Becoming a host: What we recommend. And what not

Quite a few of our readers are considering building a holiday home or renovating an existing property for rental. Again and again, we are asked by future hosts what they should bear in mind when building and designing a holiday home or what mistakes should be avoided at all costs.

First of all, there is – unfortunately or thankfully – no secret recipe. However, we do have a few suggestions.

• Look for a good architect! It is not only their experience and reputation that are important. A personal relationship is just as essential – after all, you are developing a long-term project together!

• Define your target group: What kind of guests would you like? Which ones suit you and your house? Are families, groups or couples more in keeping with your expectations? Are you targeting active holidaymakers, bon vivants, dog owners, etc.?
  Try to define exactly what you want to offer your guests, and what needs do you think your target group has.
  Many future hosts try to take too many different target groups into account, even those whose requirements and lifestyles they themselves do not know well enough.

• Consider as carefully as possible in what environment, with which services you feel most comfortable and what you yourself like. The place where you later accommodate your guests will be much more authentic than if you try to implement some trend. Trends change and also become more and more fast-moving – your project, on the other hand, remains.

• Leave out what is not necessary. Sustainability is a priority, and a clear concept is usually better than trying to please everyone. Less is more.
  When we receive enquiries from prospective hosts, we often get detailed questions about equipment, such as “Do we need a fully automatic coffee machine?” When such a question is asked, it usually means that the particular detail about equipment is not absolutely necessary for the concept. So, it can be left out.

• Keyword sustainability: Coherence is required here, and it is worthwhile questioning one’s own product critically. Do coffee capsules go together with a passive house?

• Even if, like all of us, you already have your favourite colours, objects or designs supposedly in your head: The question remains as to what actually suits the specific location and object. And: Timeless lasts longest.

• Of course, it is always good to know what the “competition” is doing – be it locally or nationally. Nevertheless, we advise against falling into copy and paste mode. Develop your own concept, it is your house.

• How much space guests want and need varies depending on the situation. If it fits the concept, combinable or flexibly usable units make sense – for example, apartments that can be joined together or an additional bedroom that can be turned into a study.

The way to being a host is – first of all – to take (self-)critical stock of your own priorities and needs. If you have these clearly in mind, the vision in terms of design and content becomes all the more concretely realisable.

Teaser Image: © Kajetan Sumila / Unsplash