Dictionary

This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.

To help everyone understand more about the topic, this glossary is provided for reference. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primary for terms readers may encounter in browsing this website or participating in the industry. Not all terms apply to this website or company.

Best Practices

Those policies and procedures that best suit an industry and lead to satisfied customers, good vendor relations and success for business owners. In lodging, best practices are many and varied. In short they can be summarized as being good neighbors with good customer service.
Origin: Redstone Systems

Blocked (Booking)

When an Owner reserves use of their own home the booking is referred to as a Block or Blocked. This word is used in the Computer Booking system.
See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Cancelled, Confirmed, Order, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Out of Service, Quoted, Unblocked Origin: Istay

Blue Ribbon Inspection

A lodging unit that has been inspected and meets the standards of the Vacation Rental Association (VRIA). Designated as "Blue Ribbon" and "Inspected Vacation Rental (IVR)" These include rules for outfitting, cleanliness, maintenance and truthful advertising, The terms Blue Ribbon and IVR are trademarks owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: IVR, Inspected Vacation Rental, VVR, Verified Vacation Rental Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Booking Disclosure

After confirming a guest's dates, rates and charges it is necessary to reference the basic terms which govern the order and to secure the guest's approval prior to accepting payment. That is done by reading a disclosure statement and marking it complete in the booking system.
See also: Booking, Terms and Conditions Origin: Istay

Business Travel

Travel for commercial, governmental or educational purposes with leisure only as a secondary motivation.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Buyer

Someone who has entered into a contract to purchase a vacation rental home, but has not yet closed the sale. Once purchased they become an "?Owner" or "Second Home Owner." Should not be used for a company, but rather for its owner or CEO.
See also: Direct Marketing terminology, Owner, Target, Lead, RBO, Complex, Hijack, Client Origin: William May Link: VortexMethod.com

Canceled Stays

The number of guest stays for check-ins during a given period that canceled prior to arrival.
Origin: William May

Cancellation Policy

The terms and basis on which a lodging property owner or manager will or will not accept cancellations. Also dependent on the terms on which the guest booked the property. Usually stated as a number o days prior to first date of occupancy on which a guest may request a cancellation. Fees may apply to cancellations or cancellations may be denied altogether.
See also: "Guarantee Reservation" and "Advance Lodging Reservation" Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Card Lock

A lock that accepts a plastic card to allow access, usually to a hotel room. Uses pre-determined codes known by reservation software and the lock to allow access

- Has no need to be re-programmed manually at the door
- Can not be programmed over Wi-Fi
- Is not a mechanical keysafe or lock box
- Usually also has a physical key to use.
See also: Wi-Fi Lock, Algorithmic lock, Keysafe, Algo Lock Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Carpet Cleaning

Usually performed periodically by a vendor using specialized steam or other equipment to clean wall-to-wall carpeting.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Central Reservations

An office which receives phone calls, answers quest inquiries and arranges bookings of lodging facilities and other types of travel services
See also: Front Desk Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Certified Hearing Dog

A dog which has completed extensive training to alert its owner to a variety of sounds in different environments. These dogs are usually identified by a bright orange leash with black lettering.
Origin: Hearing Loss Association of Canada

Chambers of Commerce

Typically, a Chamber of Commerce will specialize in local economic development that can include tourism promotion.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Check-In

The process by which guests arrive and check into a lodging property. Check In may be accomplished at a front-desk office, by meeting a representative at the property or by a telephone phone in requirement. These vary by the requirements of the owner or manager.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Check-Out

The process by which guests arrive and check out of a lodging property. Check Out may be accomplished at a front-desk office, by meeting a representative at the property or by a telephone phone in requirement. These vary by the requirements of the owner or manager.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

CHPA - Corporate Housing Providers Association

Industry trade association of businesses that provide corporate housing. They seek the growth, professionalism, excellence, customer service and profitability will improve each corporate housing company individually and the worldwide corporate housing industry collectively.
Origin: CHPA.org Link: CHPA.org

City View

When guests can see sections of a town or city from some area of the property, not necessarily from all area of the property.. May include Full, Partial or Peekaboo Views.
See also: View, Beach View, Mountain View, Resort View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Cleaning

See Housekeeping
See also: Out Cleaning Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Cleaning Fee

See Housekeeping fee
See also: Cleaning, Housekeeping, Out Cleaning Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Client

Someone who has hired a professional service such as a property manager, advertising agency, attorney, accountant, etc. Should not be used for a company, but rather for its owner or CEO. Generally not for the sale of goods whose buyers are referred to as Customers.
See also: Direct Marketing terminology, Owner, Target, Lead, RBO, Complex, Hijack, Client Origin: William May Link: VortexMethod.com