How To Be a Good Guest at the Cabins: Stay and Play’s Pro Tips for Renting a Vacation Home

February 2, 2025

At Stay and Play Blue Ridge, we know our guests’ vacations are something they look forward to all year! That’s why making your stay an easy process is as important for us as it is to you! Here are a few tips for renting a vacation home with us in the Blue Ridge Mountains to ensure the cabins are available for family vacations for years to come:

1. Accurate Reservations for a Smooth Stay

To help everything run smoothly, it’s important to ensure that the number of guests on your reservation matches your actual party. Maximum occupancy numbers are generated for your safety and comfort, as well as out of consideration for neighboring cabins. Many vacation rentals, including ours, have exterior cameras for security and to verify guest counts. If you reserved a cabin for four guests, planning to arrive with ten can create unnecessary complications and void your reservation. Let’s work together to make sure your stay is seamless and stress-free.

2. Pet-Friendly Advice

If the listing mentions “NO PETS,” it’s best to honor that policy. This helps ensure the comfort of all guests, including those with allergies, and protects the property from additional wear and tear. While we understand pets are family, we recommend local boarding facilities if you’d like your furry friend nearby. Many facilities allow daytime pick-ups for hikes or play and provide safe overnight accommodations.

Service Animals: Service animals are always welcome with proper documentation. As outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as dogs trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. Please note that service animals shouldn’t be left alone in the cabin.

While emotional support or comfort animals are cherished companions, they are not classified as service animals and aren’t permitted in our cabins. We appreciate your understanding.

3. Easy Checkout Tips For Renting a Vacation Home

To ensure a smooth transition for the next guests, we kindly ask for your help with a few simple steps before checkout:

  • Securely bag all trash and place it in the outdoor bins.
  • Clear the refrigerator and pantry of any leftover food.
  • Tidy up spills or messes.

These small actions make a big difference for our cleaning team, helping them prepare the cabin for future guests. Following these steps can also enhance your review and reputation on booking platforms.

4. Caring for the Property

We truly value guests who treat our cabins with care. Here’s how we approach it:

  • Guests who go above and beyond are eligible for special discounts on future stays.
  • Guests who are considerate are always warmly welcomed back.
  • Guests who leave the cabin in disarray may face challenges booking with us again and could receive less favorable reviews on booking platforms.

Your thoughtfulness helps us maintain a welcoming environment for all guests.

5. Timing Is Everything

Sticking to the check-in and check-out times ensures every guest has a positive experience. Our cleaners often juggle multiple cabins and rely on the scheduled times to prepare each property to our high standards.

  • Check-out: Leaving on time helps us get the cabin ready for the next guest without delay.
  • Early check-ins: If an early check-in is possible, we’ll notify you. Moving in while the cleaners are still working can disrupt their process and impact the cleanliness of your cabin.

Your cooperation keeps everything running smoothly and helps us provide the exceptional experience you deserve. Follow these tips for renting a vacation home and your trip to The Blue Ridge Mountains is sure to be one you and your family will cherish for years to come. We’re excited to host you and can’t wait for you to have a wonderful stay!

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