All Forum Posts by: Estrella Carolina Mckinney

I'm going to bake cookies, set up a Christmas tree, make gift wrap, scissors and ribbon available next to it. Maybe I'll put up some lights in the courtyard, but I don't want to get too deep into decorating, as some guests don't like that very much, so I'll keep it just enough to set the mood for celebration in an elegant way. And I'll update the photos of the property in my listing, of course.

@Estrella Carolina Mckinney

We have some things we do that are similar to your ideas, primarily around offering a unique experience to guests tailored to them and their visit. If we know someone is coming in for a birthday, we are sure to put up some birthday decorations. If they are coming in for a game, we have some gifts related to that game for them. If there is no special occasion and they are just visiting to enjoy the area, we get them local gifts such as a local cake for their stay. 

We are also in the process of coming up with ways to differentiate our listing from others with fun decor choices such as an "instagram wall" which will be a wall filled with Mardi Gras masks (we are in the New Orleans market) that guests can pose in front of. All of this is in addition to making sure we clean the property well and offer all guests a comfortable stay. It has taken the better part of a year to gain traction but we are now consistently getting booked each weekend and getting more and more weekday guests so we are making progress towards our end goal (still have some more to accomplish before we reach that goal). 

Location and view. You can never change these after you buy.

Then a great house and amenities that is well stocked and very clean.

Like  @Michael Baum  we buy in vacation locations where people are happy to spend their vacation money and create memories with family and friends.

Hi Estrella,

I send a welcome email 2 days before the stay.  On the day of arrival I send another message with the door code and other info.  I usually don't meet the guests as I have keypads on my rentals so there is no key.  I find these days people want their privacy and don't want to chat when arriving or departing.  On the day of departure they get a check out message in the morning to let them know what to do.  I occasionally meet the guests but for the most part they seem to prefer less physical presence of the host, and use the messaging in the apps to communicate.

Mindy

We are 100% remote though I have a local PM that can visit the house if necessary. All check-in and out is done with the guest by text through their cell phone, or we will use Messenger or WhatsApp sometimes for foreign guests who don't have good cell phone availability without paying outrageous charges. 

HI Estrella do you mean meet the guests for check in or check out?

We have check in procedure and a check out procedure that our reservationists send out to each guest prior to each event.  We are 100% remote.  I do think some people appreciate human interaction but from a logistics standpoint is does not make sense most of the time.  Also even companies like Hilton are now doing 100% remote check in.  Last month I selected my room, checked in, and checked out from a Hilton all from my Hilton App.  It is the way the world is going.