7 steps to organise check-out at your holiday let
The check-out is an important part of giving a guest a 5-star experience.
Departure is when travellers pack up, return the keys and bring their trip to a close. As a host, remember that ending the visit well can make a difference: it is the final memory they take away.
Today, at Alehost, we share some tips to help you provide a smooth check-out for your guests. Read on and take note!
7 tips for a clear, straightforward check-out
Here are some practical ideas and strategies to help travellers leave your accommodation without difficulties.
Explain the departure times
Clear communication from the outset is essential to keeping guests’ stay in your apartment running smoothly.
Everyone involved needs to know when guests must leave the apartment. One option is to state this consistently in your property listing and alongside the house rules.
This helps both guests and the hosts managing the property. In high season, when arrivals and departures are frequent, time is essential to getting everything ready for the next visitors.
Provide everything needed for self check-out
One useful option is to choose devices that allow self check-out.
This removes the need for the host to meet guests to collect the apartment keys. With devices such as key safes, guests can leave the keys at the agreed time and depart.
These arrangements give greater flexibility to both parties and avoid situations some travellers prefer to skip, such as another meeting with the owner.
Keep an inventory of the property’s contents
Day-to-day life in a holiday let is busy and changeable. Many people pass through the property over the seasons, and not everyone treats it as carefully as they should.
As a host, keep track of all the equipment so you can identify damage or items that need replacing. Some guests will tell you if an accident happens, but if they do not, an up-to-date inventory lets you check everything after departure and repair or replace items before the next guests arrive.
You may also like: Your holiday let inventory: what should it include?
Arrange cleaning in advance
When guests leave, either your cleaning team or you as the host must visit to prepare everything for the next arrivals.
It is important to know how much cleaning time is needed. This allows you to set realistic check-out and check-in times for departing and arriving guests.
Failing to meet the times you have promised creates a poor impression and can spoil the next guests’ experience.
Help guests plan their journey home
When we arrive somewhere unfamiliar, even a little help is welcome. You can therefore provide information on how to reach the city’s railway stations, bus stations or airport.
Include routes and explain whether to travel by bus, metro or taxi. This helps guests leave the city if they need guidance and takes little effort on your part.
Send a thank-you message
After guests have left, a useful way to encourage a positive review is to send an email or a personalised message through the booking platform, thanking them for choosing your property.
This leaves a positive final impression and may improve your rating. A more personal, human and friendly approach from hosts can make a difference. You can also use this opportunity to remind guests to leave a review of their experience.
Building trust and familiarity helps turn occasional visitors into returning guests who may choose you again when they next visit, or recommend you to other travellers.
Leave a review on their profile
On many platforms, hosts are not the only people who are reviewed. Travellers also receive feedback as guests.
Check the review deadline and process on the platform used: not every channel offers the same type of review. When reviewing a guest, focus on communication, compliance with the house rules and the observed condition of the property.
A useful review describes facts honestly; it does not have to be positive. Avoid personal information, judgements about the person and any exchange of favourable reviews for benefits.
Departures work best when timing, cleaning and key returns are coordinated. If you need help organising these tasks, explore the scope of our full management service.
A departure message to adapt
Hello, [nombre]. Tomorrow’s check-out is before [hora]. Please leave the keys in [lugar acordado] and let us know through this channel when you leave. Check that you have not left any belongings behind and lock up as explained in the access guide. If anything is unclear, message us here. Thank you for staying!
Fill in only conditions that have already been communicated and confirmed. Do not add a new list of tasks or charges at the last minute. After departure, check the inventory, document any incidents and make sure the cleaning team has enough time.
Organise arrivals, departures and guest support with Alehost.
