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Now’s the time to get your home ready! Summer is a particularly busy time which occasionally leads to the odd job around your holiday home slipping the mind. The sooner these jobs are complete, the sooner you can open up your calendar again and see guests return! Happy guests leave great reviews, which is why we’ve put together our top tips on how to make any holiday home truly feel like home.
Your bach may feel like home to you, but to arriving guests it can be as unfamiliar as a hotel room. Imagine you’re finishing up a long drive through a foreign area and can’t wait to check-in, kick your shoes off, and get into holiday mode.
Summer is a particularly busy time which occasionally leads to the odd job around your holiday home slipping the mind. This isn’t just about ensuring the property is in top condition, it’s important to show guests that you’ve gone the extra mile with small, homely touches. Happy guests leave great reviews, which is why we’ve put together our top tips on how to make any holiday home truly feel like home.
If you are an owner with Bachcare, we conduct an initial Happy Place Check but it’s crucial to ensure your property is up to health and safety standards throughout the year. With winter approaching, it’s a good idea to add some form of heating to your property. Invest in a few plug-in heaters if you do not have a fireplace or central heating, so guests can feel comfortable all year round.
In terms of general maintenance, never underestimate the way a fresh lick of paint can lift a room or house exterior. If you’re with Bachcare, reach out to your Holiday Manager who can help with ensuring the lawn is mowed regularly. They can take care of this on your behalf, or let you know when it needs to be done. This also helps to give guests a great first impression of a well-kept space.
If there are any bigger jobs such as plumbing, deck, or roof repairs, your Bachcare Holiday Manager can organise local tradespeople to perform these for you. The sooner these jobs are complete, the sooner you can open up your calendar again and see guests return!
Consider the whole group of guests that may be staying at your home, kids and pets included. It’s beneficial to parents when a holiday home is already somewhat child-friendly upon arrival as they can start relaxing right away! Try to keep small objects out of reach, secure loose wires, and keep chemicals away in a hard-to-reach cupboard. Having a fence between the garden and the road also gives parents peace of mind when kids are playing outside.
Pets require very similar considerations but if you get these things right, you will reap the rewards: pet-friendly homes receive 5 times more searches than homes which do not allow pets!
A Happy Place Guide with Bachcare contact details, things to know about the holiday home, and basic local area information is provided by the Holiday Manager to guests upon check-in. We recommend you work with your Holiday Manager to ensure all specifics of the home are covered.
We tend to take for granted how complicated our everyday appliances can be to someone new - from operating the shower to getting the timer on the oven to work. The wifi password will be in the Happy Place Guide but make sure it is easily found. Some owners like to stick it on the fridge or in a frame on the table to make it stand out. Check out Pinterest for lots of ideas on how to do this!
Your Holiday Manager will point out the best attractions in the area: where to eat, what to do, and how to get around. Guests increasingly want to experience new areas like locals, and you can complement your Holiday Manager’s tips by adding personalised touches specific to the property. Think about the different types of visitors you will have and try to highlight an activity for each of them for example, child-friendly activities, good dog walks, or romantic dinner spots for couples.
This may seem obvious but it’s important to get the basics right. You should have enough cutlery and crockery to match the maximum number of occupants for your holiday home. We recommend having a few extra sets and a variety of sizes including sharing platters for family-style dinners and BBQs. It’s a nice idea to provide wine glasses and plastic cups so you’re looking out for adults and children alike.
In terms of cookware, have a few pots, pans, and everyday utensils. Kitchen essentials like oil, salt, pepper, tea, coffee and sugar can go a long way to make your guests feel comfortable. Consider cleaning and hygiene products as well such as washing liquid, hand soap, and body wash.
Perhaps you have run out of supplies - we recommend doing an online shop and having it delivered to your Bachcare Holiday Manager so they can place them at the property.
Your home is cleaned regularly as part of your Bachcare membership which includes surface level things like vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, and mopping floors. There is a need for additional cleaning throughout the year to keep your home in tip-top shape - we call these deep cleans because they tackle things like vacuuming underneath furniture, cleaning the oven, dusting blinds and light shades - the things that don’t need doing all of the time, but that build up over time. If you’re already part of Bachcare, your Holiday Manager can take care of this for you - just let them know by using your Owner Portal!
One of the easiest ways to get your property noticed is to invest in features that are high on guests’ wish lists. Netflix and wifi are just some of these features. Properties with wifi generate 73% more rental income and have 39% higher occupancy than homes without so it’s not long before it pays for itself!
Sometimes it’s the smaller details that make a stay memorable for guests. This sort of thoughtfulness can go a long way and will ensure that your property’s reviews stand out! For instance, surprise and delight guests by keeping a stock of wine and chocolates for special occasion bookings.
Think about your home’s styling. You don’t have to change up the whole design but a few small alterations can make a huge difference. Try decorating a blank wall with some local art, or display photos of your favourite moments at the bach. Indoor plants are all the rage and add a bit of greenery - just remember to buy durable ones such as succulents! Even something as simple as putting a new duvet cover on the bed can help to modernise a room.
Are you getting your bach set up for the first time or doing a bit of a holiday home audit? Fill in the form below to download our Amenities Checklist.
