Renting 2 rooms apartment for 2 guests

[Franco185]

So i have a 2 bedroom apartment and i would like to know if it's okey to rent it to a couple and not 100% on families. In that way i would be competing with the small apartments and have mine as much booked as i can. 

Keep in mind that in my country it's not normal to rent bedrooms yet. 

Tips? 

Thank you guys.

Franco

[Linda108]

@Franco185  I see you have 2 bedrooms plus a couch for up to 5 guests to rent the entire apartment.  If you want to appeal to a couple who will use one bedroom, lower your nightly rate for one bedroom and add an extra guest fee for guests over 2.  That will allow couples to have a lower rate and show up in more searches and still allow you to make more money when there are more guests.  Be  sure to lock the second bedroom if only 2 guests.  Allow only towels for 2 and lock up more towels.  Be sure to be able to monitor who is coming in, so extra guests will not be brought in without paying.  Hope this helps

[Franco185]

@Linda108 That will totally help, thank you so much!

[Synnove0]

I agree with @Linda108 on the lower price for 2 people and then add more money for more people. 

However, I’m not sure about the locking of the second bedroom. Be aware that friends  or family members (mother and adult child) travel together and they book your place because they want a bedroom each. So if you do this you must make it clear in the description that bedroom 2 will be locked if you only have 2 guests. 

Or do as I do: I have 3 bedrooms and sometimes it is booked by 3 people. I have no idea how their relation is so maybe they want a bedroom each. The solution is to then provide bedding and towels only for 3 people. (all the other beds have protectors on and a fitted sheet, and I also use a bed blanket on top of that too. But no duvet or pillow).  You will chickly notice which beds they have used when they check out. 

It’s a little more work like this, but I often travel with friends like this and I would not be happy if I have purposely booked a 2 bedroom place and I find one of the bedrooms locked. 

[Franco185]

Hey @Synnove0 you have a point keeping the rooms opened not knowing the relation between each guests, i will keep that in mind. Usually guests tell me how many they are and if they are friends/family/etc, but i should have no problems if i double check towels and beddings for each. Thanks for the reply!

[Linda108]

Good point, @Synnove0.  I base my nightly rate on 2 people using a single room but if 2 people want to use 2 rooms, I have an extra charge.  If 3 or 4 people want to use both rooms, the extra guest charge will cover the use of the extra room.  It is my experience that secondary room is extra effort on my part in addition to the use of the bed linens.

Since this is an entire apartment, the risk is the guest not being honest about the number of guests and using the second bedroom.  Clearly @Franco185 you must establish the guest needs for your listing in advance.  

[Franco185]

 So in case they want the second room i should extra charge, i hope they don't mess it up much haha. Thanks both @Synnove0 and @Linda108

[Paul154]

@Franco185

The best way to market your offering is to have 2 linked listings.

One listing would be a one bedroom apartment for X people max. Lock the 2nd bedroom.

The other listing would be a 2 bedroom apartment for Y people max.

Price accordingly.

[Franco185]

@Paul154 True, i've seen hosts that use that type of linking. But what happens if  guests rent on both lists at the same time and they mix? Can that occure? Thanks for answering Paul.

[Paul154]

@Franco185

I am hoping that the reservation is real time and so such double booking is not possible. Perhaps wishful thinking...

[Franco185]

@Paul154 Okey Paul, thank you for your help and time.