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To Our JZ Vacation Rentals Valued Guests

We apologize for our recent lack of communication. We’ve been very busy behind the scenes making sure our properties are perfect for you. We are writing today to give you an update from JZ Vacation Rentals.

First of all, the past few months have been a rollercoaster of epic proportions. Every day, and sometimes every hour, brought new and unsettling news.

It’s been a struggle for everyone not to get overwhelmed. We get it.

 

Covid-19 Overdrive

At JZ Vacation Rentals, as soon as the news about Covid-19 started filtering in, we knew we had a lot of planning and work to do. There was just no time to hesitate.

Our guests’ safety and the cleanliness of our properties have always been our top priorities. So, one of the first thing we did was to review our cleaning protocols and research how we could improve them to meet CDC standards. All to keep you even safer.

Those updates were implemented immediately. Please read about them above.

 

How JZ Vacation Rentals is Keeping You Safe

Part of the update from JZ Vacation Rentals is that all of our properties now feature contactless check-in. This means they have been outfitted with keyless entry and you won’t have to come to our rental office to pick up keys. Just prior to your arrival, you’ll be emailed a unique code. This code will open the door to your property promptly at check-in time on your arrival date.

Here’s another exciting development! Some of our owners have chosen to allow long-term rentals in their properties for a discounted rate. This is great news for guests! If you are still WFH (working from home) or your job has always been telecommuting, why not enjoy a lengthy change of scenery in one of our beautiful and safe vacation rental homes or condos?

 

We Can’t Wait to See You!

As parts of the country have begun reopening, we’re excited to invite you to visit us! As always, if you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to make your stay better, please reach out. We always strive to provide “best in class” service to our guests and are happy to help in any way we can.

Thank you for your patience – we know you’ve been waiting for an update from JZ Vacation Rentals for a while now and we appreciate you.

 

We hope to see you soon!

Post Covid-19 Vacation Rentals

As we carefully emerge from quarantine and crane our necks back into the world, we’ll find a lot has changed during this forced hibernation. Like the way we shop. The way we dine, learn, and interact. Maybe the way we vacation, too. Post Covid-19 vacation rentals are becoming increasingly popular as travelers start to recognize how safe and secure private homes, condos, and apartments are.

 

Travel is Still a Priority

While what we used to take for granted has changed, much remains the same. As human beings, we want to be seen, be heard, be understood. We want new places and new experiences. To see something different out the window.

We still want to travel. And we will. We’re already starting to.

But as with so many other aspects of society, travel will not look the same. For the foreseeable future, we’re running a little nervous. We don’t want to be around too many people, knowing we’re just safer with our known and trusted “quaranteam”.

We don’t want to crowd into hotel lobbies. And we definitely don’t want to swim in a pool with others or use the same exercise equipment. Even if in-house dining were an option, we’re still pretty leery of that, too.

So, what do we do? How can we still enjoy a safe getaway?

 

Hotel Rooms vs. Vacation Rentals

Well, let’s consider our options.

How about hotel rooms? Have they been sanitized properly? Have the bed covers been washed between guests? Are the carpets clean? Have rooms been left empty for the recommended 3 days between guests?

The truth is, we just don’t know. And that’s a scary question mark.

Now let’s consider vacation rentals. They provide a far safer, far more peaceful experience for those groups and families who decide to get away.

There’s no lobby to check in to. Most homes have switched to keyless entry, so no keys to fumble with. No lobbies or common hallways to navigate. And no shared amenities. You share your property amenities only with the people you’re vacationing with.

So, no one you don’t know in your pool or hot tub. No other sweaty hands on your exercise equipment. No one in your space at the breakfast table or cocktail bar.

You’ll enjoy as much isolation you want. You have total control when you stay at a vacation rental. And, with JZ Vacation Rentals, you can be assured that not only will your property be thoroughly cleaned, it will also be disinfected and sanitized to EPA guidelines. Please read about our updated cleaning guidelines.

 

Vacation Rentals as an Easy Choice

Moving forward from this pandemic health crisis, vacation rentals will be the clear accommodations of choice. Not only do they offer a safe experience, guests have ultimate control over their activities and environment.

