A great vacation rental experience depends on the quality of the home, how it meets expectations, and the service provided by your host. But that isn’t the whole story. As a guest, you are also responsible for a positive outcome.
You don’t have to go overboard. Just treat your hosts with the consideration you would expect to receive. Establishing a mutually respectful relationship can set the right tone for a vacation you’ll remember well and look forward to repeating soon.
Communicate with your hosts
One of the hallmarks of a great host is clear communication. And, it’s a two-way street. Start by getting all the information you need — and want — before booking your vacation. Get a heads-up on all the little details, such as location, concierge services, pricing — anything that will help you enjoy your stay.
While at the vacation home, feel free to stay in touch with your hosts. Find out their preferred method of communication (email, text, phone call). If any questions or concerns come up during your stay, contact them. Something not working the way you expected? Give your hosts the chance to make your vacation A+.
Arrive and leave on schedule
Managing guests and properties takes careful coordination. A good host wants to make sure every guest enjoys a fabulous experience. To help keep everyone happy, it’s best to confirm your check-in/checkout times beforehand, and do your best to be on schedule. Of course, life happens and plans can go sideways. But, it’s always a good idea to let your host know if you will be running late for some reason.
Respect the property
If you have ever had family or friends stay over at your home, you know how frustrating it can be when people don’t take care of your stuff. It’s the same thing with a vacation rental. Take care of the property — indoors and out — as you would your own home.
Like you’d do at home, be mindful of the neighbors. Even if you feel like you’re way out in the country, understand that the quieter it is, the more sound travels. Don’t impose your music on the people down the street and be careful to adhere to local regulations regarding sound curfews.
Clean up after yourself
When it is time for you to leave, empty the fridge and clear the cabinets of your things. It’s courteous to bag up all the trash and recyclables and take them out. Your host should have a clear set of instructions about how to leave the vacation rental. If you’re unsure what’s expected, don’t hesitate to ask. Generally, it’s safe to assume the management will handle the detailed cleaning. You just want to clean up your personal “footprint.”
Leave a note or send a review
As a final show of thoughtfulness, let your vacation rental service know that you appreciate their efforts. A note is a lovely way to say thanks. Better yet, leave a review regarding how your experience went. Testimonials are a big value to future guests — and to the host. If for some reason your stay was not up to the mark, it’s always good to specify exactly how and give the management a chance to make it right, preferably during your stay.
At The Wine Stay, we want your vacation to be nothing short of fabulous! We offer memorable vacation home rental experiences in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Reach out to us today to book a luxury vacation rental home, with complete concierge services. We will make your stay in the California Wine Country unforgettable!
In the Wine Country, vacation rentals are now considerably more popular than hotel rooms, given the multitude of benefits that accompany them. Traveling in large groups of friends or family, people look for temporary living where they can enjoy their trip to the fullest.
With matchless privacy and personal space options, a vacation rental can give you the perfect value for your money. The big question is: How do you pick one vacation home out of the rest? It comes down to what exactly you are looking for. Check out one of our earlier posts for detailed tips about CHOOSING THE RIGHT VACATION RENTAL. Here are a few more considerations to keep in mind to help you determine whether a rental is the ideal one for you.
Ready for a vacation rental?
1. Location
No one disagrees that the landscape of the Wine Country is stunning. With gently rolling hills, beautiful rivers, ocean shores, and fecund valleys, the Wine Country has a treasure of great locations where you can find your perfect vacation home. But when it comes to picking out the right vacation rental for you, consider whether you want to be close in to one of the area’s charming towns. Is it important to be able to walk to the center of town, with restaurants, boutiques, and galleries? Or would you prefer to be away from neighbors and feel like you have the world to yourself? The ideal vacation rental home is in the Wine Country, but imagine more specifically just what the locale looks like. See what it is that will make you happy.
2. Style
Wouldn’t you check out the theme of a hotel before you stay there? Similarly, check to see if the company you are choosing offers various styles in their vacation homes. Some places may be no-fuss rustic, while others are pristine luxury. Are you into stylish modern or would a comfy cottage better suit you and your group. The style will set the right mood in your Wine Country vacation. Don’t hesitate to be picky with your vacation home’s exterior and interior options!
3. Extras
Some vacation rental agencies offer comprehensive concierge services. These include shopping, transportation, spa services, and star-chef meals. The Wine Stay has a complete concierge menu, which also includes guided wine tasting tours and on-site massage. We want to make your vacation in Sonoma Valley or Napa Valley a one-of-a-kind experience. We know the more extras available to you, the more comfortable your vacation becomes.
Take your time to find a vacation home. Make sure the company who manages the rental home has a five-star reputation. Look closely at reviews. Proceed once you are sure all factors are up to your standards so that you can enjoy your precious vacation days to the fullest!
For the first morning in a very long time, you wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside your window, instead of a blaring alarm clock.
A gentle breeze wafts in, carrying in the scent of freshly mown grass. You hear the friendly sounds of pots and pans from the kitchen below at your chosen vacation home, heralding you to a home-cooked breakfast that is sure to have you reaching for seconds. A day of wine tours and relaxing beckons you.
This is not a dream scenario. This is what awaits you if you give yourself the chance to enjoy a luxury weekend vacation.
Give yourself the perfect gift
Truth is we don’t need month-long vacations to rejuvenate ourselves. All we have to do is find a place that indulges our senses, and offers calm and quiet, and we’ll feel refreshed in no time.
That’s where ideas such as vacation rentals in the luxurious Wine Country come to mind.
Taking the luxury weekend vacation
Vacation rentals are your best bet when it comes to taking weekend vacations. Far less expensive than your average hotel room, a vacation home lets you enjoy all the comfort of home — and more!
For example, let’s say you choose a vacation home in classic destinations like Napa Valley, Sonoma, or Healdsburg. At The Wine Stay we provide you with just the right Wine Country vacation home that suits your needs. Plus, we offer concierge services — driving, cooking, day trips, wine tasting — so you can have an extra special getaway, and won’t need to worry about a thing.
Wine and dine in the wine country
Of course, with a weekend vacation surrounded by vineyards and fabulous wine, you can expect an unforgettable wine tasting experience.
Visit a few boutique wineries — there are numerous wine tasting rooms dotting the countryside between Napa and Healdsburg, and beyond. You’ll easily be able to plan a full day touring the Wine Country, meeting winemakers, and tasting select vintages that you wouldn’t get to sample at your local wine store — the perfect touch to your already luxuriously comforting holiday.
Vacationing the weekend away
You’ve worked hard to live the life you have. Isn’t it time for a relaxing getaway? Let your life stand still for a moment and take a breather. Go to the Wine Country and rent a luxury vacation home to give yourself the relaxing mini-vacation you so richly deserve!
Luxury home rentals
Luxury vacation rentals experiences. We want your vacation experience to be more than a getaway. Enjoy from wine tasting tours to a personally tailored guided hike. Contact us for more information!