Notes from my vacation rental in Sedona

Categories: Cottage Renters, Renters Tips Comments (2)

I have found it a real eye opener this week to be at the other end of the rental market. My days are normally spent helping people find properties to rent, matching them up with the cottage that meets their needs, and processing all the paperwork that will get them there with the minimum of stress. This week, I am at a rented cottage in Sedona, Arizona, taking some much needed down time, so I’m in the position of being a rental client.

The home we have rented is lovely. It’s in a residential area but has a fenced in yard so no-one overlooks us. Most places here are on one level so there are uninterrupted views of the famous red rocks from the living area and the garden. This is a pet friendly property so our golden retriever is with us enjoying the hiking as much as we do.

I really should practice what I preach though. Our website at CLRM has a master packing list that all our rental guests can download, along with a few notes to make sure nothing is missed. But, I totally forget it was there and arrived without my favourite knife. Rental properties are notorious for be equipped with blunt knives by the way. The villa is very well equipped though and there are a few things I will be passing onto my cottage owners at CLRM that I think would make their homes more user friendly for guests.

Here’s a few tips I have picked up this week:

  • If you plan on cooking something special like a paella or casserole that you need a specific pan or dish for, bring it with you
  • Pack essentials such as toilet paper, dishwasher tabs/soap, foil, clingfilm and garbage bags, just in case these are not provided.
  • Don’t plan on barbecuing the first night, or have a standby option, in case the BBQ fails to work or is out of gas.
  • Read the property manual as soon as you have arrived and get settled. There’s usually a lot of useful information that you will need to enjoy your stay.
  • Read the guest book – there’s often a wealth of information on local attractions and places to go with candid testimonials and recommendations from previous renters

Comments

  1. Julie says:
    October 23, 2007 at 7:16 am

    Hi Heather,
    I agree with you about the dull knives. Never have I ever rented a place that has good cutlery. Why do people always cheap out on this????? That and bad bed linen are my two major irritants when renting a place.
    I love reading people’s guest book and seeing comments or suggestions from other renters.

    Cheers,

    Julie
    PS Hope you have/had a good drive back.

  2. Admin says:
    October 23, 2007 at 7:54 am

    Hey Julie

    I am on a mission to get owners who rent out their cottages to improve their facilities and features. Renter expectations are rising and owners must take notice of this. Why should people spend a significant amount of money on a vacation rental only to find they are being offered low grade household equipment and linens.

    In our own cottage we always pay attention to renter comments. The latest was a plea for a slow cooker, which we have now supplied. Since our visit to Sedona I am also upgrading the dinnerware and cutlery as it was so nice to have high quality tableware there and I want my guests to experience the same good feeling as I got when I was on vacation.

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