When you think about a concierge, you likely think of the service offered by premium hotels, where a sharp dressed individual seems to know the answers to all of your questions and makes each guest feel like royalty.
While your vacation property is not a hotel, there are plenty of vacation rental concierge services you can offer your guests to improve the quality of their stay, make your guests feel spoiled, and get yourselves some glowing five-star reviews. Concierge services for vacation rentals range from the inexpensive to the extravagant, and everything in between.
In this article we share some ideas of vacation rental concierge services you can offer your guests.
Scheduled airport pickup
This one is fairly simple to organize in any town or city, and yet, your guests will feel like celebrities as they step into their prearranged airport transportation to their vacation rental.
Just do a quick search on Google or Yelp for airport pickup, using the three letter airport code of your location (ie: “SFO airport pickup) and you’ll find plenty of options to choose from.
If you have Uber in your area, that works too. The driver will usually hold up a sign at the airport arrival area with the guest’s name, but be sure to ask just in case.
The cost of car services varies greatly depending on distances and the area you are operating, however in general they can range from $50 – $150 each way.
Grocery shopping
A simple – but highly appreciated – concierge service to organize is grocery shopping for your guests. There are a number of options of ways to do this. Many grocery chains in large cities offer grocery delivery, and of course there is always Amazon. You can also hire a service like Task Rabbit.
In rural areas this is a little trickier, but check with your team members or ask another property managers for a recommendation. You could also post the job to Craigslist – something perfect for a college student or stay-at-home-parent looking for extra income.
A service like this might range from $10-$20 per hour for shopping and delivery – plus the cost of groceries.
Baby and play equipment
Traveling with young children often involves a tremendous amount of stress and planning because of the high level of needs these tiny travelers have.
You would be doing your guests a huge favor by arranging the rental of items that take up a lot of space for traveling parents, such as bassinets and baby swings. ABC Baby Rentals and Bundle of Joy Rentals are two examples of companies that supply rentals for everything from a crib to exersaucers and pool toys. They will even deliver items to your rental and set them up for you.
Search for a service like this in your area and help out traveling families by having everything ready for them when they arrive. If you can’t find an online company offering rentals, check with local businesses that sell these items and see if you can make an arrangement with them. They might never have thought of adding a rental stream to their business!
Daily housekeeping
For some travelers, daily housekeeping is critical for a comfortable stay. They want the luxuries of a hotel with the comfort of a vacation rental. Ask your current housekeeper if they’re available to come every day, and decide what that will look like across your rental properties. Discuss the rates with your housekeeper as it will probably be less hours for daily service than your traditional departure/arrival cleaning.
Activities and tours
Help guests arrange their stay by purchasing their tickets museums, concert halls, dinner cruises or hiking adventure in advance. If your guests are in town for a romantic retreat, help them secure reservations at a coveted French restaurant only locals can get a spot at. Do your best to foster strong relationships with local restaurants and attractions. The more guests you send their way, the more they will recommend your vacation rental in return.
Personal chefs and attendants
For the ultimate in concierge service, there are personal chefs, maids, butlers, and attendants for hire that can assist your vacationers 24/7. We suggest that you look for trusted referrals for these types of services because of their intimate nature.
Pet care
If your property is pet-friendly, strike up a relationship with a local pet groomer or dog walker, and offer to have pets tended to during your guest’s stay.
For bonus points, when you have a traveler coming with a pet, have some special treats on hand and perhaps leave a list of dog-friendly attractions in the area so your guests don’t have to go looking.
Family photography
If you have guests coming to mark a special occasion, or just for a memorable family vacation, they may find themselves wishing they knew a photographer in the area to snap photos of their trip.
Offer to have a photographer come to commemorate your guests’ stay. Try to build a relationship with a local photographer for this concierge service. The more frequently you book the same professional, the more likely they will find availability in their busy schedule for your guests – and maybe even give you a special rate.
A final word
While it’s true that your guests would be booking at a luxury hotel if they wanted the red carpet treatment, everyone likes to feel special. By offering concierge services to your guests, you’re giving visitors the best of both worlds; a stay in a relaxed environment with touches of luxury! This touch will make guests more likely to recommend your listings to their friends, and also allows you to make more money from the booking.
