Why Vacation Rentals Need a Guest Experience App

More than ever before, guests have high expectations about their stay in a short-term vacation rental. For an Airbnb host, there are several options for handling these expectations, always remembering that consumer behavior is rapidly changing. A great way to improve guest satisfaction is to exceed their expectations, and a guest experience app can be a big part of that. So, are you ready to jump into the future of travel? Let’s learn why your vacation rental needs a guest app.

What is a guest experience app?

A guest experience app is an app listed in the app stores, such as Google Play and the Apple App Store, that your guests can download to manage their stay and general experience. If you are looking to improve your overall guest satisfaction, guest experience apps are a perfect solution to meet their needs.

Have you already decided to invest in an app? Be aware that many software vendors claim to offer guest apps. In reality, many actually offer guest web apps – not mobile apps. Read more about what a guest experience app is in our previous blog.

The differences between a mobile app and a web app

There are some differences between mobile apps and web apps. A mobile app is an application that you download from the app store, specifically designed to be used on a mobile device. A web app, on the other hand, is available on the web and can be accessed on multiple devices via a browser.

One major difference is that it is possible to use mobile apps even when the internet is down. This could be important when you have guests from abroad with no internet connection. Whereas to use a web app, you need to have a working connection.

Finally, mobile apps can access features on the user’s phone (with permission) and so can send push notifications and the like. This is not possible with a web app.

For these reasons, if you want to increase the satisfaction of your guests, encourage more visits to your short-term vacation rental and receive higher revenue, a mobile app is a better choice than a web app.

What results can you expect from using a guest experience app?

Of course, you probably have questions about using a guest experience app. How will it help you as an Airbnb host to run your business? How do your guests benefit? Let’s find out.

Guest experience apps are specifically designed for guests and curated by hosts. With an app you can support your guests during their stay, for example by arranging their check-in and check-out and by sending relevant communication, offers and recommendations. Your app will thus become the go-to guide for your guests. All interactions after the booking will happen through the guest app. As well as being convenient for your guests, an app reduces stress for you as host as time-consuming processes that previously had to be done manually are automated and digitized.

This is why a guest app is important for you and your guests

The next generation of travelers is different from older generations. They prefer to communicate through mobile. In fact, they like to arrange almost everything via their phones! That is why a guest app suits the new type of traveler and their desired experience.

With a guest app, you pave the way for a seamless guest experience. Your guests have one place where they can go for answers to their questions and information about their experiences during their stay. There’s no need to use separate apps or any other devices, and no paperwork to fill out.

This also has benefits for you. For example, guests can have a lot of questions about the home they rent. With a guest app, you can digitize the house manual so it can be accessed at any time. In this way, you reduce the number of questions you get and thus save time. Similarly, guests rely on their Airbnb hosts, seeing them as local guides. But being a local guide can cost a lot of time. The guest app becomes the guide, so there does not need to be any host involvement.

You can even pre-organize and send proactive recommendations during specific stages of the guest journey. By doing so, you can increase the average guest spend. With your app, the guests can manage their stay themselves. If they want to book extra services – such as early check-in, a full fridge, or other add-ons – they can browse the app at their leisure and book easily. Your tips can guide them toward the add-ons they want.

Improve the guest experience with a mobile guest app

Do you as an Airbnb host want to improve the experience for your guests, offer them a frictionless stay and exceed their expectations, and be ready for the future of travel? A mobile guest experience app is an elegant, all-in-one solution.

A mobile guest experience app:

• Suits modern travelers who want to arrange everything on their phones.
• Helps you to organize your business more efficiently.
• Saves time for you and your guests.
• Results in happier guests and likely increased revenues for you as a short-term vacation rental host.

Do you want to become one of the first users of the HolidayHero guest experience app? Join the waiting list.