February 14 is drawing near with all its chocolates, flowers, and hearts 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 market their business.
That’s right—you can market your vacation rental for Valentine’s Day just as you might for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the Fourth of July. Many couples are looking to book a romantic getaway. Why not at your property?
On that note, we’ve compiled some great ideas to help you encourage guests to spend their Valentine’s at your vacation rental. Here are six 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
Consider promoting the entire weekend rather than Valentine’s Day alone to better fill your reservation calendar. If Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week, as it does this year, you can even promote the weekends before and after the actual holiday.
Include activities couples can do in the local area, whether it’s a romantic hike, a picnic in the park, or couple activities such as an escape room, a painting class, dance class, and so on.
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 Couples
If your rental is meant for larger groups or is less romantic in its setting, don’t assume that you can’t capitalize on this holiday. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just 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 (a bottle of wine, 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, costumes, color-themed with pinks and reds, or a fun night in pyjamas and slippers!
4. Add Extra Touches in the Bedroom and Bathroom
Valentine’s Day is all about romance and pampering! Guests who book 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, lotions, and fluffy robes. You could even leave a small portable speaker handy to play some relaxing music.
Even if you rent your house to a group of friends rather than 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 region with vineyards, 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 and special offers and direct people back to your direct booking website. It’s important that you represent your offer accurately, with professional photos showcasing both the space and any Valentine’s Day extras.
Send out an email newsletter to all previous guests highlighting every detail you will offer in each package. Then share the same information and photos on 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!
