With a booming vacation rental market in the Cayman Islands, simply owning a second home isn’t enough to guarantee a steady stream of bookings. In a high-end destination where travellers are paying premium prices, they expect not just a place to stay but an extraordinary experience. So, how can property owners elevate their rentals to maximise occupancy? We asked the experts.

Getting the Basics Right

Vacationers come for the sun, sea, and sand, but they still want the comforts and conveniences of home. Whether it’s a cosy condo or a sprawling beachfront villa, rentals should be equipped to accommodate the maximum number of guests in comfort. That means dining tables large enough to seat everyone, kitchens stocked with ample glassware and cookware, and living spaces where everyone can relax together.

Today’s guests also have high expectations for amenities. On-site parking, keyless entry, fast WiFi that reaches every part of the property, smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and central air-conditioning are no longer luxuries; they’re essentials, advises Juliet Cumber-Forget, managing director of the vacation rental agency, Cayman Villas.

Style and Decor

Guests book their holiday rentals based on the images they see online. They want sunny, welcoming spaces with fresh, contemporary decor. It does not need to be ultra-modern, but it does need to convey a vacation vibe.

“A successful rental should also have an immediate sense of place,” explains Michelle Butler, who has completed numerous holiday home renovations at the helm of Design Studio. Visitors want to feel they are living the tropical island dream, so the design should reflect the location.

Cool whites, soft neutrals, and coastal accents like teal, turquoise, or blue always work well to create that island feel. But if the beach cottage theme feels a little clichéd, the location can be introduced subtly with local artwork or photography, organic elements, and natural materials.

For a little extra 'wow' factor, Michelle suggests creating a statement wall – an eye-catching backsplash or bold wallpaper can make a big impact without a major investment.

Inviting Living Spaces

While guests know they are renting someone’s private home, they do not want to be surrounded by family photos and personal items. Rental properties should be clutter-free – but not to the point of being sterile or impersonal.

The key is to pare the contents back to essential furniture, then accent those pieces with cushions, throws, candles, and select accessories to add personality and warmth.

Arranging furniture in a conversation circle – sectional sofas or a sofa paired with swivel chairs work well – and ensuring there is always a surface within arm’s reach to place a drink on makes living spaces far more social.

Everybody loves the idea of cooking and eating alfresco, so don’t forget the outdoor spaces. Barbecues are a must, recommends Tracey Kline of Encompass, a company specialising in creating inspirational homes and holiday experiences, as is an outdoor dining table with plenty of shade. Add atmospheric lighting and outdoor speakers, and guests will be able to enjoy the space long after the sun goes down.

Luxury Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Vacations are a treat, and travellers expect their rental property to feel like an upgrade from their own home. To deliver a hotel-like experience, focus on making the bedrooms and bathrooms luxurious.

Guests don’t need huge suites with walk-in wardrobes to feel pampered. High-quality mattresses, luxury linens, fresh pillows, and layered window treatments, however, are a recipe for rental success, Michelle points out.

Similarly, a few cost-effective changes can transform a bathroom from utilitarian to indulgent. Rather than an expensive soaker tub that takes up space, requires lots of water, and is rarely used, invest that money in walk-in showers with glass screens, large rain shower heads, and built-in niches for bath products, Tracey recommends. Pair this with plenty of fluffy towels and spa-grade miniature toiletries, and guests will enjoy an at-home spa experience.

"It’s worth noting that tastes are changing," she adds. Although many existing properties were designed with one primary suite and several smaller guest rooms, the reality is that nobody wants to feel they ended up with a lesser room. For those building or redesigning, creating two equal-size primary suites will make a holiday rental much more marketable.

Lighting to Set the Mood

Lighting is often overlooked, yet when done right, it can transform a space. The entryway should be well-lit so that guests feel welcome and safe, Juliet shares, while LED task lights in the kitchen and back-lit mirrors in bathrooms are valuable additions that enable guests to see detail when they need to. Living areas, on the other hand, benefit from softer, more diffused lighting at night. Layering table lamps, floor lamps, and dimmable overhead lights will allow guests to create a cosy, intimate ambience in the evening.

Make Room for Fitness

One thing that renters increasingly request, Tracey observes, is a home gym. If you have an awkward space, an unused garage, or a flexi-room with no view, fitting it out with some exercise equipment, weights, and space to roll out a yoga mat is an investment that will quickly pay for itself.

Add the Extra Touches

Adding a few thoughtful extras can really elevate the guest experience. Books, board games, and even snorkel gear are inexpensive items that will help guests get more out of their stay. Many beachfront properties also provide bikes, kayaks, and paddle boards, which require no maintenance and enable plenty of fun in the sun. A welcome basket, filled with groceries or local treats, is another touch that will be especially appreciated by those arriving late at night or when shops are closed.

Make it Picture Perfect

Potential renters shop with their eyes, Tracey points out, and they will naturally gravitate towards images of sun, sea, and blue sky – especially if they are booking in mid-winter. So, the final step is to have images that will make potential guests swoon. Invest in a professional photographer specialising in interiors, as the best images showcase beautiful decor and the vivid blues and greens visible through the windows.

It does not take an expensive refurbishment to maximise the appeal of a rental property. Follow these simple tips and let the bookings roll in.