Planning A Bit of Revenge Travel? 4 Things To Look For When Booking Your Trip
Planning A Bit of Revenge Travel? 4 Things To Look For When Booking Your Trip
Last updated: Dec 21, 2023 · 3 min read

4 Things To Look For When Booking Your Trip

This post was contributed by Guesty, a short-term rental property management platform that automates and streamlines the daily, complex operations of managing flexible inventory.  

With an end to COVID-19 in sight and a year marked by unprecedented travel deprivation under our belts,

travel

 everyone from the wanderluster to the homebody is anxious to hit the road and partake in what the industry has dubbed “revenge travel,” the influx in trips that will occur as consumers aim to make up for lost travel opportunities. 

Our advice? If you’re going to celebrate the return of travel, you may as well do it right. 

If you’re already scrolling through accommodation options, take a beat and hear us out on 4 must-haves for your first post-pandemic trip.

 

1. A flexible cancellation policy

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that try as we might, we can’t always control our own circumstances. As the pandemic brought unexpected lockdowns and sudden restrictions our way, professional short-term rental hosts with an understanding of their guests’ needs instated flexible cancellation policies that enabled travelers to book their stays with confidence, even in an entirely unpredictable landscape. 

 

Though we sincerely hope that the vaccines will restore normalcy, it is impossible to say with certainty how they will impact safety regulations. Err on the side of caution and ensure you book with a host who has demonstrated more flexibility in order to better serve a consumer base subject to unpredictability. 

2. Contact-free tech

Speaking of erring on the side of caution, take advantage of the tech revolution that has swept through the short-term rental industry in the name of bolstering safety and convenience. 

 

Rentals that have implemented smart technology like keyless entry systems and digital concierges should and will maintain their edge long after COVID-19, as these amenities not only limit human interaction, they also enhance travel experiences, eliminating the need to coordinate with hosts for check-in and checkout while also providing guests with 24/7 support. Make sure the rental(s) you’re looking to book have adopted some of these solutions.

workspace

 

3. A comfortable workspace

Given the need for social distance, the number of employees working out-of-office has significantly increased and with it, the trend of working-from-home (WFH) has morphed into working-from-any-home (WFAH). If you’re among those who prefer to set up shop someplace new and exciting, well, we don’t blame you. Just make sure to add “comfortable workspace” to your list of priorities. 

Check that the property you are planning to book is equipped with strong wifi (you can usually find complaints about this in listing reviews so if there aren’t any that’s a great start), a desk, enough outlets for all your devices, good lighting and, of course, a great view for when you want to take a coffee break and enjoy the “anywhere” aspect of WFAH.

 

4. Extra measures

How do you know your host is going to go the extra mile to ensure you’re well-taken care of? Great hosting starts even before you book, with prompt communication following that initial inquiry. You’ll know you’ve selected wisely when your host facilitates a smooth pre-booking process, a good indication that they’ll go out of their way to ensure your stay is smooth, from start to finish. 

The pandemic has led to rising guest expectations in terms of customer service and many hosts have upped the ante, providing timely responses to guest questions, personalized itinerary suggestions that cater to the specific needs of each party and referrals to convenient services like luggage storage solutions so that travelers can explore their destinations baggage-free even pre check-in and post checkout.  

 

Revenge travel done right

Like we said, if you’re going to be part of the travel comeback, you may as well do it right, and that means capitalizing on the new benefits accompanying staying in private rentals that emerged from the pandemic. As you plan your revenge trips, be sure to reap those rewards. 

And in case you need to store some luggage during your revenge travels, you know what to do! Book luggage storage here.

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