure to add these annual tasks to your vacation rental maintenance checklist. 

• Arrange for a professional service of fire extinguishers and any other fire safety equipment. 
• Get cooling and heating systems professionally serviced.
• Schedule a check-up of all plumbing and electrical systems. 
• Arrange a pest control review to ensure current systems are effective. 
• Get the roof and exterior of the property surveyed to detect any potential damage.
• Arrange a maintenance visit for any large trees or bushes on the property. 
• Maintain and fertilize any other plants on the property.
• Get pool, hot tub, and any other special amenities professionally inspected.
• Check all linens, towels, and soft furnishings in the property, replacing as necessary.
• Get hard flooring or carpets professionally cleaned. 
• Repair or replace caulk, and check grout in kitchen, bathrooms, and any other tiled areas. 
• Repaint and finish any high-traffic areas of the property. Repaint external walls or gates as necessary. 
• Review the decor of the property, consider making updates to stay current. Consider working with a professional vacation rental interior designer. 
• Upgrade technology and appliances as necessary, including review of internet speed and entertainment systems. 

A step ahead

Being proactive and strategic with your vacation rental maintenance saves time, money, and protects your business reputation. Start by using the operations tools available through Avantio and Breezeway, as well as creating your own version of this preventive vacation rental maintenance checklist. 

As the leading operations & services platform for short-term rentals, Breezeway helps Avantio users seamlessly sync reservation data to better automate operations, drive quality, and elevate the experience at every property. Their latest update to Auto-Scheduling tools helps you save time and customize property service down to the stay, guest, and property type. To learn more, book a customized demo to see how it works HERE.

Even with the most luxurious or unique vacation rental property, property managers know that it takes consistent hard work for the five star reviews to keep coming in. Guest expectations are high, and it doesn’t take much for satisfaction to be compromised and ratings to drop. One of the more common offending issues that crops up in negative reviews is cleanliness. Fortunately, this is relatively easy to address. Enter: the Airbnb cleaning checklist.

Whether you contract cleaning services out to an external team, or have your own in-company cleaning crew, it’s imperative that your Airbnb cleaning checklist is flawless. Here’s what you need to include in your vacation rental cleaning checklist.

Why do you need an Airbnb cleaning checklist?

Keep standards high

If the same cleaning team is coming into the property every few days, it can be easy for standards to start to slip. A cleaning checklist reminds the team what’s necessary for each visit, and ensures everyone knows where they stand. After all, if you’re setting guest expectations with your Airbnb house rules, it’s imperative that you set the standard!

Staff changes

If your outsource your cleaning, you may have a different team visiting each time. Or it may be that your usual cleaners are not available for a period. Your vacation rental cleaning checklist makes sure that anyone who’s cleaning the property knows what they need to include. 

Owner trust

Having a clear outline of cleaning expectations puts your clients, the property owners, at ease. They know that the upkeep of their property is being looked after. 

Streamline processes

If your property management system has an operations module, you can manage all cleaning tasks and communications from within the system. This makes it easy for all stakeholders to stay up to date on the cleaning of the property. 

What cleaning supplies should I have in my vacation rental?

For efficiency, it’s recommended to keep a full cleaning supply kit in each of your properties. This means the cleaning team can arrive and get to work without having to bring their own products. It also means guests can easily clear up after any incidents. Here’s what to include:

• An all-purpose cleaning spray for surfaces.
• Disinfectant suitable for bathroom and floors.
• A good-quality vacuum cleaner, suitable for carpets and hard floors. Make sure it has different shaped nozzles to make it easy to pick up dirt from awkward spaces. 
• A mop with appropriate heads for the different hard flooring in your property. 
• Glass cleaner for windows, mirrors, and shower screens. 
• Plenty of scrubbing pads and microfibre cloths.
• A toilet brush (plus a spare). 
• Wood polish.
• Different sized trash bags. 
• Any specific maintenance products eg barbecue cleaner, or long-handled duster for any properties with high ceilings. 

Living Area

Whether your property has a cozy lounge or a large open-plan living space, there are certain cleaning points that need to be on every checklist. 

• Wash all pillow covers and throws.
• Vacuum sofas, including under and between cushions.
• Vacuum under furniture, as well as around.
• Remove all items from shelves and storage racks and clean items, and well as shelves themselves.
• Clean any devices, like TV, air conditioning, digital entertainment systems. Don’t forget the remotes! No-one wants to touch sticky remotes. 
• Clean light switches and any other high-touch points like handles and knobs. 
• Clean any mirrors and picture frames.

