Owning a vacation rental in Breckenridge, Colorado, means you’re part of a rapidly growing and competitive market. Sure, occupancy rates are rising, but so are the number of properties available. This means guests have more choices, and the competition among owners is heating up. In this kind of market, making your rental stand out is more important than ever.
At Ski Country Resorts, we’ve spent decades managing vacation properties in Breckenridge, and we’ve seen firsthand what makes certain rentals shine. The bottom line? Success comes from making sure your Rocky Mountains rental grabs attention from the get-go.
To help you stand out and boost your bookings in the Breckenridge market, here are five essential tips we’ve put together.
Let’s dive in!
1. Think of Decor as an Investment, Not Just an Expense
Seasoned property managers know that interior design is more than just a cost — it’s an investment. Why? Great design directly impacts how appealing your vacation home is, which in turn affects how much revenue it generates. In a competitive rental market, decor is just as crucial as price, location, and amenities.
Guests are drawn to properties that are attractive and inspiring, even if it means paying a little more. That’s exactly what you should aim for.
A beautifully designed rental also increases the likelihood of positive reviews, leading to more bookings down the line. Here are some tips to enhance your decor in Breckenridge:
Mountain Cabin Aesthetics
Guests love decor that reflects the environment. In Breckenridge, leaning into mountain charm is a big win. Consider artwork that features mountain landscapes, wildlife, or winter scenes. Adding vintage ski decor, local craftsmanship, and historical pieces can give your property character while supporting local artists. Use natural materials like wood, stone, leather, and fur, paired with earthy tones and rustic furnishings.
Furniture Mix
Rentals with contemporary decor tend to attract more guests than those with outdated styles. Opt for sleek, modern furniture with textured, solid-colored, or subtly patterned fabrics to create a light and airy vibe. Rustic pieces can add charm, but they shouldn’t dominate your design — a balanced mix of modern and rustic is the key.
Embrace Greenery
People often feel more at home in spaces with greenery. Adding plants can make a big difference. In a mountain setting, go for Dwarf Pine, Spruce Trees, Boston Ferns, and succulents. Faux plants can also work, but make sure they look realistic.
Outdoor Areas
Don’t neglect your outdoor spaces like backyards, decks, and porches. These areas should complement your indoor design and provide inviting spots for guests to enjoy the natural surroundings.
2. Focus on Standout Amenities & Modern Entertainment Tech
Investing in the right amenities is crucial in the competitive Rocky Mountains market. High-quality amenities can elevate the guest experience, leading to 5-star reviews, repeat bookings, and higher occupancy rates.
Offering extra amenities can also justify higher rental rates and make your property more appealing. Modern travelers especially appreciate entertainment tech and gadgets. Here are some amenities to consider for your Breckenridge rental:
Luxury Upgrades
Hot tubs, spa-like bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, private saunas, fireplaces, cinema rooms, and smart home devices (thermostats, locks).
Entertainment
Multicade machines, pool tables, air hockey, foosball, shuffleboards, board games, puzzles, yard games, and gaming consoles.
Outdoor Areas
Fire pits, barbecue grills, well-furnished patios, wooden decks, and porches that extend your indoor style outdoors.
Smart Tech Extras
Smart TVs with streaming services, smart lighting, high-speed Wi-Fi, digital guidebooks, EV chargers, and responsive communication systems.
Pro tip: Many guests filter their search based on amenities, so having a thorough list will help your property show up in more results.
3. Invest in Professional Photography & Write Engaging Listing Descriptions
Photos are the first thing people notice in short-term rental listings, and they often make decisions in an instant. High-quality photos can capture attention and set your property apart from the rest.
Great photos drive more views, clicks, and bookings. They help set expectations and allow guests to visualize their stay, making them more likely to book and boosting your search ranking on listing platforms.
Here are some quick tips for taking great photos of your Rocky Mountains property:
Select a Hero Image That Wows
Choose an eye-catching, inviting photo as the hero image to draw in potential guests. Showcase your property’s top features, like a stunning mountain view, a private hot tub, or a stylish living space.
Embrace Natural Light
Capture photos during the day with windows and curtains open to maximize natural light, giving your images a brighter and more authentic look.
Multiple Angles
Shoot at least three photos per room — a wide-angle, mid-range, and close-up shot — to give viewers a comprehensive look at the space.
