pamholts

Displaying Collectibles

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:15:44 GMT

Display your collectibles to connect with guests

Talk about thinking outside the box—

The shoebox to be exact. That’s exactly what designer Eneia White did when designing this ultra-cool and stylish bedroom suite for her client.

Obviously, her client has a “thing” for chic sneakers. Instead of seeing this as a challenge, Eneia chose to use her client’s impressive collection to add a bit of eye-popping design to an otherwise bland wall. The result? A memorable and enviable work of art that also doubles as convenient storage.

Design experts say that three of anything qualifies as a collection— and it doesn’t have to be fancy. A collection can be as simple as a set of action figures, outdated technologies (hello, cassette tapes!), or shoes. And while you might ignore one collectible item placed on a shelf, when that item is combined and displayed with similar or related items— suddenly it’s an eye-catching treasure.

Collections create connection with your guests

In short term rentals, collections can play an important role. They can communicate your passions or interests to your guests, or reflect interesting information about your local area. Most importantly, they can tell a story about who you are and provide a peek into your personality through your listing photos— creating a bond with your prospective guest, and making your place memorable. And memorable listings equal more bookings.

Collections can be displayed in a number of different ways. They can be mounted to a wall, curated on a bookshelf, or placed in a specially designed rack— like for photos and postcards. They can also be hung from the ceiling or placed in an album or shadow box. You’ll want to make sure your collections are easily viewable, yet protected from damage.

Collections that can be handled by your guests— think teacups or record albums— create novelty and engagement with your guests and will add to their memorable experience. Artfully arranged, personal collections can be fascinating, sentimental, whimsical, or downright odd. Take a look around you— you may have several collections just waiting for their moment to shine.

Turn your bits and bobs into artwork

Here’s a list of collection ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Antique shaving supplies
Artwork— particularly by local artists in your area
Autographs from celebrities
Badges (from police or firemen, for example)
Beer bottles or brewery collectibles
Board games or game pieces
Books
Business cards
Campaign buttons
Casino chips
Cigar boxes or bands
Clocks
Coins
Cologne bottles
Comic books
Drink coasters
Fishing lures
Foreign money
Fossils
Fountains pens
Hats
Keychains
Keys
License Plates
Lighters
Lunchboxes
Magazine covers
Maps or globes
Marbles
Masks
Matchbooks
Model cars
Mugs
Musical instruments
Patches
Pez dispensers
Photographs
Playing cards
Posters— from movies or concerts
Smoking pipes
Souvenir spoons
Sports cards
Stamps
Teapots
Ticket stubs
Tin signs— like street signs or advertisements
Tools
Toys
Watches

These are just a few items to get you thinking about the collections you may already have on hand that would be ideal for decorating and adding interest to your short term rental.

One thing to avoid with your collection display is the dreaded C word— clutter. Make sure that your display remains visually interesting and stylish— but avoid adding too many items to your short term rental that will make it appear cluttered or messy.

When having your listing photos taken, consider adding a close-up photograph of your displayed collection. This will again help you to bond with your potential guests and make your listing more memorable.

Happy collecting!

Hoxton Hotel Design

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:05:13 GMT

Dating back to the 18th century, the Hoxton Hotel Paris resides in a once grand townhouse built as the residence of Louis XV’s advisor Etienne Rivié.

Spread across three buildings, two courtyards, and five floors, the Paris location of the Hoxton Hotel sits in the heart of the city’s bustling 2nd arrondissement.

After a four year renovation, the 172 room hotel has taken it’s interior design cues from the several muses.

The location (with work on display from local artists and artisans), the ornately sculpted building, and the coveted Hoxton sophisticated yet approachable design. Repurposed ironwork columns, exposed timber beams and cobblestone passageways remain a subtle nod to the building’s past.

The sentiment behind the interior design was to create a space that would feel welcoming, fun, and warm. As evident in the living room-like lobby, the spaces are designed more for comfort, than for hotel-like function.