Kitchen

As we know, one of the reasons vacation rentals are becoming the preferred choice over hotels is the freedom to prepare your own food and drinks. This enables guests to prepare meals according to their own dietary preferences, as well as sharing special moments with family and friends around the table. Here are the kitchen cleaning checklist items you need to include for a sparkling clean kitchen.

• Clean in the inside and outside of each appliance, cupboard, and drawer.
• Clean under the edges and rims of any worktops and the undersides of cabinets.
• Clean the inside and outside of the fridge, microwave, and dishwasher.
• Remove all items from drawers and clean thoroughly.
• Ensure all kitchenware, glassware, and cutlery and sparkling clean.
• Check that any pantry staples (cooking oils, herbs and spices etc) are in-date and looking presentable.
• Ensure that there are plenty of sponges, tea towels, and kitchen cleaning products available. 

Bathroom

One of the first rooms to show the dirt, and not somewhere you can afford to cut corners on. Here are the key areas to include in your bathroom cleaning checklist:

• Clean the entire toilet, including the base, behind, and any visible pipework.
• Make sure towels and bath mats are clean.
• Clean all mirrors, removing splash or smudge marks.
• Use an appropriate cleaner for the faucet, to remove any build up and leave it shiny.
• Clean around all drains, and make sure there are no blockages or build ups. 
• Check all tile and sealant for any signs of mold and replace the silicone if necessary. 
• Clean the shower curtain or screen thoroughly. 
• Make sure any toiletries are full and presentable.

Bedroom

It’s important that guests are able to get a good night’s sleep when staying at your vacation rental. Providing a clean and comfortable environment lays the foundation for well-rested guests. Here’s what you mustn’t overlook.

• Fresh bed linens are a must. If you often have quick turnovers and can’t wash the comforter or pillows between each guest, consider adding an additional dust sheet layer under the covers. 
• Remove the mattress and clean around and between all bed fixtures and fittings.
• Wipe down the bed frame and be sure to clean thoroughly under the bed.
• Dust all surfaces and furniture, including sides and base.
• Dust all light fittings, any wall art and decorations. 
• Thoroughly clean high touch points like switches, handles, and remotes.
• Clean out the insides of drawers and closets. 

Details are important

When cleaning a property, we tend to focus on the ‘big tasks’, like cleaning the toilet, or mopping the floors. This can mean that the little details can be missed, and over time build up dirt. If you’re regularly in a space, you can become blind to these dirt traps, only focusing on the main details. However, when your guests are laying fresh eyes on a property, these spots can stick out like a sore thumb. Here are the areas you must be sure to add to your cleaning list:

• Door knobs or handles.
• Light switches.
• Cupboard and drawer handles.
• Oven, refrigerator, and washing machine handles.
• Dust or cobwebs on ceiling lights.
• Dust and grime between couch cushions or in armchairs.

Don’t forget…

There are a few areas which may not fit neatly on a standard cleaning checklist, but it’s important to make sure they’re not forgotten.

• Make sure the laundry or utility area is cleaned between each guest. Be sure to clean out the washing machine detergent tray!
• Windows and doors should get an interior clean between guests, to remove any fingerprints. Make sure windows receive regular exterior cleans as well. 
• Scent is important, but also quite personal. Avoid using heavy scents or air fresheners in your property, but do make sure that it smells fresh and odor-free.
• If your property has an outside space, make sure it’s well maintained. Sweep down balconies or porches between guests, and be sure to pull weeds or rake leaves from any other outside areas.

Perfect first impressions

Stepping into a clean, fresh property is the ideal first impression for your guests. Take the time to perfect your Airbnb cleaning checklist, and the battle is already half won.

For more vacation rental property management tips, check out our other articles.

To find out how to get the most out of your property management business, get in touch with us.

If you’re setting up a vacation rental business, you’ll no doubt have come across the ‘house rules’ section of your property listings – whether on Airbnb or another site. This is a vital part of your vacation rental listing, as it sets the expectation for your guests and lets everyone know where they stand. 

