Helfpul hints to make guests happier

Do you read a novel or a guide book when you go on vacation? According to research by TripAdvisor, books are a “must have” for most adults on vacation - especially when they are sunbathing by a pool. We recommend that you leave some books for your guests to read. Inside the front cover, you can either write a little note, or insert a sticker with words to encourage them to leave the book, such as …

"Welcome to a good read. We hope that you enjoy this book during your stay. If you haven’t finished it before you leave, please feel free to take it with you. All we ask is that you leave a similar book behind for future guests to enjoy. Thanks for being a considerate guest."

Those owners who have left books in their homes typically find that they have more when they come back next time – and guests really do appreciate something to read on vacation.

The advert said "Nothing says it like Flowers". If we could afford to, we would put a vase of fresh flowers in to every kitchen to greet the guests on their arrival. For the cost there is no better way to bring a smile to a guest than the welcome that a flower arrangement provides. Our Guest Services team can now arrange to have flowers delivered for your special guests and have them put in to the property before their arrival so they have a beautiful greeting when they walk through the door.

Interestingly, this one rates fairly high with guests according to TripAdvisor. Most guests visiting the Disney area come here as a family or as an extended family and they want to "connect" while they are here. Classic board games are a low-cost, simple way of giving your guests alternatives to expensive meals or dinner shows. Don't opt for difficult games – try for simple ones like checkers, chess, Connect4, Sorry! or Battleship.

We recommend that you place a prominent sticker or note on the box asking the guest to make sure the game pieces are put back and they leave the game in good condition for the next guest. We should also advise that you will probably have to buy a new set of games or replenish parts (you can buy them on Ebay) every year.

Personalize your home – but not too much. No guest wants to find too many personal items from an owner in the home. They want that "just new feel" when they walk through the door. But we've found that most guests do like to see a picture of who owns the property with a little bit of information about their family. It makes the whole experience a little more personal and means that the guest is more likely to take care of your vacation home when they stay.

Imagine driving for 8-30 hours to get to your destination. Or getting on a plane in Europe (after a 2-plus hour drive to that airport and then a 4 hour wait in the departure lounge) and travelling 8-11 hours to get to Orlando, picking up your rental car, driving from the airport to the VillaDirect Welcome Center, then driving to the rental home, opening the door, unpacking – and then needing to leave to go to the supermarket!

We know that many owners have to do this themselves, but for a guest ... this is often their first time. Why not offer your guest the ability to have the fridge and kitchen pre-stocked with essential items like milk, OJ, coffee, bread, butter/spread, cheese, sugar and other items. Or order it yourself next time you come?

Just get in touch with our Guest Services team who will be happy to provide you a shopping list to give to your guests. The prices include the shopping, driving, delivery and "stacking" of the product in your kitchen ready for your guest.