4 Tips to Prepare Your Vacation Rental for Holiday Travelers

The holiday season is busy for everyone but especially for vacation rental property owners. With a little planning and holiday magic, you can maximize your vacation bookings and entice holiday travelers to return year after year. Here are four tips to make your vacation rental stand out and worthy of five-star reviews. 

Prepare Your Property 

Getting the basics right is the first step in vacation rental success. Schedule a checkup with a heating and cooling specialist before the busy season to ensure your systems are in tip-top shape. The change in seasons means it's also a great time to change out your air filters and check batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure your thermostat is at 68 or higher when guests arrive and that it is at an appropriate temperature between bookings to prevent frozen pipes. Think about adding a leak detector like Flo to help protect you from potential water damage. Check your property for any drafts that can be repaired or insulated.

Taking care of these basics will not only keep your guests happy but will also keep your property safe. Looking for more cold-weather tips for your vacation rental property? Check out our Winterizing Checklist.

Gear Up for the Weather

Visitors might not be used to the climate in their winter vacation destination, and many may travel with just the basics. Prepare your guests for anything the weather might throw at them with a few simple items. An ice scraper for the rental car, hand warmers, as well as extra hats and gloves, can make a guest’s day cozier and easier.  

Provide extra tools and protection for your property, too! Make sure you have large, slip-resistant doormats to prevent guests from tracking in snow and sliding on a wet floor. An area for wet shoes can help keep your floors drier and cleaner. A container of eco-friendly ice melter by the door is always a nice touch. 

Make Your Property Merry and Bright

Spread some holiday cheer and make your property feel extra cozy with simple touches like wreaths, lights and seasonal throw pillows. Stick to non-denominational items, such as simple pine garland, a cute snowman or white string lights, to keep the mood fun and enjoyable for all guests. For New Year’s guests, think about getting party hats and celebratory items to help them ring in the New Year.

And don't forget to capture your vacation property's holiday look with high-quality photos. They will brighten up your online listing for next year's holiday bookings and are a great way to enhance your property's social media presence.

Create Local Holiday Guides

Vacation rental properties help travelers live like locals for a short time, so why not help them shop like locals, too? Create a list of your favorite local mom-and-pop stores, boutiques and treat shops, as well as any products that you recommend. Use a free online template with cute holiday graphics and borders to make it extra festive. This can help your guests take care of any last-minute gift shopping or help them figure out what to bring to a family meal.

Does your community have a fun holiday festival or unique tradition? Share a list of local holiday activities and events with your guests, or stick event fliers on a bulletin board or calendar. 

These simple touches go a long way to making sure your guests have an enjoyable and memorable experience while staying at your vacation rental.

Is your vacation rental ready to dazzle?

Making your vacation rental home festive for others during the holidays is a great way to spread joy. Keep that joyful feeling all year long by knowing your vacation rental property is protected with the right insurance coverage. Find out if your current policy meets your unique needs, request a free quote today!

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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