Who Should I Design My Vacation Rental For to Get Premium Bookings?

Most investors design for the wrong guest. They throw around terms like "families" or "couples" and think that's specific enough to guide their design decisions. But here's the thing: that approach is way too broad to actually move the needle on your bookings or your rate.

If you don't know exactly who your ideal guest is, what they value, and what they'll pay for, you're just guessing. And guessing means you end up with a rental that appeals to everyone and stands out to no one.

Entertaining backyard designed for families and groups that want to getaway and connect.

Your Ideal Guest Isn't a Demographic

Your ideal guest is a specific person with specific expectations, travel habits, and spending behaviors. In your market, that might be a 40-year-old couple celebrating an anniversary who stays at boutique hotels and books wine tours. That's who you should be designing for. Not just "couples."

The difference? One is a strategy. The other is a shot in the dark.

Some common guests types are:

• Families looking for spacious, safe environments

• Couples seeking romantic or quiet getaways

• Business travelers needing reliable amenities and privacy

• Groups of friends wanting entertainment and social spaces

  
  

Knowing which group fits your property best helps you focus your design and eventually, marketing efforts.

How to Actually Identify Your Premium Guest

Look at the top performing rentals in your market. Pull up their listings and read their 5-star reviews. What do guests rave about? What experiences do they mention? What made them choose that property over everything else?

That tells you who's booking at premium rates and what they value. And that's the intel you need to design a rental that converts scrollers into bookers.

Your rental’s location shapes the type of guest you attract. Urban properties near cultural sites or nightlife will draw a different crowd than beachfront homes or mountain cabins. So think:

• What activities or attractions are nearby?

• What kind of traveler visits this area most often?

• What seasons bring the highest demand?

  
  

Tailoring your design to these preferences increases your chances of premium bookings.

Why This Changes Everything

When you know your guest, design decisions become obvious. You're not wondering if you should invest in outdoor seating or a fire pit. You know whether your guest values that experience. You're not debating paint colors based on what you like. You're choosing based on what resonates with the person who will actually pay to stay there.

This is the first thing we tackle in a strategy session. Because if you don't know your guest, you can't design a rental that converts them. And if you can't convert them, you're leaving money on the table.

Lakefront vacation rental bedroom appealing to guests who enjoy nature views.

Design for a specific guest with specific expectations, not a broad demographic. That's how you command premium rates and stand out in a crowded market.