Modern travelers have high expectations about guest experience when they choose a place to stay during their business trips or vacations. You may have a unique vacation rental property in a picturesque location, cozy furnishings, and all the amenities guests can dream of, but it’s not enough to impress your guests.
So, how can you make your guests feel welcome, special, and valued right from the start? One of the ways to surprise your guests and set the tone for the entire stay is to provide them with a vacation rental welcome pack upon arrival. Find out what to include in your welcome pack to show your guests you care about them.
If you list your vacation rental on Airbnb, you may also want to check out our blog article, where we share some tips on how to help your guests with luggage storage so they can make the most of their travel.
Why Do You Need a Vacation Rental Welcome Pack?
This way, you can make your guests feel at home and show them you are ready to go the extra mile to create an exceptional guest experience. Then your guests are more likely to book your property next time, recommend you to their friends and family, and leave you excellent reviews that increase your chances of receiving the Airbnb Guest Favorite badge.
You’ll also need to ensure perfect communication with your guests during all the stages of the customer journey and offer them a warm welcome with a well-written vacation rental welcome letter. Guests typically ask many questions in their messages, and it’s your responsibility as a host to answer them as quickly as possible. It will be much easier if you opt for vacation rental software like Hospitable.
Have conversations with your guests even when you sleep
What Should You Put in Your Vacation Rental Welcome Pack?
There is no set way to create a nice guest welcome pack, but the one you put together should match the vibe of your space, the season, and your brand. As a vacation rental welcome package can include various things, narrowing down what you would like to put in yours can be tricky.
Keep in mind that while the main attraction of the welcome packages can be the gifts and goodies, they are also great for communicating important information. Here are the main things you can include in your vacation rental welcome packs.
A handwritten note to personalize your welcome
It’s your opportunity to show your guests that they’re special, and they’re sure to appreciate it. Leave a handwritten note to express your excitement that your guests are there. Address your guests by name and provide details about the home or your local area you think are worth mentioning.
If you’re too busy, you can use a Word template, but try to inject some personality, for example, by sharing a fun fact about your property or including a handwritten signature. You can also combine your personalized note with a digital welcome book by including a link or a QR code.
Snacks and drinks
Your guests may arrive tired, so think about what they might need on their first night at your home or apartment. Provide snacks they can enjoy on the first night or something they can take in their backpack the next day.
You may include cheese, crackers, cookies, cured meat, chocolate, granola bars, mini muffins, fruit, and sweets. You may also want to include a bottle of wine and bottled water, coffee, an assortment of teas, or even hot cocoa if your guests arrive at your ski house rental in cold weather.
Remember that you must be extra careful if you include items containing common allergens, such as peanuts. It’s always better to ask your guests if they have any food restrictions or allergies.
Local products and souvenirs
Including locally crafted items, such as souvenirs or snacks, is a great way to add a unique touch to your vacation rental welcome pack. For example, it can be handmade soaps or candles that your guests can take back home. A good idea is to add locally sourced honey, a cheese board made of cheeses and jams from your local area, artisan chocolate, or craft beer from a top-notch local brewery.
You can add souvenirs, such as fridge magnets, postcards, or bookmarks, to help your guests remember their stay. Include branded items that will serve to benefit your guests during their stay. For example, if you own a beach house, you may offer towels, reusable water bottles, or a beach tote bag. If your vacation rental is kid-friendly and you know that your guests travel with children, you might include puzzle books, pool toys, or bath toys.
If you mention that you provide a vacation rental welcome pack in your listing description, it may help you attract potential guests and win more bookings. While managing your vacation rental can be rather time-consuming if you accept many guests, you can automate most of your routine tasks using vacation rental software like Hospitable.
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Final Thought
Whether you rent out a tiny home or a big family house or offer farm stays, every guest deserves to feel welcome and appreciated. So, even if you offer your guests a self-check-in and won’t be there to greet them in person, you may still want to delight them with a perfect vacation rental welcome pack. It doesn’t have to be expensive—even a small gift can make a big difference to your guests and help set the stage for a spectacular stay.
Your welcome pack can include some practical and emotional items that go with the main theme of your vacation rental and reflect your hospitality. Use this to market your vacation rental property and stand out from your competitors. And if you include small gifts that your guests can take home, they will be a great reminder of their stay at your property.