If this comfortable, casual, chic vibe is one you would like to infuse into your vacation rental design, try incorporating a few of these Hoxton style elements:

Bright jeweled-toned upholstery
Mid-Century modern furniture pieces
Comfortable, cozy seating arrangements
Vintage books
Saturated wall color
Whimsical accessories
Rustic woods
Lush greenery
Abundant accent pillows

Tucked away under one of several gorgeous original staircases, sits an intimate seating area perfect for people watching or lively conversation.

Achieve this laid-back look by arranging vibrant velvet or mohair (faux mohair is a smart, cost-saving substitute) upholstered pieces with marble topped accent tables, comfy throw pillows and potted palms.

Think your space is too tiny to attract guests? Think again. Small space, big style. Read more here .

Mimic this serene reading room by painting walls, moldings a saturated greyed-down green color punched up by hot pink seating and honey-colored leather chairs.

Add a dramatic velvet curtain to a doorway or closet, line a bookshelf with vintage leather bound books (the Hoxton’s collection was donating by neighbors). You can purchase vintage book collections if your personal library won’t cut it and then dangle a glass globe light fixture above for ambiance.

Add a wooden side table and a metal and brass coffee table and you have recreated a soothing space for guests to lounge away the day.

The feel of this seated pairing requires low armless chairs with graphic pillows and ambient floor lamp lighting.

Leave local guide magazines or daily newspapers strewn for guest reading.

Add a tall planter with fresh cut flowers or a large candle for evening atmosphere.

The Hoxton Paris has been very intentional about creating a welcoming, home-away-from-home feel for their guests. Take your cues from them and create the same intentional feeling in your short term rental.

It's Time for Your Close Up!

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:27:49 GMT

First impressions are key to building trust with potential guests, and for hosts that first impression begins with profile photo.

Studies from the journal of Tourism Management confirm that hosts’ profile photos on short term rental platforms have a significant impact on guest decision-making. In fact, your profile picture may be the single most important factor in gaining trust with guests.

Within 1/10th of a second, guests infer trustworthiness from these tiny images so much so that trustworthy looking hosts are able to command higher nightly rates and a higher number of confirmed bookings. Surprisingly, in striking contrast, hosts’ reviews had no effect on rates or guest bookings.

So it’s crystal clear that a bad profile photo is bad for business. Use these helpful tips to ensure the best (trustworthy and competent) profile photo possible. It’s true, a picture is worth a thousand words (and likely thousands of dollars too)!

Eye contact

Human beings are hard-wired to gather information from other people’s faces (specifically, the eyes). This phenomenon predates language and still remains our main source of assessing threats. Facing directly into the camera will help you appear as though you are not hiding your intentions and in fact, you are to be trusted.

Do not wear sunglasses and avoid hair covering the face or eyes. Beware of glare and shadow obstructing the face and eyes.

Smile

People who smile in photos are generally considered more trustworthy than those with neutral or angry expressions. A smile with teeth is much more “likable” than a closed mouth smile, however a laughing smile is not as influential as a smile without laughing.

Join the next coaching cohort to craft a stellar property listing including a trust-evoking personal profile.

Body

Take a head to shoulders or head to waist photograph. Full body photos as well as close-ups are generally less preferred.

Attire

Surprisingly, clothes are a major influencer in guest decision-making. The more formal the attire (suit and tie for men) the higher the trustworthy and competency ratings. Ratings dip when either the suit jacket or the tie are not present.

Background

Select a light and warm background color to evoke feelings of warmth, security and confidence.

Quality

Choose a clear, high resolution image that enables potential guests to clearly see you. Avoid dark or overly color saturated images. Do not use special effects or filters.

Composition

Although you might think that the setting would have a significant impact on perceived trustworthiness, it does not. As long as your background isn’t a distraction, you can decide for yourself what background best suits your personal brand.

The right profile picture will establish the beginning of a trusting relationship between you and your future guests. Your appearance as a likable and confident individual will set the tone for your hosting abilities and bolster increased nightly pricing and higher booking rates, ultimately resulting in greater revenue.