As guests begin to understand that anyone can enjoy the benefits of a private vacation rental, we expect to see high demand for this travel option. Amenities such as a living room and full kitchen are very appealing, particularly since they usually cost the same or even less than a hotel or resort!

Travelers will begin to understand that vacation rentals check off all the boxes – they are safe, secure, and economical. Best of all, they offer something no cookie-cutter hotel or insulated resort room can – an authentic “locals” experience.

Vacation rentals provide a true feel of the area you’ve chosen and you’ll get to live, for the duration of your vacation, like the locals do. You’ll be on the inside looking out, instead of well, you know…

JZ Vacation Rentals is excited to help you find the perfect property for you and your party!

We’re living in a world gone crazy. Everything that we took for granted has been called into question. In our search for safety during vacation time, this means a vacation rental is the best choice for our loved ones.

 

Because one thing remains the same. The need for a change of scenery. A break from the routine. With our movements limited by quarantines and stay-at-home orders, this is more important than ever.

 

And now, with some areas reopening to guests, people are able to start planning these getaways again.

 

But our priorities have shifted. We’re concerned with cleanliness. We don’t want too many other people around. We want to keep our family safe and secure.

 

At JZ Vacation Rentals, we understand and share your concerns. After all, we have families and loved ones, too. This is why we believe that the vacation rental properties we offer are absolutely the best choice in the face of the unique needs that Covid-19 has created.

 

Why Our Properties are the Safest Option for Your Family

In your search for safety, you’ll find that our properties meet every important criterion.

 

First, our check-in procedure is simple and contactless. Each of our properties has keyless entry, so you don’t have to come to our office to pick up a key. A unique code will be emailed to you 24-hours prior to your arrival. At check-in time, simply arrive at your property and begin your vacation!

 

Second, each of our properties has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized, according to our updated Covid-19 cleaning standards. Read about the updates we’ve made to our housekeeping procedures here.

 

Third, remember that you share your property entrance only with your “quaranteam”. There are no common entrances or areas.

 

Fourth, your home is fully equipped with everything you’ll need for a great stay. The kitchen features all appliances, as well as everything you need to prepare and enjoy a meal. If you prefer not to go out, you can relax in a comfortable space, complete with entertainment options.

 

Fifth, you have complete control over who enters your property while you’re there. The only exception would be in the case of a true emergency.

 

Vacation Rental Provides Security and Peace of Mind

We also believe that the above reasons make a vacation rental a safer and more secure option, as well.

 

When you lock up at night, you can go to sleep secure in the knowledge that you and your loved ones can sleep safely and soundly.

 

At a hotel or resort, lobbies are open 24/7 and the overnight hours are typically staffed with just a skeleton crew. Anyone can walk in. While we certainly don’t want to be alarmists, we do believe this is a factor to consider when choosing the appropriate vacation accommodations for your family or group.

 

Overall, with the unique circumstances we face around the world today, we feel comfortable in saying a vacation rental is the safest and most secure vacation option for your family.

 

We hope you’ll agree and we particularly look forward to hosting you and yours on your next visit! Browse our website today to view all of our properties.

At JZ Vacation Rentals, our vacation rental cleaning standards have always been stringent. This is just one of the ways we ensure that our guests have a consistently “best in class” experience.

 

When Covid-19 started spreading, we immediately saw the effect this virus would have on the vacation rental industry as a whole. With stay-at-home orders and short-term rental bans, many guests could not travel. Of those who still could, they were understandably leery of staying in unfamiliar places.

 

As we are now firmly in the second quarter of the unprecedented pandemic, people are beginning to peek out from their quarantines. Some restrictions have been lifted. We are becoming weary of the neverending news coverage. We’re looking forward to a partial return of “normalcy”.

 

For many of us, that means the freedom to travel. Months of quarantine have given rise to an almost palpable wanderlust. We’re anxious to get back on the road and visit our favorite destinations.

 

Covid-19 Cleaning Standards

Here, at JZ Vacation Rentals, we’re anxious to greet you, too. But before we do, we want you to understand that your safety is, and always has been our first priority.

 

Prior to Covid-19, our cleaning standards were already stringent. Our brand message is a consistency of quality and nowhere is that more evident than in the clean, fresh, welcoming homes we offer to all of our guests.