So, where to begin with Airbnb house rules? As vacation rental properties can vary significantly, you’ll probably find that your rules evolve over time in response to experiences with different guests. However, to help you lay the foundations, we’ve put together this guide to Airbnb house rules.

What are Airbnb house rules?

As mentioned, the purpose of vacation rental house rules is to set the expectations between you and your guests, so that everyone knows where they stand and there are no misunderstandings. Setting house rules prevents property damage and protects your vacation rental business from issues ranging from noise complaints to legal issues. 

Depending on the platform you’re listing on, guests will likely see the full list of rules in your property listing. In many cases, they’ll have to read and agree to the rules before making a booking, so this is an opportunity to communicate with guests and set the tone right from the offset.

How to add house rules to your vacation rental listing?

The first thing you’ll need to do is log into your platform of choice and edit each listing individually. 

Of course, if you’re using Avantio’s software, you simply configure the rules per property, and they’ll be automatically synchronised with all your connected portals. 

If you have a welcome book or digital guide book you can add your house rules here too, so guests always have them to hand. 

Keep in mind…

It’s important not to leave anything open to interpretation. Rules should be written simply, without complicated language. They should also be as explicit as possible. Remember, you may have guests who aren’t native speakers of the language, and it’s easy for misunderstandings to happen. 

Try your new rule list out with a few guests and ask them if everything is clear. Your rule list should always be treated as a working document which you can update whenever necessary. 

Example Airbnb House Rules

Set Expectations

Start with a short introduction explaining why it’s necessary to have house rules in place, if necessary reminding guests that they’re in a residential area. Let them know that return of the security deposit may be depending upon whether rules have been followed. Also inform them of any noise-monitoring tech you have in place. 

Of course, guests are coming to enjoy your property, and it’s crucial that they feel welcome and comfortable. Try to strike the balance with the tone of your house rules, so they’re clear but not cold. 

Parking 

Make sure guests have this information in advance of their stay. If guests are able to park their vehicles at your property, state how many vehicles can be accommodated and where exactly they should park.

If there’s a parking garage, provide instructions about entry and which spaces are for use by your guests. 

Pets

As we’ve seen, the demand for pet-friendly vacation rentals is skyrocketing. While it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of allowing pets in your property, the evidence suggests that it can be a smart business move, attracting more guests for longer stays. 

If you’ve decided to open your doors to furry friends, be sure to clarify which areas pets can access, and any other restrictions you’d prefer to have in place. 

Parties or events

We’ve all heard the horror stories from the early days of vacation rental, when properties were rented out as wild party venues, or worse…

Fortunately, with some clearly stated rules, this can be easily avoided. Let guests know what you define as a party (groups of people, loud music, etc). Also make sure you define how many guests (if any) are permitted at the property.

If you are happy for some events to take place in the property, discuss this with the guest in advance, so everyone is clear on what to expect. 

Additional guests

Related to the events and parties guidance, it’s a good idea to let your guests know of your expectations in relation to any other guests they might invite to the property. While you may have no issue with this in principle, be mindful of who will be liable if any damage is caused to the property. Also keep in mind that some local authorities require guest details to be registered with them, so having unregistered guests may compromise your ability to be compliant. 

Leisure Amenities

If your property has a pool or hot tub, inform guests of any specific access hours. Also clarify any safety points and if there’s anything they shouldn’t take in the pool (e.g. food or glassware). 

If you have a barbecue or firepit on site, let guests know how to operate it safely, and also how to clean it out after use. 

If there’s any other outside space like a garden, deck, or balcony, highlight any safety concerns and make sure guests know if they need to be conscious of noise when in these areas.

Smoking

It’s generally advised to make your vacation rental non-smoking. Allowing smoking in the property increases the risk of damage or even fire.  It’s also incredibly difficult to get rid of the smoke smell , which can be very off putting for future guests. 

It’s generally expected that vacation properties are non-smoking, but it’s better to state it clearly to avoid any misunderstandings. 

Food and Drinks

Although you want your vacation rental to feel like a home from home, you don’t want it to be treated like a college dorm. You can avoid stains and damage to the soft furnishings in the bedrooms by asking guests not to eat or drink in there. Although guests may not always play by rules by enjoying a cheeky coffee in bed, they’ll at least know what your expectations are in this respect. 

Laundry facilities

The option to do laundry is increasingly popular with vacation rental guests. It means they don’t need to pack so many clothes and can travel lighter. It’s particularly beneficial for families with small children. 