Although on the surface it may seem rather insignificant, the right profile photo will instantly connect you more fully with potential guests and guests are more likely to book with hosts they trust.

Make Your Listing Peaceful

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:07:25 GMT

Organic, tranquil, and rejuvenating

...that’s the vibe interior designers Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters were going for in this newly completed rental listing.

The talented design duo coupled organic touches with modern finishes to create a lovely space guests will surely remember. So calm, but still so many interesting details.

Nice, right?

Here’s how you can create a similar feeling…

Make your main living space spectacular

This room is your money maker. It’s where your guests will spend a good del of their time. It’s your cover image on your listing’s profile. Getting this room right could be the difference between guest overlooking your listing or guest booking your space.

Select one wall color

Throughout your entire space. Go with a neutral, something bright to make your rooms feel spacious. White is always an option but other colors can count as neutral too.

Use wood tones

Wood adds a natural, warm feeling to any space. Whether you use wood in it’s organic state (like the decorative tree stump in the main living area of the space by Forbes and Masters) or you use it in a more finished piece (like the wall unit housing the television) wood adds an undeniable since of nature that is calming and familiar.

Add something older than you

There’s something grounding, maybe nostalgic about a handmade or vintage piece in a room. Choose a thrift shop find or something new to you but old in years, adds soul and character to any room. Find this necessary design-must in a piece of art, a piece of furniture or even a well-worn rug.

Add texture

Just because you’ve retained the color palette, doesn’t mean you won’t have an interesting space. Mix textures for a fantastic tactile experience. An assortment of pillows each in a different fabric, a chunky couch or bed throw, a leather or hide accessory all evoke that “I can’t wait to touch you” feeling.

Keep it simple, yet interesting

Make sure not to clutter your space with unnecessary pieces. Try to add as few pieces as you need to complete the room, however make sure each piece is as interesting as possible. Yes, it’s just a vase but it’s shape or texture make it fabulous!

Restrain your color palette

Limit the colors you use throughout the space to no more than three. This will allow the eye to move about the space in a smooth, calm fashion. Multiple colors are jarring for the eye. Save that excitement for times when you want to really amp up the volume in your space.

Strike A Balance

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:04:03 GMT

Add warmth and style to your short term rental bathroom to increase your bookings

For short term rental hosts, bathrooms can be tricky. Bathrooms are made up of mostly hard surfaces— and for good reason. Tile, marble, glass, mirrors, and metals are water-resistant and easy to disinfect— necessities in any bathroom. But when it comes to creating an environment that says “stay awhile” these unforgiving textures can come off as a bit cold. Particularly in your listing photos, a bathroom can appear flat and boring— and make your potential guest click away.

In order to make your bathroom more inviting— both in person and in your photographs— try increasing the cozy factor. Here are a few ways to strike the proper balance between form and function in your short term rental bathroom.

Add Texture

Warm up all those cold surfaces with some elements that appeal to the senses. Add a stack or two of clean, fluffy, bright white towels— always a crowd-pleaser. Even better, stack them in a worn woven basket on the floor or the counter. Hang a crisp white robe from a hook by the door. Tuck a plant with shiny green leaves into a corner nook. Fill some glass apothecary jars with stones. You get the idea.

The trick here is to add items that bring warmth and texture to the bathroom— but don’t overcrowd it or make it appear cluttered. It’s a fine line.

Hang Artwork

Artwork in a bathroom is often overlooked. But hanging a few tasteful paintings or a framed mirror in a bathroom can elevate the whole vibe to a place that invokes relaxation. Make sure that the artwork is humidity-proof, of course.

Decorate with Wood

If your bathroom is tiled top to bottom, consider adding some natural wood to restore a bit of balance. If you’re up for a small re-model, a wood tone vanity base can add immediate warmth. But adding small bits of wood items— like a stool, a framed mirror, or a wood vase— can go a long way, too.