 

Since the virus, our housekeeping professionals go above and beyond to ensure your safety and peace of mind. Our cleaning regimen is now based on recommendations from the CDC and includes disinfecting and sanitizing all surfaces.

 

Additional Vacation Rental Cleaning Protocols

Below are a few of the additional cleaning protocols we’ve incorporated to keep you and your family safe:

 

 

In short, we at JZ Vacation Rentals have done everything in our power to keep you safe, comfortable, and protected from harm from staying in one of our luxury properties.

 

Hosting you is our business and our pleasure and we hope to continue serving you for many years to come. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable in any way, all you have to do is ask.

With all the uncertainty in the world today, people are longing for an escape. A change from the day-to-day scenery, a break from stay-at-home and quarantine orders. But certain vacation rental websites got some very bad press about their Covid-19 cancellation policies. So much so that many potential guests are now afraid to book a vacation for fear of losing their money should they have to cancel.

 

At JZ Vacation Rentals, we hear and understand your concerns. We’d like to take this opportunity to explain how we managed cancellations due to Covid-19.

 

During the latter part of March and much of April, we lost the majority of our reservations. We refunded nearly every guest 100%. As a company, we have a strong moral compass. We decided very early on that we would not put profit above compassion for any of our guests. We are in this business for the long haul and putting money before people is not part of our brand and the legacy we want to create.

 

The Aftermath

 

Still, there were problems.

 

The “perfect storm” of events surrounding those mass cancellations presented us with challenges we had never faced before.

 

Our third-party credit card processing company was completely overwhelmed with refund requests and simply could not process them all in a timely manner. Unfortunately, many of our guests were subjected to longer than usual waiting times for refunds.

 

We kept in frequent contact with our vendor, but there was little we could do to speed up the process. We appreciate everyone’s patience and apologize for any inconvenience these wait times caused.

 

All in all, it was a confusing and stressful time for all of us.

 

Post Covid-19 Cancellation Policies

 

Now that the worst of the cancellations are over, we have gone back to our pre-virus cancellation policy, which is as follows:

 

 

Trust and Transparency

 

Here, at JZ Vacation Rentals, we try hard to foster an environment of trust and transparency with our guests, our owners, and our staff.

 

One of the best ways we know how to do this is with education. The more transparent we are, the more trust we build. The more trust we build, the more loyalty our guests, owners, and staff feel.

 

And that’s a win-win for everyone.

 

If you have any questions about any of our company policies, we urge you to reach out and ask us. We’re here to answer all your questions and as always, provide you with the “best in class” service.

 

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to one of our luxury vacation rental properties. Please feel confident in the knowledge that we have taken every precaution to keep you and your family safe during these uncertain times. Please review our Covid-19 cleaning procedures. 

 

With neighborhood staples like Culpeppers, 1764, Llewelyn’s, and Coffee Cartel closing their doors for good, now is the time to visit the Central West End St Louis and all of the great dining and entertainment it has to offer. Also, CWE (as the locals say) is just steps from St. Louis’ gorgeous Forest Park.

Recently, Brennan’s, another popular CWE spot, announced that they are closing after more than 17 years. Thankfully, they have plans to relocate in the area, but for other owners, that may not be an option.

Here are some great places to check out before it’s too late.

Get Crafty at Candle Fusion Studio

What’s that fantastic scent? If it’s not one of the delicious restaurants in the area, chances are it’s the Candle Fusion Studio on McPherson Avenue. This boutique offers visitors the opportunity to create their own custom candles from over 100 scents.

Husband and wife team Keith and Deanna opened this family-owned business in 2016. The shop offers the perfect outlet for everything from a family outing to a romantic date night.

And, don’t worry about setting the perfect date. The Candle Fusion Studio loves spontaneity and always welcomes walk-ins.

Stand with the Greats at Writer’s Corner

At the corner of McPherson and Euclid, statues of former CWE residents and literary legends Tennessee Williams, T.S. Eliot and Kate Chopin await. They sit on three corners of the intersection. Can you spot them all?

The statues are part of an initiative that began in 2007 to raise awareness of the literary history of St. Louis.