If you’re concerned about the energy or water consumption in your property, you might ask guests to limit their laundry to once or twice per visit. Be sure to let them know about any quirks of the machine too, to avoid blockages or breakdowns. 

Other appliances

If, like many other vacation rentals, you’re taking steps to be more sustainable, it’s good to remind guests of their energy consumption. Encourage them to switch off appliances when they leave a room or the apartment. Let them know of any energy-saving tech you have in place to help manage this. 

Transparency is key

However you choose to share your Airbnb house rules with your guests, being transparent will help your business in the long run. When guests are clear on the terms of the rental they can truly get the most of the experience, without any misunderstandings And of course, satisfied guests are repeat guests.

For more information on how to streamline your vacation rental processes and get the most out of your properties, get in touch with us at Avantio.

Self check-in is quickly becoming the norm for vacation rental properties. It’s resource-lite, contact-free and enables guests to get on with their vacation as quickly as possible. 

Facilitating this evolution, we’ve seen a market surge of keyless door locks, smart bolts, and other remote access tools. Of course, with changes to property access norms come concerns about security. 

With the smart lock industry expected to grow by 20% by 2028, it seems like novel methods of property access are here to stay. If you’re considering making the upgrade to your vacation rental properties – check out these benefits of keyless door locks. 

What is a keyless door lock?

A keyless door lock is a type of property access which doesn’t use the traditional metal key-in-lock mechanism. There are various types, from keypad deadbolts to app-activated systems.

Keyless door locks are not to be confused with key lock boxes, in which the physical keys to a property are contained within a small safe box, usually accessed by pin code. These are generally used for the check-in process only, after which the guest continues to use the physical keys. With keyless door locks, the access remains keyless throughout the duration of the guest’s visit. 

Benefits

If you want to free yourself from being present at every check in, and you’re not keen on installing a lock box for keys – smart locks have many benefits!

Save time

Firstly, keyless door locks can save time for you and your guests. If your guests can check-in online prior to their stay, there’s no need for you to meet them at the property to go through the formalities. Simply equip them with the access details and they can start their vacation as soon as they arrive. Furthermore if you include a digital welcome book with your stay, you can be assured that your guests will have everything they need. 

Save resources

With the saving of time comes the saving of resources. Your team won’t need to greet guests at properties to check them in, saving on staff hours, travel costs, and even paperwork. Further, without the use of physical keys you don’t need to worry about keeping track of them. If they get lost, there’s no need to replace locks and issue new keys to all stakeholders. Simply reset your system and share new digital accesses with those who need them.

Online Check-Ins

In the last couple of years we’ve become very familiar with contact-free interactions, and short-term rentals are no exception. Online check-in is now standard for many vacation rentals – guests simply provide all the necessary information digitally ahead of their stay, rather than getting them to rifle through paperwork and ID when they arrive. 

This is great for guests as after a potentially long journey, they can just get on with the serious business of enjoying themselves. It also makes arrivals more flexible for them – they can arrive when they’re ready rather than at a scheduled check-in slot. 

Keyless door locks are also vital for this process. Once they’ve checked in, just send your guests the information on how to get in.

Increased Control

There’s always an element of trust involved when handing over the keys to your vacation rental property. Using smart-locks can offer increased security and peace of mind to property managers, as activity is tracked and recorded for whenever you may need to check it. 

Some smart lock options upload all lock activity to the cloud – identifiable by user codes – so you can see who has accessed your property and at what time. This extra layer of security gives you more control over your properties. 

Streamline Processes

As you know, managing vacation rentals can be admin-heavy. Keyless access is an easy way to streamline several processes with one tool. For example – organizing access to suppliers or maintenance can now be done remotely. This means cleaning turnarounds can be quicker and any issues can be resolved swiftly. 

Future-proof your vacation rental properties

As interactions and traditional tech turn digital, investing in keyless door locks could be a smart move for your vacation rental properties. Secure your rentals, save on resources, and improve the guest experience – all with one smart tool. 

To find out about the smart locks integrated with Avantio’s PMS, check out our marketplace. 

A vacation rental welcome book is a guest’s complete guide to your vacation rental property. From access instructions and emergency contact numbers, to a walkthrough of the TV remote, it includes everything your guests need to know during their stay.

