February 14th is drawing near with all its chocolates, hearts and valentines in tow. Whether you get caught up in the romance or not, there’s no denying that this holiday’s attraction is another opportunity for vacation rental owners to take advantage of and market their business catered to this holiday.
Along with other special events such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and 4th July, you can market your vacation rental around Valentine’s Day. This is a great sign for vacation rentals, as you can simply entice couples into booking a unique experience at your rental for that romantic getaway.
We’ve compiled some great ideas to help you encourage guests to spend their Valentine’s at your vacation rental. Here are 6 ways to prepare your business for Valentine’s Day:
1. Create a Valentine’s Weekend Package
Your goal is to convince a romantically inclined guest to book a weekend getaway with their loved one for Valentine’s Day. The more you can include around this time period, the more likely they will book it.
This package could include items such as:
- Two bottles of champagne or wine
- Assorted high-quality chocolates
- Rose petals for decoration
- Scented candles
- Bouquet of flowers
- Two gift certificates to a local restaurant or spa
You want your guests to know they will be pampered and relaxed on their Valentine’s weekend. You can even charge a higher price than an average weekend rental, but ensure that your service will be outstanding to make up for the extra cost.
2. Promote the Entire Weekend
As Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, consider promoting the entire weekend. Include activities they can do in the local area, whether it’s a romantic hike, a picnic in the park, or some couple activities such as an escape room, a painting class, dance class, etc.
Advertise your vacation rental as something special and unforgettable. There are many ideas that you can use to create a wonderful Valentine’s experience for your guests. Be sure to consider the sort of rental property you own, think about the types of guests you usually host, and create a memorable guest experience that will leave them wanting to return for longer!
3. Market to Everyone, Not Just to Couples
If your rental is meant for larger groups or is less romantic in its setting, we have a solution for you too! Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be for couples – plenty of groups spend the day together to show their appreciation for one another.
Why not advertise a special event for groups of friends for Valentine’s? This is a good way to attract groups of friends who still want to celebrate the holiday. There are two options for doing this, you can either place an individual entrance fee per guest or offer your rental for a one-night Valentine’s event to a group of friends (with a group discount!), and include all the goodies and party supplies in the fee.
Here are some of our favorite ideas to include for a night like this:
- A competition for the best “how we became friends” story complete with a grand prize (bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, gift certificate, etc.)
- Music and dancing
- A photo booth with silly props and a fun hashtag
- Bottles of wine/champagne
- A small box of chocolates for each attendee
- A movie showing after dinner (complete with ice cream and other treats) or a group painting class with a local artist
- A themed dress code for extra effort! Whether it’s black tie, costumed, color-themed with pinks and reds, or a fun night in pajamas and slippers!
4. Add Extra Touches in the Bedroom and Bathroom
Valentine’s Day is all about romance, and a guest who books a special Valentine’s getaway will be delighted with little details that provide an extra romantic atmosphere. You’ll want to make sure there is a perfectly set dining room table, with wine glasses and corkscrews in the kitchen, but the main areas to concentrate on will be the bedroom and bathroom.
Provide your guests with fresh white linens and consider adding rose petals to their bed. Place peaceful scented candles throughout both the bedroom and the bathroom and make sure matches are readily available. If your bathroom offers a Jacuzzi, be sure to provide soothing bath salts and lotions, plus fluffy robes for afterward. You could even leave a small portable speaker handy to play some relaxing music.
Even if you rent your house to the group of friends instead of a couple, they’ll surely appreciate the extra pampering of a soothing bathroom.
5. Cross-Promote with Local Businesses
Talk to local businesses nearby about discounts they could offer. They might consider helping you out with coupons or gift certificates at a discounted price if you promote their business through your rental in return.
You could make a reservation for two at a local restaurant and arrange for an extra special Valentine’s dinner, have a local spa create a specialized massage package, or create a personalized box of chocolates from a local candy store. If you’re located in a vineyard region, a local winery might offer a few free bottles or a discount on a wine tour for your guests.
You’re the one who knows your rental area best.
Consider businesses nearby and determine which ones could be a good fit for your guests. You could very possibly set up a future relationship that will benefit both businesses and any other future guests!
6. Advertise Your Business through Valentine’s Day
In order to really benefit from a special opportunity like Valentine’s Day, you have to advertise your weekend packages, special offers, or any parties you might consider hosting and direct them back to your website. It’s important that you set up the room as you would plan to offer it to your guests and take lots of photos highlighting the experience.
Send out an email newsletter to all previous guests highlighting every detail you will offer in each package with the full price, including these photos. Then share the same information on social media, not forgetting the photos, of course! Share it on your social media pages too, through Instagram and Facebook.
What are some of your favorite Valentine’s traditions for guests? How do you create a romantic atmosphere in your vacation rental? Let us know in the comments below!