Find a Page-Turner at Left Bank Books

Left Bank Books in the Central West End

If you happen to catch the literary bug while visiting Writer’s Corner, Left Bank Books is the perfect spot to buzz around.

Founded in 1969 by graduate students from nearby Washington University, this locally-owned bookstore offers a curated selection of intelligent, relevant, and culturally diverse reads.

Left Bank also produces over 300 events a year. So, chances are you’ll find more than just your next favorite read when you stop in.

Planning a visit to the Central West End St Louis or maybe your perfect St. Louis stay-cation? The JZ Vacation Rentals Family would love to host you in our newest 2b/2ba home right on McPherson Avenue. Book Now!

Exterior of McPherson Building in Central West End
McPherson Building in Central West End | JZ Vacation Rentals | Click Photo for a Virtual Tour

 

Embrace Central West End St. Louis’ History at Evangeline’s Bistro and Music House

St. Louis has never been afraid to embrace its French heritage. We host one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans. For foodies, there’s also a host of restaurants with menu offerings that rival the best from “The Big Easy.”

Evangeline’s on Euclid is no exception.

When they’re not putting on their annual Cajun Festival, Evangeline’s is serving up comfort foods from crawfish to gumbo. Those looking for a festive drink can try one of Evangeline’s 14 hand-crafted and house-infused rums, or a “Vieux Carre Cocktail” like the VooDoo Mojo.

Evangeline’s also proudly supports St. Louis’ vibrant music scene, hosting local artists almost every night of the week.

Sip and Listen at Gamlin Whiskey House

After a full day enjoying the neighborhood, it’s time to relax. You earned it. Walk into Gamlin Whiskey House and reconnect with artisanship.

With a design inspired by the distilling process, utilizing reclaimed barrels and white oak, Gamlin is well suited to warm and nourish while you reflect on your visit to one of St. Louis’ most prominent neighborhoods.

Gamlin is also ranked as one of USA Today’s best bars for whiskey lovers and brings people together with food meant for sharing.

Throughout the year, Gamlin hosts a variety of events from country music nights to their monthly “Women and Whiskey,” which offers the chance to bond over whiskey and Irish dance.

 

Plan a day or leave time to wander. However you choose to visit, St. Louis’ Central West End welcomes you with open doors and plenty of great ways to enjoy the city.

Dynamic pricing is a strategy in which product pricing continually adjusts in response to real-time supply and demand. Without proper guidance, your Airbnb listing could be massively underpriced or overpriced in off-peak seasons.

 

The Strategy of Dynamic Pricing

Here at JZ Vacation Rentals, we leverage proprietary software systems to automatically adjust nightly pricing rates based on the dynamic situation, season, or demand.  This strategy within JZ’s Airbnb Management Services is known as “dynamic pricing”. We have also seen it referred to as surge pricing, demand pricing, time-based pricing or revenue management.

An example of dynamic pricing that one might be familiar with is Uber surge pricing. In times of great demand, pricing rises.  Our team was just in New Orleans for the Vacation Rental Management Association Conference. When we took an Uber to the airport, the cost was 2x the normal rate because demand was high. The vacation rental industry’s dynamic pricing is similar. We adjust pricing based on the demand. For our industry, we analyze the booking window in each city. For example, St. Louis’ average booking window is 40 days out. This means that the majority of people visiting this awesome city are typically booking their homes 40 days prior to their trip. We use that information as a factor when cross referencing pricing with seasonality when adjusting prices.

 

 

That’s a high level overview of dynamic pricing and how we use it in the vacation rental industry in order to increase revenue. To learn more about how to increase your vacation rental revenue or Airbnb occupancy, check out our other blogs here: www.jzvacationrentals.com/blog

To calculate your potential revenue by partnering with JZ Vacation Rentals click here 

As a vacation rental company, nothing excites us more than travel industry news, trends, and secrets. Sure, we technically have to stay up to date on the trends of the travel industry in order to provide optimal service to our guests, but needless to say, we very much enjoy keeping up to date on all travel secrets!

 

You know what we’re talking about…the up and coming destinations that are not overcrowded with tourists, hidden festivities, local eats that you cannot find online, and our personal favorite, what time of year to book the most affordable travel.

