TL;DR
- Elevate the guest experience: Concierge services transform a standard stay into a luxury experience, leading to better reviews and repeat bookings.
- Unlock new revenue: Upselling services like airport transfers, grocery stocking, and equipment rentals can significantly boost your revenue per available room (RevPAR).
- Automate the process: Use tools like the Guesty Guest App to digitize these offers, allowing guests to book services directly from their phones.
- Partner locally: Build relationships with local vendors (chefs, photographers, drivers) to create a trusted network that adds value to your brand.
When you think about a concierge, you likely envision the premium service offered by luxury hotels—a sharply dressed individual who knows the answer to every question and makes each guest feel like royalty.
While your short-term rental isn’t a hotel, you can still offer vacation rental concierge services that rival the best resorts. By providing these personalized touches, you not only “wow” your guests but also position your property for glowing five-star reviews and increased revenue.
According to recent industry data, global business travel spending alone is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2026, with traveler expectations for seamless, high-touch experiences growing in parallel (Global Business Travel Association). This proves that modern travelers are looking for more than just a bed; they want a curated, seamless experience.
In this article, we share actionable ideas for concierge services you can offer, ranging from inexpensive gestures to extravagant add-ons.
What are vacation rental concierge services?
Concierge services are additional amenities or assistance provided to guests to enhance their stay. For property managers, these services serve two main purposes: they solve guest pain points (like transportation or grocery shopping) and they create opportunities for upsells.
Whether you are a large property management company (PMC) or a smaller host using Guesty Lite, offering these services can differentiate your brand in a crowded market.
8 concierge services to offer your guests
1. Scheduled airport pickup
This is simple to organize in any town or city, yet it makes guests feel like VIPs the moment they land. Instead of navigating public transport or waiting for a rideshare, they step directly into pre-arranged transportation.
- How to set it up: Search for “private airport transfer” + [your city] to find local partners.
- Estimated cost: Prices generally range from $60 to $150 each way depending on the distance and vehicle type.
- Pro tip: If you operate in a city with reliable ride-sharing, you can also offer to pre-book an Uber or Lyft for them, ensuring the driver is waiting with a name sign.
2. Grocery shopping
A fully stocked fridge is one of the most appreciated amenities after a long day of travel. You can offer this as a premium add-on where guests send you a shopping list in advance.
- Logistics: Many grocery chains in large cities offer delivery. Alternatively, you can hire a “Tasker” from platforms like TaskRabbit.
- Pricing: Personal shopping services often charge between $25 and $45 per hour plus the cost of groceries.
- Automation: Use the Guesty Guest App to let guests order this service and pay for it before they even arrive.
3. Baby and play equipment
Traveling with young children requires significant planning and luggage. You can relieve this stress by providing bulky items like cribs, high chairs, or strollers.
- Rental partners: Companies like BabyQuip operate nationwide and can deliver, set up, and pick up baby gear for your guests.
- Local approach: If a national service isn’t available, check with local baby boutiques or furniture rental companies.
- Benefit: Families are more likely to become repeat guests if they know your property is “kid-ready.”
4. Daily housekeeping
For some travelers, daily housekeeping is non-negotiable. They want the privacy of a rental with the sanitation standards of a hotel.
- Implementation: Ask your current cleaning team if they are available for “mid-stay cleans” or “daily tidying.”
- Management: Use Guesty’s Task Management features to automatically schedule these additional cleanings and ensure your team is notified instantly.
- Pricing: Daily service usually takes less time than a turnover clean, so negotiate a lower rate with your cleaners and mark it up for the guest.
5. Activities and tours
Help guests maximize their trip by arranging tickets for museums, concerts, dinner cruises, or hiking adventures. If your guests are visiting for a romantic retreat, securing a reservation at a coveted local restaurant can be a game-changer.
- Build partnerships: Foster relationships with local tour operators and restaurant managers. In return for sending guests their way, they may offer you a commission or priority seating.
- Digital guidebooks: Include these recommendations in your Guesty Guest App so guests can browse and book experiences on their own time.
6. Personal chefs and attendants
For the ultimate luxury experience, offer access to personal chefs, private butlers, or on-call attendants. This is particularly popular for high-end villas or large group bookings (e.g., family reunions or bachelorette parties).
- Vetting is key: Because these vendors will be inside the property with your guests, rely on trusted referrals and verify their insurance and background.
- Guest communication: Use a centralized platform like Guesty’s Unified Inbox to coordinate menu preferences and dietary restrictions between the guest and the chef.
7. Pet care
With more travelers bringing their furry friends along, pet-friendly amenities are a massive draw. Go beyond just allowing pets—offer services that make the trip easier for the owner.
- Services: Strike up a relationship with a local dog walker or pet sitter.
- The “wow” factor: Leave a welcome basket with treats, a list of local dog parks, and verified vet contact info.
- Guesty Lite tip: If you manage fewer properties, a simple printed “Pet Guide” on the fridge is a low-cost, high-impact concierge touch.
8. Family photography
Guests often wish they had professional photos to commemorate a special family vacation or reunion.
- The offer: Partner with a local photographer to offer “mini-sessions” at the property.
- Why it works: The photographer gets easy business, and you get free marketing content (with guest permission) showing happy people enjoying your rental.
Why offer concierge services?
While it is true that guests could book a hotel for red-carpet treatment, the vacation rental market is evolving. 65% of experience travelers now say that available experiences play a significant role in their decision of where to book (Phocuswright).
By offering concierge services, you give visitors the best of both worlds: the space and privacy of a home combined with the luxury and convenience of a hotel. This strategy not only allows you to charge premium rates but also builds a brand reputation that drives direct bookings and loyalty.
FAQs
The most in-demand services are typically transportation (airport transfers), grocery stocking (pre-arrival), and mid-stay cleaning. Experience-based add-ons like private chefs and local tours are also growing rapidly in popularity among luxury travelers.
You should aim for a margin of 10-20% on top of the vendor’s cost to cover your coordination time. Alternatively, you can negotiate a commission with the vendor (e.g., the tour company pays you 10% of every ticket sold) so the guest pays the standard market rate.
Yes. You can use the Guesty Guest App to display and sell these services directly to guests. Additionally, the Unified Inbox helps you coordinate details with guests, while Task Management ensures your team executes the requests (like delivering a crib or scheduling a clean) on time.
If you are hiring third-party vendors (like drivers or chefs), ensure they carry their own liability insurance. For equipment rentals (like bikes or cribs) that you own, check with your insurance provider to verify that your policy covers guest use of these items.