Blog

10th June 2025

As the short-term rental industry matures, so does the level of competition. According to Hostaway’s Short-Term Rental Report, 76% of short-term rental operators said their market grew more competitive in 2024. Here in New Zealand, growing hotspots like Queenstown, Wanaka, and Waiheke Island continue to see an increase in listings, making it more important than ever to offer an experience that truly stands out.

At MajorDomo, we are experts in luxury short term rental management with a curated collection of premium homes across the country. We observe, first-hand, that the best-performing properties are those that put the guest experience at the heart of everything, offering comfort, care, and attention to detail throughout. Whether you’re new to hosting or refining your existing offering, here are six key areas to focus on in 2025.

1. Make a Strong First Impression

The way a property is presented online sets the tone for the entire stay, and this first impression can often be the deciding factor in a guest’s booking decision.

• It’s important to invest in professional photography and video that tells the story of your space and captures your home in the best light. A mix of seasonal imagery (capturing both sunny, summer exteriors and interiors with fireplaces glowing for wintery feel) can help guests imagine themselves staying at the right time of year.
• Use clear, well-crafted copy and provide accurate, detailed descriptions that give guests a sense of what to expect, from the standout features to the little comforts that they’ll enjoy during their stay.
• It’s important to keep your listing content fresh and aligned with the latest platform-specific optimisation practices to stay visible and relevant. Working with a team that understands the nuances of both direct and third-party platforms, and uses tailored analytics and booking tools to support them, ensures you can adapt quickly to changing demand and platform algorithms.

2. Thoughtful Touches Go a Long Way

Today’s guests have come to expect short-term rentals to provide hotel-level amenities i.e. soft towels, high-quality linen, bathroom essentials, a well-stocked pantry, high-speed WiFi, and complimentary tea and coffee. In 2025, offering a truly luxurious guest experience means going a step further.

• A cohesive design with comfortable, inviting interior and exterior spaces creates a sense of comfort from the moment guests arrive. Luxurious amenities, like a cosy outdoor fireplace, a sauna after a ski day, or a spa pool with sweeping lake and mountain views can elevate a good stay into a great one.
• It’s often the the personal touches that leave the strongest impression. For example offering welcome basket with locally-sourced, seasonal treats that tailored to your guests’ preferences, accompanied with a handwritten note. It’s these details that guests remember and talk about when they share their experience with friends or leave a review.

3. Create a Seamless Guest Experience

When guests feel truly looked after, it changes the nature of their stay. The logistics fade into the background, and what’s left is time spent relaxing, connecting, and enjoying the moment.

• Before check-in, coordinating a full walk-through ensures the property is immaculate and every detail is in place. The fire is already glowing, the beds are turned down, and the view from the deck invites you to pause and take it all in.
• A warm welcome, smooth check-in and thoughtful local recommendations will set the tone for the stay early on. At MajorDomo, our concierge team supports guests with everything from private chefs to activity bookings to help them make the most of their time away. We partner with trusted local providers to ensures every experience feels authentic and worthwhile, allowing guests to experience the destination the way locals do.

4. Communicate with Care

Responsive, friendly, and professional communication can make or break a guest’s experience. To deliver a 5-star stay, host communication should go beyond basic logistics and reflect to the guests that you genuinely care about their experience.

• Before their stay, prompt, friendly replies go a long way in building trust and setting expectations.
• Arranging an in-person check-in, alongside a personalised welcome gift, allows guests to feel immediately at home and settled straight away.
• Ensuring guests have access to a reliable point of contact or property manager throughout their stay provides valuable peace of mind, even when everything goes to plan. Facilitating a locally-based expert who knows the property inside-out is essential for quickly resolving any problems that may arise.

5. Understand Your Market

Every region has its own quirks, from peak travel seasons to local events, and understanding these subtle shifts in demand throughout the year is essential for smart, responsive hosting.

• Keep an eye on local travel patterns to help you anticipate what guests are looking for and when, in order to ensure your offering remains relevant and welcoming.
• Regularly assessing and adjusting your approach, whether it’s your nightly rate or how you position your listing ensures your property stays competitive and compelling.

At MajorDomo, we combine local knowledge, historic data and up-to-date insights from regional tourism offices to guide our luxury short term rental management strategies throughout the year.

6. Create the Kind of Stay You’d Love Yourself

Ultimately, the best-performing homes are the ones that guests genuinely enjoy and leave them feeling rested, connected, and already planning their return.

• It’s the feeling of stepping into a space that’s not only beautifully presented but also warm, welcoming, and comfortable. Where every detail, from the styling and amenities to the guest communication, reflects care, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• We believe great stays begin well before check-in. From the very first interaction, we aim to deliver an experience that feels seamless and personal, supported by a team that truly cares. Our approach to luxury short term rental management is all about helping guests feel truly at home.

In 2025, managing a short-term rental for success can and should be a hands-on pursuit. Every detail should be carefully and intentionally managed, from the way your listing looks online to how a guest is greeted at the door. At MajorDomo, we specialise in delivering this level of excellence, helping our clients’ properties shine in a saturated market.

Would you like support managing your Queenstown holiday home?

We’d love to help you create the kind of stay guests return to, and talk about long after they leave. Talk to our expert team about how we can help optimise your property for success, from polished presentation and outstanding guest service. Explore our marketing and property management services or discuss your specific requirements with one of our expert team.