Short-term rental apartment – increase your profits without raising the price

You have an apartment for short-term rental. You even have guests – returning ones, new ones. Things are going well, you are satisfied, but you are also ambitious and wondering how to increase your income without discouraging guests with higher prices? How to develop what you already have and is there anything else you could do to move forward with your rental properties? Perfect! And believe me, you are not alone in this – it is a common dilemma for many owners. Everyone would like to earn more, and sometimes just level the playing field by keeping pace with rising market prices for products and services on which your business depends. Raising rental prices can be risky – it’s easy to lose customers, especially when competition in the market is fierce and not always fair. 

So what can you do?

The key to success is additional income from the apartment, i.e., selling services or products that are not part of the basic rental but can significantly increase the value of the stay for guests. Sounds interesting? We’ll tell you more! Such additional sales in the apartment not only increase profits, but also build positive experiences for customers, who are more likely to return and recommend the place to others.

So, instead of raising the price of the accommodation itself and adding the costs of mundane items, you can offer something extra – something that will make your guests’ stay easier or more enjoyable, and will be a source of additional income for you. It is this well-thought-out strategy that allows you to increase your revenue and stand out in the apartment rental market.

What is upselling and how does it work in apartments?

Let’s start with the basics, because although the term ” additional sales in an apartment ” sounds straightforward, it may not be very clear or inspiring. First of all, it is a simple and extremely effective way to increase your rental income – we have already established that. It is nothing more than offering guests services or products that are not included in the standard price of accommodation (and never have been), but can significantly increase the comfort and quality of their stay. Simply put, it is a clever way to “add something extra” to the stay and improve your financial results at the same time.

Upselling in an apartment involves presenting guests with attractive extras at the right moment – often at the booking stage or shortly after arrival. This could be, for example, an offer of breakfast delivered directly to the apartment, bike or SUP rental, transportation services, early check-in, late check-out, or a set of local products that highlight the atmosphere of the place. The key is to offer something that actually adds value to the stay and makes the guest feel that they have gained something special.

Importantly, additional sales in the apartment should not be intrusive or forced. It is a delicate art – the idea is for the guest to willingly take advantage of the additional offer because they see a real benefit in it. That is why personalization and tailoring the offer to the guest profile is crucial – families with children may be more likely to choose toys, souvenirs, or childcare, while couples may prefer romantic packages – a candlelit dinner on the terrace or rose petals in the jacuzzi.

We have noticed that upselling in an apartment works best when it is part of a coherent communication strategy – from descriptions on booking platforms, through welcome messages, to aesthetic materials in the apartment itself. This builds trust and encourages guests to take advantage of the offer.

As you can see,additional sales in an apartment are not only a way to increase revenue, but also a tool for building positive guest experiences, which translate into better reviews and greater loyalty. It also makes it easier to differentiate your offer from the competition. It is therefore worth treating it as an integral part of running a short-term rental, rather than just an add-on.

Ideas for additional income from your apartment – what can you offer your guests?

Are you getting into this and looking for specific ideas for additional income from your apartment? We have a few original ideas that will not only increase your revenue but also enhance the comfort of your guests’ stay, which is a win-win for both sides. Here’s what you can offer:

• Breakfast sets or local products – fresh bread, local coffee, cheese, or handmade preserves are a great way to start your guests’ day with something special. It’s an easy and enjoyable form of upselling in your apartment. This is especially true in more intimate facilities where you want to personally welcome tourists.
• Bicycle, scooter, and SUP rentals – guests are eager to actively explore the area and enjoy the lake. If you give them this opportunity on site, you will not only make their stay easier, but also earn additional income.
• Romantic or spa packages – candles, wine, massage, access to a sauna or jacuzzi – these are ideas that work particularly well in apartments for couples. Guests will appreciate such attention to detail.
• Transport to/from the airport – offering a convenient transfer can be a great convenience and an incentive to book with you. Make arrangements with a local carrier and work together for mutual benefit.
• Late check-out – for guests who want to enjoy their stay longer, the option to stay in the apartment for a small fee is a real added value.
• Paid parking space – if you have a parking space, offering it as an additional service – an exclusive space – secures a place for guests and generates profit.
• Souvenir display case – if you have space, e.g., at the reception desk, for a souvenir display case where you can place handmade products – local ceramics, jewelry, magnets, sculptures, or other souvenirs typical of the region – you promote local artists and earn extra money, and guests don’t have to look for souvenirs in stores.

The above upselling ideas are proven and easy to implement. All you need to do is offer them appropriately to start earning more without raising accommodation prices.

How to implement additional sales in your apartment – step by step

You’ve made your decision, chosen the type of sale, and want to effectively implement upselling in your apartment? Here’s a practical action plan to help you get started:

• Integration with platforms (Airbnb, Booking) – set up additional offers at the booking stage. More and more systems allow you to add extra services as options to choose from, so if you don’t add them in the description, at least add them here!
• Automation of upselling offers – send guests emails or text messages with additional service offers before they arrive. This can be done automatically using dedicated tools.
• Use QR codes in the apartment – place a QR code in a visible place that will redirect guests to a list of available additional services and allow them to quickly place an order, e.g., for airport transportation.
• Create a mini price list for additional services – an aesthetic and transparent price list in the apartment will make it easy for guests to familiarize themselves with the offer and give them the feeling that they are choosing from carefully selected options.

The above tips are not complicated, and they will allow your guests to familiarize themselves with the additional offer in a clear and legible way. Even if you provide the most interesting extras for your guests, but do not include clear information about them, upselling in rental properties may not bring the expected results.

Is upselling in a short-term rental apartment profitable? How much extra can you earn per month?

Let’s assume you get 10 bookings per month. If, on average, at least 40% of guests choose one add-on for around $15, then:

10 bookings × 40% × $15 = $60 extra revenue per day of stay.

With an average stay of 3 nights, that’s $180 extra per month, which adds up to $2,160 per year. These are real numbers that show how add-ons can significantly improve profitability. If it’s something like a parking space or recreational equipment, the guest is happy – it’s not a painful cost for them, but it becomes noticeable income for you.

Of course, this is only an example, but it clearly shows that even small extra offers in the short-term rental business can translate into real money — without increasing the base price of the stay.

How to present additional offers to encourage guests to buy?

The way you present your additional services is extremely important. Here are a few tricks to help you sell more effectively:

• Remember to use the language of benefits – instead of dry facts, show what the guest will gain: “Start your day with a delicious breakfast without leaving your apartment” instead of “Breakfast available on request” or “Don’t forget us” – a slogan on souvenir postcards or magnets.
• Make sure your photos show emotion – use high-quality photos that evoke emotion and make your offer attractive and desirable, e.g., a slice of bread with delicious jam with whole fruit.
• Service packages – create sets, e.g., a “Relaxation Package” with a massage and a bottle of wine or an “Active Package” with sports equipment. Guests are more likely to choose ready-made, valuable solutions.

Thanks to these simple measures, additional sales in the apartment are no longer intrusive, but become a natural complement to the stay.

As a rental property owner, you are not only a businessman but also a host, and as a host, you must remember that renting is only part of the business. By building an offer full of valuable additional services, we create an entire ecosystem that makes guests feel special.

This not only allows you to earn more from renting out your apartment, but above all, you build loyalty and positive reviews that attract new customers. If you want to successfully grow your short-term rental business, it is not enough to offer accommodation – you must offer real, unforgettable experiences.

It is thanks to this approach that apartment guests return and recommend the place to others, and your additional income from the apartment grows every month.