5 New year’s resolutions every vacation rental host should make for 2025

1. Work smarter, not harder 

We hate to say it, but burning yourself out isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. Between managing calendars, pricing updates, and marketing your property, being a vacation rental host can sometimes feel like juggling flaming torches. 

Here’s the great news - you don’t have to do it alone. Platforms like Travelnest make the heavy lifting easy by offering tools like Smart Pricing, marketing across more than 30 leading booking sites, and one-on-one calls with property experts to optimise your listings. 

Translation? Less time spent on admin, more time focusing on whatever brings you joy. 

Pro tip 

Make ‘delegating’ your mantra for 2025 and consider investing in tech tools that turn your to-do list into a ta-da list. 

Your resolution? 

Sign up for a solution like Travelnest to save time and maximise your property’s earning potential - it’s the ultimate work smarter, not harder strategy. 

2. Get up-to-date with vacation rental technology 

It’s no secret the industry is fast-moving. From synced calendars to automated promotions, 2025 is no time to fall behind. Leveraging the latest in vacation rental technology isn’t just smart; it’s essential. 

Smart pricing is one trend you can’t ignore. By dynamically adapting to demand, events, and seasonality, it ensures your property is always priced just right to maximise revenue while staying competitive. 

With automatic promotions, you won’t even have to lift a finger to create tempting offers for potential guests. Travelnest can help with all of these things and more with our cutting-edge technology.

It is still worth it to manually check things from time to time rather than solely relying on technology. Did you know for example, that roughly 50% of dates in the next year are blocked or not priced due to forgetfulness of hosts? When you’re with Travelnest, we’ll try to keep on top of this for you, as well as sending regular reminders to check your calendars and pricing for any irregularities. 

Your Resolution? 

Make 2025 the year you fully utilise tech to simplify operations. Whether it’s pricing tools, guest communication software, or linked calendars across platforms, aim to automate more and stress less. 

3. Refresh your photos 

Scrolling blurry pictures of dark rooms is a surefire way to turn potential guests away faster than you can say “fully booked.” High-quality, up-to-date photos are an absolute must. Your property’s visuals should tell a story, and the story should scream, “Stay here!” 

Here’s how to ace it:

• First impressions matter
  Make sure the first photo in your listing is jaw-dropping. Whether it’s a light-filled living room or a sunset view from the garden, pick something that makes people stop scrolling. 

• Invest in lighting
  Upgrade dim bulbs to bright LEDs and shoot during the day to capture natural light. 

• Hire a pro photographer
  Yes, an iPhone shot can do the job, but a professional will make your property shine. 

Pro tip 

Move clutter out of the frame. Think Marie Kondo levels of tidiness here! Guests want to see space and potential, not your collection of novelty mugs. 

Your resolution? 

Audit your current photos and replace anything old, blurred, or just plain boring. Your listing deserves to sparkle! Here’s some more tips direct from the nest.

4. Update your property descriptions 

When was the last time you rewrote your property description? If your answer is “I can’t remember,” it’s probably due for a refresh. Even if you have done it fairly recently, it can’t hurt when you’re competing with so many new properties year-on-year.

Aim to make every word work harder in 2025 by focusing on:

• Total transparency
  Give guests a clear, accurate picture of what they’re booking right from the get-go. 

• Search engine optimisation
  Pepper in trending travel keywords and hashtags to help your property stand out in search results. Think buzzwords like “dog-friendly,” “family retreat,” or “off-the-grid.” 

• Location highlights
  Got walking trails nearby? Stunning sea views? A cosy pub down the road? Flaunt it! 

Here’s an example of an irresistible description:

"Two-bedroom city-centre flat in the heart of Edinburgh, overlooking stunning gardens, and just steps from top attractions. Bonus? We’re dog-friendly and Instagrammable." 

More clicks, more bookings, more happy guests. Need more examples? Check out this guide!

Your resolution? 

Polish up your words and make your description work its magic for 2025. 

5. Service with a smile 

We know, we know - dealing with tricky guests is hardly anyone’s idea of fun. But exceptional service matters. It’s often the difference between a glowing 5-star review and a grumble-filled 2-star rating. 

Here’s how to wow them with service:

• Be responsive
  Answer guest questions promptly, whether it’s via email, direct booking platforms, or messaging apps. 

• Stay flexible
  Life happens. Try to accommodate guests' requests (like late check-outs) when possible. 

• Learn from feedback
  Got a negative review? Ouch. But instead of getting defensive, think, “How can I improve so this doesn’t happen again?” 

Remember, guests appreciate effort. A seamless check-in process, little personalised touches (hello, welcome basket!) or solving an issue with a smile will go a long way. 

Your resolution? 

Commit to creating standout experiences for your guests; your reviews (and occupancy rates) will thank you. 

Here’s to a successful 2025 

2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year, and it’s yours for the taking. By implementing these five resolutions, you’ll not only attract more bookings but create memorable stays for your guests. 

If you’re ready to take your vacation rental hosting game to the next level, consider partnering with Travelnest. From marketing your property to managing the nitty-gritty operational details, our tools and team are here to transform your hosting experience. 

Take your vacation rental resolutions to Travelnest today