How to communicate sauna is shared

[Jennifer2682]

Hi everyone. I host an entire house on a two acre wooded hillside. I live in a small cabin at the very base of the property. Both houses are situated to provide maximum privacy for all and I promote my house as peaceful, quiet, romantic, and private. I get a lot of honeymooners and couples.  I’m adding an outdoor sauna for my guests, which will be situated partway down the hillside between the rental and my personal cabin.  I would also like to use the sauna myself.  Do you think guests mind “sharing” with the owner even if we’re using it at different times? Should I block off a certain time (say 7am-8am) for my own personal use or just make it available on a first come first served basis?  Do we need a “tie on the doorknob” type of code?  I want to make sure guests feel comfortable and can fully relax.  Curious to hear your thoughts! 

[Alexandra316]

@Jennifer2682 I think I'd invite the guests to book a time to use it and avoid it at those times. If I were a guest, I'd like to be able to schedule I think.

And wow, your place is gorgeous! I love it! 

[Jennifer2682]

Thank you so much! 

[Lorna170]

@Jennifer2682   Schedule a standard day and time period for "servicing" of the sauna during which you can also enjoy it.  Guests may not plan their use and want to pop in on a whim, but if the sauna is "down" during published hours, everyone will be happy.  

[Jennifer2682]

Thanks!  That's kind of what I was thinking too.  Appreciate the input! 

[Dale711]

@Jennifer2682 

You stated, 

                        “ I’m adding an outdoor sauna for my guests, which will be situated partway down the hillside between the rental and my personal cabin.”
                   
                       “ I would also like to use the sauna myself.”

As your listing announcements clearly described,

1. Title- Tub for Two! 
2. Description- Peaceful and Privacy.......

As a matter of fact, an outdoor sauna announced in the listing of “Entries Home”, obviously the sauna only for the guest, no ways for the host to share it.

The guest will feels complicated and uncomfortable  to shared with host, even though the sauna is located between the host personal cabin and the rental listing.

By the ways, you can make the decision, the outdoor sauna is for your guest or only for you. 
Your listing goal is, 

                                       “ I promote my house as peaceful, quiet, romantic, and private. I get a lot of honeymooners and couples.” 
                                                           Therefore, the outdoor sauna only for the sweetie couple! 💕

You can observe in case the sauna not often used by the guest, you can have the option to keep for yourself.

I bet, the guest will love the romantic sauna experience.

it’s a times to add another for yourself! 

Happy Hosting  

[Helen3]

Personally I don't think I would share this facility with my guests particularly during Covid @Alexandra316 

I would just use it after of course full cleaning in-between having guests.

[Alexandra316]

@Helen3 it's been shown that Covid doesn't live on surfaces for long, so I would think the chance of issues would be low. Maybe look to public health regulations for guidance. 

[Laura2592]

@Jennifer2682this is tricky because you have positioned your place as very private and a honeymoon/couples retreat. We also get a fair number of honeymooners, and sometimes they complain because we have visible neighbors. We have gotten dinged on our location rating because the possibility of al fresco romance can be stunted during certain months when the tree cover makes the place less private.

I think you only need one accidental meet up with a guest who was looking forward to using the sauna to get a poor rating and re-think your posted hours. Not everyone will respect or even read your rules. if you want to use this amenity yourself, probably best to do so when your calendar is blocked.

[Sarah977]

@Jennifer2682  I honestly don't see an issue with sharing the sauna with guests as long as that is made quite clear in your listing. Also in photos. On a photo if the sauna, I would insert wording "Sauna shared with hosts".

Then of course you should set a schedule

for guest use and your use.

As Helen pointed out, though, I would have some concerns about COVID re sharing the sauna. If it were me, I'd probably just use it myself after guests check-out and it has been aired out and been disinfected.

[Jennifer2682]

Thank you all so much for your feedback! 

[Anonymous]

@Jennifer2682  Just echoing @Alexandra316  here, you have a really incredible listing. Gorgeous photos and delightful text descriptions. 

A sauna on site will be a great addition to the property, but I would suggest offering it selectively as a special privilege, rather than including it as a listed amenity. Once an item is on the amenities list, it's something guests are contractually entitled to - so there is some risk that they will appreciate it less if they feel inconvenienced by sharing it. Also, if you have doubts about a guest's hygiene or etiquette, you might want to have the option of not offering to share your personal sauna with them.

Instead, the sauna can be an ace in your sleeve: an unexpected perk that you can offer at will when you'd like to make a guest feel especially welcome. That makes it clear that the rented space is entirely theirs, but the sauna is a separate property that they have been invited to enjoy.

Alternatively, you can offer a sauna appointment as a separate add-on feature with an extra fee, rather than something that's included in the home rental.

[Jennifer2682]

Andrew, that’s brilliant! Thank you all so much for the suggestions and for your kind words about the space. 🙂