How to Create a Good First Impression With Your Guests

When equipping, furnishing and decorating your holiday home, remember that first impressions make all the difference and you’re aiming for good ones, not bad ones.

• Be Honest – Wherever you happen to be advertising your accommodation e.g. your website and listing sites, ensure your advert portrays your accommodation in an honest light and does not mislead your guests. Make sure descriptions and photos are up to date and include plenty of them. That way it’s unlikely your visitors will be truly disappointed when they arrive.
• Keep it clean – Little things can make a big difference and the most obvious is that the property should be cleaned to a high standard, smell fresh and be aired.
• Appeal to the majority – Remember that you want to appeal to all of your guests and they will have differing tastes so keep it as smart, neutral and as simple as possible. A few well chosen, well placed items can add the warmth and colour. Quality furnishings will add to a good overall impression and in the long term will last longer and, therefore, be more cost effective.
• Bathrooms – The bathrooms always make a big impact on guests. Keep bathroom suites white and all showers of a good quality. A nice touch is to provide some coordinating toiletries of a size as provided by hotels. If providing towels they should be of matching light colours and we suggest one hand towel, two bath towels per person per week. Toilet rolls, plus spares, are a must.
• Bedrooms – Bedrooms should be neutral and calming with light coloured matching bed linen. Provide enough storage to allow guests to unpack their bags.
• Kitchens – Kitchens should be easy to clean, well equipped and in keeping with the property. Again, providing good quality items will greatly increase guest impressions.
• A warm welcome – A welcome pack is a great idea. Tea, coffee and sugar, in nice containers, plus milk are a must. Other items can vary depending on your preference, where the property is located, and the type of guests expected (a vase of flowers is unlikely to impress a group of lads). Perhaps a bottle of wine, some chocolates, cakes or pastries. Locally sourced products are great and give a taste of what’s available in the area. If guests are expected after daylight leave a couple of welcoming lights on.
• Make it cosy – Open fires and wood burners should be left clean and ready for use. It is usual to provide a basket of logs some kindling and a means to light the fire.

If you follow these simple tips you’ll be well on your way to creating a good first impression and generating plenty of recommendations and repeat bookings.