Travelers’ expectations are on the rise, and though they don’t want to drain their bank accounts to stay in 5-star hotels, they do want their accommodations to offer the kind of luxurious atmosphere that they associate with them.
Since we’re guessing you’re not interested in draining your account either, we’ve compiled a list of tips you can utilize to make your vacation rentals stand out by giving them a fancy hotel feel without breaking the bank.
Make the Bed, Make the Bedroom
The main feature of most bedrooms is…the bed. If you want to bring instant luxury to your vacation rental, that’s where you’ve got to start.
Interior architect and designer Jon de la Cruz recommends top-quality crisp cotton percale. “Forget about thread count” he says, and advises you to focus instead on the touch and “feel the quality of the fabric.”
Lynn Easton, who operates the elegant Zero George boutique hotel in Charleston, South Carolina emphasizes the powerful effect of triple sheeting. “Triple sheeting is a fancy hotelier trick that involves layering a thin blanket or comforter between two starched sheets,” she says. “Not only does this technique create a bed that feels crisp and clean, but it’s also very cost effective and easy to achieve. The blanket can be laundered less often and it eliminates the need for a duvet cover.”
And when it comes to sheet color, white is the way to go. In fact – white sheets are a staple of the hospitality industry as they provide a fresh feel and show guests you aren’t trying to camouflage unsightly stains with dark bedding. Plus, white bleach makes them easy to restore when they’ve become faded.
Creating a comfortable and inviting bed for your guests requires a bit of effort, but not nearly as much financial investment as you might think.
Bring Feng Shui into Your Rental
Introducing Feng Shui into your interior décor can mean simply rearranging a few pieces of furniture to produce a Zen-like ambiance that promotes inner peace and mindfulness.
A peach, cream, or off-white color theme is ideal for creating a peaceful vibe in a place where people will be seeking refuge and relaxation. Avoid crisp white walls, which can be overly stimulating.
Last, implement one of the main tenets of Feng Shui by furnishing in symmetrical pairs. That means two identical chairs, nightstands, bedside lamps, which is thought to invoke a sense of harmony.
Stimulate the Senses
Luxurious bedrooms in high-class hotels all have one thing in common: they tantalize the senses. You can replicate this effect in your vacation rentals by adding scented candles, essential oils and even a small jar of light lemon water to move the sense of taste. The key is not to over stimulate, but to complement the soothing mood you’ve brought to the rental with the aforementioned Fung Shui design principles.
Sweat the Small Stuff
Some of the features that make a hotel room feel like a hotel room are really quite small, but can have a big impact when you tie them all together. Baskets with small, rolled-up towels, little bottles of shampoo and body wash, eye masks and a soft pair of slippers are among the little details you can add to finish off the welcoming setting you’ve infused into your rental.
The Perks Without the Price-Tag
Guests are increasingly choosing to stay in more affordable, more intimate vacation rentals rather than traditional hotel rooms, but that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten the perks that come with staying at professional establishments with years of hospitality experience behind them. Luckily, you don’t need to dig too deep into your pockets to incorporate a hotel room-like ambiance into your short-term rental property. Some minor adjustments and enhancements can be all it takes to get your guests feeling like they’re sitting in the lap of luxury and planning their return visit from the moment they check out. And with some quality photographs of all your improved listing has to offer, marketing your luxury vacation rental should be a breeze, attracting new guests to your property in no time.