First impressions count – even at check-in! With a well-organised arrival and departure, you ensure that your guests feel comfortable right from the start and that their stay is a complete success. Find out how you can optimise check-in and check-out for your holiday home!
Content:
- Before check-in: Good preparation is everything
- Personal reception
- Check-in by acquaintances or a service
- Online check-in or self-check-in
- Check-out: How to see off your guests
- Extra tips for a successful stay
Before check-in: Good preparation is everything
Clear communication: the key to a relaxed stay
Contact with your guests often begins before they arrive. Make sure that they receive all the important information in good time:
- Access information: Let guests know how to get to their holiday home at least 48 hours before arrival – whether in person or via self-check-in.
- Check-in/check-out times: Also communicate the time slots for arrival and departure in advance and, if necessary, offer flexible options such as early or late check-ins.
- Arrival information: Don't forget to include the exact address, directions and information on parking.
- Emergency contacts: Provide a phone number and/or email address where your guests can reach you in case of emergency or if they have important questions.
- Inspection of the holiday home: Please ask your guests to make sure everything meets their expectations as soon as they arrive. This way, any misunderstandings and problems can be quickly resolved.
With this information, you can ensure that your guests can travel there without stress. You can find more tips on how to give your guests a positive holiday feeling right from the start here.
Check-in options: Find the best choice for you and your guests
Personal reception
A personal welcome makes a first impression possible – on both sides – and is particularly appreciated by many guests. Greet your guests on site, hand over the key in person and share the most important information about your holiday home with them, e.g. regarding Wi-Fi, heating or waste disposal. A personal welcome also gives you the opportunity to provide tips about the area and to answer any questions that may arise.
Check-in by acquaintances or a service
If you don't have time to do it yourself, you can delegate the check-in – for example, to a neighbour, caretaker or property management company. This way, you can be sure that everything is running smoothly even if you can't be there in person.
Online check-in or self-check-in
Self-check-in is becoming increasingly popular because it offers guests maximum flexibility. There are various options for this:
Key safe or locker: Guests can pick up their keys themselves at any time using a numerical code.
Code lock: An electronic lock that can be opened with a code eliminates the need for a key handover. Be sure to change the code after every holiday to ensure absolute security.
Smart-Lock: This lock is controlled via an app or Wi-Fi and gives you full control – you can even manage access remotely. Since no physical keys are needed, there is no risk of guests losing them or making unauthorised copies. What's more, your guests can manage to access themselves during their stay, making check-in and check-out even more convenient.
These practical self-check-in options save you time and give your guests the freedom to decide for themselves when they arrive. At the same time, they increase the security of your holiday home. Find out more about effective security measures here!
Check-out: How to see off your guests
A structured check-out is just as important as the check-in, because if something goes wrong here, your guests will remember it. So be sure to inform them in good time about the procedures:
- How do you return the keys?
- Are there certain things that need to be done, such as disposing of rubbish or doing an initial cleaning?
- Is there a final inspection of the holiday apartment?
Clear instructions will help you to avoid misunderstandings and come across as professional.
Extra tips for a successful stay
Virtual personal touch:
If you can't greet your guests in person, you can still welcome them with a message, a handwritten letter or a short video.
Guest information:
A folder with information about the region, public transport and places of interest helps guests find their way around and is always well received.
Instructions:
Leave simple explanations for how to use the facilities in your holiday home, e.g. for the safe, heating or Wi-Fi access.
