Property Owner 2 MINS READ

What You Need to Know About Marketing Your Vacation Rental to Groups

What You Need to Know About Marketing Your Vacation Rental to Groups

Property Owner 2 MINS READ

Vacation rentals have always been a popular option for group getaways. Usually when people go on vacation, they often dread a hotel stay. With a private vacation rental, it’s a more inexpensive option for vacation accommodation. Not to mention, it’s a comfortable stay.

If your vacation rental is already set up for group stays, you won’t want to miss out on making sure your rental is appealing to this huge market. If you’re not sure how to do this, follow these tips.

 

Which Vacation Rental Groups Do You Want to Focus On?

This could sound obvious to you. However, once you have a clear picture in your mind of who your ideal group is can help those groups make a decision about your rental.

Which groups are most ideal for your vacation rental? Think about all the possible groups, such as:

  • Festival fanatics
  • Sports teams
  • Retirees
  • Bachelor or bachelorette parties
  • Adrenaline hunters
  • Groups of close friends
  • Multi-generational family reunions
  • Corporate trip

Once you come to a decision which type of group(s) you would like to host in your rental, you will be able to target them directly in your descriptions.

Write the Perfect Headline

You’ll want to attract potential guests right away. One of the best ways to do this is with your headline – It’s the first thing they will notice. Be as descriptive as possible, without going overboard. For example, instead of just using the word “big”, try using “spacious”. The word spacious will resonate with the potential guest more and they will be more apt to move forward.

Give Them an Idea How Their Stay Will Be

It doesn’t matter who you’re marketing to. Showing off the vacation rental’s amenities and the best features is ideal. This is a surefire way to attract some group guests. Show them photos and really capture the “spacious” feel in the home if that’s what you put in your headline. A bonus is a fully equipped kitchen and if you have that, don’t leave that photo out. CuddlyNest will spread the listing description all over the net, so you will even get more group buzz!

Offer Incentives They Can’t Pass Up

Anyone who books vacations will know all about money saving deals and offers, which is a great factor if they will move forward. You don’t have to always offer incentives, but it’s a great idea when business is slow. You can even offer incentives, such as kids stay free.

Publish Testimonials from Previous Groups

You can say great things about your vacation rental but first-hand experiences from guests will likely be more persuading. Add some previous group experiences and feedback to your listing for a better chance of booking.

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Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

New Feature: Sharing Listing Details On Multiple Social Media Platforms

New Feature: Sharing Listing Details On Multiple Social Media Platforms

Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

With the new feature CuddlyNest offers of sharing listing details on multiple social media platforms, traffic is only going to rise. Most people spend their time on social media, so it’s a great way to gain the attention of your audience.

Why to Take Advantage of This Feature

When it comes to sharing on social media platforms, it’s not just about the people you are associated with on that platform. Once you share your listing on social media, your friends and family see your post, and they are likely going to share it. If you add a photo to your listing, your post is no doubt going to get shared numerous times. If you take a look, especially on Facebook, you’ll see people posting dreamy vacation photos, houses, etc – This means, that if you put an attractive photo up, you’re going to end up receiving some decent traffic.

How to Use This Feature the Right Way

Just because you can share listing details on your platforms, there are some things you should know. You don’t want to come off spammy. If you have the same friends across multiple platforms, they are going to want to see the same post over again.

A quick fix to this is to change it up a little bit. Add something unique for each platform and add a different attractive photo for each. Think about how you use social media for your own personal reasons – when do you consider something “spam”? Remember that when you’re making and sharing your listings. When it comes to sharing listings, you want to add what people want to see. It’s all about your potential guests.

Develop a Sharing Schedule

When it comes to sharing more than once and on several platforms, it’s beneficial to create a sharing schedule. For example, think of some guidelines you can set for yourself as to how often you should be posting per day, week, and month. Think about a preferred time of day. Usually, after dinner time is best since that’s when most people are online and not working or tending to their family.

Add some creative variety to your schedule and listings. It’s critical to not share the same message twice. For example, if you post something on Twitter, the next day make sure you change it up and get creative. Try not to just post information about your listing with a link each time. Try asking a question to your audience, such as “What would you do here for three nights?” or “Imagine yourself here on vacation. What would be the first thing you would do?” This will get your audience to engage with your posts.

Browse. Book. Stay.

CuddlyNest provides all accommodations to all travelers at the best price. Find unlimited travel inspiration on our blog and social media channels:
FacebookInstagramPinterest, and X.

