How to Upsell Premium Experiences for Your STR
In the world of short-term rentals (STR), providing a great place to stay is just the beginning. To truly stand out in a competitive market and increase your revenue, you need to offer something extra—premium experiences that enhance the guest stay. Upselling premium experiences not only boosts your earnings but also adds value to your guests’ stay, turning ordinary visits into unforgettable ones.
This article explores how you can effectively upsell premium experiences in your short-term rental, from creating unique packages to offering personalized services, all while ensuring your guests feel the value they’re getting.
1. What Are Premium Experiences?
Premium experiences are extra services, activities, or amenities that go beyond the basic accommodation offerings. They can range from in-house services such as private chefs or personalized spa treatments to exclusive local experiences like private tours or VIP access to events. These experiences are designed to make your guests’ stay feel more luxurious, exclusive, and memorable.
The key to successfully upselling premium experiences is ensuring that the value exceeds the cost, so guests feel they are getting something special for a reasonable price. Whether your guests are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to elevate their getaway, these experiences cater to their desires for comfort, luxury, and exclusivity.
2. Understanding the Power of Upselling
Upselling isn’t just about offering guests a chance to spend more—it’s about offering them something they genuinely want. Effective upselling in the STR industry focuses on adding value and making the guest experience more memorable. Upselling premium experiences can also differentiate your property from others, helping to build brand loyalty and attract high-end guests.
When done right, upselling can increase your revenue significantly without requiring much additional effort or expense. Premium experiences can enhance your brand’s image, as guests associate these high-value offerings with superior quality.
3. Types of Premium Experiences to Upsell
There are numerous ways to upsell premium experiences, depending on the location, the type of property, and the interests of your guests. Below are some of the most popular options:
Personalized Concierge Services
A concierge service offers guests a personalized touch, handling special requests such as booking restaurant reservations, organizing transportation, or securing tickets to local events. You can also provide guests with a customized itinerary tailored to their interests, such as booking a private tour or arranging special experiences like wine tasting or a scenic helicopter ride.
By offering concierge services as an upsell, you can position yourself as a luxury provider who cares about the finer details of your guests’ stays.
In-House Dining Experiences
One of the most appealing premium experiences is an in-house dining experience. You can partner with a private chef or caterer to offer meals prepared right at the property. From intimate candlelit dinners to extravagant multi-course feasts, a custom dining experience adds a personal and luxurious touch to the stay.
In addition to private chefs, you could also offer breakfast packages, gourmet snack baskets, or even cooking classes. If your property is near wineries or breweries, a private wine or beer tasting can be an exciting upsell.
Spa and Wellness Services
Spa treatments and wellness services are among the top premium experiences guests seek out when staying in an STR. You can offer in-house massage therapy, facials, aromatherapy, and more. These services can be booked as part of a luxury package, making your guests’ stay feel like a true retreat.
For a unique twist, consider offering wellness experiences such as guided meditation sessions, yoga classes, or even access to a personal trainer. Wellness offerings are especially attractive to guests looking for relaxation and rejuvenation during their stay.
VIP Local Experiences
Another lucrative option for upselling is offering VIP access to local attractions and events. This could include private tours of museums, special passes for concerts or theater shows, and guided excursions to landmarks. If your property is located in a tourist destination, you can partner with local tour companies, theme parks, or other attractions to offer exclusive experiences for your guests.
VIP experiences provide guests with a sense of exclusivity, allowing them to access experiences that may be difficult to get otherwise. This makes them feel special and well taken care of during their stay.
Adventure and Outdoor Activities
If your STR is located in an area that offers outdoor adventures, you can offer packages that include guided hikes, mountain biking excursions, surfing lessons, or fishing trips. For guests looking to experience nature, these premium experiences provide an exciting and active way to explore the area.
Even during the off-season, you can offer activities such as snowshoeing, skiing, or even wildlife watching. The goal is to create an experience that aligns with the guests’ interests while highlighting the unique features of your location.
4. How to Market Premium Experiences
The key to successfully upselling premium experiences is effective marketing. You want to make sure your guests are aware of the experiences you offer and are encouraged to book them. Here are several strategies to market your premium offerings:
Showcase in Your Listings
Your STR listings (on platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, or your own website) should prominently feature the premium experiences you offer. Create a dedicated section that highlights the available upsells, with compelling descriptions and high-quality photos. Showcasing these services can be the difference between a guest choosing your property over a competitor’s.
Use language that makes guests feel excited about the experience. Phrases like “exclusive access,” “luxury,” and “tailored to your needs” help convey the high-end nature of the offering.
Create a Special Offer or Package
Another effective strategy is creating special packages that bundle premium experiences together. For example, you can offer a “Romantic Getaway” package that includes a private chef dinner, a couples’ massage, and a scenic helicopter tour. By bundling these experiences, you make it easier for guests to book multiple upsells at once while providing them with a better value.
Promote these packages on your website, social media, and in communication with your guests before their stay. Offering a discount on the package compared to individual services can make the upsell even more attractive.
Email Marketing Campaigns
Once guests have made their initial booking, you can follow up with personalized emails offering additional premium experiences. For instance, send a welcome email that highlights the premium offerings available during their stay. This could be a tailored email based on the guest’s preferences (e.g., offering a spa day to someone who’s celebrating an anniversary or a private tour to a culture-loving guest).
Email marketing is an excellent way to target guests who may not have initially considered upgrading their experience but may be swayed by the right offer.
On-Site Promotion
You can also upsell premium experiences during guests’ stays. This can be done in person, by having staff mention available services, or via a digital guidebook or welcome booklet in the property. Providing guests with a well-designed brochure that highlights premium experiences allows them to explore the options and make a booking right on the spot.
Having a physical presence or a friendly reminder that upsells are available enhances the likelihood that guests will consider them.
5. Pricing Your Premium Experiences
Pricing is one of the most crucial aspects of successfully upselling premium experiences. You want to ensure the price reflects the value guests are receiving while still being competitive within the market.
Conduct Market Research
Before setting your prices, do some research to see what other STR hosts in your area are charging for similar experiences. This will give you a good idea of the going rate and help you position your upsells accordingly.
Offer Tiered Pricing
Consider offering tiered pricing for certain experiences to cater to different guest budgets. For example, a spa treatment could have different options for a basic massage, a deluxe experience with extra add-ons, or a luxury package with a full treatment. This allows guests to choose the experience that fits their budget while still feeling like they are getting a premium service.
Avoid Overpricing
Premium experiences should be priced at a level that reflects their exclusivity but isn’t so high that it discourages guests from booking. Offering too many expensive experiences or pricing them too high can result in fewer bookings and less overall revenue.
6. Creating a Seamless Booking Experience
To maximize the likelihood that guests will book premium experiences, make sure the process is as easy and seamless as possible. Offer a streamlined booking system where guests can add experiences to their reservation directly through your booking platform, whether that’s through Airbnb, your website, or a third-party service.
Consider integrating an upsell feature into your booking platform that allows guests to view and select premium experiences when making their reservation or checking out. The easier you make it for guests to book these extras, the more likely they are to do so.
Conclusion
Upselling premium experiences is a highly effective strategy for increasing revenue while providing added value to your guests. By offering a range of tailored, luxurious, and unique experiences, you create opportunities for guests to elevate their stay, making it memorable and enjoyable. Whether it's personalized concierge services, in-house dining, or VIP local experiences, the key is to ensure that these upsells align with your guests’ desires and needs.
Effective marketing, seamless booking, and appropriate pricing will allow you to maximize the success of your upselling efforts. By focusing on creating exceptional experiences that guests will cherish, you not only increase your revenue but also build brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth for your STR.