Light It Up

This has been said over and over, but lighting is your short term rental’s MVP. Particularly in a small space like a bathroom, lighting can take a space from so-so to spectacular. In the bathroom, an elegant chandelier over the tub can add an instant luxurious feel. If your ceilings aren’t high enough, add recessed lighting on dimmer switches. Invest some money in your lighting design— it goes a long way to improving your space.

Add Candles

You might think that adding fire seems like an obvious choice for adding warmth to space— and you’re right! For your short term rental listing photos, add a lighted candle or two in the bathroom to add an immediate sense of welcoming and coziness.

Make your bathroom work for you

The bathroom in your short term rental has two jobs. The first job is to appeal to potential guests by looking stunning and inviting in your listing photographs. The second job is to actually be stunning and inviting once your guests arrive— and make them feel comfortable and pampered.

Invest time and a bit of your budget in creating a clean, sparkling bathroom space that is also warm and welcoming. Your guests— and your bottom line— will thank you.

Attract Your Best Guest

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 08:43:42 GMT

One of the most important aspects of running a successful short term rental business, is making sure you are attracting your best guests.

That is to say, that one fictionalized person or community of people that is best suited for your space. It’s worth spending time to imagine who this character is and what they need and want when they travel. Consider their personal, logistical and emotional requirements. Imagine the smallest details of their lives like the age of their children, type of pet and their favorite Netflix binges.

To get started developing your guest persona, think about the reason your best guest might be traveling to your location. To do this, think about your past guests and their reasons for selecting your area. If you haven’t started hosting, think about what guests might enjoy about your location and about your space.

The characteristics you assign your best guest, will be your guide as you make decisions about amenities, purchases and the future of your business.

Now that you know the reason your best guest is traveling, and what they’ll need during their stay, give some thought to their personal attributes. What do they look like? How old is your best guest? What do they do for a living? What is their relationship and family status? What level of education have they attained? What is their income? Even give them a name.

Think about their interests, their favorite hobbies. What movies, books and podcasts do they enjoy. Do they like sports, cooking, exercise? Give them personal qualities such as are they outgoing or introverted, strong willed or passive? Quirky or traditional?

The more you understand about your best guest, the easier it will be when you begin to make a connection with them through your profile and property description, your interior decor and even your listing’s photographs.

Having a reliable guest avatar will allow you to craft a guest experience that feels like you designed it just for them (because you have).

Different types of guests have different types of needs. The needs of the solo business traveler are different from the needs of a multi-generational family traveling for recreation. Will your best guest require a kitchen? Are they traveling with pets? Do they need parking? Do they have specific accessibility requirements?

What special touches would they enjoy? Would your guest rather have a French press coffee maker or would they prefer a color scanner/printer? Would they prefer a highchair or a shower seat? By having a clear understanding of who your best guest IS and why they are traveling, you’ll know exactly what it is they’ll need and want from your amenities.

Think through the frustrations your guests face as they travel. What keeps them awake at night? Are they worried they will have a difficult check in? Are they worried that your space wont be as your pictures have suggested? Are they concerned that they won’t be able to reach you in case of an emergency

Identifying your guest avatar’s challenges will help you generate ideas for enhancing their stay by addressing their concerns before they arise. Addressing their pain points in your property description and during pre-booking communications, will allow them to reserve your space and feel comfortable and excited about their visit.

Once you’ve finished your primary best guest profile, consider any other profiles that might also be a good fit. A secondary guest avatar will represent a different segment of your market with a distinct set of characteristics, interests and pain points. It’s not uncommon to have several distinct profiles and understanding each will allow you to tailor your approach to serve them effectively based on their preferences.

You might welcome multi-generational families, but also cater to colleagues who are traveling for business. These two separate avatars will each respond to different messaging as well as have different requirements. Armed with your knowledge of both groups, you can successfully satisfy both.