You May Also Like:

How To Give Your Nest a Memorable Name and Description 
How To Take the Best Photos for Your Listing

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Asia 2 MINS READ

Bali, anyone?

Bali, anyone?

Asia 2 MINS READ

The beautiful sandy beaches, sacred temples, beautiful volcanic nature, and fantastic views make Bali one of the most attractive tourist destinations around the world. There’s no doubt Bali is on the bucket list of millions of people for a reason, right? CuddlyNest offers a variety of vacation rentals to choose from in this heavenly island.  Some very interesting facts surround the Indonesian island. Here are some:

 

  1. Bali is one of the few places where you can enjoy a sip of the most expensive coffee in the world, Kopi Luwak. The coffee is taken from partly-digested, eaten and defecated coffee cherries by the Asian civet.

 

 

  1. Black sand beaches: Yes, you read that right. The volcanic nature of the island offers unique beaches with stunning black sand. This is something you don’t see everywhere!

 

  1. Balinese have some interesting facts related to babies and names. Babies are not allowed to touch the ground until they are three months old! Newborns also have one of the names indicating their order of birth among their siblings. They are first born (Wayan), second born (Made), third born (Nyoman), or fourth born (Ketut)!

 

  1. Volcano Agung: All Balinese consider Volcano Agung the most sacred place on the island. It is seen as a replica of the central axis of the universe, Mount Meru. Volcano Agung is an active volcano which last erupted in 1963-1964. The volcanic eruption in 1963 left its effects along the lower slopes of the mountain.

 

  1. The Bamboo Chocolate Factory is one of the most interesting places to visit in Bali. Not only does this chocolate factory offer chocolate, but it also offers tours for visitors. The factory’s strategic location close to Ubud gives it extra convenience to reach and dip into the world of chocolate.

  1. Nyepi Day is Bali’s day of silence. The whole island’s stores, businesses and travels shut down in this unique Balinese festival.

Now that you know these interesting facts about Bali, you are ready to book a Balinese vacation rental on CuddlyNest!

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Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

The 3 Resources You Need To Be A Better Vacation Rental Host

The 3 Resources You Need To Be A Better Vacation Rental Host

Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

It’s rare that you immediately become an expert at being a well-organized vacation rental owner or property manager. This is especially true if you jump in feet first without truly knowing what you’re doing — there will definitely be a learning curve you’ll have to get used to.

Even then, the most seasoned vacation rental owners can still up their game in certain ways. Do you want to be the best vacation rental host you can be? CuddlyNest has three ideas for resources you can utilize that will greatly improve the quality of your work.

Productivity Tools

The more lucrative your vacation rental operation becomes, the more you’ll have to keep track of. This becomes amplified when you own multiple vacation properties…how are you going to keep track of all your scheduling?

It’s not as simple as just paying attention to when guests come and go. After a guest leaves, you need to have the property cleaned. Routine maintenance work needs to be done, and that can’t happen during a guest’s visit. You also have to make sure that you keep in contact with your guests in order to gauge their visit and in the event any issues arise.

Productivity tools you can download to your smartphone or tablet are a lifesaver in this situation. Google’s calendar feature is a great way to keep track of scheduled events, like leeching a septic tank or when you can have a vacation rental cleaning. For emails, Tout is a great app that creates email templates you can easily send. There’s no point in individually emailing every client a new message just to ask if they’re enjoying their stay.

Security and Automation Tools

You want your guests to have a good time in your vacation rental, right? It’s not enough to leave a muffin basket in the kitchen and a piece of chocolate on their pillows. One of the major reasons people will still choose hotels over vacation rentals is their comfort level. They feel safer in a hotel that has a full security system and is in the city over a house they’ve never been in that may or may not have a security system.

Because security is such a major concern, it’s something you absolutely have to implement in your vacation rental. Check out magazines like PCMag which post lists of the best home security systems in the market.

There is one thing to be wary of, though. Some clients will assume that because you have a security system, you may have had an issue in the past or that your neighborhood may not be the best. How do you mitigate this? Combine the security system with home automation. BeHome247 is a great home automation service to look into. Your vacation rental moves from “potentially dangerous” to “totally high-tech.”

Insurance Policies

Finally, never rent out any property without making sure you have vacation rental insurance. You may not realize this, but many pre-existing homeowner policies don’t actually have vacation rental policies, leaving you and your guests vulnerable.

Do your own research about whether or not your insurance company offers vacation rental insurance. If not, consider companies like CBiz that offer vacation rental insurance separate from your current insurance company. If you would like to know more about Vacation Rental Insurance we invite you to take a look at this article from fitsmallbusiness.com to know much more about Cost, Coverage & Quotes.

