Boutique hotels no longer have the luxury market cornered. Couples, families, and groups are forgoing hotel amenities in favor of the privacy of vacation rentals. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t expect a high-end experience. If you want to net high prices and phenomenal reviews for your luxury vacation rental, you need to dress your rental to impress. Even if you decide not to welcome guests until pandemic-related restrictions are lifted, you can start making plans and completing projects right now. Consider RealtyTopia's suggestions for getting your luxury rental ready for bookings:
Diving Into Your New Business
If you’re just starting your rental property investment business and have yet to make an investment, the first thing you need to do is file your business entity with the Secretary of State. Once you’ve been approved, you can file for an EIN and open a business bank account to separate your business and personal assets. We recommend filing an LLC because of its flexibility and personal legal protection. Then, consider connecting with a real estate agent at RealtyTopia to help you find a property in your desired location. Once you've secured a rental property, you can work on fixing it up for guests.
Invest in Excellent Property Management
Luxury travelers expect everything to be immaculate. As a host, you can’t afford for an upholstery stain or broken air conditioner to go unnoticed by your maintenance staff. So, pay close attention to the reputation of any property management agency you’re considering, and make sure the service you choose offers comprehensive services, including cleaning and maintenance, so you know your guests are always taken care of.
Design with Luxury in Mind
Luxury appeal requires more than a great property. If you want to wow your guests, your vacation rental needs high-end touches like these.
- 24/7 check-in with smart locks:
- High-end kitchen appliances.
- High thread count bedding and towels.
- Name brand travel-sized toiletries.
- Voice-controlled smart home capabilities.
- Device charging stations.
- TV streaming services.
- Complimentary breakfast foods and coffee.
- Blackout curtains or blinds in sleeping areas.
- Outdoor living spaces including outdoor cooking.
- Private pool or spa.
- Recreational and beach supplies.
In addition to these must-haves, include design choices that exude luxury, like local art, wood paneling, and sustainable features such as giant windows to allow in more natural light. Because these features are found in high-end hotels, you can be sure that you're delivering a similar luxurious experience in your own vacation rental.
Invest in Professional Photography
Once you’ve perfected your rental’s interior design, you want photos that do it justice. High-quality photos also help you attract the type of guests you’re looking for, so rather than snapping photos with your smartphone, hire a real estate photographer to take staged photographs of your property. In addition to interior photography, include exterior photographs, including drone photos if possible, and a floorplan.
Get Active on Social Media
These days, travelers don’t want souvenirs — they want shareable moments. Guests aren’t just sharing their travel experiences on social media; they’re also looking for their next vacation rental via social media. Vacation rental owners can take advantage of this by using social media apps like Instagram to build an online following and attract future guests. With a branded hashtag, hosts can encourage guests to share pictures of their stay as a form of free marketing.
Impress with Welcome Gifts
Welcoming your guests with a bottle of wine may be going above and beyond for most vacation rental hosts, but for property owners in the luxury market, it’s expected. A welcome basket of locally sourced snacks and a bottle of champagne or regional wine will set your guests’ experience off on the right foot. Include a note with a brief welcome message and contact information so your guests aren’t left wondering what to do if they need anything.
With these tips, you can launch your luxury vacation rental assured that you’re giving each and every guest a world-class experience. If you’re still searching for your luxury property, reach out to a real estate agent at RealtyTopia. With the right agent by your side, you can find the ideal property for your investment portfolio.
By Guest Contributor Suzie Wilson
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