6 Tips for Turning Your Property Into a Luxury Vacation Rental

Photo: Roberto Nickson.

In the world of short-term rentals, the market continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of the modern traveler. Enter: luxury vacation rentals. In the latest of trends, short-term rentals are turning towards brand building (custom logos and all) to entice luxury travelers and keep them coming back for more. 

While not every home can be classified into this category, there is an ever growing demand for luxury vacation rentals. According to Skift, “luxury travel is leading the post-pandemic recovery. Booking trends show that luxury hotels and vacation rentals are going to be one of the quickest to rebound, making the luxury sector a lucrative place to be in 2021.” 

With more money to capitalize on, now is the perfect time to upgrade your home to cater towards the high-end rental market and grow your profits. Chances are, you’ll only need a few small tweaks to take your property to the next level and boost your pricing. Here’s our top six tips for turning your property into the next dream luxury Airbnb: 

Offer High-End Amenities 

One simple component every luxury guest is going to be looking for in a property is included high-end amenities. Think of your rental like a hotel, what would they include to make a stay more luxe? 

Consider adding more brand name and high-end toiletries to your guest’s stay. It doesn’t have to be over the top, but even including Le Labo shampoo and conditioner can go a long way in upgrading your space to a luxury rental. Considering updating the following:

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste

• Hairbrush/Comb

• Shampoo/Conditioner

• Deodorant

• Snacks

• Coffee

• Water/Drinks

But it goes much further than that. In order to attract and maintain bookings, consider adding wow factor amenities like a hot tub, fire pit, sun deck, exercise equipment and a dedicated workspace to entice the right guests.

Including a Welcome Kit 

Small touchpoints can’t be overlooked when it comes to marketing your rental as a luxury property. You want guests to feel pampered and looked after—so consider adding a deluxe welcome kit to surprise your guests upon arrival. Some things to include in your goodie basket:

• Coffee beans from a nearby shop

• A regional bottle of wine

• Small-batch craft beer

• Fresh cheese and high-quality crackers 

• Local baked goods 

• Carbonated water 

• Candy 

Implement an Interior Design Plan

If there is one thing luxury rentals will be judged upon, it’s whether the interior design is up to snuff. Ultimately, the design of a home is what makes a rental property luxury. Spend time reading the latest design magazines or browse Pinterest to get a feel for the style of modern, luxe properties. Then, set out a plan for small upgrades that will truly make your rental shine—a new linen couch, a real tree, or even a pillow refresh can help your home feel more on-trend. If you’re at a loss for where to start, consider bringing in an interior designer to work with you on upgrading your home to the luxury market. The experts often know best—and a small investment can pay off big time. If you’re looking for even more interior design tips, read advice from our experts here and here. 

Invest in Incredible Photography

No matter how incredible your listing may be, luxury guests will not click book now if your images don’t align with your text. If you’re stating the property is luxury, make sure your photos reflect that! Work with a local stager, or consult an interior designer on simple ways you can implement more high-end furnishings or accents. Once your rental is looking its best, hire a professional interior photographer to capture your home and highlight it in a way that would appeal to your ideal guest. Sometimes, it’s best to make a small investment and trust the pros to help take your luxe brand to the next level. 

Hire a Trustworthy Cleaning Team

One of the most important aspects of any short-term rental is how clean it is. But this rings especially true with luxury rentals. Everything should be pristine, from how clean the floors are, to bedding that looks brand new. This is where a trustworthy, thorough cleaning team comes in. Whether a guest is staying for one night or one month, you’ll want to have your rental cleaned and turned over between each and every guest. If your visitor is staying longer than five days, you may want to consider including an additional cleaning service, as most luxury guests will expect a housekeeper of sorts. 

Provide Constant Touchpoints Via Automation Systems 

Luxury guests want to feel as if there is little to nothing left for them to think about. Your service should be turnkey, meaning you’ve already thought of and provided everything. Consider automating your property, including contactless check-in/check-out, a digital guidebook, and automatic wifi connection. 

According to the New York Times, the pandemic has increased the pace in which automation has been more widely accepted among hotels, largely as a cost-effective response to the labor shortage. Guests can now expect the implementation of keyless check-in, digital staff communication and room delivery by robots. “High tech is the new high touch,” said Chekitan Dev to NYT, the Singapore Tourism Distinguished Professor of marketing and management at Cornell University’s hotel school.

You can also use a vacation property management system to send out automated emails, checking in with guests and providing soft touch points so they feel looked after––with little to no extra work on your part. Check out our guide to sending out an automated email sequence here. 

It may take some time and effort, but by implementing these six tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to Airbnb Luxe status in no time. For more tricks of the trade, discover Airbnb hosting and property rental management insider secrets on our blog, Behind the Guide.