Totalstay Stories

A Simple Way to Improve Your Short Term Let Guest Experience

Feb 27, 20184 min read

You may have some idea of what guests look for when booking your short term let. You may even have invested in comprehensive short term rental management as a way to provide your guests with the best ...

Considering a Natural Pool for Your Holiday Rental?

Feb 27, 20183 min read

Natural swimming pools are a must for any holiday rental owner wanting an eco-friendly, water-wise alternative to traditional swimming pools. In Cape Town, saving water has become more important than ...

How to Find Your Vacation Rental USP

Feb 27, 20183 min read

Have you identified your vacation rental USP? Do you know what separates your rental from the many other similar rentals in your area? Defining your unique selling point is key to putting your rental ...

Holiday Letting Trend – Treehouses

Feb 23, 20183 min read

Treehouses are a holiday letting trend that captures imagination almost instantly, offering an unusual choice that is ideal for honeymoons, romantic retreats and even family holidays. Recently, Huffin...

Be Part of the Change With Totalstay and Relate Bracelets

Feb 21, 20183 min read

Totalstay is proud to be offering guests a range of beautifully made Relate bracelets for sale at our selected villas, apartments, boutique retreats, and aparthotels. These bracelets make great gifts ...

Holiday Letting Trend – Trailers

Feb 16, 20183 min read

Trailers and similar micro-lets are a holiday letting trend that is set to become even more popular in the years ahead. Once limited to campsites and budget accommodation, the trailers of today are st...

The Rise of Vacation Rental Home Automation

Feb 15, 20183 min read

Vacation rental home automation has come a long way over the last year or so. Smart vacation lets, in general, have become a major trend for 2018 and beyond, offering a way for guests to enjoy a strea...

Book Your Cape Town Short Term Rental Between April and June and Save!

Feb 9, 20182 min read

To help you save on Cape Town short term rental accommodation this year, Totalstay has put together an exclusive package that gives you a week-long experience for two that you will never forget. The W...

Preparing Your Short Term Let for Valentine's Day

Feb 9, 20183 min read

With Valentine's Day around the corner, many short term let owners may be wondering how to attract more couples to their apartment, villa, guest house or self-catering holiday home. Although couples t...

Holiday Letting Trend – Container Homes

Jan 30, 20183 min read

Modern, compact and sustainable, container homes are certainly a holiday letting trend worth watching. If you have been considering this type of property for your short term let, you may already have ...

Saving Water at Your Short Term Let

Jan 30, 20183 min read

There are many ways to save water at your short term let – not all of which require major renovation. As the Cape Town drought continues to worsen, we can no longer afford to ignore the impact that we...

Getting the Most from Honeymoon Rentals

Jan 30, 20181 min read

Getting the most from honeymoon rentals is easier than you may think. For the large number of honeymooners that choose Cape Town as their destination as the place to begin a brand new life together, f...

Holiday Letting Trend – Guest Farms

Jan 25, 20184 min read

A holiday letting trend that gets more popular each year, guest farms offer a combination of guest house and retreat. There are many ways to transform a smallholding, working farm, or large sized prop...

What is Stopping Your Short Term Holiday Rental Success?

Jan 19, 20183 min read

As we get further into the new year, it's time to start reflecting on what is really getting in the way of your short term holiday rental success. If you have created a few listings, had a few guests,...

Cape Town Water Restrictions 2018

Jan 19, 20183 min read

As of 1 January 2018, Level 6 Cape Town water restrictions were announced. At the end of the month, Level 6B restrictions will be implemented. The City of Cape Town has begun to announce its water cri...

5 Holiday Letting Property Resolutions for the New Year

Jan 11, 20182 min read

As we get closer towards the middle of January, now is the time to think about holiday letting property resolutions that will guide your efforts in the year ahead. Whether you already have a few goals...

Short Term Rental Marketing Trends to Watch in 2018

Jan 9, 20183 min read

Which short term rental marketing trends should you be watching this year? Which trends are truly worth investing in, and which are likely to be a passing fad? With so many trends coming and going eac...

Running Your Short Term Let Like a Resort

Dec 19, 20174 min read

You may be rolling your eyes a bit, wondering what on earth your short term let has in common with a resort. When most people hear the word resort, they think of luxurious holiday destinations complet...

Vacation Letting Trend – Workations

Dec 19, 20174 min read

Our featured vacation letting trend this week is workations – a type of getaway that fuses business and leisure travel. As the name suggests, this term fuses together work and vacation. The trend bega...

Before You Get That Instant Vacation Rental Website…

Dec 18, 20173 min read

You may have been tempted to get an instant, ready-made vacation rental website. If you have recently started letting your property on Airbnb or another listing site, you might come across a vacation ...

Should You Consider Niche Travel Markets?

Dec 18, 20173 min read

Wondering whether niche travel markets are worth considering? Not sure which market is a good fit? It can be challenging to know how to choose a niche, whether or not you should even target a niche an...

5 Tips for First Time Vacation Rental Owners

Dec 15, 20171 min read

First time vacation rental owners do not have an easy job. It can be daunting to venture into the short term rental space, to say the least. If you have no previous experience, but you are passionate ...

Airbnb Horror Stories (And How to Prevent Them)

Dec 6, 20174 min read

Airbnb horror stories are slowly but surely adding a dent in the world's biggest online booking platform's reputation. Over the last year alone, there have been a number of cases in the news that show...

Choosing the Right Apartment Rental Investment

Nov 30, 20173 min read

Choosing an apartment rental investment is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many factors to consider, from the location to the type of apartment.

