Dictionary

This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.

Farm Stay

Usually operating farms that accept guests for lodging, food service, horse back riding and other farm life activities and experiences.
See also: Guest Ranch, Due ranch Origin: Wm. May Link: GuestRanchers.org

Fleece

Another word for towels, wash cloths and math mats
See also: Textiles, linens, towels Origin: May, William

FVRMA - Florida Vacation Rental Managers Assoc

Trade Association of Vacation Rental Managers in the State of Florida.
See also: VRIA, VRMA Origin: FVRMA

Guest Ranch

Usually working ranches that accept guests for lodging, food service, horse back riding and other ranch and farm activities.
See also: Dude Ranch, Farm Stay Origin: Wm. May Link: GuestRanchers.org

Guest Registration

The process during which a guest checks into a lodging unit and registers as being in occupancy. Also the form used during the registration process.
See also: Simple Registration, Complex Registration Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Guestminders

A co-hosting program for lodging owners offered by members of the Goldener inns & resort Network, such as Inns, Resorts and other multi-unit properties.
See also: Guest minders, guest minder, Origin: GuestMinders Link: GuestMinders.com

HomeMinders

A co-hosting program for vacation rental owners offered by members of the Sunspots Vacation rental network, such as for cabins, condos, homes & villas.
See also: Guestminder Origin: May, William

Hostel

An establishment that provides inexpensive lodging often for students, workers or travelers, some in shared bed or bunk rooms, sometimes with modest individual rooms. Usually baths are across the hall. Many have bending machines and coffee service, but seldom sit down dining.
Origin: Wm. May

I-Calendar

Various price setting techniques designed to increase gross sales of a business, including tools for dynamic pricing, promotions, advertising, discounts, specials and more. Also known as Dynamic Rates, and Dynamic Pricing
Origin: William May

Key Safe

A stout box which can be attached to a build, that requires a user to punch in a numerical combination code in order to retrieve a key from inside. Usually a mechanical device, not electronic. Some types can be hung on a door knob.
Origin: Istay

Limited Vacation Rental Manager

A locally owned and operated company that manages multiple second homes for short-term rental such as cabins, condos, cottages, houses, villas, etc. Provides onsite services and marketing without aid of a support organization. May also refer to an individual who works at such a company.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Linens

Usually cotton materials used for sheets, pillow cases and other bedding
See also: Bedding, Textiles, towels, fleece Origin: May, William

Lodging Taxes

Includes the sales, tourism and sometimes other taxes imposed on lodging by governments in a given destination. Facilities are required to add these taxes to the price of lodging and sometimes other costs.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Mountain View

When guests can see surrounding mountains from some area of the property, not necessarily from all area of the property. May include Full, Partial or Peekaboo Views.
See also: View, Beach View, City View, Resort View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Name Your Price

An offer to guests to specify the price they want to pay per night for lodging, and the manager then looks for lodging to meet their criteria
Origin: William May Link: VRIA.org

Obscured Rent by Owner (RBO)

When a website makes a property owners identify hidden thereby requiring guests to only communicate through their website dashboard, the rental is Obscure.
See also: Rent by Owner, Rbo Origin: May, William Link: VRIA.org

Occupancy Rate

The percentage of total available nights that have been rented for a property or a group of properties over a specified time period. 2. The percentage of all rental units that are occupied or rented at a given time.
Origin: William May

Per Person Pricing (PPP)

Often used for Vacation Rental homes, a pricing model where a minimum nightly rate is set for a property allowing a base or normal number of occupants. Guests pay an additional fee for each guest over the normal, up to a maximum number of guests allowed in the property. The additional fee is often much higher for unapproved guests.
See also: Dynamic Rates Origin: Istay

Property Manager

A person or company who manages real estate including commercial, residential and other properties. Should not be used for people who manage vacation rentals, as those should be called "Vacation Rental Managers" or "Lodging Managers"
See also: Vacation Rental Manager, Lodging Manager, Absentee Vacation Rental Manager, Corporate Vacation Rental Manager Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Reciprocal Program

Some managers give property owners a 10% rental discount when staying in other properties handled by the manager. Usually this is optional and only available to owners who provide the same discount to other owners. Due to seasonality the discount may not be available in all properties at all times - - especially during high seasons.
Origin: William May