Creating the opposite version of your best guest or a negative avatar is also beneficial. A negative guest avatar is someone you’d prefer didn’t book your property. Knowing who you don’t want to host is just as important as knowing who you do want. Don’t hesitate. Intentionally declare who you want to exclude while at the same time remaining open and empathetic to those who may be very different from you.

If you’ve hosted a guest who wasn’t a good fit, make a note of the reasons why they didn’t work out. The point here is not to identify the personality traits of the guest but to know the reasons why a particular guest wasn’t a good fit for your space. Be sure not to leave out those groups of potential guests who have backgrounds and experiences that deviate from your own. Just because a prospective guest is not like you, doesn’t mean they are not a good fit for your space.

How do you know if the persona you’ve crafted really represents your best guest? There’s no way you can be absolutely sure about your avatar’s characteristics. You’ll have to make your best guess and be prepared that you might need to make some adjustments.

One thing is for sure, the more you know about your best guest, the more clarity you will have and the easier it will be to offer an exceptional guest experience-one that from beginning to end, address all of your guests’ needs, wants and challenges. Knowing your best guests’ avatar is the Swiss Army knife of your hosting business. You will use your avatar in every decision you make from the buzzwords in your profile to the testimonials and reviews you use in your marketing.

Small Space, Big Style

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 08:43:42 GMT

Think your space is too tiny to attract guests? Think again.

Just because your space is small doesn’t mean you can’t create an attractive oasis for travelers. In fact, sometimes a smaller space can handle a bolder style much easier than a larger room. With some strategic styling and creative organization ideas, you can take your tiny room from boring and bland to chic and stylish— and create the perfect retreat for weary travelers to recharge.

Try one or two of these suggestions to make your small space feel big with style.

1. Stack your sleeping spaces

If space is limited, but your ceilings are high, consider stacking your sleeping spaces. Forget the traditional camp-like bunk beds and make yours stand out with high-end finishes and luxurious details. Add custom railings, gorgeous lighting, and thoughtful shelving to your sleeping nooks. Then drape the beds with the highest-quality linens you can afford. Suddenly that small space bedroom becomes an elegant and restful sleeping berth.

2. Magnify a small space with mirrors

It’s the oldest trick in the book— but it works! Add mirrors to your small room to amplify the illusion of extra square footage. Mirrors also reflect light, so placing a mirror opposite a window will create an outdoor feeling of openness and spaciousness.

3. Draw the eye up

If the footprint of your room is small, you can add visual interest and a more open feeling by looking up. On the windows, hang window treatments higher than the tops of the windows themselves, which will help elongate the room. Hang artwork a teensy bit higher than you normally would, too. You can also help nurture this feeling of more height by keeping walls, floors, and ceilings, the same or similar light colors.

4. Keep it simple

Keep your base color scheme simple in a small space. Light-colored walls and floors can make a tiny room feel less “boxed in.” Light grays and beiges work well— you don’t have to stick with the classic white. Try for a maximum of three colors in the room.

5. Monochrome magic

A monochromatic theme— where every design element is the same color— is a subtly sophisticated design choice. Here, you’re using shades and textures to create a calming and elegant environment. It can sound a bit boring on paper but when executed correctly— it can be breathtaking and highly memorable. And make your place stand out from all the rest.

6. Focus on lighting

Don’t scrimp here. The lighting in a small space is crucial. Invest in some hanging pendant lights or recessed lighting that’s strategically placed near the bed. Add dimmers to add a cozy and luxurious vibe. Install mounted reading lights next to the bed as opposed to table lamps or floor lamps that take up too much space.

7. Edit the furnishings

Less is so much more here. Don’t crowd a small room with a chunky dresser or a hulking armoire. Instead, add small but stylish side tables and a high-quality luggage rack. Nothing makes a room feel smaller than stuffing it full of oversized furniture.

8. Mount the television

If your room will have a television, make sure to mount it to the wall to free up much-needed space. Flat-screen television mounting arms are easy to install and can be hung strategically so that the guest can view it easily from the bed.

