Experiencing obstacles involves:

Renting out properties presents numerous challenges for hosts, with 55% of them identifying careless handling of inventory as one of the most significant hurdles they face.

, and Administrator

2025 September 12 . 10:41 AM

2 min read

Experiencing obstacles involves:

In a recent survey conducted by Holidu, vacation home hosts shared their experiences, challenges, and successes in accommodating guests.

One of the most rewarding aspects of hosting is catering to older travelers. Some hosts even go as far as taking their guests to cultural events like the opera, providing a unique and memorable experience. However, communication with guests is a common challenge, with about a third (32 percent) of hosts complaining about lack of reachability during the stay.

Meeting individual needs is another area where hosts excel. Many go out of their way to accommodate guests, such as picking them up by boat or regularly picking them up from the station. Despite the effort, only 12% of hosts count digital nomads and workation guests among their central target groups.

The main target group of customers served by pensions are retired public service employees, such as civil servants, judges, and soldiers, who receive pensions as part of the public sector retirement system in Germany. Families with children are the second most important target group for 50% of hosts, while couples are the most important for 72%. Weekend vacationers are the third most important target group for 41% of hosts.

However, not all guest experiences are positive. Examples of carelessness include damage to furniture and extensive cleaning work. In one instance, a couple left a vacation home in a state of total devastation, causing damage estimated at around 25,000 euros. Another landlady turned off the TV so that children could spend their vacation without a screen.

Special requests are stressful for only seven percent of hosts, while exaggerated guest expectations are stressful for 16 percent of those surveyed. Late arrivals without any notification are a problem for 18 percent of hosts, and in one case, a family suddenly appeared at the vacation home even though no booking had been made.

Despite these challenges, most guests are very satisfied with their stay. 94% of landlords reported predominantly positive feedback, with six percent of landlords receiving balanced feedback, and less than 0.5% reporting predominantly negative feedback.

Despite the occasional challenges, the rewards of hosting seem to outweigh the difficulties for many. Whether it's the satisfaction of providing a memorable experience for older travelers or the joy of accommodating families, hosts continue to open their doors to guests from all walks of life.