Vacation rental owners disrupting the Upstate New York hospitality with guest experience tech

During one of our Hospitality on Autopilot Clubhouse sessions, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Killeen from the Annex Hotel about their innovative approach to operating and managing a hotel. The Annex offers a fresh, modern twist on the traditional and often outdated methods of hospitality, focusing on creating an immersive and highly personalized guest experience.

One standout takeaway from the conversation was their impactful tagline: “Enjoy the comforts of home. Come live like a local.” This idea of fostering an environment where guests feel truly at home, while also experiencing life as a local, is not only unique but also incredibly important in today’s hospitality landscape. As more travelers seek authentic and comfortable stays, the Annex’s approach resonates with the growing demand for personalized, home-like experiences that go beyond the standard hotel service.

Creating a space where guests can relax, feel at ease, and connect with the local culture brings a new level of hospitality. This balance between the comforts of home and the excitement of discovering a new place can elevate the guest experience to something more meaningful and memorable. For other property managers or rental operators, adopting a similar mindset—where the guest’s comfort and a sense of belonging are prioritized—can help create lasting impressions, lead to positive reviews, and encourage repeat stays. It’s about going beyond the basics and offering guests an experience that feels uniquely tailored to them, making your property stand out in the competitive world of short-term rentals and hotels.

Comforts of Home

When a guest travels to a new city or country, they are automatically put into the position of having their wits about them. As such, their stress is running high, and their quality of stay is lessened. When a guest chooses their stay, they are essentially figuring out where their temporary home will be — what can they comfortably call home? In order to reduce stress, guests may choose something that’s either familiar or completely different from their norm in order to make themselves feel more at ease. Where The Annex succeeds is by providing a great accommodation to the point where guests feel comfortable, and are able to call the hotel their second home (okay, this may be a stretch, but you never know).

Getting your rental to this point of comfort and lack of stress takes time and effort but is simple enough. For starters, one key thing that helps with removal of stress is a good night’s sleep. By investing in good quality mattresses, guests will most likely have a better night’s sleep, thus reducing their stress levels and increasing their overall comfort.

From sleep, the next aspect is the actual environment of the rental. Soft accents like small plants, some art work furnishings, and comfy furniture are all good things to make the guest feel more at home. By adding these aspects, the guest will feel more at ease and will be more likely to enjoy their stay.

By making the rental comfortable and welcoming, you’re not only showing that you have the guests’ best interest at the forefront of your mind, but also that you actually care if the guests have a good time or not. Although these are only some of the possible things you can do, there are always more. If you have any questions feel free to email us at contact@ensoconnect.com

The way the pandemic has shaped the travel industry will surely make you rethink the way you take care of your rental business. Keeping your properties in order will ensure the longevity of your business. The rental industry has seen lots of up and downs in the past year, from travel restrictions cutting business to having business that’s strictly just meant for quarantining guests. Figuring out the balance of your properties will ensure your business will succeed.

Surviving post pandemic

Finding the right balance in your business and being able to predict future scenarios are undoubtedly challenging tasks. One of the most effective ways to prepare for the future is to analyze past scenarios to understand where things may have gone wrong and what lessons can be learned. The pandemic has undoubtedly forced many to reevaluate and modify their approaches to managing short-term rental properties.

Reflecting on how you adapted during this crisis can offer valuable insights. How did you overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic, and what strategies did you implement to maintain or even grow your business during such an unpredictable time? By examining these experiences, you can identify patterns and strategies that may be applicable to future uncertainties. Understanding the adjustments you made and their outcomes can provide a clearer picture of potential future scenarios, helping you to anticipate and navigate upcoming challenges with greater confidence and agility.

This reflective process not only aids in refining your current practices but also prepares you to be more resilient and adaptable as you continue to evolve in an ever-changing market landscape.

Understanding the past is crucial for preparing for the future. By analyzing previous experiences and outcomes, you can make informed predictions about what your rental properties will need to ensure the longevity of your business. Additionally, it’s important to consider how your guests’ preferences have evolved, especially in light of recent changes in their lifestyles and expectations.

Guests’ needs and desires are constantly shifting, and staying attuned to these changes is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Engaging with your guests to understand their current preferences and expectations can provide valuable insights. This proactive approach not only helps you anticipate and meet their needs but also enhances their overall experience.

Being a property owner in the short-term rental business means your success hinges on delivering the best possible experience to your guests. By opening up a dialogue with them and actively seeking feedback, you can better align your offerings with their desires. This not only prepares you for future trends but also strengthens your relationship with current guests, leading to improved satisfaction and loyalty.

Opening a dialogue is the perfect opportunity to figure out what is currently expected of you and your properties. Using this information can quickly and accurately outline what you need to renovate or fix in your properties. Although these expenses may be hard to justify at first, you will notice a difference in the mood of your guests once they know that your property is well equipped.

Throughout this process you’ll start to understand your guests and your business more and more. If you ever have any questions about your property or how you can better prepare for the future, feel free to email us at contact@ensoconnect.com.