How to Compete in a Crowded Short Term Rentals Market

Nov 29, 20173 min read

Wondering how to compete in a crowded short term rentals market? Standing out in an overly crowded market is a huge challenge. Many short term let owners struggle to position properties in a way that ...

Holiday Letting Trend – Property Conversions

Nov 24, 20173 min read

One of the biggest trends in holiday letting property of late is conversions. With this trend, barns, factories, churches and historical monuments are transformed into fully equipped self-catering pro...

3 Questions to Ask Your Potential Short Term Rental Manager

Nov 21, 20173 min read

If you have been thinking about working with a short term rental manager, you have most likely reached a point where you are ready to grow. The number one reason that property owners hire managers is ...

Should Your Vacation Rental Listings Include Video?

Nov 17, 20173 min read

What role does video play in your vacation rental listings? Actually, a bigger role than you may realise. Video has become one of the biggest trends in social media, helping to encourage connections a...

Short Term Rental Property or B&B?

Nov 15, 20173 min read

Wondering whether it is best to invest in short term rental property or a B&B? The former is a broader term for a wide range of rentals, including self-catering apartments, villas, holiday homes and c...

How to Lose Holiday Rental Guests Quickly

Nov 10, 20174 min read

If you want to lose holiday rental guests quickly and prevent your booking success from ever taking off, this article is for you. Not too long ago, we shared our tips on ways you may be scaring away s...

Thinking About a Smart Vacation Let?

Nov 9, 20173 min read

According to a 2016 August Home study on smart vacation let features, guests are slowly starting to expect automation and other features. This study, titled Short-term Rentals: Smarter Housing with Sm...

Vacation Rental Trends for 2018

Nov 3, 20173 min read

As we get closer to the end of the year, there are a few vacation rental trends worth noting for the year ahead. Over the last year, we have seen a slow but steady change in the way that people travel...

3 Questions to Ask Before Creating Your Vacation Rental Listing

Oct 31, 20173 min read

Ready to create your vacation rental listing? Before you get started, there are a few things to keep in mind. Many people assume that simply putting out a short term rental listing is enough to bring ...

5 Ways You May Be Scaring Off Vacation Rental Guests

Oct 30, 20173 min read

Are you putting off prospective vacation rental guests or making them want to book your rental? You may not even realise that you are scaring guests away. Many new rental owners do not realise how muc...

More Tips for a Water Wise Short Term Vacation Let Property

Oct 27, 20173 min read

With Cape Town water restrictions still a major concern, now is a better time than ever to make sure that your short term vacation let property is water wise. Many experts have stated that we have a v...

The Importance of Vacation Letting Property Privacy

Oct 25, 20173 min read

How much privacy can guests expect at your vacation letting property? Do you have the right to use hidden cameras in your property? Where do you draw the line between security and privacy? If you have...

How Many Accommodation Booking Sites Should You Use?

Oct 20, 20173 min read

Should you be listing your property on as many accommodation booking sites as possible, or is it best to stick to just one? Although more platforms does not always automatically mean a greater chance ...

How to Improve Your Vacation Rental Description

Oct 18, 20173 min read

The very first introduction that potential guests have to your property is your vacation rental description. This is where guests are able to find important details about your property – where it is l...

Protecting Your Short Term Vacation Rental Against Disasters

Oct 13, 20173 min read

Although no short term vacation rental owner likes to think of disaster, it is impossible to avoid completely. In the last week, South Africa has experienced two major storms, in Johannesburg and Durb...

Improving Your Short Term Holiday Rental Rating

Oct 13, 20173 min read

Wondering how to take your short term rental from one star to five stars? For most short term rental owners, ratings are a valuable tool that can help to grow your reputation, attract guests and ultim...

Short Term Letting Host Mistakes to Avoid This Festive Season

Oct 10, 20173 min read

With the year-end festive season just a short while away, you may be wondering how you as a short term letting host can prepare for the influx of travellers. Being a short term rental host is never as...

Essential Short Term Vacation Letting Policies

Oct 5, 20172 min read

Short term vacation letting policies are important for both hosts and guests. When many new hosts first begin renting out their property to guests, they are so focused on the guest experience and book...

Why Short Term Holiday Let Experience Matters

Oct 4, 20173 min read

What is the most important thing for guests who stay at your short term holiday let? Is it the location of your rental? Is it the swimming pool? Is it the design, perhaps? Or maybe the garden? If you ...

Short Term Rental Marketing vs Self Listing

Sep 29, 20173 min read

When you hear about short term rental marketing, you may assume that it is just another phrase for listing your property. In reality however, there is a lot more to marketing than simply creating a li...

Business Travel Trends to Watch

Sep 29, 20173 min read

Business travel makes up a significant travel niche around the world. Here in Cape Town, South Africa, business travellers may not be as large a group as leisure travellers, but they still account for...

5 Types of Short Term Vacation Rental Guest

Sep 27, 20172 min read

There are many different types of short term vacation rental guest. From business travellers in search of modern, well-positioned rentals, all the way to large groups, small groups, solo travellers an...

How to Improve Your Holiday Rental Listings

Sep 22, 20173 min read

What makes certain holiday rental listings so popular? Why is it that some listings seem to get lost in a sea of similar listings, while others stand out like a sore thumb? As any holiday rental owner...

Short Term Rental Styling Tips

Sep 19, 20174 min read

Short term rental styling plays a vital part of your success in the holiday letting game. As tools such as Airbnb continue to grow, more people than ever before are letting out their property to guest...