Becoming the best vacation rental property owner you can be isn’t about your own ego. It’s about being able to offer the best services possible to your guests, which in turn gives you better reviews and more rentals. It’s a win-win!

Browse. Book. Stay.

CuddlyNest provides all accommodations to all travelers at the best price. Find unlimited travel inspiration on our blog and social media channels:
FacebookInstagramPinterest, and X.

You May Also Like:

How To Give Your Nest a Memorable Name and Description 
How To Take the Best Photos for Your Listing

Millions of places to stay, one app.

Don’t miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers.

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Press Release 2 MINS READ

Please Be Advised of CuddlyNest’s Cancellation Policy

Please Be Advised of CuddlyNest’s Cancellation Policy

Press Release 2 MINS READ

Please Be Advised of CuddlyNest’s Cancellation Policy

Bookings’ Cancellation Policy Advisory for Hosts, Property Managers, and Guests

Hosts and guests must be aware of the cancellation policy at CuddlyNest. With customer satisfaction in mind, CuddlyNest offers three standardizes cancellation policies: flexible, moderate, and strict.

Guests and hosts will both be imposed by the cancellation policy. For convenience, the cancellation policy will be shown for each listing via CuddlyNest. This is so guests can review the cancellation policy prior to booking their reservation – guests are able to cancel easily if they don’t agree with the cancellation policy or other terms. The following cancellation policies are as follows:

Flexible: With this policy, the guest will receive a full refund, excluding the fees, but must cancel up to one day before anticipated arrival. If complaints arise from either party, a notice must be issued to CuddlyNest within 24 hours of checking in. CuddlyNest has a final say in disputes. If a reservation is cancelled before checking in, cleaning fees will be refunded.

Moderate: Guests will get a full refund, excluding fees, but must cancel up to five days before anticipated arrival. Complaints should be addressed to CuddlyNest within 24 hours of checking in for mediation. Safety cancellations, extenuating circumstances, or safety cancellations may repeal cancellation policies.

Strict: With the strict policy, guests will receive a full refund, excluding fees, but must cancel up to one week prior to anticipated arrival. Though service fees are non-refundable, cleaning fees will be refunded if a reservation is canceled before checking in. Guests can conveniently cancel via the “your trips” section on the dashboard.

Super Strict 30 Days: The same rules apply for this. However, guests will receive a 50% refund, excluding fees, but must cancel up to 30 days prior to anticipated arrival.

Super Strict 60 Days: The same rules apply for this. However, guests will receive a 50% refund, excluding fees, but must cancel up to 60 days prior to anticipated arrival.

*Both Super Strict cancellation policies are applicable to special situations – Each require a special invitation. The Long-Term cancellation policy is applicable to all reservations consisting of 28 nights or more.

Guests and hosts should contact CuddlyNest to discuss their specific cancellation policy questions. Feel free to reach a representative via telephone: 773-701-5455. Additional information is available via www.cuddlynest.com.

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Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

How Home Automation For Your Rental Property Can Bring In Major Money

How Home Automation For Your Rental Property Can Bring In Major Money

Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

Home automation is convenient as is, but is it actually something that can make you money? We’re not talking about adding home automation to your own home, but instead to your rental property.

Your initial thought might be that that’s a pretty big investment for just a rental property. However, it’s important to look at your rental property as an investment. Most people who want to stay in a rental property are on vacation or a special trip — they’re looking for an experience, not just a place to stay.

There are a few other reasons why home automation might bring in more money to your vacation rental property. CuddlyNest wants you to make the most money possible, so here are a few other ways that home automation can benefit your wallet, as well as the most valuable automation features you need to invest in.

The Payoffs of Home Automation

A more convenient home is a home that gets better reviews. Tenants in an automated rental property can dim the lights, change the AC settings, and monitor the security without much effort at all. This lets them focus on themselves, not maintaining the house, which will certainly net great reviews. Check your listing on CuddlyNest after you include automated systems and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by your new, higher rating! 

Cutting your energy costs puts money back in your pocket. Automated systems installed in a home can turn lights off when they aren’t in use, and keep an eye on your thermostat and other useful functions. This can decrease your energy costs exponentially; up to 25%!

Security is paramount. Tenants like feeling secure in a rental property – they aren’t used to the area and the home, and this can put them on edge. An automated security system will help to put their mind at ease.

Automation allows you to raise your rental price. “Wouldn’t this displease customers?” No — it would if you spiked your prices for no reason, but when they see that your home is automated? They’ll be willing to pay the elevated price.

