Understanding The Vacation Rental Market I’m curious to hear how many owners have experienced requests, or even demands from their guests for services that we would not expect to be provided in a vacation rental. I recently heard of a few incidents of guests seeming to believe they were in a resort or hotel, asking for items to be delivered or a minor repair carried out. The first was a call to a caretaker saying there was no hairdryer supplied and could one be delivered ‘as soon as possible’. Second, was the message left for an owner that a light bulb required changing in a hallway, and that it was OK to let himself in as the family would probably be on the waterfront, and he need not disturb them. Finally, an owner of a fairly remote Ontario cottage was blown away by the family arriving from Saudi Arabia, whose first question on arrival at the property was “Where’s the food?” Their version of a vacation rental apparently included fully stocked cupboards and refrigerator. While we can shake our heads in disbelief, it’s also important to be aware of the nature of expectations and how the rising popularity of our style of vacation accommodation is bringing a new generation of rental guest to our doorsteps. We have long been used to guests experienced in renting a vacation home each year; those who accept the quirks and oddities of self catering, and who enjoy the freedom and flexibility that rental brings. However, as more and more newcomers are being wooed by media reports and articles – those showing how celebrities are turning to rental properties to find more privacy are a good example – we should be aware of the expectations that are being raised and think of ways to inject a dose of realism without turning off the wave of interest. Many owners do offer a concierge service; those who are on site or may have a nearby caretaker are able to deliver additional services, however for most this is neither realistic nor practical. A better option would be to educate and inform from the outset, and ensure rental guests are fully aware of the difference between a vacation rental and a resort style bungalow with self-catering options. Here’s a few ideas: Ensure the property is fully equipped so ‘call-outs’ should not be necessary. A hair dryer, spare lightbulbs and a stepstool are essential items in my book and not providing essentials is likely to trigger service calls of one sort or another. Write a page on your web site or blog describing the differences between hotel/resort accommodation and self-catering. Talk about the great benefits – space, privacy, a home-from-home environment with a well-equipped kitchen; not having to share a waterfront or boats….you know the advantages, so set them out. Then you can humorously mention the ‘drawbacks’ – like having to change the occasional lightbulb, or drive out to get some more milk. Make it clear in your Welcome Guide who your guests should call “in case of an emergency”. It wouldn’t be fair to tell them to only call under those circumstances since they may have questions or concerns that need an answer, however there are ways to get this across. If you make your Guide really comprehensive, the time taken over this will pay back in reduced service calls. Tell them where they can go to shop, eat, and find local attractions, and provide a wealth of local tourist information. If you don’t meet your guests, make a quick call to them on the morning after their arrival to check if they have any questions. Then you can tell them it’s OK to call you with additional questions before a set time – say 6pm. This will prevent the 11pm panic call because they can’t figure out how to make the microwave work! Being proactive and one step ahead of the expectations will benefit you in the long run. I’d love to hear of owner experiences of ‘unrealistic’ expectations so please comment or email me directly at heather@cottageblogger.com
