Guest Experiences

  
Chapter 1

Impact of guests' experiences

The importance of guests' experience within short term rental apartments cannot be overstated. It directly impacts the success of the rental business, as well as the reputation of the host and their ability to attract future guests. A positive guest experience can lead to glowing reviews, repeat bookings, improved visibility on marketing channels, and even referrals to friends and family. On the other hand, a negative experience can result in negative reviews, cancellations, decreased visibility on OTAs, and damage to the host's reputation.

To ensure a positive guest experience, hosts must focus on qualifying guests, providing excellent customer service, maintaining a clean apartment, and responding quickly and effectively to any issues or concerns that may arise.

Not only does the guest experience impact the success of the rental business, but it also affects the wider vacation rental industry. Positive guest experiences can help to raise the profile of vacation rentals and promote them as a valuable alternative to traditional hotel stays.

In short, providing an exceptional guest experience is essential for hosts who wish to succeed in the short-term rental market. By prioritizing customer service and attention to detail, hosts can create a comfortable and memorable stay for their guests that will lead to repeat bookings, positive reviews, and a strong reputation within the industry.

  
Chapter 2

Importance of qualifying guests

Qualifying guests is an essential aspect of providing a positive guest experience in short term rental apartments. By vetting potential guests before accommodating them, hosts can ensure that the guests are a good fit for their property and that they will treat it with respect. This not only helps to protect the property from damage or misuse but also creates a more pleasant environment for all guests, and existing tenants within the long-term community of the building.

By qualifying guests, hosts can also ensure that their property is tailored to the guest's needs and preferences. For example, if a guest has a disability or requires specific amenities, the host can make necessary arrangements to accommodate those needs. This not only improves the guest's experience but also demonstrates the host's commitment to providing excellent customer service.

Furthermore, qualifying guests can help hosts to avoid potential issues, such as guests who may cause disturbances or violate the property's rules. Dealing with these types of guests can be time-consuming and stressful for hosts and can lead to negative reviews and a damaged reputation.

Overall, qualifying guests is a crucial part of providing a positive guest experience in short term rental apartments. By doing so, hosts can ensure that their property is well-maintained, tailored to the guest's needs, and free of potential issues. This, in turn, can lead to repeat bookings, positive reviews, and a strong reputation within the industry.

    
Chapter 3

How to verify and qualify guests

To verify and qualify guests before accommodating them in short term rental apartments, hosts should take several steps to ensure a successful and positive guest experience. These steps can include reviewing their booking history, checking their previous reviews, and communicating with them before the stay. Property owners may also request additional information, such as references, to ensure that the guest is trustworthy and responsible.

One effective way to verify guests is to use booking platforms that provide guest verification services. Many platforms require guests to provide government-issued identification and other personal information, such as their phone number and email address, to create a verified profile. This can help hosts to feel more confident that the guest is who they say they are and that their information is accurate.

Another way to qualify guests is to review their booking history and previous reviews. This can provide hosts with valuable information about the guest's behavior and reliability. For example, guests with a history of canceling bookings or violating property rules may be more likely to cause issues during their stay.

Hosts can also communicate with guests before the stay to get a sense of their needs and preferences. This can help hosts to tailor their property to the guest's needs and provide a more personalized experience. For example, if a guest has a disability or requires specific amenities, the host can make necessary arrangements to accommodate those needs.

It is worth considering the verification process available with Online Travel Agencies (such as Airbnb) and deciding whether you want to implement additional steps to better protect your community. Staykeepers has cancelled 4.5% of short term rental reservations because guests failed our additional verification procedures. This trend has persisted into 2023.

Successfully verifying and qualifying guests before accommodating them in short term rental apartments can have a significant impact on the guest experience and the success of the rental business. By doing so, hosts can ensure that their property is well-maintained, tailored to the guest's needs, and free of potential issues. This can lead to repeat bookings, positive reviews, and a strong reputation within the industry, ultimately resulting in increased revenue and growth for the business.

     
Chapter 4

Guest Scoring

Into the steps mentioned above for verifying and qualifying guests, guest scoring can offer even more benefits in the guest verification process for short term rentals. Guest scoring involves assigning a score or rating to each guest based on their past behavior and other factors in the verification process, allowing hosts to make more informed decisions about whether to accept or reject a booking request.

One major benefit of guest scoring is the ability to quickly and easily identify problematic guests who may be more likely to cause issues during their stay. This in turn can help hosts to make more informed decisions about whether to accept or reject a booking request, and can help to prevent issues such as damage to the property, noise complaints, or other disturbances.

Guest scoring can help hosts to build a stronger reputation within the short term rental industry, leading to more repeat bookings and increased revenue. By consistently providing high-quality experiences and taking steps to ensure the safety and comfort of guests, hosts can earn positive reviews and build a loyal customer base.

Overall, the use of guest scoring in the guest verification process for short term rentals can offer numerous benefits for hosts and guests alike. By leveraging data and analytics to make informed decisions about each guest, hosts can improve the guest experience, reduce risk, and build a stronger business over time.

    
Chapter 5

Choosing which apartments accommodate guests

Allocating apartments on a certain floor of a building to short term rentals can have a significant impact on the existing long-term community. By designating specific floors or sections for short term rentals, hosts can better manage the comfort of all residents.

This approach can also benefit the long-term residents of the building in terms of building security and property values. By having designated floors for short term rentals, hosts can prevent unauthorized guests from accessing the building or disturb the daily routine of existing residents, making them feel safer and more secure.

In conclusion, allocating apartments on a certain floor of a building for short term rentals can protect the existing long-term community from potential disturbances while providing numerous benefits for both hosts and guests. By implementing measures such as guest verification, guest scoring, and designated rental areas, hosts can ensure the comfort and safety of all residents while building a strong and successful short term rental business.

