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25 Things to Put into a Local Attraction Book for Your Renters
Tips for creating a local attraction book with area activities, contact information, and vacation home rules
Years ago, I started a local attraction book for my vacation rental property for several reasons:
 1. To let the guests know about the local area restaurants, shopping, attractions, and sites
2. To answer questions regarding my vacation home, especially the amenities
3. To eliminate phone calls from guests during their stay (and during my dinner!)
4. To ensure the greatest possible vacation for my renters
This book has been a lifesaver for me. I get far fewer calls from guests with questions about my second home. Prior to creating my attraction book, I used to get calls with questions about the parking passes or the satellite TV. Now, I even have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) list in an easy-to-find place for my guests.
My guests have told me that they greatly appreciate my local attraction book. They love having an array of restaurant menus, directions to the grocery store, and a variety of maps at their disposal. I also insert a bunch of blank pages for the guests to jot down their own "local finds" too. It's easy and inexpensive, and I'm sure your guests will appreciate the effort.
 To create a local attraction book to leave in your vacation rental home for your guests, purchase a high quality three-ring binder (the cheap ones will fall apart too quickly) from your local office supply store. You should also purchase some top-load sheet protectors to keep the pages from getting torn. A handwritten and signed welcome letter inserted into the front of the book adds a personal touch. Then just starting collecting and adding many of the items listed below and slip them into the binder.
Your local attraction book should include:
Your local attraction book should include:
Information about your vacation home area:
- Maps of the local area
- Menus from local restaurants
- Area-amusement brochures
- Church schedules
- Directions and phone numbers to hospitals, pharmacies and other medical facilities
- Directions to grocery stores
- Airport directions and information
- Shopping information
- Discount coupons for shopping or attractions
Information about your second home:
- Instructions for the DVD player/satellite TV
- How to override the programmed thermostat
- How to work controls for swimming pools, boats, or other amenities
- Local TV channels
The following contact information:
- Housekeepers
- Maintenance staff
- Owners home and cell phones
- Security officers
- Local police/fire
- Weather information
- Local poison control center
Rental rules:
- Check-in policy
- Checkout times and policies
- Complex/subdivision rules
- Parking information
- Quiet times
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What do you have in your vacation rental attraction book?
"My rental is a beach cottage so I like to print a recent tide chart for the summer days/months that are rented out. I keep it on the fridge in the kitchen." -Joan, Saco, ME (HomeAway #153176)
"I include simple, good recipes that can be made in 15 minutes or less. My guests also add to the book. When I go to visit our rental I enjoy reading what unique recipes others have added to the book." -Kathy, Ft. Myers Beach, FL (VRBO #69482, VacationRentals.com #12880)
"Our little mountain town on Lake Almanor has a small franchise market with discount prices if you have their card so we have a "Holiday" card included in our book so all our guests can take advantage of the store's lowest prices. Our book also includes information about local marinas for boat rentals, the bike shop in town that rents bicycles and maps of local bicycle trails. The golf courses in the area and their phone numbers are listed to assist our guests schedule tee times. Restaurants/menus, brochures for other local attractions, and finally blank pages for guest's notes complete a very full binder." -Sharrie, Lake Almanor, CA (VRBO #61876)
"We have Google Maps showing the best routes from our vacation home to local attractions. We have extra copies so renters can take one with them in the car." -Nadia M., Carmel Valley, CA
"Since all our rentals have wifi, we include a page of helpful web links that may help our guest during their stay, from local restaurants to special events." -Jeremy, San Diego, CA (HomeAway #107246, VRBO #228426)
"With over 100 restaurants within walking distance or a five-minute drive, we put out a nicely bound hardback notebook for guest to write their own reviews. In five years they've nearly filled 2 books, so they clearly enjoy doing it. (And this is in addition to standard visitors book and loose leaf attractions.)" -Richard, Carvoeiro, The Algarve, Portugal (HomeAway #83549)
"I collect menus from all the restaurants I like and have a wide selection at my rental house for my guests to pick from as well as maps and dress code information so they can choose where they would like to dine." -Cherie, Ormond Beach (HomeAway #164018, VRBO #91183)
“We have Mapquest directions to local attractions and grocery stores. For the grocery stores we include the grocery store "club cards". That way our guests can reap the benefits of discounts when they shop for their groceries.” - Linda, San Diego, CA (HomeAway #218117, VRBO #43941)
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© Christine Karpinski 2006. U.090518.LC
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