 

After years in the vacation rental industry, statistics continuously show that the last week of August, in particular, August 23rd, and beginning of September is the best time of year to book flights at discounted rates (shh don’t go telling everyone, this is our secret)!

 

That means it’s time to start planning your St Louis in the fall and winter family vacations, wedding party getaways, and corporate retreats (did somebody say, Colorado?!).

 

If you’re an adventurer and dreamer like us, you’re probably already taking advantage of end-of-summer summer peak booking discounts (or dreaming about faraway destinations, at least). Searching your favorite commercial airline websites for the best flights, and mapping out the top-rated activities to surprise your friends and family with.

 

The last thing you need to worry about is where you’re going to stay, so it’s a good thing we have that covered!

 

With that being said…

 

Here is JZ Vacation Rentals recommended vacation rental for your St Louis in the fall and winter travel!

 

First of all, if you’re coming to the Saint Louis area this fall and holiday season, there’s going to be no lack of cultural events and funky festivals to check out. Autumn and winter in Saint Louis bring in visitors from all over the world to the midwest, and we understand why…

 

Whether you’re in town for one of the 20+ festivals taking place during September, Oktoberfest happening in Hermann Missouri the entire month of October, the International Film Festival showing in November, or the hot chocolate festival and holiday river cruise coming in December, we have properties located all over the Saint Louis area that put you right in the middle of all the festivities!

 

If you truly want to be in the center of all the Saint Louis happenings, we recommend booking JZ Vacation Rentals Beautifully Designed Townhome Near Anheuser Busch!

Beautifully Designed Townhome near Anheuser Busch | LEFT SIDE | JZ Vacation Rentals
Beautifully Designed Townhome near Anheuser Busch | LEFT SIDE | JZ Vacation Rentals

Book your vacation rental here!

 

Are you planning a gathering for this fall and winter? Perhaps a holiday with your family. Maybe a wedding party. Or even a work retreat.  Either way, this home is built to perfectly fit either situation!

 

This home is cozy enough for a small family vacation or a large group as it sleeps 10 comfortably! If your group happens to be bigger than that, you’re in luck! JZ Vacation Rentals owns both the right and left side of the townhome, which are nearly identical, and you’re able to rent out both sides.

 

Since they are identical, we’ll stick to showing you the left side, but you can have a glance at the homes right side.

 

Welcome in!

 

This home is truly in the center of everything exciting happening around the Saint Louis area, with most attractions and festivals being less than a three-mile radius away! You’re a quick drive (and in some cases a quick walk) from The Saint Louis Zoo, The Gateway Arch, Missouri Botanical Gardens, Busch Stadium, Forest Park, and The Fox Theater!

See for yourself!

 

When you arrive at this vacation home, there are two spaces on the parking pad, and plenty of street parking, so you won’t be wasting your vacation time finding a spot!

 

When you walk into the home, you’ll find a cozy living room, perfect for a relaxing moving night, or entertaining your friends and family!

 

The living room is just a few steps away from the kitchen, where you’ll find a fully furnished kitchen, filled with all the appliances you would need to entertain, or even cook a full family meal!

 

Each JZ property undergoes a 150 point inspection that covers everything from a coffee pot in the kitchen to the highest quality white bedsheets. Take a look below at just a few things you’ll be guaranteed to find:

 

 

See the full amenities list here!

If you’re wanting to enjoy your vacation away from the kitchen, here are some of our favorite local restaurants and bars for food and drink that’s right around the corner from this vacation rental:

 

Restaurants:

Blues City Deli .8 mi

2438 McNair Ave

 

Peacemaker Lobster & Crab .7 mi

1831 Sidney Street

 

Carnivore Steakhouse (NEW) .8 mi

5257 Shaw Ave 63110

 

The Shaved Duck Smokehouse 3 mi

2900 Virginia Ave 63118

 

 

Drinks:

Planters House 1.9 mi

1000 Mississippi Ave

 

Polite Society 1.7 mi

1923 Park Ave

 

The Whiskey Ring .7 mi

2651 Cherokee St

 

John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub 1 mi

1200 Russell Blvd

 

Once dinner is over, or you’ve come home after enjoying one of the many local restaurants Saint Louis has to offer and ready to hop into bed, you’ll have a few rooms to choose from!

