In the world of short-term rentals, where guest experiences and satisfaction are the cornerstones of success, offering good internet access is no longer just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s a vacation home, an Airbnb property, or a business traveler’s stopover, reliable, fast internet has become a key factor in guest expectations.
There are two main factors for internet a host needs to consider:
- Internet service speed and uptime
- Equipment sophistication and reliability
The following are the top reasons why quality internet is a crucial component of your short-term rental, for both the management of the property and to provide the highest in guest experience, all with the goal of enhancing your bottom line.
1. Guest Satisfaction and Convenience
The most obvious reason for offering quality internet in a short-term rental is to ensure that guests have a smooth, comfortable stay. Everyone has come to rely on the internet availability for everyday activities, even when on vacation. Guests want to keep in touch with friends and family, share photos and check on on social media, and stream their favorite TV services. Poor internet can lead to frustration, guests attempting to “fix” your equipment, and support phone calls – all of which are things no host wants.
For business travelers, fast and reliable Wi-Fi is often non-negotiable. Even individuals on vacation may check-in on work from time-to-time. Guests may need to attend video meetings, access work documents, or communicate with colleagues. In fact, surveys have shown that many business travelers view internet quality as one of the most important amenities when choosing a place to stay.
2. Impact on Reviews and Ratings
In the highly competitive short-term rental market, guest reviews play a pivotal role in attracting new guests. If the internet is slow or unreliable, it’s almost guaranteed that it will be mentioned in the review. A negative review, especially about something as critical as the internet, can significantly harm your listing’s reputation and deter potential guests from booking your property.
Nobody ever writes a good review about how great the internet was at their vacation home, but having a great experience with the internet will let them focus their review on the other positives of their stay.
3. Competitive Advantage
In the increasingly crowded short-term rental market, every little detail counts. Having good internet access can give your property a competitive edge. Guests are more likely to return or recommend your property if they had a seamless internet experience. Many travelers look for reviews specifically mentioning internet quality, and properties that advertise high-speed internet are often favored in the search results.
Thinking about how a guest will use your short-term rental, what devices they may want to bring and connect, and how they will connect them will result in a more positive experience.
- Have you considered how a guest will connect their own streaming or gaming equipment? See our knowledge article on the subject.
- Do you have adequate coverage everywhere on your property guests may be trying to use devices, including outdoor spaces? Read our article on the best equipment for your property.
4. Easier to Manage Operations
Beyond guest experience, good internet is also key to automating your short-term rental. That’s what Rental Home Automator is all about. Read our dedicated articles related to automating the management of your property:
- Must-have smart devices for your short-term rental
- Automating short-term rentals
- Using SmartThings to automate your short-term rental
- How to use Rental Home Automator at your short-term rental
- What can I automate?
- Five reasons why you should automate your short-term rental
- Why a short-term rental is different than a typical smart home
5. Safety and Security
A stable internet connection can also play a role in the safety and security of your property. Savory hosts use smart home devices such as security cameras, door locks, water control devices and automated switches to control many or all of the aspects of their short-term rentals. Review our dedicated articles on securing your short-term rental with smart technology:
- How to automate your water shut-off
- Why the UniFi ecosystem is your Airbnb’s soulmate
- Why not to use smart water monitors at your Airbnb
- Home Watch Services vs Smart Home Technology
Recommendations
We recommend you consider all of the following when selecting your internet service and your hardware at your short-term rental property:
- 100mbps down and up internet speed. The upload tends to be far more important than the download at short-term rentals, due to the frequency of apps that sync photos, videos and other files when guests connect their devices. Consider one of the following:
- Fiber, if available, is the most reliable option
- DSL or cable, if a minimum of 5mbps upload is available can work, but sophisticated hardware will be required to restrict guest upload rates to prevent internet disruption.
- High-speed satellite for remote locations, again making use of guest speed restrictions.
- Quality hardware with the ability to cover your entire property and restrict guest usage to reasonable limits is essential. Read our article about the UniFi ecosystem and our knowledge article on how to setup network speed restrictions and a guest access portal to ensure your internet remains reliable in all situations.
Reliable internet service and hardware is essential for short-term rentals. Investing in a quality service and quality hardware along with smart-home technology will enhance your guest experience, improve reviews, and ensure the safety and security of your short-term rental property.
