Picture this: a guest walks into your rental after a long drive. They are tired. They are hungry. But then, they notice a handwritten note on the counter, a few local snacks waiting in a basket, and a bar of handcrafted goat milk soap by the sink. Suddenly, this isn’t just another stay in a vacation rental – it feels like a warm welcome into someone’s home.
These little moments? They are the magic. They are what your guests will remember long after they check out.
As a Hospitality and Marketing Strategist, I believe the most memorable guest experiences don’t require a huge investment – they just require intention. In this post, I’m sharing why personal touches matter, where to add them, and how they can help your rental stand out in a crowded market.
Why Personal Touches Matter
When guests choose your short-term rental, they aren’t just booking a place to sleep. They are buying into a feeling. A vibe. An experience.
Big amenities matter, sure. But it’s the thoughtful, human touches that get remembered and talked about in reviews.
Whether it’s a surprise welcome gift, an extra blanket for chilly nights, or a curated local guide, these small gestures show that you see your guests and care about their experience.
More often than not, it’s small and thoughtful details that turn a one-time guest into a loyal return visitor. These are the guests who will leave rave reviews and tell their friends about the great experience they had with you as their vacation rental host.
When and Where to Add Personal Touches
Let’s break this down by stage of the guest journey so you can consider which thoughtful touches to offer along the way.
- Before the Stay: Build Anticipation with Personalized Communication
Start the guest experience as soon as the reservation is confirmed.
- Send a friendly, customized confirmation email. Include a short note about what to expect or a fun local tip. If their booking mentions a special occasion, share your well wishes!
- Offer an optional pre-arrival form. A simple form can gather helpful info (like kids’ ages, food allergies, or trip purpose), giving you a few meaningful details to personalize their stay.
- Share a digital welcome guide or curated itinerary. Highlight your favorite local spots, including personal recommendations.
- Even automated emails can feel personal when written in a warm, friendly voice.
- Arrival: Create a Memorable First Impression
This is your big moment. When guests walk in, what they see, hear, and smell sets the tone for their entire stay.
- Offer a welcome gift. It doesn’t have to be extravagant – think locally made snacks, coffee roasted by a local shop, a bottle of wine, or a handcrafted goat milk soap bar.
- Leave a handwritten note. A simple “We’re so glad you’re here!” goes a long way.
- Think about simple ways you can make your rental feel cozy when someone new walks in the door. Leave the entry light on, play soft music in the background, and set a few packaged snacks on the counter for them to enjoy.
- Pro tip: If you use a lockbox or smart entry system, consider installing a nice welcome sign near it. A warm and inviting note here can help soften the impersonal nature of self-check-in.
- During the Stay: Surprise and Delight
The best personal touches are the ones guests didn’t expect.
- Provide extras that show you are a step ahead. Consider a small “oops, I forgot” basket with items like a phone charger, toothbrush, or tampons.
- Tailor your amenities. Have board games available for families, yoga mats for wellness-minded travelers, or rainy-day reads for book lovers.
- Leave thoughtful labels or tips. A note near the fireplace with a cozy suggestion like “Perfect spot for your morning coffee” adds warmth and personality.
- You can even include a guestbook with prompts to encourage guests to share stories, like favorite local finds or funny travel memories they shared while staying in your rental.
- After the Stay: Leave a Lasting Impression
The guest experience doesn’t end at checkout.
- Send a personalized thank you. A quick message (bonus points for referencing something specific about their stay) helps you stay at the top of their mind.
- Offer a small return-guest discount or early booking window. Even if they don’t rebook right away, they will remember that you made the offer.
- Ask for feedback in a friendly and casual way. Something like, “We’d love to hear if there’s anything we can improve for next time!” feels warm, not pushy.
- These post-stay touches are often overlooked, but they can build long-term guest loyalty.
- Have A Few Ideas in Your Back Pocket
Everything won’t always be perfect, no matter how hard you try. Having a few surprises on deck for how to make the imperfect things right with your guests can help resolve an escalating situation.
You know the things I’m talking about … the housekeeping mishap, the malfuncioning appliance, the maintenance issue, the miscommunication about an amenity, etc. Something isn’t quite right, and your guest didn’t come on vacation to deal with problems. The guest may not always be right, but often a relatively small gesture can make them feel heard and appreciated.
- Offer them a gift card to a local restaurant or attraction so they can enjoy themselves while any repair work is done.
- If something is missing or broken, have it replaced or fixed if possible – and offer them something extra for their trouble. Most guests won’t say no to a dozen cookies from the local bakery.
- Housekeeping taking longer than normal? Offer guests the option to unload any perishables into the kitchen while housekeeping finishes. Send them with a gift card to get ice cream while they wait.
What This Signals to Guests
When guests notice these details from pre-arrival to post-departure, they understand something important: this isn’t just a side hustle or cookie-cutter rental. This is a thoughtfully run business that values hospitality.
It sets you apart from the sterile, hotel-like rentals. It builds trust. And it creates experiences that guests will tell their friends about – sometimes before they even leave.
You may be thinking, “yea but these things just add more expense to each stay, and I am trying to run a business here.” Many personal touches to remember can be implemented once (like the welcome sign on the wall by the entry door, or the detailed guest communication emails you write once and use over and over.) The others – the welcome gifts, the oops-you-forgot basket, the just-in-case extras – are all relatively inexpensive things that can make a big impression.
Giving your 4-night stay guests a couple $4 bars of goat milk soap? Add $2 to your daily rate if you’d like. I know you can’t continually add all kinds of things into your rent – you need to stay competitive, after all. I suggest choosing a few extras that sound nice to you, adjust your rates accordingly as you see fit, and see how it goes.
The Takeaway
Creating a standout guest experience doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be personal.
When guests feel seen, they remember their stay. And when they remember their stay, they come back. And more importantly, they tell their friends.
Want to make your rental stand out? Start with the little things. They matter more than you think.
You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone
Don’t feel like you need to overhaul your entire setup overnight. Start small. Choose one or two ideas from this list that feel easy and aligned with your style.
If you’d like help bringing more personality into your guest experience, I can help!
From done-for-you guest communication to welcome gifts like handcrafted goat milk soap, I offer several ways to make this easier on you. And if you are the DIY type, check out my digital products and content templates!