Holiday Letting Property Features to Avoid

Sep 15, 20173 min read

Not too long ago, we shared some tips on essential holiday apartment features that add value to your offering. Today, we have some tips on the features that can put guests off when browsing listings. ...

Protecting Yourself as a Short Term Rental Host

Sep 13, 20174 min read

Not too long ago, we heard an interesting question on how a new short term rental host could protect themselves against risks such as theft, damage and other issues. We have written about how to prote...

Cape Town Water Restrictions 2017

Sep 11, 20174 min read

If you had not already heard or read in the news, Level 5 Cape Town water restrictions 2017 are here. As of 3 September 2017, the City of Cape Town implemented the toughest restrictions yet. With the ...

Buying Holiday Property?

Sep 4, 20173 min read

Thinking about buying holiday property? There are many things to consider when making your selection, from location to property type. With so many mistakes to avoid when buying a holiday let, it can b...

More Airbnb Hosting Mistakes to Avoid

Aug 31, 20171 min read

On social media, Airbnb hosting often appears to be a fun way to meet people from all over the world. Many people make the decision to rent out a spare room and bring in extra cash in the process. Alt...

How to Upsell Holiday Accommodation

Aug 29, 20173 min read

Wondering how to create enticing holiday accommodation packages for your short term rental? Upselling is a smart strategy that allows you to 'sell' additional services that add value to your guests. W...

Preparing Your Short Term Accommodation Rental for Summer

Aug 25, 20174 min read

The peak season is just around the corner, which means that short term accommodation rental will be in high demand here in Cape Town. Is your rental equipped for the upcoming summer season? If not, wh...

Essential Holiday Apartment Rental Features

Aug 23, 20174 min read

Which features are most important for guests staying at your holiday apartment rental? As anyone who has ever stayed at a holiday apartment knows, it is often the small touches that have the most impa...

Turning Down Villa Bookings

Aug 18, 20174 min read

In a perfect world, you should never have to turn down villa bookings. More bookings is good when it comes to short term rentals, aren't they? Although in theory you should enjoy a high booking rate, ...

The Wrong Way to Increase Your Holiday Home Booking

Aug 16, 20174 min read

Every owner hopes to increase their holiday home booking rates. How you go about getting more bookings can make all the difference between a successful short term let and a less than successful one ho...

How to Prepare Self Catering Apartments for Honeymooners

Aug 11, 20173 min read

When it comes to self catering apartments that cater to honeymooning couples, luxury goes hand in hand with convenience and romance. Unlike a short term rental prepared for business travellers, a rent...

How to Market Private Holiday Lets

Aug 10, 20173 min read

In a destination with a high tourism rate, it is easy to market private holiday lets. True or false? How accurate this statement is comes down to how you position your let. The trouble with high touri...

Vacation Rental Management Software vs Dedicated Manager

Aug 4, 20173 min read

Should you try vacation rental management software to help you manage your short term rental, or is it better to invest in a professional, dedicated short term rental manager instead? As the demand fo...

Should Your Short Term Property Let Accept Pets?

Aug 3, 20173 min read

Is it worth thinking about allowing pets at your short term property let? There is no doubt that pet-friendly travel is on the rise all over the world. Those in favour of this move cite a number of be...

Avoid This Short Term Letting Scam

Jul 28, 20173 min read

We have shared some tips on how to avoid holiday rental scams, but there is one potential short term letting scam that has been getting a lot of press recently. Last month, the Telegraph reported that...

Targeting Your Short Term Holiday Let to Baby Boomers

Jul 28, 20173 min read

Are you marketing your short term holiday let to baby boomers? If not, you are missing out on a large established group that often has travel budgets to spend in their so-called golden years. In addit...

Dealing With Unusual Short Term Letting Property Requests

Jul 26, 20173 min read

Every single short term letting property owner will receive a few strange requests at some point or another. Whether it is something relatively reasonable, such as early check in or late arrivals, or ...

Holiday Rental Management Tips – Dealing With Last Minute Cancellations

Jul 26, 20173 min read

One of the most frustrating holiday rental management issues to deal with is last minute cancellations. When bookings are cancelled a day or two before guests were scheduled to arrive, it means that i...

More Holiday Rental Listing Site Warning Signs to Avoid

Jul 21, 20174 min read

Avoiding short term rental scams is more important than every before, which is why you need to be extra careful when selecting any holiday rental listing site. Whether you are new to short term rental...

3 Reasons Not to Invest in Short Term Vacation Letting Property

Jul 20, 20171 min read

You've heard plenty of reasons on why it's a good idea to consider short term vacation letting property. What about reasons to not invest? It may sound strange, but with the growing trend in short ter...

Is Your Short Term Holiday Letting Property Water Wise?

Jul 16, 20174 min read

With Level 5 water restrictions in place in Cape Town, it is more important than ever before to have a short term holiday letting property that is water wise. As we head deeper into winter here in the...

Is Your Short Term Holiday Property Disabled Friendly?

Jul 14, 20173 min read

While your short term holiday property will likely not be able to cater to absolutely every single guest, it is still important to keep your differently abled guests in mind. Whether that means having...

5 Types of Short Term Vacation Letting Problem Guests

Jul 11, 20172 min read

Not too long ago, we shared some tips on how short term vacation letting owners can deal with problem guests. This article offered some insight into how to deal with potential issues that may arise. B...

Essential Short Term Holiday Letting House Rules

Jul 5, 20172 min read

Short term holiday letting house rules are often treated as a last minute addition, if they are considered at all. While you may be aware of holiday rental laws that apply in your area, it is also imp...

