You have a lovely holiday home that you’re renting out, but is it nice enough to be classed as a luxury stay? Turning your holiday rental into something special will mean you can charge more per night for guests to stay in your property, and make your rental a must-book-again spot. By employing good interior design practises and incorporating special touches, you’ll transform your rental into something extraordinary. Follow these rules to do it well:
Good design right from the start
First impressions count, so beautify your entrance area by hanging an ornate mirror or a beautiful painting on the wall, and make sure there is a dedicated space for hanging jackets and coats, as well as an entrance table for keys, handbags and small parcels down. Avoid cluttering this space and choose to invest in good art and furniture. You may want to opt for more affordable pieces elsewhere in the house, but make sure that whatever you add to this first-impression area has that wow-factor.
Invest in special pieces
Guests who can afford to pay more for a rental expect the equivalent or better than what they’re used to at home, so it’s worth investing in a few good furniture pieces for your rental house. Guests are paying to stay in your home and want a memorable experience. Invest in big ticket decor items like plush sofas, stylish dining room tables and comfortable beds, then opt for more affordable side tables, lamps and bedside units. If you want to create a five-star hotel-like ambience, extra features such as a hot tub or a TV in the bathroom could get you more bookings from customers looking for that something extra. During the holiday season when accommodation bookings are at an all-time high, consider renting an additional feature to add to the holiday experience. Try Teljoy for their range of products like pool tables, gaming consoles, sound systems and even treadmills to suit guests’ needs.
Luxe touches
Put yourself in the guests’ shoes by walking through your home, noting how you can adapt your space to suit their needs. A few points for consideration include:
- Placing a bottle of wine together with a box of chocolates in the master bedroom, accompanied by a personalised note, is a lovely way to make guests feel welcome upon their arrival. – In the sitting room, put out pretty coffee table books, board games and add soft throws which complement your decor for those chilly evenings. Station bluetooth speakers in strategic areas to stream music through.
- Investing in a quality coffee machine for the kitchen will wow your guests. Be sure to have quality coffee and sugar available, as well as fresh milk in the fridge.
- Umbrellas to use on rainy days and beach umbrellas for coastal stays are nice touches that also create a homely effect.
- Guests on holiday want nothing more than to relax, so make sure that essential chores are handled by an efficient professional. SweepSouth has an on-demand home service which allows you to book reliable, vetted cleaners or gardeners at the touch of a button. The Sweep Stars are trained to be fully COVID-10 compliant.
- If your guests have small children, go the extra mile and leave out colouring books and pencils, and if you’re a pet-friendly destination, doggie treats for the pooches are always a welcome idea.
Bedroom bliss
A good night’s sleep is key to your guests enjoying their holiday. A super comfy king-sized bed and quality mattress dressed in exceptional linen with a high thread count is a feature you can highlight when advertising your rental. Deck your bed out with plush pillows, a plump quilt that is rolled back and place a comforter at the foot of the bed. Thick rugs will make the floor feel cosy underfoot. If you have the space, create a dedicated luggage zone for bags and suitcases, and provide a laundry hamper. If the bedroom has a balcony leading off it, put comfortable patio furniture out to create a private area where guests can relax.
Bathroom havens
Complimentary sweet-smelling soaps, shampoo and extras like cotton wool and ear buds will make guests feel special, while soft gowns and disposable slippers will provide an ooh-la-la factor. Depending on your location, you could add in extras like mini mosquito repellents and sunscreen. If your rental is near a beach destination or has a pool on the property, dedicated swimming towels in cheerful patterns are a good idea. It goes without saying that showers need to be spotless and mould-free.
Alfresco chic
A patio is a great area for guests, especially families and larger groups, to socialise and relax. Provide a table with ample, comfortable seating — so allow for padded seat covers and no rusty chairs! Make it cosy for alfresco dining with good lighting, outdoor gas heaters or fire pits for guests to sit around. Hammocks and daybeds are lovely extras, as are games like dartboards, to give guests something to do while the food cooks.
Keep standards high
Make sure that everything in your rental home works properly, from big appliances like fridges right down to bulbs and plugs. There’s nothing like a remote with flat batteries or a flickering bathroom light to detract from the experience of a lovely home. Inspect your rental thoroughly before guests arrive. In the kitchen, check appliances, crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils. Throughout the rest of the house, ensure that bulbs and batteries are in good working order, and check that window blinds, TVs, air conditioners and fireplaces are snag-free. It’s a good idea to stay in your rental at least once a year so that you have first-hand experience of what needs refreshing or replacing.
Do a courtesy check
Get feedback from guests after their stay, and use what they say to improve your rental. Have a guestbook handy for suggestions on how to make a stay there better, or send a follow-up email soon after they’ve left asking for feedback, good or bad. Request to use positive comments on your website, as future guests are far more likely to book a holiday let with good reviews. Follow up with every guest by telephone or e-mail as this makes for an extra personalised touch and shows guests that you cared about their experience in your home. Going that extra mile also helps boost your number of positive reviews which will, in turn, improve your bookings significantly.
Investing in making your home truly luxurious will yield results for years to come, with discerning guests who want a truly memorable holiday experience seeking you out.
