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15 Ways to Score Repeat Guests at Your Vacation Rental

By Maurie Backman - Jun 10, 2022 at 7:10AM
Two people carrying luggage and walking outside a vacation house.

15 Ways to Score Repeat Guests at Your Vacation Rental

Here's how to inspire guests to book again...and again

Owning a vacation rental isn't without risk, and the last thing you want is for your property to sit vacant for too long. But if you do a good job of snagging repeat visitors, you'll be more likely to wind up happy with your profits. Here's how to entice guests to keep coming back.

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A person using a screwdriver to adjust a French door.

1. Be a responsive host

The quicker you are to respond to emails or inquiries from guests, the better their experience is apt to be. In fact, even if something goes wrong during a guest's stay, a speedy response could not only fix the situation but also inspire that guest to return.

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Staged bedroom with two side tables and blue pillows.

2. Splurge on the right amenities

The more comfortable your rental is, the more likely guests will be to come back. To that end, make sure your sheets are comfortable, your towels are soft, your couches are roomy, and your toiletries are of decent quality.

ALSO READ: 7 Ways to Increase Your Vacation Rental Property's Appeal

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Property manager showing a rental property to a family.

3. Greet your guests upon arrival

It may not be possible to greet your guests when they arrive at your rental home. But if you live locally, that personal touch could really go a long way and inspire guests to visit more than once.

ALSO READ: 3 Reasons Vacation Rentals Will Be Big in 2022

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A person talking on the phone in the kitchen.

4. Check in with guests during their stay

Some vacation property owners take the approach that no news is good news. But you may want to be proactive and reach out to your guests to make sure all is okay. That added step could set you apart from other hosts and score you more repeat business.

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Person cleaning kitchen counter.

5. Present a clean property

In this day and age, all it takes is a sloppy cleaning job to turn guests off. On the other hand, if your rental is spotless, that alone could be a selling point that inspires guests to keep coming back.

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A gift basket on a table.

6. Throw in extras

Giving your guests the royal treatment could lead to repeat bookings. It pays to consider welcoming your guests with a bottle of wine or some local produce waiting in the fridge.

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Person typing on a laptop at a desk.

7. Price your rental just right

If you price your vacation home competitively, you're likely to draw in repeat guests by virtue of that alone. Do some research to see how much comparable properties in your area charge and develop a price point that offers guests value while allowing you to profit.

ALSO READ: How Much Passive Income Can You Really Make As an Airbnb Host?

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Smiling person at laptop.

8. Offer incentives for returning visitors

Everyone likes to snag a discount here and there. If you can shave a little money off the cost of a stay for guests who have been to your rental before, you might entice repeat business by virtue of those incentives.

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Curvy road in the shape of an S surrounded by fall foliage.

9. Talk up seasonal events

The more versatile you bill your home as being, the more likely you'll be to have guests return to it. Talk up its proximity to hiking trails in the fall and highlight local holiday festivals in the winter, so guests are inspired to visit during different seasons.

ALSO READ: How to Make the Most of Your Rental Property This Holiday Season

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Family walking across beach house deck and onto the sand with towels, pails, and shovels.

10. Invest in an all-weather property

Just because your home is seasonal in nature doesn't mean guests won't want to come back during the off-season. But you'll need to make sure your home is equipped for that. You might get repeat guests for a beach house or lake house during the winter, for example, if you invest in insulation and heating.

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Two people using a laptop at home on the couch.

11. Make your cancellation policy flexible

As a vacation property owner, the last thing you want is vacancies because those can translate to lost revenue. But it does pay to offer a reasonably flexible cancellation policy, especially if you want to drum up repeat business.

ALSO READ: Booking a Vacation Rental? Beware This Trap

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Person packing a suitcase.

12. Be generous with check-out times

Vacation properties often have early check-out times, and that's common practice. But if you don't have new guests coming in later in the day, allow your current guests to hang out for a few extra hours. That alone could drive them to book again.

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A dog is being walked on a leash.

13. Allow pets

Many pet owners struggle to find care for their pets while they're away. Allowing pets at your rental could be a huge selling point that inspires repeat visits.

ALSO READ: Here's How Pet Insurance Has Saved Me Loads of Money

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Person relaxing on a deck by a lake.

14. Keep updating your home

People tend to want to mix things up when they go on vacation. If you keep updating your home with new features, former guests are more likely to get excited about the idea of returning.

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Blurred image of someone holding a thank you card.

15. Say thank you

Sending guests a thank you note after they check out could go a long way toward building goodwill. The result? More repeat business for you.

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Two people toasting outdoors at vacation cabin rental.

Score a steady stream of visitors

Repeat business could really help your bottom line as a vacation rental owner. Follow these tips, and you may be surprised at how eager your guests are to come back for more.

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