 

One the second floor, you’ll find the first bedroom with a king-sized bed, and a second bedroom with two queen beds! The third bedroom is situated as a loft that also fits two queen beds. Take a look around for yourself and pick out your favorite room (or fight your siblings over which room you get…we get it).

To accompany each bedroom, you’ll find three full baths!

 

Even though summer is coming to an end, we’re thankful travel never goes out of season! Once you take advantage of the end of summer flight reductions, head over to www.JZVacationrentals.com for all your accommodation needs!

 

Want to take an immersive tour before booking? Head over to our virtual tours page today for an immersive guided tour of our homes! Happy traveling!

We love to hear our guests’ travel stories! To know why they’re in town and who they came to see. Mostly, what they’re most excited about doing while traveling through St. Louis. We also love recommending our best day trips while they’re in our area!

 

Many of our guests are return visitors. And well, we’d love to give ourselves credit for that, but we know we can’t. At least not totally! Mostly, it’s the amazing city of St. Louis and everything it has to offer.

 

Saint Louis is a magical town. It was settled by French-Europeans, mixing their culture with the native people. Did you know that St. Louis is named after Louis IX of France? We think it’s a mysterious place, with winding rivers, mountainous hilltops, and dark caves. All in the middle of the US!

 

Twenty-five million visitors travel to this midwestern town each year, and we understand why!

 

The vibrancy of the downtown culture. A sports culture that could make even the biggest of Saint Louis rival fans have the time of their life. And course, the natural beauty of this sparkling city. St. Louis is a place like no other.

 

Once you’ve visited the breweries, cheered on your favorite team, and checked out the Arch, there’s still more to do.  Here are a few of our best day trips.

 

Here are JZ Vacation Rentals best day trips to St Louis Missouri:

 

Augusta, Missouri

Did you know that Missouri has its very own wine country? One that rivals even Napa and Tuscany?

 

Augusta, Missouri is a small town in the city of St. Charles. It’s home to dozens of wineries, breathtaking scenery, and delicious local restaurants. Augusta has earned the American Viticulture Area title! This means that the grounds are perfect for growing wine grapes. Interestingly, this title was earned eight months before the Napa area… but who’s counting!

 

In Augusta, you’ll spend your day nestled along the winding Missouri River with friends and family. Here, you’ll taste internationally known wines that hide out in the Missouri countryside.

 

If wine tasting sounds like the perfect day trip, take a look at our property which is situated right in St. Charles, near Augusta!

 

Bonne Terre Mine

If you’re like the team at JZ, you’ve spent countless hours scrolling through travel magazines, dreaming of faraway lands filled with close up wildlife, adventure opportunities lurking around every corner, and hundreds of years of history. If that sounds like you, the day trip from Saint Louis to Bonne Terre Mine is perfect for you!

 

Named one of National Geographic’s Best Adventures, Bonne Terre, which is French for good earth, was founded by French Miners back in 1750.

 

If you’re the adventure seeker in your group, you can explore the underwater world of lead mines year-round, which have been left exactly as they were when last used in 1961. Keep an eye out for abandoned ore cats, picks, shovels, mining structures, and even a few lunch pails (who forgot to take theirs home?!).

 

But perhaps being on the ground is more your speed, Bonne Terre Mine has a narrated walking tour and a boat ride throughout the mines underground tunnels.

 

Great River Road

The Great River Road is known as the best-kept secret in the United States… but we’re here to tell you all its secrets!

 

The Great River Road is a collection of both state and local roads that wind down and flow alongside the Mississippi River through TEN states, those of which include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

 

Even though the surface area of this “day trip” would take you much more than one day to complete, we highly recommend touring the Great River Road, at least on the Missouri roads, for the most picturesque views (family photo opp?)!

Ste. Genevieve

European culture and decent might be a little closer than we thought…

 

Instead of traveling 12 hours or 4,000 miles in the middle seat of an airplane to enjoy French culture, travel 60 miles from Saint Louis city center to Ste. Genevieve! Ste. Genevieve is the first permanent European settlement in the United States, located right here in Missouri.

