5 keys to getting your holiday rental ready between guests

In a holiday rental, every change of guest is a new opportunity to make a good impression.

When one set of guests leaves, the countdown begins to get the property ready for the next. Cleaning, bathrooms, kitchen, textiles, small details… everything must be spot-on so the next guest walks into a clean, cared-for, ready home.

Cleaning can be the difference between a good stay and a five-star review. So what exactly should you check between one booking and the next?

1. Do a full clean, not just a quick tidy-up

The first step is obvious: the property must be clean after every stay. But in a holiday rental it isn't enough to simply tidy up what guests left behind. You need to thoroughly clean the areas the next guests will use.

• General cleaning of bedrooms and living areas.
• Cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms.
• Cleaning the kitchen and appliances as needed.
• Changing bed linen and towels.
• Cleaning floors and surfaces.
• Removing rubbish.
• A visual check of the property's overall condition.
• Getting the property ready for the next stay.

The goal is for the next guest not to feel they're walking into a home someone else has just used. It should feel like a home prepared especially for their arrival.

2. Refresh the bed linen and towels

Textiles play a key role in how clean a property feels. After every stay it's important to change the bed linen and towels and leave the bed and bathroom properly set up.

It's also worth visually checking sheets, pillowcases, bath towels, hand towels, bath mats and any other textiles that are part of the property.

A guest may not notice every cleaning detail, but they are very likely to notice a well-made bed and spotless textiles.

3. Pay special attention to bathrooms and the kitchen

The bathroom and kitchen usually carry particular weight in the overall impression of cleanliness.

In the bathroom

Check there are no traces of soap, hair, stains or damp, and that fixtures, mirrors, taps and surfaces are properly clean.

In the kitchen

Besides surfaces, pay attention to everything the guests may have used: worktops, sink, hob, microwave, fridge, coffee machine, small appliances, crockery and utensils.

The idea is simple: the guest should be able to use the kitchen and bathroom straight away without finding any trace of the previous stay.

4. Check the small details before locking up

A property can be clean and yet still feel uncared for if certain details are missing.

Before finishing the preparation, it's worth doing one last general check:

• No items left behind by previous guests.
• Bins are empty.
• Beds are properly made.
• There are enough towels.
• The property's basic items are in place.
• No obvious damage or issues that need reporting.
• Every room looks tidy.

A few minutes of checking can prevent an unpleasant surprise for the next guest.

5. Leave the property ready to welcome, not just clean

Preparing a holiday rental isn't just about removing dirt. It's about leaving the property ready for someone else to walk in and enjoy it immediately.

A well-prepared property should feel clean, tidy, fresh, cared-for and detail-oriented.

When the guest opens the door, they should find a space that feels prepared for them — not simply a space that's just been cleaned.

What if you have several check-ins and check-outs every week?

Managing a holiday rental can seem simple until bookings start stacking up. In peak season there can be several check-ins and check-outs in the same week, which means coordinating timings, cleaning, changing bed linen and towels, checking the property and preparing it for the next guests.

If you also manage several apartments, having a professional cleaning service for holiday rentals can help you keep up a consistent preparation routine.

Cleaning between guests is only part of the maintenance

Although cleaning after every stay is essential, a holiday rental may also need deeper cleans on a regular basis.

With continued use, needs can arise that aren't addressed during a between-guest clean: deep cleaning of certain areas, checking hard-to-reach corners, more thorough cleaning of appliances, or special attention to windows and surfaces.

That's why a good strategy can combine:

Quick checklist before the next guest arrives

• ☐ Rooms clean and tidy.
• ☐ Bed linen changed and beds made.
• ☐ Towels clean and in place.
• ☐ Bathrooms clean and disinfected.
• ☐ Kitchen clean and checked.
• ☐ Floors and surfaces clean.
• ☐ Rubbish removed.
• ☐ Any forgotten items removed.
• ☐ Overall condition of the property checked.
• ☐ Any damage or issues identified.
• ☐ Property ready for arrival.

A good experience starts before the guest arrives

In a holiday rental, the guest experience begins the moment they open the door. A clean, tidy, properly prepared property conveys professionalism and care from the very first minute.

That's why cleaning between guests shouldn't be seen as a secondary task, but as an essential part of managing a holiday rental.

Frequently asked questions

What does cleaning a holiday rental between guests include?

It usually includes cleaning bedrooms and common areas, bathrooms, the kitchen, floors and surfaces, removing rubbish, changing bed linen and towels, and a general check of the property before the next check-in.

Do bed linen and towels need changing after every guest?

Yes, properly preparing the property means changing and setting up the textiles used, so the next guests find clean, ready-to-use bed linen and towels.

How often does a holiday apartment need a deep clean?

It depends on usage, the number of bookings and the condition of the property. Besides cleaning between guests, it can be worth scheduling periodic deep cleans for areas that don't need the same attention at every changeover.

Can a cleaning company handle preparation between bookings?

Yes. A professional service can take care of cleaning and preparation tasks between stays, helping keep a consistent routine even when there are several check-ins and check-outs during the week.

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