Why Your Short Term Vacation Let Needs Welcome Packs

Jun 30, 20174 min read

One of the many, many reasons to partner with a dedicated short term rental manager is that they provide expertly put-together short term vacation let welcome packs. Of all the things that you offer g...

Weather-Proofing Your Vacation Letting Property

Jun 30, 20174 min read

In a city such as Cape Town that is known for its varied weather conditions, it is essential to safe-guard your vacation letting property against the elements. During the winter months, storms are not...

Short Term Letting Manager vs Housekeeper

Jun 28, 20173 min read

If you are new to short term rental property investment, you may be wondering which is a better choice… short term letting manager or in-house housekeeper?

Why Small Details Count in Holiday Letting Property Success

Jun 27, 20174 min read

Even the smallest of details can make a difference when it comes to guests making repeat bookings at your holiday letting property. Many investment property owners focus on the basics, without conside...

Introducing Boutique Retreats by Totalstay

Jun 24, 20173 min read

Offering the perfect blend of luxury and convenience, Boutique Retreats by Totalstay brings a whole new level of excellence to semi-catered accommodation in Cape Town. Our flagship properties offer gu...

Holiday Letting Advice – Dealing With Late Arrivals

Jun 23, 20173 min read

If you have been looking for holiday letting advice, one of the questions that is often asked is how to deal with late arrivals. While every rental owner hopes that guests will arrive on time, from ti...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Bathroom

Jun 22, 20174 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, ent...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Living Room

Jun 17, 20175 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, ent...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Kitchen

Jun 14, 20174 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, ent...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Bedrooms

Jun 12, 20174 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, ent...

How to Create an Inviting Short Term Holiday Rental

Jun 8, 20173 min read

Whether you are preparing for low season, or enjoying the peak bookings of high season, your short term holiday rental needs to be as inviting as possible. Many rental owners assume that guests are de...

Targeting Your Short Term Vacation Let to Millennials

Jun 5, 20173 min read

Is your short term vacation let geared towards millennials? If not, you may be missing out on a chance to increase your bookings and grow your reach. Comprising the segment of the population that were...

5 Vacation Rental Photography Mistakes

May 31, 20171 min read

Vacation rental photography can be a make or break factor for any short term rental owner. Done right, short term rental photographs are a powerful tool that provide a visual introduction to your prop...

How to Improve Your Vacation Letting Guest Communication

May 30, 20174 min read

Vacation letting guest communication is something that can make all the difference between a glowing review and an average review. Despite the many advantages of improved guest communication, many ren...

Preparing Your Holiday Rental Property for Winter

May 26, 20173 min read

Winter is on its way, whether your holiday rental property is ready or not. For those travelling during winter, the off-season brings lower travel prices for flights as well as accommodation. In South...

Common Vacation Letting Reviews Ruining Your Success

May 24, 20174 min read

A huge part of vacation letting comes down to avoiding complaints. While you may think that your rental has what it takes to make guests happy, it just takes one bad experience for a poor review to ru...

Essential Outdoor Features for Your Vacation Rental

May 19, 20173 min read

While guests notice indoor elements, outdoor areas can be a make or break factor when it comes to vacation rental. For many leisure travel guests, vacations are all about relaxing and enjoying some mu...

Running Your Vacation House Rental Like a Small Business

May 17, 20174 min read

While some may consider vacation house rental to be more of a hobby, smart owners know that their rentals have the potential to act just like a small business. If you're renting out a spare room for e...

How Safe is Your Vacation Home Rental?

May 12, 20174 min read

Just how safe is your vacation home rental? If you assumed that it was safe, purely because there are no obvious safety hazards that you can see, it may be time to take a good, hard look at your prope...

Positioning Your Holiday Rental Investment for the Luxury Travel Market

May 11, 20175 min read

If you are aiming to position your holiday rental investment for the luxury travel market, the first step is creating an experience that guests will remember for all the right reasons. Many guesthouse...

Avoid These Vacation Rental Listings Mistakes

May 9, 20173 min read

Vacation rental listings play a vital role in your booking success. A good listing has the power not only to bring in more bookings, but also to increase your overall reputation. Despite the obvious i...

What Matters Most When Running a Holiday Let

May 5, 20175 min read

You may assume that the most important thing to provide guests when running a holiday let is a swimming pool. You might even think that a full breakfast can make or break a booking, or that luxurious ...

Optimising Your Small Short Term Rental

May 4, 20173 min read

You may assume that smaller short term rental properties do not perform as well as larger properties. In reality, both small and larger rentals have plenty to offer potential guests. The secret to suc...

How to Encourage Longer Holiday Home Rental Bookings

Apr 27, 20173 min read

Extended stays can be extremely valuable for holiday home rental owners. Instead of booking for one or two nights, guests who are seeking to extend their stay will typically stay a few weeks or even a...

Vacation Rental Manager Mistakes to Avoid

Apr 27, 20173 min read

Choosing the right vacation rental manager can be challenging. How do you know whether you can trust prospective managers to have your best interests at heart? And, more importantly, how can you be su...

How Instant Book Helps Your Vacation Rental Investment

Apr 26, 20173 min read

One of the things that has helped to shape the vacation rental investment industry is instant booking. This feature was first used on Airbnb listings. Now, it is common on almost every listing platfor...

Should You Invest in Serviced Apartments?

Apr 22, 20173 min read

Serviced apartments offer the best of self-catered and catered accommodation. This type of accommodation includes aparthotels as well as catered apartments of various sizes. If you have been consideri...

Starting a Guest House Business?

Apr 21, 20172 min read

If you have been dreaming about a guest house business, you may be thinking that it would be an easy way to bring in extra money each month. Although you certainly can make a profit with short term re...

