There’s nothing better than hearing that a guest proposed at your vacation rental and, even better, that the happy couple plans to return next year to celebrate their anniversary. It’s enough to warm the heart of even the most cynical host.
If couples are among your ideal guests, are you maximizing the appeal of your vacation rental to them? Couples often use their vacation time to reconnect, so a vacation rental that looks comfortable, beautiful, and even romantic in listing photos will be at the top of their wish lists.
A short-term rental that delivers on the promise of the listing photos will get more repeat bookings and rave reviews and earn you Superhost status. Read on for tips on how to up the romance factor in your rental; no heart-shaped beds, (real) candles, or rose petals required (or encouraged).
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Table of Contents
How to Make Your Vacation Rental a Romantic Retreat
It’s All About Ambiance
The ambiance of your vacation rental will be one of the first things that couples notice when they arrive, and lighting plays a significant role in first impressions.
Think mood lighting. Whether your guests are planning a (faux) candlelit dinner or an evening cuddling and watching movies, opt for soft, indirect lighting and (faux) candles. Supplement ceiling lighting with table and floor lamps and wall sconces because there’s nothing sexy about overhead lighting. (There’s also nothing sexy about a dirty rental, so make sure your cleaners have access to bright lighting, too.)
When choosing LED bulbs for light fixtures, opt for the 2700K-3000K range, which translates from warm (2700K) to neutral-warm (3000K).
Like lighting, music is one of those elements that can set the mood in any room. Create a playlist from your favorite streaming account that includes all-time favorite romantic tunes and arrange for your housekeepers to leave it softly playing for your guests’ arrival.
To really make music a part of your brand, open an account just for your rental and add multiple playlists. Include a Bluetooth speaker as one of your amenities and leave signs that invite guests to explore the house playlists (a QR code is a great way to share a link.)
Encourage cuddling with cozy throws and pillows on the sofa, and it goes without saying that your beds should look (and feel) inviting, luxurious and pristine. Check out this post for bedroom styling tips. It’s especially important that your couches look comfy and your beds are perfectly styled in your listing photos.
Valentine’s Day Original Art
Je t’aime Wall Art Digital Download
Romeo and Juliet Book Cover Print
The Lovers Tarot Card Art
Ace Card Digital Download
My Perfect Match Retro Wall Art Digital Download
Couple Line Drawings Set of 3 Digital Download
Vintage Dancers Digital Download
Cats In Love Fine Art Print
Custom Song Lyrics Canvas Art
Shepherd Dogs In Love Print
I’ll Have What She’s Having Art Poster
Create a Romantic Welcome
If you’re feeling extra generous, you could add a romantic touch to your welcome basket by including champagne and chocolates or macarons to surprise your guests when they arrive, especially if they’ve mentioned that they’re celebrating an anniversary.
Source treats from local wineries, chocolatiers, or specialty shops if possible. It reinforces your brand by showing you know all the best things in your area and strengthens your network with other businesses.
Show that you’re thinking of your guests by suggesting couples activities like bike tours, wine tastings, in-home massage therapists, private chef services, and activities unique to your location. A digital guest book sent before your guests’ arrival will help them plan, and it’s a great way to recommend things to do.
Add Romantic Decor
Adding a little romance to your decor is as simple as placing flowers in rooms (real or faux), thinking about the romance factor when you choose art, and adding unexpected touches. Think charming, not cheesy.
A touch of romance in the art you choose to style your Airbnb can create instant vibes, but avoid being too literal in your choices. Remember that there are all kinds of couples, customs, and relationships in the world, and what’s appealing for some can be off-putting for others. A photo of a romantic city (hopefully your city), an abstract painting, or a humorous illustration could be fine, but a literal depiction of PDA is a nope.
Your guests’ love may be real, but faux is the way to go for candles and sometimes flowers. If your guests are staying a short time, real flowers are a lovely touch, but skip them for longer stays. There’s nothing romantic about stinky vases.
Fairy lights are not just a charming winter decor idea for your vacation rental – they add a touch of romance at any time of the year – if they’re appropriate for your rental’s style. Classic string lights draped safely across outdoor spaces are an inexpensive way to create an instant mood. Choose LED lights and put them on a timer for maximum convenience.
Spoil Your Guests
Creating a dreamy ambiance is as simple as upgrading your amenities. Consider providing your guests with fluffy towels and plush robes to lounge around in style. Upgrade your kitchen essentials with champagne glasses and an ice bucket, or purchase cute heart-shaped ice cube trays.
A few luxurious bathroom amenities, like bath salts, great-smelling soap, lotion, or sheet masks, will speak to romance without hitting your guests over the head with it. (Did you know that couples sheet masking together is a thing?) Leave the more intimate offerings for your guests to bring themselves.
Provide board games, cards, and puzzles in case your guests’ love language includes some friendly competition, and make sure to include some popular romance novels on your bookshelf.
Upping the romance factor in your vacation rental doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive; with just a few romantic touches here and there, you can turn even the most basic rental into a truly special place where couples can create beautiful memories together.
