There are many benefits to renting out your property to guests looking to stay in your local area. Some homeowners decide to let guests stay in their family homes whilst they are away, whereas others build annexes and guest houses nearby to their properties so that they can make extra money regularly throughout the year. Building a guest house can initially be expensive, but is a great way to create a secondary source of income once it’s built and fully functioning. But what’s the secret to creating guest accommodation that stands out from other properties? Here’s how to design an annex that guests will love.
Cosy, Home-Like Decor
If guests staying in your accommodation wanted to feel as though they were in a hotel, they would ultimately stay in a hotel instead. They’ve likely chosen your property because it’s everything that a hotel isn’t - homely and comfortable. If you want to instantly attract guests to your accommodation, cosy and home-like decor should be a priority. This could simply mean filling the space with photos and canvas prints, perhaps from a talented artist in the local area. Or maybe consider unique furniture such as a log burner or old-fashioned gas stove to offer them something comforting but completely one-of-a-kind.
Tech Amenities
Although on many occasions, guests like to book weekend stays to escape their busy, everyday lives, it's important that your accommodation is still equipped with modern tech amenities like ultra-fast fibre and WIFI connectivity so that they can reconnect with the digital world whenever they like. Whether you’re an advocate of smart technologies in homes or not, your guests could very much be, which means they will expect basic tech features such as a smart TV and easy to use heating controls.
Privacy
Many guests will be comfortable spending their stay close to you and your family home - as long as this is communicated prior to their stay - but it’s likely that they will still appreciate privacy and independence during their stay. It makes things easier for both the host and their guests to set up a lockbox which guests can use to enter the property, rather than having to meet you first. If possible, you should also consider the privacy of the property's garden or outdoor areas. Particularly in the warmer months of the year, guests may want to enjoy an evening relaxing in the garden, in which instance, they will require a separate patio or outdoor space to yours.
Some guests will also appreciate a separate driveway to the one you use for your property. If they’re staying for a significant period of time, it will be helpful for them to be able to come and go as they please, without having to think about blocking the area for you or your family, or running into you every time they leave the property.
For the interior of the property, privacy can be easily improved by designing the space with heavy and opaque curtains, or alternatively blinds which they can decide to close at their convenience.
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