How to Ensure an Eco-Friendly Vacation Let

Apr 19, 20173 min read

With the limitations on natural resources, it has become more important than ever to work towards a sustainable, environmentally friendly vacation let. To use a local example here in South Africa, the...

How Not to Handle Holiday Let Reviews

Apr 15, 20173 min read

We have featured some tips on how to handle poor reviews, but what about the things that you absolutely should never do when responding to holiday let reviews? When you see someone telling the world t...

What to Avoid When Buying a Holiday Let

Apr 13, 20174 min read

Buying a holiday let is exciting and daunting, often at the same time. On one hand, you will have the chance to enter the lucrative short term rentals market in cities such as Cape Town. On the other ...

Buying an Investment Property?

Apr 12, 20174 min read

If you have been thinking about buying an investment property, you may already have a few expectations. As platforms such as Airbnb grow, it's hard not to find success stories from people who have ear...

Marketing Your Vacation Rental Property Investment to Singles

Apr 7, 20173 min read

A huge part of success in the vacation rental property investment arena is knowing how to meet the demands of the travel market. While some property owners prefer to take a catch all approach, offerin...

Buying a Short Term Let Investment in Bantry Bay?

Apr 6, 20173 min read

Situated between Sea Point and Clifton, Bantry Bay offers a lucrative short term let investment choice for those wanting to invest in Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard. This affluent suburb has become one...

Vacation House Rentals for Team Building Groups

Mar 30, 20173 min read

Making up a small but significant niche within the broader business travel market, team building groups often require vacation house rentals that offer more privacy and flexibility than traditional ho...

Holiday Home Investment for Older Properties

Mar 30, 20174 min read

Many people who are considering holiday home investment will at some point come across an affordable older property that looks like it has plenty of potential. These fixer uppers could be properties t...

Avoiding Vacation Letting Complaints

Mar 29, 20174 min read

We have shared some tips on how to handle poor reviews, but what about avoiding vacation letting complaints altogether? Obviously, it is impossible to completely avoid any complaints. In some cases, c...

Essential Short Term Rental Investment Upgrades

Mar 24, 20174 min read

While there are a number of renovations that help increase the value of your holiday rental, what about smaller short term rental investment upgrades? Today's guest is typically well-travelled, with a...

Preparing Your Short Term Let for Low Season

Mar 23, 20174 min read

With winter nearly here in Cape Town, many short term let owners are wondering how to prepare for the upcoming low season. Here in South Africa's Mother City, summer is the busiest time of year. Over ...

Getting Better Reviews for Your Short Term Let

Mar 18, 20174 min read

Reviews are the lifeblood of every short term let. Poor reviews can have devastating effects on your booking rates, while positive reviews can often be the make or break factor when prospective guests...

Choosing A Vacation Rental Management Service

Mar 16, 20175 min read

Choosing a vacation rental management service is every bit as important as choosing the right school for your child, the right doctor for your health and the right partner for your business. Essential...

How to Get Repeat Bookings For Your Investor Property

Mar 13, 20174 min read

Repeat business is good for every industry, and the investor property industry is no exception. When it comes to holiday rentals, loyalty is everything. Many guests feel more comfortable staying somew...

Where to Buy a Beach House

Mar 10, 20175 min read

If you have every daydreamed about getting into holiday rental property investment, a question that will no doubt arise is where to buy a beach house. Here in Cape Town, South Africa, beach houses are...

The Importance of Holiday Let Investment Listings

Mar 8, 20173 min read

Just as photography plays a vital role in holiday lest investment marketing success, so too do your listings. Holiday rental listings work hand in hand with your images to help encourage enquiries and...

Essential Security Features for Your Vacation Let Investment

Mar 6, 20174 min read

There is no doubt that keeping your guests safe is an integral part of the vacation let investment process. But over and beyond basic steps that you will need to take to provide a safe, welcoming envi...

Vacation Rental Tips: Standing Out From the Competition

Mar 3, 20172 min read

For any would-be property investor searching for vacation rental tips, the short term rental market can seem overwhelmingly crowded at times. Just about everyone is sharing advice on how to increase b...

The Importance of Vacation Rental Rules

Feb 28, 20175 min read

If you have a vacation rental property, you need vacation rental rules. It is that simple. Many would-be investors enter the market with daydreams about huge profits, fully booked rentals and the chan...

Holiday Rental Marketing for Niche Travel

Feb 25, 20173 min read

One of the most untapped travel groups to focus your holiday rental marketing efforts on, the niche travel sector offers a number of opportunities for short term rental investors. In the 5th edition o...

Vacation Rental Advice – Handling Poor Reviews

Feb 22, 20175 min read

Ask an experienced investor for vacation rental advice on how to approach negative reviews, and you could get any number of answers. Every rental owner has their own system for handling bad reviews. W...

Buying Vacation Rental Property in Gardens?

Feb 20, 20175 min read

If you are thinking about buying vacation rental property, choosing the right area is hugely important. One of the areas that continues to attract large numbers of leisure and business travellers is G...

Growing Your Vacation Home Investment Reputation

Feb 17, 20176 min read

In the vacation home investment business, reputation is critical. As a new investor, your reputation is something that develops over time. The most effective way to establish a reputation that keeps o...

Holiday Letting Advice – The Importance of Photography

Feb 17, 20174 min read

Every investor will receive plenty of holiday letting advice when entering the short term rental space, from property managers, well-meaning (but not always clued-up) people who have dabbled in proper...

