If you’re a vacation rental owner looking to increase bookings and maximize your return on investment, you’re not alone. In today’s competitive short-term rental market, filling your calendar takes a holistic approach—design, amenities, trends, strategy, pricing, and location all play a role.
From four-bedroom bungalows in Nashville to sprawling eight-bedroom estates in Scottsdale, our tips will help you increase occupancy in your vacation rental and attract the kind of guests who leave glowing reviews (and come back for more).
1. Optimize Sleeping Arrangements
When it comes to bookings, more heads in beds can translate to more dollars in your pocket—and adding more beds provides a solid rationale for charging higher rates, as you’re offering increased capacity to larger groups. Of course, this must be done thoughtfully.
For a four-bedroom home in Nashville, aim to comfortably sleep up to 12 guests with a mix of king, queen, and full-size beds—or even twin-over-queen bunks in the right spaces. In Arizona, balancing capacity with comfort is key. Larger homes can benefit from a variety of room types, like a spacious primary suite with a king bed, a few rooms with a queen each, and others with two queens to accommodate larger groups. You could also consider sleeper sofas or air mattresses to increase guest capacity—just be sure they don’t compromise comfort or the overall guest experience.
But remember: this doesn’t mean you should cram ten beds into one room. It’s crucial to design spaces that still make sense for the type of guests you’re expecting. For example, six smaller bunk beds might work in a family-friendly space, but in areas that attract corporate travelers or bachelor(ette) parties, this might not align with guest expectations.
At GoodNight Stay, our in-house design team, Alpha Interiors, specializes in helping owners arrange beds to maximize capacity while maintaining both comfort and style, ensuring a welcoming space that guests will love.
2. Allow Pets—and Open the Door to More Bookings
Pet-friendly homes attract a large and loyal guest segment. According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2024 report, 55% of dog owners and 36% of cat owners plan trips that accommodate their pets. This growing trend underscores the increasing demand for pet-welcoming accommodations.
Allowing pets (with a reasonable fee) not only expands your potential audience but also leads to longer stays and repeat bookings. Bonus: small touches like a dog bed or water bowls go a long way in creating a memorable stay.
3. Offer Value-Added Amenities
Today’s guests expect more than just a place to stay—they want a place to play, relax, and connect. Imagine your guests’ experience from check-in to check-out. Brainstorm ways to enhance each space and create a memorable experience that keeps them coming back.
Consider adding amenities like:
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Bicycles for exploring the neighborhood
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Outdoor games such as cornhole or giant Jenga
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A shelf stocked with books and board games
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A BBQ grill (if your HOA or building allows it)
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Outdoor and indoor dining tables to accommodate your maximum guest count
These thoughtful touches not only make your home more attractive but also serve as an incentive for guests to book. The high-quality experience they have during their stay increases the likelihood that they’ll return and recommend your property to others, turning one-time guests into loyal repeat visitors.
For a more comprehensive list of must-have items to keep your vacation rental fully stocked, check out our must-have inventory checklist.
4. Create Spaces for Work and Gathering
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of understanding why your guests are visiting and how they will use the space. Tailoring your home to meet their specific needs not only enhances their experience but creates a stay that is both comfortable and memorable—helping you attract more guests to your property.
A proper dining space is essential—especially in larger homes catering to group travel. Make sure your dining table comfortably seats your maximum guest count, and consider adding extra seating outdoors to provide more flexibility for group dining.
Equally important is offering a designated workspace. As more and more professionals work remotely or in hybrid arrangements, “workcations” have become increasingly common. Accommodations that support their professional needs—featuring a well-placed desk, comfortable chair, reliable Wi-Fi, and good lighting—become the ideal choice for remote workers seeking a productive and enjoyable stay.
5. Partner With a Professional
All of these upgrades are powerful—but managing them alone can quickly become a full-time job. That’s where partnering with a professional property management team can truly transform your rental’s performance.
At GoodNight Stay, we take a 360° approach to vacation rental success. We specialize in helping owners maximize occupancy, increase nightly rates, and deliver exceptional guest experiences by covering every angle—from design to revenue, guest support to marketing. Our in-house design experts reimagine layouts and furnishings to appeal to your ideal guest, while our revenue managers continuously monitor market trends, guest behavior, and local regulations to adjust pricing and strategy in real time.
Each property is paired with a dedicated Owner Success Manager—your go-to point of contact who acts as a trusted proxy for your home. They ensure your property is well-maintained, share ongoing market insight, and offer personalized recommendations to elevate performance and enhance your ownership experience.
In addition, we offer a dedicated reservations team to provide seamless support throughout the guest journey, and we amplify your property’s visibility with marketing exposure on 350+ top booking platforms. If you’re ready to take a holistic approach to your vacation rental and unlock its full potential—we’re here to help.
