Your Pre-Holiday Arrival Tune-Up
A practical checklist to stabilize trust before the post-holiday dip hits your booking curve.
On Tuesday, we talked about how December calm hides guest hesitation.
Today is your tune-up! The small fixes you can make this week to protect January revenue.
No theory. Just operator work.
Quick Wins You Can Fix in 15 Minutes
Small, surgical moves that remove friction before guests arrive.
✔️ Rewrite 3 policy lines that land too rigid
Open your booking confirmation.
Find sentences with “strict,” “must,” or “not allowed.”
Rewrite them so they still say the truth but don’t sound like a warning label.
✔️ Check your pre-arrival message tone
Read your automated 24-hour message out loud.
Does it feel like hosting or like paperwork?
Add one warm line: “We’re looking forward to welcoming you tomorrow.”
✔️ Update your Google Business “Know Before You Go”
Parking. Check-in time. Seasonal hours.
Anything out of date → fix it.
This page is a trust gate.
✔️ Review all automations for warmth + clarity
Confirmation → pre-arrival → check-in → checkout.
Would you feel welcomed or managed?
Adjust anything leaning transactional.
✔️ Clarify parking + arrival directions
Run your directions through Google Maps as a guest.
Add landmarks guests actually see.
If parking is tight or confusing, say so.
✔️ Make sure amenity descriptions match reality
Do a quick walk-through with your phone.
If a description isn’t accurate this month, update it.
The “First 15 Minutes” Audit
Walk your property as if you’ve never been there.
Time yourself. Fix what slows you down.
👉 Your guests feel your culture before they ever meet your team.
Arrival signage
Visible in the dark?
House number clear from the street?
Any sign requiring “context” → redesign.
Lighting
Entryway bright enough?
Pathways safe?
Warm glow over harsh glare.
Temperature
Pre-heated or pre-cooled?
Thermostat easy to find?
Instructions visible without hunting?
Keys / Codes
Do guests receive codes early enough?
Are instructions in one message, not scattered across three?
Do you confirm they received it?
Wayfinding
Can a tired traveler find their room without guessing?
Numbers clearly marked?
A simple photo guide or floor plan helps.
Micro-frictions to remove
Trash near the entrance
Stale smells
Confusing light switches
Wrong parking spot moment
Anything that signals “this place isn’t ready”
Fix these this week.
The first 15 minutes set the stay.
Holiday Tone Reset (5 Line Edits You Can Copy)
Swap rigid phrasing for steady, hospitality-aligned language.
❌ Strict cancellation policy.
✅ Clear cancellation policy to keep your plans steady.
❌ No early check-in requests.
✅ We’ll always prepare your space as early as possible.
❌ Rules must be followed.
✅ Here’s how to enjoy your stay comfortably and safely.
❌ Guests are responsible for damages.
✅ We want your stay to feel worry-free — here’s how we handle care and upkeep.
❌ Late check-out not allowed.
✅ We’ll let you know if late check-out becomes available.
Same rules. Now they feel right.
This isn’t polishing. It’s your standards showing up first.
AI Quick Win (Fast + Practical)
Use this to rewrite any rigid guest-facing line.
Prompt:
Rewrite the following policy lines in a warm, steady, hospitality-first tone.
Keep the rules unchanged.
Reduce friction without softening the meaning.
Use clear, concise language.
Output only the rewritten lines.
[Insert 5 lines here]
Example
INPUT:
Check-in is at 3 PM sharp. Early arrivals will not be accommodated.
Quiet hours are enforced from 10 PM to 8 AM.
Maximum occupancy is 4 guests. No exceptions.
You must report any damages immediately or face charges.
Checkout is 11 AM. Late checkouts incur a $50 fee.
AI OUTPUT:
Check-in begins at 3 PM when your space is ready. If you’re arriving early, let us know and we’ll guide you on options.
We keep things peaceful from 10 PM to 8 AM so everyone can rest well.
The space is designed for up to 4 guests to ensure everyone stays comfortable.
If something needs attention during your stay, just let us know — we’ll take care of it right away.
Checkout is at 11 AM. If you need extra time, reach out and we’ll see what’s possible.
Run this today. Replace anything tighter than it needs to be.
The 10-Minute Google Canvas Check
Canvas is a guest’s last trust check before booking.
Make sure nothing contradicts reality.
Compare your photos to on-site reality
Current landscaping, signage, paint, furniture.
No old holiday decor.
Ensure amenities reflect truth, not aspiration
“Fully equipped kitchen” = basics included.
“Workspace” = desk + lighting.
“Mountain view” = actually visible.
Remove vague lines
“Near downtown” → actual minutes.
“Cozy” → real square footage.
“Multiple bathrooms” → exact count.
Add missing context travelers rely on
Stair count
Cell service consistency
Nearest grocery, gas, urgent care
Update seasonal hours
Pools, hot tubs, restaurant availability.
Fix mismatched captions
Make sure every caption describes the photo it sits on.
Cut placeholders.
Cut “new” if it’s not new.
Two Questions This Week
Your property →
What’s one thing you tightened that made arrivals smoother?
Your team →
What’s one small habit your staff can tighten this week to elevate arrivals?
Small shift. Big impact.
Here’s Why I’m Telling You This
I share these tune-ups because they’re the same things I look for when I walk a property. Small clarity upgrades now keep January from wobbling later. When trust is intentional, January holds steady.