The Real Cost of Beach House Investment

Feb 13, 20174 min read

If you have ever daydreamed about purchasing a beach house investment and quitting your job, you may be thinking of the ultimate payout without taking any of the hidden costs into account. As the holi...

Considering Holiday Investment Properties in Fresnaye?

Feb 9, 20174 min read

One of the most exclusive suburbs on the Atlantic Seaboard, Fresnaye is home to some of the most sought-after holiday investment properties in Cape Town. The suburb lies between Signal Hill and Sea Po...

Beach Rental Marketing for Romantic Travel

Feb 7, 20174 min read

Whether planning for Valentine's Day, or honeymoon, beach rental marketing is key to targeting couples. Romantic travel makes up a small but significant portion of the leisure travel market. Including...

How to Avoid Holiday Rental Scams

Feb 3, 20177 min read

As online bookings allow travellers to explore the world more easily than ever before, holiday rental scams are also on the rise. These scams are clever enough to trick many unsuspecting families and ...

Holiday Letting for Large Groups

Jan 31, 20174 min read

Unlike couples and single travellers, large travel groups make up a very unique portion of the overall holiday letting travel market. Large groups can be found in both leisure and corporate sectors. T...

Why Buy Vacation Rental in Bakoven?

Jan 30, 20174 min read

Why should you buy vacation rental in Bakoven? For investors seeking a highly exclusive area with plenty of potential for vacation rental income, this Cape Town suburb is well worth a thought. Situate...

Investing in Vacation Rentals Outside of Major Cities

Jan 30, 20174 min read

If you are thinking about investing in vacation rentals, is it worthwhile looking outside of major urban centres? This question is one that many budding investors need to ask at some point. Choosing t...

The Realities of Holiday Rental Management

Jan 25, 20175 min read

For those entering the short term property investment space, the expectation of holiday rental management is seldom the same as the reality. Many new investors make the assumption that management is o...

Holiday Property Management Tips: Dealing with Problem Guests

Jan 21, 20175 min read

Dealing with problem guests is a side of holiday rental management that is often difficult to talk about. Guests are the lifeblood of the hospitality industry, and while the majority of interactions d...

Buying Investment Property in Bo Kaap?

Jan 19, 20175 min read

If you have been thinking about buying investment property in the Cape Town CBD, the Bo Kaap may just be an area worth considering. Famous for its brightly coloured cottages, steep cobbled streets and...

3 Things to Consider Before Buying Holiday Rental Property

Jan 17, 20175 min read

Buying holiday rental property can be an excellent investment, especially in popular travel areas such as Cape Town. Unlike long term rentals, short term rentals have a number of unique advantages, ch...

Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property

Jan 13, 20174 min read

Just about every property investor will have their own opinion on the best places to buy vacation rental property in Cape Town. Depending on who you speak to, some may tell you that places such as Cam...

5 Vacation Rental Marketing Tips

Jan 12, 20172 min read

If you're constantly finding yourself with an empty apartment or villa, these vacation rental marketing tips may just help you get the bookings you need to succeed. For many new short term property in...

Self-Managed vs Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals

Jan 10, 20177 min read

We've spoken about the dangers of self-managed rentals, but as far as investments go, is professional managed vacation rentals really your best bet? The short answer is a resounding yes. Countless pro...

How to Equip Your Beach Rental Investment for Self-Catering

Jan 6, 20175 min read

Preparing for holiday rentals is an essential step for anyone considering beach rental investment property. Over and beyond making sure that your property is suitably furnished, you will also need to ...

Considering Short Term Property Investment in De Waterkant?

Dec 21, 20164 min read

De Waterkant offers one of the most sought-after areas for short term property investment in Cape Town. With its central location between the CBD and V&A Waterfront, the area has become a haven for le...

The Importance of Day to Day Vacation Rental Management

Dec 21, 20164 min read

Day to day vacation rental management is something that many new property investors fail to truly understand. Far too many property owners believe that management entails bookings, enquiries and guest...

Buying Holiday Apartments in the Cape Town Inner City?

Dec 21, 20164 min read

The Cape Town Inner City offers an exciting opportunity for savvy property developers planning to purchase holiday apartments. Over the years, this area has become a vibrant, up and coming hub in the ...

How to Make Your Beach House Rental Child-Friendly

Dec 21, 20164 min read

Summer holidays have arrived in Cape Town, and for property owners wanting to maximise their beach house rental bookings, it's always a good idea to ensure that rentals are child-friendly. Travel mark...

Considering Higgovale Holiday Rental Investment Property?

Dec 20, 20163 min read

Thinking about holiday rental investment property in Higgovale? This affluent, leafy suburb lies on the slopes of Table Mountain, overlooking the city. Home to a range of beautiful houses and short te...

The Dangers of Self Managed Vacation Property Rental

Dec 20, 20164 min read

With tools such as Airbnb continuing to rise, self managed vacation property rental has become a seemingly easy way to bring in extra cash while renting out a spare bedroom. Almost everyone knows of a...

Considering Vacation Home Investment in Foreshore?

Dec 15, 20164 min read

For savvy property investors, the Cape Town Foreshore offers an excellent location for vacation home investment. It's hard to believe, but many years ago, the area now known as the Foreshore was once ...

What Guests Look For When Booking Holiday Homes

Dec 15, 20164 min read

Do you know what prospective guests are looking for when they are browsing holiday homes? Many property owners who rent out apartments or villas to short term guests focus their marketing efforts on w...

Introducing Bijoux Aparthotel by Totalstay

Dec 9, 20163 min read

Bijoux Aparthotel by Totalstay is a brand new development based on Adderley Street, in the heart of the Cape Town CBD. Bijoux, which means 'little jewel', is certainly set to be the crowning jewel of ...