The Features You Need for Automation Success

There are a lot of different features in any home that can be automated, but there are three automation options that are really high-ticket items.

Thermostat Automation. No one likes having to turn their thermostat up and down 20 times a day to try and get the perfect temperature and adjust for changes. An automated thermostat does the work for you AND helps you to save energy. Some automated systems even allow you to manage this system through a smartphone app, which is easy for your tenants to do.

Humidity Sensors. Want to avoid mold and wood rot? Moisture and humidity sensors in your home can help to alert you to the moisture levels in your home. If the levels read high, you could have a problem with a leak, leading to mold problems.

Surveillance Systems. This explains itself. Tenants want to feel safe in your rental property, and the easiest way to give them security is quite literal: an automated security system. Most security systems also include smartphone apps, which again can help them feel comfortable in your property.

Are automated systems in your rental property necessary to rent it? No — but they can increase the revenue you make from renting out your property. Research automated system installation and see if you can invest in this valuable addition to your rental property.

Browse. Book. Stay.

CuddlyNest provides all accommodations to all travelers at the best price. Find unlimited travel inspiration on our blog and social media channels:
FacebookInstagramPinterest, and X.

You May Also Like:

How To Give Your Nest a Memorable Name and Description 
How To Take the Best Photos for Your Listing

Millions of places to stay, one app.

Don’t miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers.

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Property Owner 2 MINS READ

NEW: CuddlyNest Announces an Exciting Feature

NEW: CuddlyNest Announces an Exciting Feature

Property Owner 2 MINS READ

NEW: CuddlyNest Announces an Exciting Feature

Hosts, Be Prepared to Receive More Traffic to Listings

 

CuddlyNest, an online vacation rental booking site, announces a convenient, exciting new feature for hosts. Now when hosts list their rental, they can share listing details on multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Hosts won’t have to settle for only the traffic CuddlyNest receives on its own, but they can increase their chances of renting out their home by sharing across their social networks. This leaves more control to the host.

According to recent statistics, approximately 95% of online adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are likely to follow a brand via social networking. Consumers follow brands so they can keep up-to-date on news, events, and other information. About 71% of consumers who have a good experience with a specific brand will share or recommend to others. As you can see, having your listings visible on social media platforms is tremendously helpful in terms of getting new exposure.

Having the option to put your listings on multiple social media platforms will increase your reputation and traffic to your listing. People are continuously sharing posts on social media. If you add a photo to your listing, you can be sure that your listing will be reached by many. Quick tip: the more attractive you make your listing and headline, the more likely it will get shared and noticed by the people you want to see it the most.

 

About CuddlyNest: CuddlyNest is an online booking site that makes the connection between host and guest convenient. Managed by a Chicago-based Skiphotel LLC company, homeowners can list their homes in minutes without hassle. CuddlyNest breaks the barrier and makes private accommodations and homes more rentable and visible.

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Florida 3 MINS READ

Afraid Of Rowdy Renters? Here Are 5 Ways To Prevent Parties In Your Rental Property

Afraid Of Rowdy Renters? Here Are 5 Ways To Prevent Parties In Your Rental Property

Florida 3 MINS READ

You’ve probably heard some horror stories about this kind of thing and imagined the scenario for yourself. You get a request to rent out your really nice vacation property and you of course accept. Your tenants arrive, text you saying the house is lovely and you assume everything will run smoothly.

Then, after they leave and you show up to set up the house again, you discover that the place is totally trashed. Stains on the carpet, trash everywhere, marks on the walls and various other forms of property damage are what you’re greeted with.

Of course, there are things you can do about this situation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some steps to prevent the issue altogether. Not every tenant will take advantage of you, but don’t let anyone have the chance to.

Put clear rules in place

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with any rental scenario is to not set up a clear guideline system in the first place. CuddlyNest recommends that you create an introductory book that all of your tenants receive when they first arrive at your property, and guidelines for parties should be listed inside.

Is having a party absolutely forbidden? That’s up to you — but make sure that whatever rules you have in place for parties are known well in advance.

Always vet guests prior to their stay

    Sometimes you can’t tell what a guest’s real plans and motives are, but often it’s pretty easy to read a guest who’s only renting your property so they can trash your home, not theirs. Vetting your guests is a simple process, and it’s one that we definitely recommend.

    After a guest books your property through CuddlyNest, arrange to communicate with them and schedule a quick phone call. Ask very specific questions: “What plans do you have? ”, “How many people will be with you during your stay?” They may not come right out and say they’ll be throwing a party, but read their voice – do they sound like they’re being honest?