 

This small town is currently taking over the tourism world due to its antique and specialty shops, fine dining, and french heritage art events happening all year. The French brought over their culture, fine food and all, and it was here to stay!

Hannibal, Missouri

Travel from French history, art, and fine dining (and perhaps a few glasses of French wine), to the All-American village of Hannibal, Missouri, home of the one and only Mark Twain. The famous American writer not only grew up here, but Hannibal, and it’s winding caves, served as inspiration for much of his writing.

 

Head to the Mark Twain Museum, where you can see exactly where Twain sat to write his novels, and even the typewriter he created all his work on. When you’re finished learning about the history of the town and writer, watch the sunset on the Mark Twain Riverboat, gliding down the Mississippi river.

 

Eureka, Missouri

No day trip is complete without a few ups and downs along the way… and by that we mean roller coasters!

 

Eureka Missouri is home to 6 Flags amusement park, here to give the whole family some excitement and adventure that rivals your favorite amusement park rides from all over the world.

 

The word Eureka is about finding joy and excitement during new adventures, and that’s exactly what will be delivered during your day trip to Eureka!

 

Johnson’s Shut-Ins

Johnson’s Shut-ins is an all-natural attraction sitting right outside of Saint Louis. Long ago, this natural landscape was actually created by erupting volcanic activity (we couldn’t believe it either!), where now, natural pools, rapids, and waterfalls make for a fun adventure!

Whether you want to go for a swim or take a hike, there’s plenty of intriguing spots for anyone in your group to enjoy.

 

Now that your next day trip from Saint Louis is planned, and you can leave the accommodation up to JZ Vacation Rentals.

 

Our recommended vacation rentals for your next trip to Saint Louis, Missouri:

 

Lovely Three Bedroom, One Bathroom Home:

This beautiful home is a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home located in a perfect location.  Close to forest park, the Saint Louis Zoo, and many local restaurants, this home sits next to Franz park – a great place for a dog lover.

 

 

Book your stay!

 

We can’t wait to see you in Saint Louis!

Purchasing a vacation rental takes you back to buying your first home. Ahhh, the excitement! The fun of decorating your own space never really goes away. You look back on all the home improvement store runs with fondness. But did you ever consider safety precautions? Because in a vacation rental, you must.

 

In your vacation home, you get a second chance at designing your dream home. Select just the right art pieces, buy the latest trendy appliances, and create the perfect ambiance for your guests.

 

This time around, it might be even more exciting. You’ll be providing a home for your guests to enjoy.

 

Designing a Home for Guests

Think back to the first home you bought, decorated, and prepared for your family. You spend hours picking just the right shade of paint. Tested 50 mattresses to find the perfect one. And when you were all moved in, did you triple check to make sure all your safety precautions? Just to make sure they were working properly and your family was safe.

 

You could have won a gold medal for designing and preparing a home for your family. It was a great feat to create a home both stylish and safe.

 

Like the carbon monoxide detector alarms, that could wake the whole block. Or the sturdy furniture that stands up to kids’ roughhousing. The fire safety precautions so that everyone knows what to do in case the alarm goes off.

 

Safety precautions were probably more important than paint or artwork.

 

This is the kind of proactive thinking that should be part of the process when preparing your vacation rental. But sometimes, because the home is technically a business, you may have no idea where to even start. But here’s the good news.

You’re in the business of treating guests as family. So, you truly need to simply plan the vacation rental as you would for your own family.

Covering your safety basics in a vacation rental can feel  like a monumental task. Luckily there are simple safety precautions you can take to seamlessly and keep your guests safe.

 

Here are JZ Vacation Rentals simple tasks to promote health and safety in your vacation rental. First, let’s split safety up into the three different sections of your home: indoor, outdoor, and general health.

Vacation rental indoor safety precautions:

Fire Safety: 

The last thing guests are thinking about when they arrive at a vacation home is what to do in case there is a fire. Quite frankly this is the last thing a guest SHOULD have to worry about. Your guests’ aren’t necessarily concerned with safety, so you need to be.

