While managing a hotel is a daunting task, managing a vacation rental is even more difficult. ‘Why?’, you might ask!

Different locations, multiple unit types, several accounts, lots of enquiries, and regular maintenance of one thing or another at the property. The list goes on and on!

If you’re not the owner, the daily chores might even involve answering the owner’s questions about reports, schedules, and bookings.

Whether you’re managing a single vacation rental with a few units or act as a professional host with multiple listings and accounts, an easy-to-use, feature-loaded Vacation Rental Business Application will come in handy.

What is a Vacation Rental Software

In simple terms, a Vacation Rental Software is a Cloud-based program allowing you to build a website, connect it to major third-party distribution channels, accept direct bookings with online payments, manage guest reservations, and initiate guest communications, all in one place.

Why do you need a Vacation Rental Management Application?

While we tried to brief you on the importance of a Vacation Rental Business Application in the intro, here are some specifics you might want to consider. A credible Vacation Rental Software offers these benefits and more.

• Save tremendous amount of time
   

  While managing a vacation rental, answering questions is part of the daily job. ‘Do you provide early check-ins?’, ‘What’s the check-out time?’, ‘Can I bring a pet along?’. Imagine yourself answering these for multiple accounts 365 days a year!
  A Vacation Rental Software allows you to use email templates and save a good amount of time. It lets you automate several tasks, including housekeeping duties, and rates with a single click. While you focus on other things, the software executes the rules and restrictions you’ve set.

• Sync all your properties and accounts into one single centralized system

  All the Vacation Rental Business Applications listed below come with an integrated Channel Manager, allowing you to connect the property to multiple OTAs. Since everything you need to know will be available in your software’s calendar in real-time, you won’t have to enter each extranet separately.

• Create a high-converting website instantly

  While you can use a lot of different tools and strategies to build a website, using a software specific to the hospitality industry will give you a website optimized for your property.
  For instance, you’ll be able to accept direct bookings and online payments on the website. Moreover, many Vacation Rental Business Applications come with features like SSL certification, unlimited hosting, and custom domains.

• Get more direct bookings
   
  Revenue Management System

  While websites like VRBO and Airbnb help rental owners diversify bookings, a lot of guests like to window-shop before reserving a stay. A growing number of guests check different sources online to get the best deal.
  A Vacation Rental Software can help you reap the rewards of direct bookings. In fact, you won’t even have to pay any listing fees.
  While choosing a software, it’s important to pick a service provider that allows you to accept bookings on the website. Since most guests prefer making payments via credit cards, the website should accept online payments too.

What to consider when choosing a Vacation Rental Solution?

With a lot of options available online, it can be quite hard to choose the right Vacation Rental Software. In order to make an informed choice, you should consider a few important things.

• Ease of Use

  While most applications claim to be simple, you need to consider ease-of-use regarding the interface and features. During the first contact, you should be able to get a good hang of menus, prompts, features, and other details. On return visits, getting well-versed with the usage shouldn’t take long.

• Integration with other applications

  As mentioned earlier, a Vacation Rental Business Application should integrate with several other distribution channels and apps. The software could integrate via a Channel Manager or a sophisticated platform, such as Zapier.
  With control over multiple channels and apps from a single place, you’ll be able to save a good amount of time while streamlining processes.

• Is it mobile-friendly, does it offer a mobile app?

  Travellers from around the world are using more mobile devices than ever. If you want to stay competitive in a tough hospitality industry, your software needs to give you this functionality. It should be available as a mobile app, allowing you to manage every aspect of your business on the go.

• Can the App ensure secure payments?

  Even with the most stunning rental website ever created, you’d struggle to increase direct bookings if the customers are insecure about making payments.
  A Vacation Rental Software should provide you with an SSL and HTTPS encrypted website. These security certificates help you build credibility, and allow your guests to make online payments without suspicion.

• Are the website templates engaging and high-converting?

  The Vacation Rental Software you choose should offer a wide range of functional, memorable, and attractive website templates. Outdated templates can lead to a higher bounce rate, reducing the number of queries you receive.
  On the other hand, a well-designed template with good UX can have a huge impact on an increase in direct bookings.

List of the Best Vacation Rental Business Applications

Note that the products listed below are ranked by order of preference with HotelMinder staff, customers & website users. It's important to understand that one solution cannot suit all types of properties: The best Vacation Rental Management System for a 500 bedrooms luxury hotel in Las Vegas has very little in commun with the one for a 25 rooms boutique hotel in the middle of rural Tasmania.

We usually work with independent properties and groups ranging from around 20 to 200 units. The solutions listed below match the typical needs and budget of this kind of businesses.

Feel free to look at and demo some of the Vacation Rental Management Systems listed below, several of them with special offers and discounts only for HotelMinder users!

If you want more choice have a look at our Partners Marketplace, and if you would like professional guidance on what solution to choose for your business, consider booking a 1-to-1 Tech Advice Session with an HotelMinder Expert.