Top 15 Mistakes Vacation Rental Owners Make and How to Avoid Them: A Practical Guide for More Bookings and Better Reviews - Part 3
In the first part, we looked at the basics: how to improve your photos, set smart prices, communicate with guests, and attract off-season bookings. The second part went a bit deeper, covering guest reviews, calendar syncing, and why it's risky to rely only on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com.
This final article completes the series with five more mistakes that are often overlooked. Things like outdated tech, poor cleaning standards, missing extra services, or manual booking systems may seem minor, but they often decide whether a guest leaves a great review or books again.
11. Poor technical setup (Wi-Fi, TV, power outlets)
Most guests today travel with several devices. They stream shows, play music, and many work remotely. If your apartment doesn’t have reliable Wi-Fi, enough outlets, or a modern TV, the stay can feel frustrating.
Your internet should be fast, stable, and work in every room. A good rule of thumb is at least 20 Mbps for downloads and 5 Mbps for uploads. You can test your connection easily at speedtest.net. If the signal is weak in some areas, consider getting a Wi-Fi extender. It’s a small investment that makes a big difference.
Make sure the network name and password are clearly visible, either on the wall, on a table, or as a QR code. A smart TV with access to apps like YouTube or Netflix, a few extension cords, and some international adapters are now expected, not optional.
Simple touches like a universal phone charger, a Bluetooth speaker, or a wall plug with USB ports show guests you’ve thought about their needs. These small details often make a lasting impression.
12. Poor maintenance and cleanliness
Cleanliness is one of the main reasons guests leave negative reviews. They might accept older furniture, but they will not tolerate dust, stains, bad smells or a dirty bathroom. On platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb, cleanliness is rated separately, and a low score in that category can seriously lower your overall rating and reduce new bookings.
The vacation rental must be thoroughly cleaned after every guest, with no exceptions. This includes all floors, the bathroom, kitchen surfaces, light switches, door handles, remote controls, the balcony, the fridge, and any other frequently touched surfaces. Guests often notice small things that are easy to overlook, like dust on shelves, stains on curtains or dirty glass surfaces.
Bed sheets and towels should be checked regularly and replaced immediately if they are stained, worn out or have an unpleasant smell. Pillows, blankets and bed covers also need deep cleaning from time to time. Basic supplies like soap, toilet paper, trash bags and dishwashing liquid should always be available and neatly placed. It's also important to air out the apartment between stays, especially during warmer months.
If you manage several units or simply don’t have enough time between check-out and check-in, hiring a professional cleaning service is worth considering. It saves time and helps you maintain a consistent level of quality. Having someone you can trust is often more valuable than trying to do everything on your own. Guests notice the effort, and a good first impression always starts with cleanliness.
13. No additional services that add value
These days, guests are rarely looking just for a place to sleep. More often, they expect something extra. Small details and simple services that don't require a big investment can significantly increase the overall value of your rental. In many cases, these extras are the reason for a better review, a higher nightly rate, or a guest deciding to come back.
There are plenty of additional services that are easy to set up and can mean a lot to your guests. Instead of looking for a bike rental in town, many guests will happily use one that is already waiting outside the vacation rental, and the breakfast can be arranged with a nearby café that offers a simple morning brunch.
You don’t need to guide tours yourself. It’s enough to have contact with a reliable local guide or travel agency. Laundry service can be offered for a small fee. Airport transfers are especially appreciated by guests who arrive without a car and want a simple solution without extra planning.
You don’t have to offer everything. What matters is that what you offer is clearly explained and useful. The easiest option is to prepare a one-page flyer listing your available services in both Croatian and English. Place it somewhere visible, like on the table, fridge, or by the entrance.
In your listings, use phrases that guests often search for, such as "bike rental", "free breakfast" or "airport pickup". Add these to your description, and if you have your own website, include photos of the tours, breakfast options, or local partners. These kinds of details help build trust and increase the chance of getting booked.
14. Manual work and paperwork without digital tools
Keeping bookings in a notebook or writing invoices by hand might have worked when you had just a few guests. But as your vacation rental business grows and more guests book through different OTA channels, this way of working becomes harder to keep up with.
One forgotten message or an unlogged booking can quickly lead to an overbooking, a missed check-in, or a bad review. Small mistakes like these often happen when everything is done manually. Today, guests expect fast replies, clear communication, proper invoices, and an updated calendar. When those things are missing, it can feel disorganized and unprofessional.
This is where a digital tool can make things easier. Instead of using notebooks, printed papers, and several apps, everything can be handled in one place. One option is Rentlio One, a system designed for vacation rental owners who want to keep track of bookings, guest communication, invoicing, and check-ins all in one spot.
With a tool like this, bookings appear in your calendar automatically. Guests get confirmation messages and reminders without you having to send each one by hand. You can also register guests and issue invoices right from your phone, even if you're not at home.
When you spend less time on paperwork and avoid common mistakes, you have more time to focus on your guests and the overall experience. Staying organized helps you avoid stress and run things more smoothly, even during the busiest parts of the season.
15. Not keeping up with trends or learning
Tourism changes quickly. Guests now expect fast replies, digital check-in, local tips, and a smooth stay. If you don’t keep up with changes on booking platforms, guest habits, or new rules, it’s easy to fall behind.
Booking.com and Airbnb often update their policies. New tools come out that can save you time and reduce mistakes. Local laws also change from year to year.
The good news is that staying informed doesn’t take much time. Just 10 to 15 minutes a week is enough to read updates, join a workshop from your local tourism board, or watch a short tutorial.
The most successful hosts aren’t always the ones with the fanciest apartments. They’re the ones who pay attention to what guests need and make small improvements along the way.
And finally
Across these three articles, we've covered what often separates average hosts from those with fully booked calendars and top ratings. It's not about luxury or luck. It's about how much attention you give to every part of the guest experience.
A good impression starts before the booking and stays long after the guest leaves. People remember that. And it's up to you whether your apartment is just a place to sleep or a stay that gets recommended.
So keep learning, adjusting, and running your rental with care and a personal touch. In tourism, that always pays off.
P.S. If you missed them, you can read the first two parts of this series here:
Part 1: The basics of a good listing and common mistakes to avoid
Part 2: Reviews, calendar management, and why not to rely only on Booking.com
Daniel Herman is a growth marketing enthusiast with 10 years of marketing experience who enjoys thinking strategically and seeing the bigger picture. He writes about everything related to developing marketing activities and KPIs, branding, and taking a long-term approach to success, always with the goal of sharing useful ideas and inspiring action.