3 Reasons Your Beach House Rental Bookings Are Low

Dec 9, 20165 min read

Wondering why you are not getting anywhere with beach house rental bookings? Many new property investors get frustrated at their lack of bookings. It can be incredibly challenging to put in all the ha...

Buying a Holiday Let in Clifton?

Dec 7, 20165 min read

Thinking about buying a holiday let in Clifton? As one of the most affluent suburbs in Cape Town, Clifton is without a doubt the shining jewel on the Atlantic Seaboard coastline. The area is comprised...

3 Airbnb Host Mistakes to Avoid

Dec 2, 20165 min read

Becoming an Airbnb host is exciting, and often rewarding. For many property owners wanting to enter the short term rentals market, there is a huge deal of misconception at what the job entails. Many p...

Buying Vacation Rental Property in Sea Point

Nov 30, 20163 min read

For investors thinking of buying vacation rental property in Sea Point, the suburb offers an excellent opportunity. Sea Point lies on the Atlantic Seaboard of Cape Town, nestled between the City Centr...

Why Consider Green Point Vacation Rental Investment?

Nov 25, 20164 min read

For investors considering the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town, Green Point offers an excellent area for vacation rental investment. This area lies between De Waterkant and Sea Point, just minutes from ...

Holiday Let Investment for the Honeymoon Market

Nov 25, 20164 min read

Wondering how to market your holiday let investment to honeymooners? The romantic travel market makes up a growing percentage of the overall Cape Town travel market. As the Mother City's reputation co...

Airbnb Trips vs Managed Vacation Rental

Nov 23, 20164 min read

In case you've missed the news of late, Airbnb Trips recently launched in Cape Town and other major cities across the world. This feature essentially allows travellers to enjoy tours and experiences d...

Vacation Rental Marketing Tips for the Family Travel Market

Nov 18, 20164 min read

Vacation rental marketing for the family travel market differs significantly from strategies geared towards other travel markets. Within the leisure market, families comprise a somewhat diverse group ...

Cape Town Waterfront Holiday Rental Investment 

Nov 17, 20163 min read

The Cape Town holiday rental investment market comprises a number of popular areas – many of which fall along the Atlantic Seaboard. This stretch of coastline includes some of the city's most exclusiv...

5 Vacation Rental Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Nov 16, 20162 min read

Vacation rental marketing plays a vital role in the success of any short term rental property. Without a solid plan in place, your property will not be able to compete against the many other propertie...

Why Invest in Camps Bay Vacation Villas?

Nov 11, 20164 min read

Thinking about investing in Camps Bay vacation villas? This area is home to some of the most sought-after holiday rentals in all of Cape Town. Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, Camps Bay is an oasis ...

Short Term Rental Property Safety Tips for Hosts

Nov 10, 20164 min read

One of the concerns that many would-be investors have about short term rental property is the safety aspect. The idea of renting out space to complete strangers can be daunting at best. For those usin...

The Perils of DIY Vacation House Rentals

Nov 8, 20164 min read

If you have been thinking about vacation house rentals as an easy way to bring in extra income, keep reading. Between Airbnb and Homestay, just about anyone can enter the short term rentals market. Ev...

Should You Invest in Beach Rentals?

Nov 3, 20163 min read

In Cape Town, beach rentals are often the most sought-after of all holiday rental properties. For both domestic and international travellers, being close to the beach is a major draw-card. Cape Town i...

Renovations That Increase the Value of Holiday Rental Properties

Nov 2, 20165 min read

Holiday rental properties have the potential to bring in a significant income boost for investors. As a general rule of the thumb, the higher the tourism grade, the more lucrative the property becomes...

5 Vacation Rental Properties to Avoid

Oct 30, 20164 min read

Chosen well, vacation rental properties are an excellent investment. But many new investors are in such a rush to purchase, they make decisions that are less than careful. The biggest reason for poor ...

Is Vacation House Rental a Good Investment?

Oct 29, 20164 min read

The vacation house rental market continues to grow at a rapid rate. Many first time investors are drawn to the idea of having a holiday home that can be enjoyed a few times a year, while bringing in e...

5 Airbnb Optimisation Tips

Oct 26, 20163 min read

Airbnb optimisation can often be a bit confusing at first. This major holiday accommodation listing platform has rapidly changed the vacation rentals game. With a constantly growing database of proper...

6 Lessons for First Time Holiday Rental Investors

Oct 23, 20165 min read

First time holiday rental investors have a lot to learn. From knowing where and when to invest, to doing the endless research that allows you to make an informed decision, everything you do affects yo...

Vacation Rental for the Leisure Travel Market

Oct 21, 20165 min read

Much like short term rental for business travellers has its own set of requirements, vacation rental for leisure travellers also has specific requirements. The leisure travel market is a diverse group...

Prepare Your Short Term Rental for Business Travellers

Oct 19, 20164 min read

Short term rental for the business travel market includes a wide range of properties, for individual travellers as well as groups. In Cape Town, business travel makes up a growing portion of the overa...

Holiday Apartment Rental Tips

Oct 15, 20164 min read

Holiday apartment rental offers an excellent choice for property investment. Smaller than villas and free-standing houses, apartments cater to a diverse range of travel markets. Smaller spaces are oft...

Is Your Holiday Rental Ready for Peak Travel Season?

Oct 14, 20164 min read

Your holiday rental has seen a slow but steady rise in bookings over the year, but are you ready for the upcoming peak travel season? Here in Cape Town, the summer holiday period between December and ...

