Managing Multi Million Dollar Homes at Scale

How Did You Navigate the Transformation from Hotels to Short-Term Rentals?

Working in a luxury hotel brings its share of glitz and glam. It’s exciting to see cool things, but it’s also a lot of hard work. Long hours and six-day weeks are common. In luxury hospitality you’re always on call – from a burst pipe to a VIP guest needing attention.

The difference in luxury short-term rentals is that you are managing the processes remotely. It saves me time on commute and money – on dry cleaning suits;) But it is still a demanding role with different type of challenges.

Adapting to remote work in hospitality requires finding new technologies and approaches to achieve the same results as in-person work.

Key Elements for Providing a Luxury Guest Experience Remotely

Rove sets itself apart in the market by ensuring that the luxury experience is uncompromised in a remote setting. Patrick Bartlett defines the most important elements for achieving this: visibility, efficient communication, quick problem-solving, trust and data-driven approach.

Visibility is Everything

Maintaining a clear and transparent view of all operations and guest interactions is key to remote management. When not on-site, it’s crucial to ensure service quality control, from cleanliness to guest interactions and prompt responses to requests. Rove leverages technology to monitor and verify guest interactions such as identity check, security deposits, agreements, online check-in, etc.

Efficient Team Communication

It’s absolutely crucial to maintain close communication with on-ground teams to oversee tasks such as cleaning and maintenance. You need to ensure they meet the luxury standards expected by guests.

Quick and Efficient Problem-Solving

Responsiveness to guest issues is key. Problems should be addressed swiftly to minimize inconvenience, demonstrating the company’s commitment to guest satisfaction.

Personalized Guest Communication

While automation saves time and reduces human error, maintaining a personal touch in guest communications is important. Automated messages should be crafted to feel personal and genuine, making guests feel valued and recognized. Use the guest data you collect to personalize your messaging at any touch point.

Anticipating Guest Needs

Understanding and anticipating what guests might require during their stay and addressing these needs proactively significantly enhances the guest experience. Using the information you have about the guest, initiate communication first, offering helpful services or add-ons before they reach out to you.

Streamlined Verification Processes

Rove’s properties are high-risk assets, with monthly rates reaching up to $50,000. This necessitates substantial protection, with guests required to pay $5,000 in security deposits and sign rental agreements. You need to establish a straightforward and user-friendly process for these high-value guests to navigate and make payments.

Trust and Credibility Online

Requesting guests to pay thousands of dollars online before arriving at the property may seem suspicious to some. Therefore, it’s crucial to enhance your digital presence to build trust. This can be done by showcasing reviews, offering clear communication channels, and providing comprehensive information about the properties and services.

Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

Using advanced tools like Enso Connect to automate and streamline operations such as security deposits, ID verifications, and guest communications. This not only saves time but also reduces the chance of human error.

The Challenge of Scaling Up in STR Luxury Hospitality

Rove is a luxury hospitality company that started from zero, and went from 1 to 10 to 20 to 50…  Now the company is managing 80 homes in 5 different markets. They quickly realized that as you’re scaling exponentially, things break. Even just from 1 to 2 and 2 to 5 and 5 to 10, the a volume is getting overwhelming. Then what will happen at 100 or 200 properties? All processes that are time intensive are going to be a hurdle for growth. This is when the Rove team recognized the need for an automation solution with high customization capabilities.

Did Implementing Enso Connect Change Your Business?

Discovering Enso Connect has been a game-changer for us, significantly saving time and enhancing our operational efficiency. It provides crucial visibility into key aspects like security deposits, credit card holds for stays, and pre-check-in procedures. The platform has streamlined processes such as ID verification and sending personalized automated messages to guests, ensuring they feel welcomed and attended to.

Before Enso Connect, managing these tasks manually was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Now, with automation, we can maintain a personal touch in our communications, making each interaction feel unique and less automated. This balance of efficiency and personalization has been a major win for us.

Why did you choose Enso Connect?

We conducted thorough research, evaluating around ten different solutions to find the perfect fit for our unique needs. The initial interaction with the sales team and the demo were impressive. Then we delved deeper to ensure the platform’s capabilities matched our real-world requirements.

Our situation is quite specific, managing luxury properties with high-value transactions and extended stays in New York City. We needed a system capable of handling significant security deposits and catering to the nuances of managing multi-million dollar homes. Enso Connect stood out with its ability to be customized for our particular needs.

The system is not only intuitive but also adaptable. The initial setup required some effort, but the investment in time paid off quickly, significantly saving time and streamlining operations.

What really sealed the deal for us was the combination of customizable features, user-friendly interface, and the responsive support team. They were always ready to answer our detailed queries, providing quick and helpful responses. This level of engagement and the platform’s adaptability to our requirements made Enso Connect an invaluable tool for our business.

Navigating the High-End Luxury Market in STR: Building Trust

Protecting High-End Properties

Operating in the luxury segment with direct guest contact, differs significantly from using well-known platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. These platforms offer a layer of trust and security, from protecting against fraudulent listings to providing alternative accommodations in case of issues. In direct bookings, establishing credibility becomes crucial. We achieve this by implementing robust guest screening and verification, coupled with thorough agreements and security deposits. It is important to make these processes convenient and quick for our guests. This is where Enso Connect’s tech comes into play.

Streamlining Guest Verification

For guests, digital interactions could pose a challenge. Trust is necessary when wiring a $5,000 security deposit before even arriving at the accommodation. And we need to build this trust remotely. At Rove, we achieve this through various communication channels, such as phone calls and building a strong social media presence. This approach not only displays our growing portfolio and positive reviews but also personalizes the experience. A phone conversation can alleviate doubts, offering a sense of confidence and familiarity that digital communication alone might not convey. This blend of digital visibility and personal interaction has been key in building trust and succeeding in the high-end luxury market.

What’s next for Rove?

Continued Growth in New York City

Rove plans to further expand its presence in New York City, capitalizing on the vast opportunities in this bustling market. The goal is to solidify the position as a leading luxury furnished rental property manager in the city.

Expansion into New Markets

The company is looking to identify and enter markets similar to New York, particularly those with complex rental regulations. The goal is to leverage the expertise to navigate these challenges and provide value to property owners in these areas.

Scaling Operations and Processes

Rove is actively preparing for rapid growth. This involves continuously evaluating and adapting their systems, staffing, and processes to ensure they can scale effectively. The focus is on creating a robust structure that can accommodate growth without major disruptions.