9. Organize, Organize, Organize

In a small space, every inch is precious. Make sure your room is extra tidy and organized. Add some built-in storage or shelving to help it stay tidy.

10. Wallpaper for the win!

If you’re worried about overpowering your small space with an over-worked design, consider adding an accent wall. As we said earlier, small spaces can handle bold design easier than cavernous rooms. Pick an eye-catching wallpaper for one wall— the wall behind the bed is ideal. Adding a vibrant accent wall is a great way to add visual interest without taking up extra space. It also photographs beautifully and will really stand out in your listing photos.

Embrace you small space

Don’t let the size of a small room hold you back from realizing your hosting dream. Keep in mind that some travelers— particularly single travelers— will delight in having a small, thoughtfully-designed space of their own as opposed to a huge house. In some situations, a smaller space is actually an advantage. With a few strategic design elements and some stellar staging, your small space will soon be in big demand!

Differentiate Your Listing

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 21:19:38 GMT

There are over 7 million active rental listings on Airbnb.

The goal of the short term rental host is to create a listing that stands out from the competition and attract guests. The easiest way to differentiate your listing is by giving guests a glimpse at what makes you unique-the thing that makes you stand out. Your uniqueness is showcased through your personality.

Your personality can be on display through your hosting persona in several different forms-in your space, your story and the above and beyond service you provide to guests.

Your Space

Your space is your canvas to show off the style you want to share with others. Guests are often drawn toward unique spaces. Those spaces that seem to come exude personality like treehouse, chalet, cabin or Airstream. If you’re lucky enough to have a unique space-flaunt it!

Other spaces can lean on their history as a differentiator. Historic repurposed industrial lofts, 100 year old brownstones or mid-century modern houses all hold history that is both interesting and distinctive.

You may choose to share your personality through your decor. Do you have legacy furniture pieces passed down from generations that you could be the highlight of a Grand Millennial theme. Or, are you a weekend sale scouter who can build a story around scouted finds and create a boho vibe?

Let you inner self shine as the theme of your space. Use what you love or what you do to differentiate your listing and connect with potential guests who may share your interests.

Are you an amateur photographer, quilter, potter, painter, or wood worker? Do you love vintage technology, sports or books? Display the tools, equipment or items that represent your interests. If you coach a team, display vintage sports equipment. If you are a librarian feature books or an old card catalog.

Consider displaying unique tools of your trade.

If you are a carpenter, consider displaying a collection of antique tools.

If you coach a certain sport, consider displaying vintage sports photographs or sports equipment.

Looking for tips on how to share a collection? Checkout displaying collectibles.

Your Story

Your culture is part of what makes you special, so show it off. Use moderation (you don't want your home to look like a gift shop selling goods to tourists). Display artwork, textiles, pottery, house wares, photographs, or other unique items from the place of your ancestors - whether near or far.

Showcase your accomplishments. Your home should represent you: your style, achievements and goals. Display artwork, medals, pottery pieces, diplomas, and anything else that makes you smile and shine.

Now that you've decided on the focus of your space, it's time to share your personal STORY with potential guests. Consider sharing the reasons you started hosting, or the places you’ve traveled. Share your passions or the charities you support. Include the special skills that you have that make you a great host.

Sprinkle your story through your personal profile, your property’s description and in your marketing. Use your authenticity to begin to build trust and a relationship with potential guests.

Above and Beyond Service

Hosting is a customer service business and providing above and beyond service to guests will separate your hosting style from others. Acts of hospitality like being responsive and pleasant during all communications with guests will be memorable and set you apart. Small gestures like a welcome note or a quick text after the guests arrive will show you are a welcoming and caring host.

These personal touches will be what sets you apart and makes your listing and your guests’ stay unique. Your uniqueness is your hosting SUPER POWER, so use it and differentiate from the competition.

Work From Home Guests

Fri, 13 Sep 2002 13:21:24 GMT

Make your listing more competitive with a work from home office

Now more than ever, it’s important to have a designated workspace in your short term rental.