A guest book also includes your local area recommendations, which you can use to give guests a truly local experience. For example, you could tell them about the secret neighborhood bagel spot, or which streets always have a few free parking bays.

Whether you’re listing on Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, or your own direct booking website, a digital vacation rental welcome book further enhances your property management operations.

A few of its highlights include:

• pre-arrival guest access
• content that updates across multiple properties at once
• an accessible online portal

Read on to find out how to create a guest book for your vacation rental properties.

How a digital guest book helps you to run a more efficient property management business

When guests are on vacation they want to be able to switch off. So, when they have a question, they’re far more likely to ask you than they are to look back through their emails.

When you and your team already have long to-do lists, you don’t want to be fielding repetitive questions at all hours of the day. A digital guidebook takes this task off your hands by:

• reducing the number of questions that guests ask
• providing an efficient tool for answering questions when they do arrive

After inserting all the practical info your guests need into your vacation rental guest book, you can then send it to guests before they arrive (multiple times, if you want, and without annoying them). Guests can access property details well before their stay, and have a resource to return to as questions occur to them.

If guests do get in touch, you can reply with a link to the section in your digital guidebook that covers their query, rather than typing out instructions multiple times. Along with Avantio’s property management tools, Touch Stay’s vacation rental welcome book helps you to focus your team’s energies into a more streamlined property management business.

How a digital welcome book improves your guest experience

The latest data from Transparent and AirDNA shows that the average guest review score decreases from 4.8 for independent accommodation operators, to 4.45 for larger agency operators. That’s understandable, given how much larger agencies have to keep track of.

As your agency grows, a digital vacation home guest book helps you to continue to provide the personal touch that counts for so much in guest reviews. Your guests know that you care about their stay because you’ve created a polished property guidebook for them, with all the practical info they need and your personal local area tips.

Touch Stay digital guest books also allow you to quickly replicate content between properties, meaning you don’t have to spend hours entering the same info in multiple places. In short, a vacation rental guest book saves you time and helps you to welcome happier guests.

How to structure your vacation property guest book

Now that we’ve convinced you that a guidebook is an asset to your property management business, what should you actually write in a vacation house guest book?

To get you started quickly, Touch Stay guidebooks include a guest book template for short term rental properties. They automatically apply their guidebook template, and you can choose to stick with it or customize.

Let’s take a look at our recommended structure for a vacation rental welcome book.

Open your digital guidebook by welcoming guests to your vacation rental

Think of your digital guidebook as a version of you, walking guests through your short term rental property. If you were to take them on a tour yourself, you’d probably begin by welcoming them in.

Tell them how happy you are to have them staying with you, and perhaps introduce yourself and your team.

You could mention:

• the names and roles of anyone they’re likely to be in contact with
• the ethos of your property management agency
• why you love managing vacation properties in this particular area
• why it’s important that they read through the guidebook

Linking to your guidebook from a physical welcome note for your house guests is a great way to heighten the sense of human touch, and make your guestbook even more accessible. You can generate a QR code which guests can scan to be taken straight to your Touch Stay digital guidebook.

Provide crucial property access information

Once you’ve welcomed your guests, they need to know how to reach your short term rental property, and how to get in once they arrive.

So, ensure that you map out:

• what you provide at the property (towels, toiletries, coffee, etc.)
• what guests need to bring with them
• how to reach the property from the train station/airport/ferry terminal
• how guests can access the property once they arrive (e.g. Is there a key box? An electric lock?)
• if someone will be there to greet them

Touch Stay digital guidebooks allow you to pin your property’s location to the Map tab (along with the locations of any local recommendations). Your guests can simply tap on your property to easily access directions via Google Maps.

Introduce guests to your vacation rental property

Now, it’s time to give guests your guide to the property itself. This section will contain all the info that guests need to have a respectful, enjoyable time at your vacation rental.

Clarify your vacation rental rules

If you have any specific boundaries that you want to reinforce, now is the time to do so. Remind guests:

• if they’re allowed to invite visitors to the property
• if they’re allowed to smoke/drink
• the periods of time when they should be mindful of noise levels
• any areas of the house/grounds that are off-limits
• any safety rules surrounding amenities (e.g. the swimming pool, the hot tub)

Clarifying these guidelines ensures your guests’ safety and reduces the likelihood of breakages and insurance costs.