How to Up Your Airbnb Host Game

Oct 12, 20165 min read

Becoming an Airbnb host is simple enough, in theory. If you have your space listed on Airbnb, you are essentially a host. But, while anyone can be a host, it takes a bit more effort to become a super ...

Why Invest in Cape Town CBD Holiday Rental Property?

Oct 8, 20163 min read

Cape Town CBD holiday rental property caters to leisure travellers as well as corporate travellers. The area's centrality, convenience and proximity to world-class attractions and facilities make it o...

Short Term Property Challenges

Oct 6, 20164 min read

Short term property offers an enticing investment for many, but it is not without its share of challenges. The rise of platforms such as Airbnb have opened up the field of property investment to more ...

Choosing Your Short Term Rentals Market

Oct 5, 20164 min read

You may assume that the ideal short term rentals market is anyone wanting to book your property for a stay. While all guests are welcome, finding your ideal market gives you the benefit of a far more ...

Why Invest in Atlantic Seaboard Holiday Rental Property?

Sep 30, 20163 min read

Atlantic Seaboard holiday rental property comprises some of Cape Town's most sought-after holiday homes. From the iconic beachfront suburbs of Camps Bay and Clifton to the central hubs of Green Point ...

What Does Managed Vacation Rental Mean?

Sep 29, 20163 min read

What exactly does managed vacation rental mean? More importantly, how does a managed approach differ from a non-managed one? For many property owners wanting to break into the short term rental space,...

How Seasons Affect Short Term Property Rental Success

Sep 27, 20164 min read

Many budding property investors eagerly anticipate the rewards of short term property rental. Not everyone stops to consider the effects that travel seasons have on your success however. If you have t...

6 Ways to Make Your Airbnb Property More Enticing

Sep 23, 20165 min read

Your Airbnb property has had a few bookings, but compared to similar properties in your area, it just never quite seems to generate glowing reviews. If that scenario sound familiar, you're not alone. ...

What Laws Apply to Holiday Property Investments?

Sep 22, 20164 min read

Holiday property investments offer an excellent way to take advantage of the consistent growth within the South African tourism industry. In Cape Town especially, many property owners are making the t...

Does Your Vacation Home Rental Need Concierge?

Sep 20, 20164 min read

The vacation home rental market is known for its fierce competition – especially in popular travel areas such as Cape Town. Thanks in part to booking platforms such as Airbnb, anyone with property to ...

Why Use a Holiday Rental Property Manager?

Sep 16, 20164 min read

Why should you consider working with a holiday rental property manager? Is it really worth the investment to partner with a professional, or can you go it alone and still get the same results? For man...

How to Boost Your Airbnb Occupancy Rates

Sep 15, 20164 min read

Airbnb occupancy plays a very important role for those wanting to generate a notable income from short term rentals. It goes without saying that bookings are your bread and butter – having an empty, u...

8 Things to Consider Before Investing in Holiday Rentals

Sep 12, 20162 min read

Planning on investing in holiday rentals? Before you get too carried away, it can be extremely valuable to consider all of your options well in advance, so that you can safely and realistically get th...

Dos and Don'ts for Vacation Rentals Success

Sep 10, 20164 min read

Vacation rentals make up a constantly growing percentage of the property rental market. In Cape Town alone, this market is rapidly evolving, especially as tools such as Airbnb continue to advance.

5 Lessons to Improve Your Airbnb Rental Success

Sep 7, 20164 min read

The Airbnb rental platform has allowed anyone and everyone who owns a property to benefit from short term property returns. While this is great for the economy (and for the holiday rental market in ge...

Best Area for Vacation Rental Property in Cape Town

Sep 5, 20164 min read

As far as vacation rental property in Cape Town is concerned, location is everything. South Africa's Mother City is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods.

What Type of Vacation Rental Property Should You Choose?

Aug 31, 20164 min read

Vacation rental property types vary considerably. While the two most popular property types for short term rental are without a doubt villas and apartments, there are many other properties that do not...

How to Maximise Your Short Term Rental Income

Aug 23, 20165 min read

The lure of a high short term rental income is what leads many property owners to rent out their properties to holidaymakers. Many new property investors assume that making a fortune through holiday r...

Short Term Property Rental Mistakes to Avoid

Aug 17, 20164 min read

With so many jumping aboard the Airbnb trend, short term property rental mistakes are becoming a lot harder for some property owners to avoid. While this platform has made it possible for more people ...

How to Get Started as a Holiday Rental Property Developer

Aug 12, 20164 min read

A few people you know are making a killing on Airbnb, and you are seriously considering purchasing a holiday rental property to kick-off your investment dreams. Before you get too carried away, you fi...

How to Prepare Your Property for Holiday Rentals

Aug 11, 20164 min read

If you have big plans on transforming your investment property into a space that attracts premium holiday rentals, you likely already know that visitors expect the very best. Sadly, as the rapid rise ...

How to Choose a Vacation Rental Property Manager

Aug 11, 20163 min read

Whether you’re thinking about putting your apartment on Airbnb or you are looking for an experienced vacation rental property manager for your villa, choosing the right partner to help you maximise yo...

Long Term vs Short Term Property Rentals: Which Has Better Returns?

Aug 11, 20163 min read

If you are wondering whether it’s best to consider long term or short term property rentals as an investment, you may find yourself trying to weigh up a great number of pros and cons. The reality is t...

The Rise of Aparthotels in South Africa

Aug 10, 20164 min read

Aparthotels in South Africa are on the rise, and, if tourism reports from the last year or so are anything to go by, this growth shows no sign of slowing anytime soon.