Raise your game
Sarah Parry from Testament Interiors offers tips to elevate your short-term holiday rental.
Sarah Parry from Testament Interiors offers tips to elevate your short-term holiday rental.
photo GISELLE BROSNAHAN
In the beautiful Bay of Plenty we’re blessed with some of New Zealand’s finest beaches. Mount Maunganui has been included in the top 25 beaches in the world. So it’s no surprise that over the summer months, thousands of holiday makers converge on Tauranga to enjoy the Kiwi summer break and the golden sandy beaches.
You may have a home that lends itself to Airbnb or short-term rental, or have a current rental home. But with a huge amount of competition, what can you do to attract holiday makers to your place?
Firstly, there are certain rules around how much time you can let out an area of your residence without it impacting your personal house and contents cover. I recommend you check with your insurer to find out their policy wording. You will also need to check with your local council regarding their bylaws on how much of your home you can use before requiring a resource consent.
If starting from scratch, it’s important to decide what type of accommodation you wish to offer, how often you would like to do this and of course what other accommodation is in the vicinity, with the demographic you will be marketing to. This will help you decide what budget you will require to set up and style if it’s viable.
To begin the process, sort a design style. You need to know this before you start and, if you are working around existing fittings and furniture, then what do you have as a base to work off? You can mix luxury and cost-effective items – it all comes down to what looks good together and which items you can get longevity out of. For example, comfortable beds and sofas are important to spend more on, but you can save using cost-effective items in kitchenware like plates, etc. Invest in good soft furnishings, pillows and local artisans for art and décor items.
It’s very important to design a space around what guests will require while staying at your property. Do they have a private entrance?
If you have a pool or spa area, they will need beach towels and pool accessories. Think about offering treats or gift baskets. By personalising the space this will help you gain top reviews and make the stay comfortable and enjoyable for your guests. It also creates repeat customers.
And lastly, make sure you put together a compendium. Most people who stay at Airbnb’s do not know the local area and will want to know what the local amenities are.
Whatever you decide to do with your accommodation, keep in mind that people want to feel like they’re in a home away from home. The more you can offer, the more satisfied your guests will be.