Include appliance instructions

If you can perfect this section, it’ll save you and your team hours of time! Your guests won’t have to ask how to operate the hob/oven/espresso machine because they’ll be able to access your instructions at the tap of an app icon.

If guests do have questions, you’ll be able to answer them immediately by sending a link to the correct section in your guide.

You might want to include instructions for:

• the stovetop
• the oven
• the TV
• any games consoles
• the music system
• the shower
• the coffee machine
• the hot tub
• the heating/air-conditioning system

To understand which appliances and systems would benefit from instructions, try bringing a fresh pair of eyes to your property. Perhaps do a walkthrough with a friend who hasn’t stayed there before.

For any particularly complex appliances, you might also think about filming a short instructional video to include in your digital vacation home guest book.

Use your vacation rental welcome book to treat guests to your expert local recommendations

Your guests haven’t just come to visit your vacation rental property – they’ve come to visit the area too. So, help them to make the most of their stay by highlighting all the exciting things they can discover.

Inspire your guests with details about:

• the best local company for paddleboard/kayak/surfboard hire
• your favorite place to grab a coffee and finish off a book
• the cocktail spot that only the locals know about
• the local grocery store with the freshest fruit and veg
• the cozy, family-friendly restaurant around the corner

Don’t go overboard on your recommendations – this section shouldn’t feel like a Google results page. Give guests a couple of your favorite options for each category of restaurant/shop/activity/cafe so that they know they’re getting your curated list.

When inserting local recommendations into your Touch Stay digital welcome book, you can use their Google Places integration to automatically insert business info. This way, your guests get the personal experience without you having to spend hours researching and typing.

Wave goodbye to your vacation rental guests

In the same way that you’d wave goodbye to a friend staying with you, your digital guestbook should wave goodbye to your guests as they leave. This section can be fairly brief, but it’s working hard for you if it:

• thanks guests for staying with you
• explains details of your check-out process and timings
• requests that they write a review and explain how/where to do so
• directs them towards your social media platforms

These four actions will help you to solidify the relationship you’ve been building with guests since they booked, and further increase the chances of them returning or referring you to friends and family.

You don’t need to have every single one of the details above in your digital guest welcome book before you send it out to your first guests. This info does, however, help you to build a solid foundation for an informative, personable guidebook.

What makes the best vacation rental welcome books so good

These next details are the added extras. You don’t need to include them, but they’ll help your digital guidebook stand out from the crowd.

Explain how guests can support your sustainable initiatives

Touch Stay digital welcome books include a “Making a Difference” section, where they encourage property managers to tell guests about what they’re doing to build a socially responsible business.

You might be:

• donating to a local non-profit
• removing disposable plastic packaging from your properties
• implementing rigorous employment standards to support your employees
• offsetting your carbon footprint
• powering your properties via sustainable energy sources

Whatever it is, tell your guests so that they can get involved. With 83% of travelers viewing sustainable travel as vital, it’s crucial that you communicate the action you’re taking.

If you’re not sure where to start, the Touch Stay welcome book template includes content encouraging guests to offset carbon emissions by donating to their Ecologi forest.

Use photos and videos to illustrate your digital guestbook

Turn your digital guidebook into an experience by illustrating your information with photos and videos. Include photos of the property itself, the surrounding area, and specific amenities/appliances.

Taking advantage of these media will:

• break up the content of your guidebook and make it easier for guests to absorb
• set guest expectations even more clearly
• help guests to get excited about their stay with you
• support your appliance instructions – why not use instructional videos, or diagrams?
• support your guidebook as a potential marketing asset

A Touch Stay digital vacation rental guest book complements Avantio for more efficient property management

Avantio’s vacation rental software helps property management agencies to streamline their processes – Touch Stay is the final link in the chain! And there’s no integration required.

Help your guests to create lasting memories by providing practical info and personal recommendations in a sleek, accessible digital welcome book. They’ll arrive with you feeling prepared and primed for an exceptional stay.

Plus, 86% of Touch Stay customers halve the time they spend managing guests. So you can reclaim time for yourself and your team, whilst still attracting stellar guest reviews.

With Touch Stay digital guestbooks, guests have all the info they need at their fingertips and property managers spend less time producing unwieldy paper manuals. We’ve partnered with Touch Stay to help you streamline your property management business even further.

Welcome calm back into your day with Touch Stay and Avantio as your property management dream team. To find out more, contact us today.