Chances are, you’ve got a “no parties” rule in place. So what do you do when you get a sincere-sounding request from someone looking to plan a “low-key” bachelorette party?
You’ve heard the stories: spilled cocktails, obscene confetti, and mysterious stains that refuse to come out of your sofa. Yet, bachelorette parties can be lucrative, especially if you’re in a location that attracts lots of them. So, how do you say yes to future brides and their friends while keeping your investment safe and sound?
Table of Contents
Set Clear Expectations
Chances are, you’ve got a “no parties” rule in place. That applies to all guests, even if they are getting married. Make your policies on noise, damages, and extra guests clear to bachelorette inquiries – and consider adding a confetti ban!
Keep in mind that the person booking may understand and agree with your rules, but they may not pass them along to everyone in the rental party. It’s a good idea to remind the person booking that they are responsible for any damages and ask them to share the rules with the rest of their party.
It’s also a good idea to request the names of everyone who will be staying at your place. If you’re booking through Airbnb, you can require all guests to be added to the reservation.
Once they’ve arrived, communicate your house rules in a friendly way: this post about vacation rental signs will give you a few ideas.
Establish consequences
Consider a Deposit
Having “skin in the game” in the form of a deposit can encourage guests to be on their best behavior. While Airbnb doesn’t offer this option, if you book directly or host on VRBO, you can require a deposit. Responsible guests will understand the gesture and won’t mind paying for it, knowing that accidents can happen. As for the other types of guests… well, you don’t want to host them anyway, right?
Require Damage Insurance
If you’re renting through VRBO or your own website, you can require guests to purchase damage insurance as an alternative to a deposit. Airbnb’s Aircover provides damage protection to hosts and covers all bookings.
Choose Durable Furnishings
A white velvet sofa may look fabulous, but not so much when you’re trying to remove a stain from it. If you plan to allow parties in your Airbnb, you’ll need to consider furnishing your vacation rental with durability in mind. Opt for pieces that can withstand the occasional champagne spill or impromptu dance party. For example, (faux) leather is a durable and easy-to-clean fabric option, but there are other stain-resistant materials available too. Removable, washable covers or slipcovers are also an affordable solution for easy maintenance.
If you need help with sofa shopping, grab this free guide for hosts!
Provide Essential Party Supplies
Let’s face it—glassware and bachelorette parties don’t always mix well. Reduce the risk of shattered glass and potential injuries by stocking your kitchen with break-resistant glassware and encouraging guests to use it. There are plenty of stylish options available that mimic the look and feel of traditional glassware without fragility. Other party supplies might include paper towels and disposable paper plates (or opt for reusable plastic ones if you aim for an eco-friendly rental).
Protect Your Surfaces
What is the easiest and most affordable way to protect your Airbnb? Coasters! Provide coasters and trays throughout your vacation rental to prevent damage to your beautiful countertops, coffee tables, and other surfaces. But instead of being strictly serious, choose witty coasters with playful messages or even bachelorette-themed ones to transform your protective items into playful party decorations.
Help Guests Get Creative Without Causing Damage
Bachelorette parties are known for their crazy decorations. Providing a few decorations for your guests will surely help you earn that Supehost status in no time, but you could also provide removable hooks, adhesive strips, or other temporary hanging solutions. This way, guests can get creative and add their own personal touch without leaving a trail of sticky residue behind.
Include these items in your guest welcome basket placed in the vacation rental entryway (together with a bottle of champagne and a lovely personal note!) to ensure they aren’t overlooked.
Designate a Party Zone
A complete rental spring cleaning after every party probably isn’t appealing to you or your cleaning service. To contain the party and minimize the risk of damage, designating a specific area of your vacation rental as the “party zone” might be the go-to solution. You don’t necessarily need to prohibit partying in other spaces; suggesting a designated area such as a spacious living room or dining room, a game room, or even an outdoor patio will suffice. By adding bachelorette party decorations to just one room, you can also prevent your guests from taking the party everywhere.
Want to create a perfect outdoor space for parties? Check out our tips for outdoor space design!
Schedule Extra Cleaning Time (and Charge Accordingly)
Let’s face it – spills are almost inevitable during a bachelorette party. Be proactive and make sure your vacation rental is stocked with an arsenal of cleaning supplies that are easily accessible. From spot removers to fabric sprays, having the right tools readily available will help guests tackle stains quickly, minimizing potential damage to your property.
Allow enough time between bookings to have your sofa and carpets steam-cleaned if the worst happens. Document stains and extra cleaning charges so that you can request compensation through Airbnb’s Aircover or your own damage policy.
Finally, let your cleaning staff know that they might need extra time after this particular check-out so that they can schedule accordingly. Chances are, they won’t need it, but it’s better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised than the reverse.
You may not want to host bachelorettes every weekend, but if you establish firm boundaries, communicate clearly, and protect your property, you can be more confident saying yes to “low-key hang with the girls” bachelorette party inquiries. As for the other kind, only you can decide if you’re ready for that 😁
Cheers to successful and damage-free hosting!