Styling and Layout
Stage the interior with touches like plants, flowers, and cushions. Keep the space tidy and visually appealing. Consider composition, incorporating shots that show the flow between rooms.
High-Resolution Photos
Ensure your photos are high-resolution, crisp, and clear. Avoid blurry shots, and make sure the images truly represent your property.
Clear descriptions are just as important as photos. They provide essential details about the property, amenities, and local attractions, helping guests make informed decisions.
A well-crafted description highlights the unique features of your property, while accurate and detailed information helps set realistic expectations, reducing the chances of negative reviews.
Here are some tips for writing effective descriptions:
Brief and Detailed
Break the description into sections with distinct titles and bullet points, making it easy for readers to absorb the information.
Spotlight Amenities
Use bullet points to list amenities, and place them in each room’s section to clearly show what’s available.
Include Appropriate Keywords
Use keywords that highlight the unique aspects of your property, like hot tubs, fireplaces, or nearby attractions.
Establish Clear Expectations
Be upfront about any potential limitations of the property to prevent disappointment. Transparency builds trust and helps align expectations.
Heads Up: If you describe your rental property in a certain way and stage it with plants, flowers, candles, and cushions for pictures, remember that you’re setting expectations. If guests arrive and don’t find what they saw in the photos, they’ll likely be disappointed.
4. Recognize the Importance of Customer Service
Customer service is the heart of hospitality and the key to success for any owner in Breckenridge. Whether you’re renting out a serviced condo or a luxury home, your goal should be to make guests feel appreciated and provide them with the best possible experience.
Exceptional customer service helps build meaningful relationships with guests, leading to repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals. Plus, great customer service is crucial for earning positive reviews. The more good reviews you have, the more bookings you’ll get, and the more you can charge for your property.
So, how can you ensure top-notch customer service? The secret lies in communication. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
Be Quick to Reply
Respond to guest inquiries promptly, ideally within five minutes. Quick replies build trust and show that you’re attentive to their needs.
Detailed and Transparent Messages
Communicate clearly and in detail. Use concise wording and bullet points to make sure guests fully understand key details about their stay, check-in instructions, and house rules.
Offer a Complete Guide to the Area
Put together a guidebook with recommendations for local attractions, dining, and activities. Highlight your favorite spots and hidden gems to give guests a personalized experience.
Provide a Guest Manual
Create a detailed house manual that outlines all the essentials — how to operate appliances, Wi-Fi access, check-in/check-out procedures, and emergency contacts. This allows guests to navigate your property with ease and reduces the number of questions you’ll need to answer.
24/7 Support
Let guests know they can contact you at any time for urgent matters. Consider enabling phone notifications to ensure you never miss a message.
5. Use Dynamic Pricing to Maximize Bookings
Dynamic pricing for short-term rentals means continually setting the optimal price for each guest at the right moment. This strategy involves tracking market trends to adjust rates, outperform competitors, and maintain high occupancy and revenue.
This approach integrates various factors, including real-time demand, occupancy rates, seasonal trends, and notable local events, to continuously optimize pricing. Here are the main components of a dynamic pricing strategy:
Occupancy Management
Optimize occupancy by adjusting rates in response to demand. Aim for 65-75% occupancy for the upcoming month and fill as many nights as possible to maximize your rental’s potential.
Booking Window
Monitor and modify pricing according to the booking window to enhance revenue and detect demand trends.
Seasonality
Set rates based on seasonal trends, offering lower rates in off-peak months, moderate rates during transitional periods, and higher rates during peak times.
Holidays and Local Events
Increase your rates during holidays and major local events, and consider offering last-minute promotions to boost occupancy.
Weekday vs. Weekend Rate Strategy
Apply variable pricing for weekdays and weekends, with lower rates for weekdays and higher rates for weekends.
How to Stand Out from the Competition with Your Breckenridge Rental
As the online rental market gets more crowded, your property needs to break through the noise to attract guests and outperform the competition.
At Ski Country Resorts, we believe property management is about more than just business. We envision a world where homeowners aren’t weighed down by hidden fees, contract loopholes, or ulterior motives.
We’re committed to treating your property as if it were our own, ensuring top-notch care. With our strategic marketing plans, 24/7 guest support, and dedicated maintenance team, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of owning a vacation rental while earning more.
Looking for more tips on managing your Breckenridge vacation rental? Check out our blog for the latest advice on improving your operations, attracting more guests, and boosting your revenue.