 

 

Bathroom Safety:

Bathrooms are prone to several hazards. Wet floors, and moisture on the walls come to mind. This room is the most likely to see a fall.

 

One study finds that one out of every five people who slip and fall end up breaking a bone, and when this happens in your vacation home, it not only harms your guests but puts yourself in a slick situation as well since they are on your property.

 

For bathrooms and areas of the home that are more prone to moisture, provide a nonslip mat to add a layer of safety for your guests. On top of that, installing safety handrails in the bathroom will give guests the extra support they may need.

Carbon Monoxide Safety:

Carbon Monoxide safety is taught early on in school, as it’s known as the “silent killer” that can impact anyone unknowingly.

 

It’s crucial to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home and checked regularly as certain oils, woods, coals, and gasses sometimes do not burn properly, producing the dangerous gas.

 

JZ Vacation Rentals Tip: Making sure your chimney and vents are often cleaned our can help with the continuous release of all gasses and chemicals in a home.

 

Furniture and Appliance Safety

Have you ever spent hours putting together a new piece of furniture to finally finish, stand up the structure, and it all topples over because one little bolt is out of place?

 

With just one bolt loose and furniture naturally wearing over time, this can make for a potentially dangerous situation.

 

It’s important to think about the different people that come and go from your vacation home. One week three kids are running and jumping around the home, the next week large groups of people are there to celebrate a wedding, the week after an elderly couple is in the home for a relaxing vacation. Your furniture will see it all very quickly.

 

Think of vacation home furniture a little differently than your own furniture. This furniture has the potential to be worn down much quicker, so it’s important to:

  1. Make sure the pieces are set up correctly the first time around
  2. Keep a close eye on the stability of each piece

 

If necessary, you can always hire a professional to put together everything for you to ensure perfection!

Housekeeping:

Thorough housekeeping is essential for the look and comfort of your vacation rental, but cleaning only to make the home smell and look perfect is not enough.

 

Having your vacation rental cleaned to perfection is one thing, but being sure to comply with all health regulations is another.

 

It’s important to ensure all areas of the house are being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each guest. Guests often come in with colds, flues, or acquire some sort of sickness during their trip. Each area of the home needs to be cleaned so that your future guests won’t be contracting germs from the previous ones.

 

We highly recommend hiring a professional to do your cleaning for you.

 

Vacation rental outdoor safety precautions:

 

A well-lit porch, patio, and deck  

Remember going trick or treating as a kid? If you lived in a medium to a large city, your teachers and parents probably taught you to only go to those homes that are well lit with their porch light on. You knew the homeowners would be home, and it would be safer to approach this stranger’s house.

 

The same “trick or treating” mindset goes for vacation rentals.

 

A well-lit home does make enjoying the front porch, patio, or deck easier for guests, but it also tells strangers or unwanted visitors that someone is home. This goes back to the old rule that unwanted visitors are more likely to stay away from a home if it is in fact well lit.

 

Making sure porch, patio, and deck lights are working and ready for use only adds another layer of protection.

 

JZ Vacation Rentals Tip: Outdoor lighting can also be done in a fashionable way with lanterns and string lights to create a warm and fun atmosphere.

Health and safety planning:

 

Guide book for guests

This is all a lot of information to keep in mind, even for property owners who are in the business each day, let alone guests who are only in the home for one week.

 

Since safety is the last thing your guests want to be thinking about on their vacation, we suggest creating a health and safety guest booklet to leave for your renters.

 

This book should be personalized to your home, emphasizing safety precautions you have in place, how to use potentially dangerous or complicated appliances, and escape plans in case of emergency.

 

One of our favorite ways to create a guide book and relay important information to our guests is with the help of TouchStay. With TouchStay, you can simply share a link with your guests (no mobile app or sign-in required), which gives them instant access to your properties safety guide, pre-arrival information, property features, recommended activities, and more. TouchStay has the capabilities to be used offline for guests with no connection and even printed for those without a device.

 

Vacation home safety doesn’t have to be a complex thing. Just treat your rental and guests like family, and the right precautions will be put into place.

To learn more about how JZ Vacation Rentals can help you implement different safety features into your vacation rental by clicking here, and scheduling a call with us.

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