Have Snowbirds Flocking to your Vacation Rental

If you have a vacation property nestled in the mountains of snow covered hills, then you obviously want to market your home to skiers. In your listing, you should highlight the exact location of your property. How close is it to the nearest slope? How is the view? Are you located closer to town or high in the mountains? Answer these questions as you advertise your rental property to the snow lovers. Give approximate milage to local attractions, nearby ski areas, bus stops, and restaurants. Also, tell your potential guests the best way to get around your area.

Photos are the most effective ways of offering your views to people reading your listing. Include beautiful shots that show the property covered by a layer of pretty, white snow. This will help your reader feel the experience of staying at your home while sitting in front of their computer. Snap a photo showing ski runs in the background if you are close enough. This is a good way to snag any interested skiers. Also, offer photos of vacationers and locals participating in activities other than skiing. Many people love the snow, but may not have a clue how to ski. Feature people having fun sledding, snowboarding, and building a snowman.

To earn more income, increase your rates just a bit during holidays. You’ll only have the chance to do this during weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas, so you should take advantage of the raise. Also, consider running specials for early bird travelers in October and/or November.

Depending on your location, the ground may not be completely covered with snow at this time, but travelers may take you up on the offer if they feel they are getting a deal. Advertise your vacation property to both short term and long term visitors. Create rates for one, two, and three months, and listing them along with your nightly and weekly prices.

To appeal to skiers, you must have the right accommodations and amenities. The most popular amenities for snowbirds are fireplaces, hot tubs, and ski closets. Some additional ones you should consider offering include an boot warmers, an indoor swimming pool, and an assortment of gloves, mittens, and toboggans. Also, promote the amenities that may very well be unique to your rental property, such as a big screen TV, multiple king size beds, a cappuccino machine, and video game consoles.

Express the maximum capacity in more than just a number. If you can sleep 10, include what the sleeping arrangements will be, whether it be beds, sleeper sofas, and air mattresses. Be cautious about booking college students or wild party goers coming to hang out on the slopes during school holidays. These people may be planning to fit twice as many people inside your rental as you allow, so it’s a good idea to screen them by talking with them on the phone prior to booking.

November 20th, 2008 Posted by admin | Vacation Rentals | no comments

Facelift For Lanzarote´s Main Resort

Could Puerto del Carmen become the Puerto Banus of the Canary Islands?  Unlikely as this scenario may seem to anyone who has visited Lanzarote´s most popular resort in recent years this transformation could well come to pass.  As island authorities press ahead with ambitious plans to reinvent tourism in the resort.  A project that will have massive implications for both visitor numbers and the Lanzarote property market in years to come.  

 Before the advent of package tourism in the 1970´s Puerto del Carmen was just a small fishing village, known to the locals as La Tiñosa.  Today the area is the most popular destination on the island – and is packed all year round with holidaymakers enjoying the islands clement climate and excellent beaches.

 Traditionally, Puerto del Carmen has also long been the engine of the islands property market too.  With thousands overseas buyers attracted to investing in apartments and holiday villas in Lanzarote thanks to the resorts buoyant tourist trade.

 Over the years however Puerto del Carmen has become a victim of its own success.  As thirty years of tourism have had a deleterious effect on the resorts infrastructure and facilities.

 This impact is most apparent on the Avenida de las Playas  - Puerto del Carmen’s main, 6km long beachfront strip.  Where pedestrians are forced to vie for space on cramped pavements whilst cars whiz by just a few inches away. Creating a rather downmarket image – especially by comparison with newer and fresher holiday destinations around the world.

 Mindful of the negative impact that this could have on their most important industry, island authorities have now pressed the button on a multi million euro project to upgrade and improve amenities.  In a bid to ensure that Puerto del Carmen retains its popularity for decades to come.

 Work has already started on the part pedestrianisation of the Avemida del las Playas.  Which will be followed through with the imposition of uniform shop fronts and fascias for all units on the Avenida de las Playas.  Replacing the current garish sea of neon. So creating a more aesthetically pleasing overall impression for visitors.

 More ambitious still though are plans to transform the Old Town harbour area into a stunning new marina – with moorings for luxury yachts and cruisers.  A project that is designed to attract a more affluent type of tourist whilst also emulating the success of nearby Puerto Calero.  The luxury marina just a few miles south along the coast where property prices already command a premium.

 Work on the project is expected to take at least twelve months.  But in tandem with other initiatives such as the opening of the new golf course just outside Puerto del Carmen is expected to have a positive impact on tourist numbers over the coming years.

November 5th, 2008 Posted by Teguise | Vacation Rentals | no comments

Creating a Simple Checkout Policy for your Guests

The Checkout Policy

Before booking a reservation for a guest, make sure they know the appropriate check out procedures for when they leave your vacation rental home. This information should also be enclosed in the packet you will send your renters that includes the rental policies, driving directions, and receipts for their deposit and rental fees. The checkout policy should also be incorporated into the rental guidelines, and should be agreed upon by your guests from the beginning.

It’s acceptable to ask a few things from your guests before their departure at the end of their stay in your home. Hotels, apartments, and condos all have things that need to be done as well, such as a certain time to be out of the room, and often other small things that need to be taken care of. After all, if they are not willing to abide by your policies, you probably do not want them staying your in your rental property.

One of the more common things that is asked by a checkout policy is that a little cleaning be done on your guests’ part. Most owners request that the trash be emptied and placed in a nearby dumpster. They also ask their guests to load the dishwasher, and run it before leaving.

Other requests made by the checkout guidelines deal with the home itself. Having these followed can save the rental property owners some money in the long run. Thermostats are often requested to be set at a certain temperature, depending on the weather. A good setting for summer is 80º F, and for the winter, 55º F. You may feel that this doesn’t need to be done with a housekeeper coming in soon, but trust me, shaving a few cents off your power bill will add up. Especially if your cleaning crew isn’t coming for the next few days.

An issue that needs to be addressed in the checkout policy is what do to with the keys. If you have a lock box on your door, simply ask that the guests lock all the doors and windows, and finish up by placing the keys into the lock box, shut it, then spin the combination a bit. If they will be mailing the keys back, make of mention of this on the check out policy as well. Some guests may forget to do this when they get home, but hopefully that chance will be decreasing with a reminder.

Feel free to include other small favors on your checkout policy. You may want to ask your renters to leave at a certain time, especially if housekeeping will be coming in the same day, or if other guests are expected soon. You may also mention that they have a safe trip home, and to sign your guest book or take any guests you have left for them with them as they leave.

November 3rd, 2008 Posted by admin | Vacation Rentals | no comments