All Forum Posts by: Tara Bergstrom

I did a poll in a Smokies Facebook group not too long ago asking about whether or not people NEEDED a pool table. It got hundreds of responses and people said they didn't even care about the pool table (it was a nice add), but a hot tub was a must. 

Hi @Tri Le. My cabin in Sevierville has been completely booked since we opened in May. Rates were/are definitely lower in January and February but holiday weekends (i.e. Valentine's Day & Easter) you can charge October rates for. My housekeeper even said this past January was the most she has ever made during that month because we were full and had so many shorter stays (2-3 days at a time).

Hey @John Thedford! Thanks for sharing! What are you renting it for?

Thanks for the chuckle @Paul Sandhu! 😂

Thanks @Chris Gottshall. Unfortunately this post went in a completely different direction and it was my own fault I suppose. I pay for supplies. I document that as you said. My cleaner may pick up a jug of detergent once in a blue moon and not charge me, and doesn’t expect me to give her anything in return. My calendar has stayed full so far, and she obviously benefits from that. I’ll leave it at that. 

All I wanted to know is if people gave bonuses out of the kindness of their heart and to show appreciation for the hard work that their cleaners do, which benefits you in the end. If they did/do, I was interested in how it was structured. So far, it seems like most do not like to do that. 

@Irina Martinez The arrangement is not vague at all. We have agreed on a price per cleaning and any extras. She only mentioned the bonuses by the previous owner and did not expect anything by saying that. I wrote this post just to see if anyone else gave bonuses to their cleaner(s) and if so, I was interested in how they were structured. 

@Paul Cox Maybe I should have added more details. The discussion got brought up with her because she was telling me she mails things left behind by guests, picks up supplies sometimes, etc all without billing the owner, so she was saying it basically evens out when she was “taken care of” by the previous owner. She also acts as a property manager in some ways and will go to the property to do extras without billing me. That’s why I have no problem compensating her in some way and also don’t want to risk losing her. 

@Chris Gottshall I will say I work with a small cleaning company for my personal home and always tip the workers personally during the holidays. I know it’s appreciated. 

Hi!

I have my first STR up and running. I have an excellent housekeeper that I want to make as happy as possible. She mentioned that the previous owners treated her very well when it came to random bonuses or holiday bonuses.

What are your incentive/bonus plans for STR housekeepers? I'm very interested in hearing what others do.

Thanks in advance!

Tara