With everyone working from home these days or attending remote schools, adding a small workspace to your rental will go a long way to attracting more guests.

Launched in 2014, Airbnb for Work was created to make it easier for guests to travel for work— without sacrificing the comforts of home. Originally known as “Airbnb for Business” this niche of the Airbnb empire now has more than 700,000+ companies using it on the reg— and growing.

Now more than ever, it’s important to have a designated workspace in your short term rental.

To get a clearer picture of how to make this work for you, take a closer look and familiarize yourself with some of these work trends.

Bleisure travelers— business plus leisure. Certain savvy guests are now tacking on weekend days to their work travel in order to explore the cities they’ve traveled to. Tired of not truly experiencing a location when they’re working, they’re adding a few extra “free” days to business trips.
Traditional business trips. These standard work trips generally begin on a Monday and last about three to five nights.
Collaborative stays. For these trips, teams of at least two colleagues— sometimes more— are traveling together as a group to bond and collaborate.
Mobility stays. These types of travelers will ultimately be relocating to their chosen location, or need to stay for extended periods of time— usually 14 days or more.

For today’s growing business travel sector, these particular travel corridors are booming.

Between New York and Los Angeles
Between Melbourne and Sydney
Between London and Paris
Between San Francisco and Los Angeles
Between New York and Boston

Even if you’re not located in one of these bustling cities, you should pay attention to these trends. Work travelers are drawn to listings in the heart of busy metropolitan areas— but they can also be searching for quiet country getaways, too.

Need a little help with your short term rental design? Check out small space, big style . Read more here .

How to attract business travelers

To truly capitalize on attracting business travelers, you’ll want to boost your work-friendly amenities. In order to qualify for the Airbnb for Work designation, these are the basic requirements and some special amenities you might consider adding.

The Basics— these are the must-haves for any short-term rental space that wants to attract business travelers.
Boast a 4.8-star average rating— or higher
Have a flexible cancellation policy
Maintain a 90% response rate
Offer hotel-like privacy— think blackout drapes and ensuite bathrooms
Provide a touchless, self-check-in option
Have a high-definition flatscreen television in the room
Provide the essentials— such as toilet paper, soap, and shampoo
Stock high-quality linens— towels, sheets, and pillows
Have a hairdryer in the room
Offer an iron, ironing board, and quality clothes hangers
Lightning- fast, reliable WIFI is a must
Have a laptop-friendly workspace, like a small table

The extras— here are some items to offer to make your business traveler guest more comfortable.

A selection of coffees and teas, and a mini-Keurig
A full-length mirror
A curling iron
A selection of pens, pencils, paper, and sticky notes
A guide book with local recommendations
Pre-check in package receiving
Phone and laptop charging stations

The wow factor— add these thoughtful touches to truly stand out from the pack.

A designated desk and work chair
A top-of-the-line desktop computer
A printer, scanner, and fax
International adapters
A dry-erase board, or a drawing pad and easel
Convenient breakfast items like protein bars, individual instant oatmeals, and fruit for grab-and-go conference attendees
Frozen pizza utensils— like a pizza cutter and paper plates

The benefits of hosting business travelers

There are many benefits to hosting travel for work guests. For example, conference, convention, and trade show attendees are often gone all day. They return to their rental to occasionally eat and of course to sleep— but that’s about it. This limits the amount of wear-and-tear in a room. Business travelers are often generally on their best behavior around their work colleagues— so noise is kept to a minimum. And guests that travel for work often dine out alone or in a group at local restaurants, so kitchen clean up is minimal.

The only drawback of hosting travel for work guests? Some unrelated co-workers may be uncomfortable sharing private spaces— so individual beds or even bedrooms may be a requirement.

Whether you’re just starting out with your short-term rental or you’ve been hosting for a while— catering to business travelers is always a good idea. Take an objective look at your space and come up with a plan for attracting these valuable and high-quality guests. Your bottom line will thank you.