Vacation Rental Description Examples for a Winning Listing

A photo is worth a thousand words, but a great rental listing description can secure more bookings. With the average human attention span of 8.25 seconds (shorter than a goldfish's), you only get one chance to grab the interest of potential guests and make them stay on your website longer.

If you have an attractive vacation rental in a popular location, neglecting your short-term rental description can be tempting. However, all superhosts know that the proper use of words can turn visitors into sweet buyers by giving them a taste of what it's like living on your property.

For example, look at the difference it makes when you paint a vivid picture for your rental: "Drink your morning coffee with the splashing sound of waves on the beach-front veranda for total rejuvenation", instead of saying, "The house has a veranda with an ocean view". Do you see the difference?

In this guide, we'll share our top tips for writing your rental listing, as well as examples of our favorite vacation rental descriptions to inspire you. Let's dive in!

Tips for Writing the Perfect Rental Listing

1. Don't Overpromise and Underdeliver

It might be tempting to fluff things up to secure more bookings but don't fall into the trap of writing false information. Your guests will see right through them and reflect it in negative reviews. Be honest and set clear expectations of what you offer. Your words should echo your establishments, nothing more, nothing less.

2. Sell the Experience

Go beyond describing the spaces and physical aspects of your vacation rental. Focus on the lifestyle guests will enjoy during their stay so that they can envision it even before they arrive.

For instance, talk about the sunset view from your serene backyard or the warmth of the fireplace where the whole family can sit and play board games. Storytelling sells!

3. Highlight Your Unique Selling Points

What makes you different from the competition? Write your most attractive features on top of your vacation rental description template to appeal to your target audience. It could be your location, a sea view, a jacuzzi, an outdoor patio, or hidden rooms.

For example, if your house offers 6 bedrooms, you're more likely to attract families or large groups. So, make sure to highlight it in your property description.

Use a catchy rental listing title to capture the attention of prospective tenants

4. Showcase Your Amenities

You don't have to write down every single teacup you own, but a comprehensive list of your basic amenities can help your property stand out. For instance, if you offer a fully-equipped kitchen, cable TV, laundry facilities, and air conditioning, you'll want to include them in your vacation rental listings. And if you go the extra mile to offer luxury amenities like a private pool, a home cinema, or a game room, let your guests know.

5. Emphasize Location Benefits

Your rental property's location is as essential as the property itself. The best house rental description examples mention details about the neighborhood and the surrounding area, access to public transportation, as well as nearby attractions, cafes, and restaurants.

Be sure to focus on the type of holidays you're offering. For example, if your property is in Times Square in New York, mention how guests can step outside into the heart of action and the city buzz. On the other hand, if your vacation rental is a lakehouse, mention how guests can reconnect with nature in total quietness.

6. Use Keywords

Whether you're listing in large OTAs like Airbnb or writing a rental listing description for your own website, you'll have to use keywords to rank in search results. That's because potential guests interested in your rental will use specific words to find you.

For instance, they might look for a "pet-friendly city loft in San Diego", so you'll want to use those vacation rental phrases to reach them. Remember to write for guests first and search engines second. So don't stuff keywords just for the sake of rankings unless they naturally flow with your rental listing description.

Stand out in the vacation rental industry with a catchy short-term rental description

7. Keep It Readable

Formatting your vacation rental description examples is key to increasing readability and skimmability. Avoid large chunks of text; use short paragraphs, bullet points, and headings to make text more digestible. Highlight key features on top so that it's easier for guests to spot them. Moreover, avoid emojis and symbols, as most OTAs prohibit them and might restrict your listing.

8. Use Captivating Language

Pick your words carefully to create an exciting and exclusive atmosphere where all guests want to participate. Your rental listing should brim with descriptive adjectives like "luxurious", "serene", "peaceful", and "breathtaking".

The goal is to evoke positive emotions and make guests visualize what they're up for during their stay. Just ensure you don't go overboard. Too many adjectives and superlatives can make your rental property description look fake and contrived.

Listing descriptions for vacation rentals

Killer Vacation Rental Description Examples

To give you a clear picture of what distinguishes a great listing from a mediocre one, we've compiled a list of vacation rental description examples from Airbnb. Let's review them:

1. Private Room in Hostel in India

Private room in hostel in India vacation rental description examples, Source: Airbnb

"Our Hostel in Shangarh is nestled under the verdant, forested mountain ranges of the Great Himalayan National Park. Dipped in scenic beauty and a meditative quiet air, this backpackers' hostel in Himachal Pradesh offers sublime views of snow-capped mountains with an environment suited for artists, digital nomads, and creators."

Why we love it:

• From the very first sentence, it sets the stage for the location
• It uses persuasive language that helps readers envision staying on the property
• The overall tone is relaxed and inviting
• It explains who the rental is for (artists, digital nomads, creators, backpackers)

2. Luxury Stay in Serik, Antalya, Turkey

Luxury Stay in Serik, Antalya, Turkey, vacation rental description examples, Source: Airbnb

"Nestled into Turkey's Kaya Palazzo Golf Course, this effortlessly modern villa features a private beach and your choice of both fresh and saltwater pools. The opulent interior is soaked in sunlight. Perhaps you'll begin the morning with an outdoor yoga or pilates class before savoring an al fresco breakfast on the sprawling terrace. After an exhilarating day of golf, a steam room and sauna await."

Why we love it:

• From the title, you get to know exactly what to expect - a luxury mansion with all the amenities
• It hooks you with storytelling from the beginning, having you imagine what it would be like soaking in the sunlight with extra comforts
• It uses short sentences, straight to the point, without fluff
• It leverages the power of images, further boosting the vacation rental listing description

3. Entire Home in Lavrion, Greece

Entire Home in Lavrion, Greece, house rental description examples, Source: Airbnb

"Cape Villa is a stunning, sunlit contemporary house right by the sea. It is perfectly placed to enjoy a relaxed vacation just by the sea, or to combine it with sightseeing around Athens. The house is located on the edge of the cape, just only 20 meters from the sea. It is about 35 minutes drive from Athens airport and about 50 minutes away from Athens city center. The center of Lavrion is only a 5-minute drive, and there you can find many tavernas, coffee shops, supermarkets, and bars."

Why we love it:

• While it's a little bit longer than other vacation rental descriptions, it thoroughly explains what guests can expect when renting the villa
• It uses descriptive language to paint an image of the lifestyle and atmosphere
• It gives detailed location information to appeal to both guests interested in a beach house and those looking for a rental near the city center
• The supporting photo material is a feast for the eyes, enhancing the rental listing

Ready to Create Your Rental Property Description?

We know writing a catchy rental listing description isn't easy. You shouldn't oversell or undersell. Use descriptive language but not too much fluff. Evoke emotions, but don't go overboard. Ugh, that's a lot to keep up with.

However, with our vacation rental description examples, you now have a solid foundation to write a captivating short-term rental description and secure more bookings. A book-direct platform like Houfy can help you optimize your vacation rental listings and keep all profits for yourself.

Close deals directly with guests, decide on your nightly rates and skip large OTAs and their commission fees that take advantage of your business. Join a growing community of 80,000 hosts and guests today!