    Set up a neighbor as a “nark.”

    If you’re worried about coming into a rental property after a guest has been there for a week, only to find a huge mess due to a three-day long party, find a way to know a party is going on the second it begins. Enlist the help of a neighbor who can help keep an eye on your property. Most neighbors will be happy to oblige…they don’t want to have to file a noise complaint at 2 AM either.

    Book through a legitimate service

    Finally, you’d be amazed at how many rental property owners like to do things outside of a rental listing service. Many do this in order to avoid fees (which we have less than other rental sites), but it also means they’re likely dealing with people who are looking to take advantage of renters by doing things outside of more official channels, and they would be responsible for any fraud they might face.

    If you want both yourself and your potential guests to have the best rental experience possible, list your property through CuddlyNest. We don’t charge you to list your property and make booking rentals easy for guests and more convenient for renters.

    Browse. Book. Stay.

    CuddlyNest provides all accommodations to all travelers at the best price. Find unlimited travel inspiration on our blog and social media channels:
    FacebookInstagramPinterest, and X.

    You May Also Like:

    How To Give Your Nest a Memorable Name and Description 
    How To Take the Best Photos for Your Listing

    Millions of places to stay, one app.

    Don’t miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers.

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    Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

    Two New Features At CuddlyNest: Calling Hosts Directly & Linking to Hosts’ Websites

    Two New Features At CuddlyNest: Calling Hosts Directly & Linking to Hosts’ Websites

    Hacks & Tips 3 MINS READ

    At CuddlyNest, we’ve always prided ourselves on being the best and most customer-focused short-term rental listing site out there. We listen to what hosts and guests want, then we adjust our site and practices accordingly. This is certainly the case with our latest implemented features: the ability to easily call hosts directly and host website linking.

    Direct Calling for Guests

    There’s always been something of a stigma against allowing hosts and guests to have direct communication when it comes to rental listing sites. The idea has always been that acting as a middleman also means negotiating contact between the two parties. Now, direct calls and communication between hosts and guests is an official site feature.

    The idea behind this feature is that contact and transparency will increase bookings for hosts and make guests feel more heard and secure in their rental choices. Let’s say a potential guest sees a vacation rental they’d like to utilize. Now, it’s easy for guests to get in touch with hosts to ask questions about properties before they decide to rent.

    On the end of the hosts, sharing information publicly isn’t a necessity. If you currently host with us, we won’t force you to utilize this feature. You can opt for it when you decide to go to the off-site payment method. You can still keep your info private and discuss the property indirectly through CuddlyNest if you choose to complete the booking and payment process through CuddlyNest.

    Website Linking for Hosts

    You can think of listing rental properties like stock trading. Some people only trade as a hobby and a way to get extra cash, while others turn it into a career. Similarly, some hosts only have one property that they like to utilize as a vacation rental when they aren’t using it themselves. Others buy and/or manage rental properties as part of a business.

    No matter how you like to list your properties, CuddlyNest is still focused on finding new ways for you to improve your money-making strategy. Now, hosts can link to their own vacation rental websites in order to promote their properties and build a following on CuddlyNest.

    What does “build a following” mean in terms of short-term renting? First, some renters build rapport with their hosts. If they love property and a host’s accommodation skills, they’re likely to want to rent from that host again. Linking to an outside website allows a host to showcase other properties they own or manage that guests can choose from.

    Another perk of this feature is notoriety. If one guest loves a host enough to review them and spread their property via word of mouth, all the other properties they manage also get a boost because the host manages or owns them. An outside list or website makes it easy for these potential clients to find properties managed by a host they know is professional and congenial.

    Choosing CuddlyNest

    We’re proud of the growth we’ve recently experienced at CuddlyNest, and we want to thank you — the hosts who work with us and the guests who support them – for how far we’ve come. Because you’re who make us who we are, CuddlyNest will always be a business that aims to create features that help both guests and hosts make the most of our services.

    Browse. Book. Stay.

    CuddlyNest provides all accommodations to all travelers at the best price. Find unlimited travel inspiration on our blog and social media channels:
    FacebookInstagramPinterest, and X.

    You May Also Like:

    How To Give Your Nest a Memorable Name and Description 
    How To Take the Best Photos for Your Listing

    Millions of places to stay, one app.

    Don’t miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers.

    QR image

    Get the app now.

    Download from Apple Store button Download from Google Store button
    Phones images