For vacation rentals, a strong guest experience is integral to producing favorable reviews and repeat stays. One of the easiest and most delightful ways to capture everything wonderful about what makes a stay special is with a guest book. Guest books can preserve memories in a way that can become some of the most cherished documents. Guest books are typically beautifully bound, and can contain color, photo, lettering, fabric and many other combinations that take them from mundane to enchanting with unique, individual stories that give character to a vacation rental property. This suggests that guest books are a wonderful way for vacation rental owners to elevate how they can effectively use guest books, and also why guest books can be extremely valuable to the guest experience.
The Charm of the Written Word
Especially at a time in which technology is taking over the experience of travel, there’s something deeply personal and intentional about a handwritten note. A guest book allows travelers to slow down and take in the essence of their stay, and recommend their best moments. For hosts, these entries are quite revealing regarding how guests have enjoyed their time with them, and may expose some lifestyle aspects of the property, or surrounding area that have been unseen or unnoticed prior.Â
Setting Up the Perfect Guest Book
When creating a guest book, the first step is to arrange a great presentation. It may be worth investing in a quality book with heavier paper that indicates to guests they can write stories, not just sign their names. A nice bound book placed in a living room or foyer will prompt guests to stop and write. Adding a sign that says “Share Your Story” is a great way to encourage guests to use the book.
You may want to include a prompt to engage guests if you find they struggle to leave notes. A prompt could be as simple as, “What was your favorite memory from your stay?” or “Did you find a new favorite spot?” You may also have a section for drawing if children are present and you want to encourage participation.
Inspiration Through Stories
Real-life examples can trigger imaginative brain processes. Here are a few guest stories in guest books that are appreciated from not only the hosts but the future guests as well:
The Charmed Reunion: One guest described a wonderful story about reuniting with a childhood friend who happened to be vacationing in the same town. They met unexpectedly at a café down the street and stayed in for a fun night at the rental reminiscing about the old days. Amazing how travel can create that sense of destiny!
Birthday Surprises: A couple spent their anniversary during their stay, and when the host recognized the date he surprised them with a bottle of local wine and a handwritten note. Their gratefulness was documented in the guest book for others to read and act on by letting future guests know they should celebrate special occasions at the property.
A child’s view: A child guest drew pictures of the “coolest treehouse ever” where they took it upon themselves to want to add a fun and imaginative flair to the guest book. What a cool way to get a glimpse of how kids see and enjoy the space.
Turning Stories into Marketing Magic
With the permission from guests, these stories can be very effective marketing tools. Sharing parts of the stories or even pictures of their drawings on social media platforms connects potential guests with the actual experience, somehow increasing interest in the rental. Real stories offer social proof in a way that professional photographs and deliberately staged reviews cannot, and these real stories can be more compelling when potential guests can actually relate to them.
Building Community and Connection
Aside from the marketing aspect, the collection of stories helps create a sense of community. Stories that are often shared by guests in regard to their stay has them feeling connected and part of a greater narrative. This promotes an experience that feels more intimate, than just your average hotel stay.
Fostering a sense of connection among guests has great impacts on guest behavior as well. When others share their stories, guests will see it as not just a rental, but as something connected with other guests throughout time that have traversed the same halls and walked through the same door.
Gathering Insights for Improvement
Anecdotes and drawings are fun, but constructive feedback can also come from guest book entries. Guests might make soft suggestions, indicate what works well, or what doesn’t, all of which is helpful to hosts. The feedback loop allows hosts to improve the guest experience over time, helping the property evolve based on visitors’ lived experiences.
The Legacy of Stories
Guest books in vacation rentals are more than just a way for people to leave feedback, they are representations of the unique journeys of everyone who has come through. For property owners, promoting the practice of guest books increases the guest experience and boosts property value – making it more than a place to stay but part of a journey for travelers.
So, keep the guest book around and let the stories come forth. Your vacation rental could become a memorable waypoint for travelers who will leave their impressions and their stories long after they have left your property.
This content originally appeared in our biweekly (coincidentally named) Guest Book Newsletter.
