I recently caught up with Kristy, Meyer, General Manager of The Beaver Village Condominiums in Winter Park, CO. They have been rating properties about 18 years.
How many vacation rentals do you manage?
115 at one property – Beaver Village Condominiums
How many staff members rate your properties? Just one - me! I like to take the time once a year to look at each property and know what my product is. I have a small enough property that I am able to do it myself.
Have you seen an increase in quality as a result? Yes – especially with Resort Rating Specialists helping me to set the standards.
(P.S. I did not ask her to say this - Liza).
You’re market has become a lot more competitive in the last few years, how have newer projects or competitors impacted your standards? It’s important that we provide the same quality of furnishings that guests have come to expect in hotels. Their expectations are sky-high these days.
What’s the biggest benefit from rating properties? Keeping ahead of the competition.
Do you publish your ratings? No.
What are some of the challenges facing your department, particularly in the current Economy? Owners are asking for less stringent standards since they doesn’t have the money to pay for upgrades. When requested, I will take a look at the condominium again and perhaps allow them to do 4 things instead of 5 to stay at their current rating ort reach the next level. I don’t bend much on things I think make a huge difference to guests.
Why do you think it’s important to rate your properties? It’s important to me that guests are satisfied with their stay. Making sure their condominium is well-appointed is part of that. It’s important to let owners know exactly what guest’s expectations are so they can meet them.
Any advice to other companies that are just starting the process? Recently, I changed to a system where I rent the highest-rated units first and the lowest rated ones last. I wish I had done that in the beginning. It really gives owners incentive to upgrade.
I send owners a “Source List” so they can contact companies to help them. The companies on the list can give me a brochure or flyer to send in the packet. The pictures in the flyers of the furnishings they could provide help owners to know what they should be looking for, even if they don’t use those particular suppliers.
Beaver Village Condominiums