   
Chapter 6

Seamless guest communication

Apart from the steps mentioned above for ensuring the safety and comfort of guests in short term rental apartments, having a dedicated guest communications plan and support team can significantly improve the guest experience. Effective communication is crucial in any business, but it becomes even more important in the short term rental industry where guests may have specific needs and expectations.

A guest communications plan should include clear and concise information about the property, check-in and check-out instructions, house rules, and emergency procedures. Providing this information upfront can help to prevent confusion and reduce the likelihood of issues arising during the guest's stay.

In addition to providing detailed information, hosts should also ensure that they are readily available to guests during their stay. This can be achieved by having a dedicated support team available 24/7 to assist guests with any questions or concerns they may have. Providing prompt and helpful responses can go a long way in building trust and loyalty with guests.

Furthermore, having a support team in place can help hosts to quickly and effectively address any issues that may arise during a guest's stay. This can include anything from maintenance issues to noise complaints. By addressing these issues promptly, hosts can ensure that guests have a positive experience and are more likely to return in the future.

Incorporating a guest communications plan and support team into a short term rental business can also help hosts to stand out in a crowded market. By providing exceptional customer service and going above and beyond to meet guest's needs, hosts can earn positive reviews and build a strong reputation within the industry.

Overall, having a dedicated guest communications plan and support team is essential for ensuring the success of a short term rental business. By prioritizing effective communication and customer service, hosts can improve the guest experience, prevent issues from arising, and build a loyal customer base.

    
Chapter 7

Handling requirements for guest communications

Short term rental hosts must be prepared to provide 24/7 guest communications and support to their guests. This demand can impact internal teams in a number of ways.

Firstly, providing around-the-clock support can be taxing on internal teams. It requires hosts to have dedicated employees or third-party support services available at all times to answer guest inquiries, provide assistance, and address any issues that may arise. This can lead to additional operational costs and can stretch internal resources thin.

Moreover, offering 24/7 support can also have an impact on employee morale. Staff members may feel burnt out or stressed from having to be available at all times, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction and employee turnover.

However, despite the potential challenges, providing 24/7 support can be beneficial for short term rental businesses. It can lead to improved guest satisfaction and higher occupancy rates, which can ultimately lead to increased revenue.

To successfully handle the demands of 24/7 support, hosts must have effective communication systems in place. 

One solution for achieving 24/7 guest communications is to outsource support services to a third-party provider. These providers offer comprehensive guest communications services, including phone and email support, chat bots, and social media monitoring. By outsourcing support services, hosts can alleviate the burden on internal teams and save on operational costs.

In addition to outsourcing, hosts can leverage technology to streamline guest communications. Chat bots, for example, can handle simple inquiries such as check-in and checkout times, while automated messaging systems can send customized welcome messages and updates to guests. Using technology in this way not only reduces the workload for internal teams, but can also improve guest experience by providing immediate and efficient responses to their inquiries.

Capacity planning is another vital component to launching 24/7 guest communications. Hosts must ensure that they have sufficient staff or support systems available to handle high demand periods, such as weekends or peak tourist seasons. This requires an accurate assessment of expected guest volume, as well as the appropriate allocation of resources to meet that demand.

Moreover, hosts must prioritize training and support for their internal teams. Staff members must be prepared to handle a wide range of inquiries and issues, as well as communicate effectively with guests across multiple channels. By investing in comprehensive training and support for internal teams, hosts can ensure that they are providing consistent and exceptional support to their guests around the clock.

In summary, offering 24/7 guest communications and support to guests in short term rental apartments can be challenging, but it can also lead to significant benefits for businesses. Hosts must have effective communication systems in place and be prepared to manage the potential impact on internal teams. With the right strategies and tools, hosts can successfully provide top-notch support to their guests and build a strong and successful short term rental business.

     
Chapter 8

Generating positive reviews

Providing excellent guest experience and support is crucial for generating positive reviews in short term rental apartments. By leveraging both guest experience teams and technology, hosts can delight their guests and increase the likelihood of positive feedback.

Guest experience teams play a key role in providing personalized and attentive service to guests around the clock. These teams are responsible for answering inquiries promptly, resolving issues effectively, and providing helpful recommendations and tips for local attractions and amenities. By being proactive and responsive to guests' needs, guest experience teams can create a lasting positive impression on guests, resulting in rave reviews.

In addition to guest experience teams, technology can also play a critical role in generating positive reviews for short term rental apartments. Review management tools allow hosts to monitor and respond to guest feedback quickly and effectively. By acknowledging and addressing negative feedback promptly, hosts can demonstrate their commitment to guest satisfaction and prevent negative reviews from spreading. Moreover, by proactively soliciting feedback from guests, hosts can gain valuable insights and identify areas for improvement to continue to enhance the guest experience.

In summary, combining excellent guest experience teams with the latest technology can help generate positive reviews for short term rental apartments. By providing personalized and attentive service, offering value-added services, and leveraging the latest smart home devices and review management tools, hosts can delight their guests and create a memorable stay that leads to glowing reviews.

     
Chapter 9

Dealing with complaints and issues

Sometimes guests in short term rental apartments have complaints or problems. When this happens, it is important to address the issue quickly and make sure the guest is happy. It is also helpful to have a team of people ready to help solve any issues that come up and use technology like review management tools to monitor feedback so you can be aware of any possible problems. Finally, it's important to show guests that you care about their experience by being proactive in offering help and responding quickly when needed.

By undertaking all of the steps described in this guide, issues should be minimal.

Contributors:

Team Headshot Images (B&W)-1

Leiya

Guest Care Manager

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