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.

Mid-Term Rental

(A) a 30 day or longer occupancy, used to comply with regulations that prohbiti stays of less than 30 days. But usually not more than 45 to 60 days.
See also: Short-term Rental, Lng -erm Rental, Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday Day Home Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VacationRentalAssociation.org

Mountain View

When guests can see surrounding mountains 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, City View, Resort View, Water View Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Name Your Price

An offer to guests to specify the price they want to pay per night for lodging, and the manager then looks for lodging to meet their criteria
Origin: William May Link: VRIA.org

Night

In most lodging, guests do not rent "Days" but instead bookings are thought of as "Nights". The origin of this terminology comes from the traditional (Hotel, Motel) industry where guests frequently arrive in the afternoon and leave in the morning. Hence it is the night they are renting not the day.
See also: Day Origin: Vacation Rental Association

No Pets

When a lodging facility disallows pets of any kind at the property. If No Pets are specified then pets are not welcome on the grounds, in the vicinity or inside the buildings. [ Service animals are exempt from such limits. ]
See also: Pet Friendly, Service Animal Origin: Vacation Rental Association

No Show

A customer with a reservation at a lodging facility who fails to show up and does not cancel.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

No Smoking

In most jurisdictions, guests are not allowed to smoke in properties or anywhere inside the buildings. Usually there are rules that prohibit smoking within a certain distance of the building or its entrance ways or that prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds. Most owners of lodging facilities prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds or in the building
See also: Smoking Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Non-Cancelable

When a booking for lodging property use is non-cancelable it means the guest must pay for and is not entitled to a refund even if they request a cancellation. This is similar to non-cancelable bookings for airfare and other travel services.
See also: Re-Sellable Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Normal Occupancy

The number of registered occupants for which the normal rental rate applies. There are per-day fees for each disclosed or undisclosed guest over the normal Occupancy.
See also: Sleeps Occupancy, Maximum Occupancy, Disclosed Guest, Undisclosed Guest, Drop-in Guest Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Occupancy

A percentage indicating the number of nights sold (compared to number available) in a hotel, resort, motel, or vacation rental facility or destination.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Occupant

A person of any age who enters a lodging unit at any time; or enters the property or resort on which it sits. Includes overnight guests but also drop-in visitors.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Ocean Front Accommodations

Buildings or rooms and living units in a building which is along side the ocean shore. Can be major oceans or estuaries. Generally means there are no other buildings between the building and the water. Not necessarily Beach Front.
See also: Beach Front Origin: Vacation Rental Association

OTA - Online Travel Agent

Websites where guests can book lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services online. OTA's utilize Global Distribution Services (GDS) to display services and then to confirm them with the travel provider. Examples of OTA's are Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Hotels.com but there are many others offering the same services.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

OTA - Open Travel Alliance

An organization that engineers computer and technical specifications to ensure traveler and supplier information flow smoothly throughout travel, tourism and hospitality. Membership includes major hotels, airlines and Global Distribution Firms.
Origin: OpenTravel.org Link: OpenTravel.org

Out Clean Fee

A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate that is charged to renters to cover the cost of cleaning the property after departure.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Out Cleaning

Vacation rental homes are usually cleaned after the guest departs, this is referred to as an Out Clean. Usually there is a one time fee for this service.
See also: Out Cleaning Fee, Interim Clean, Housekeeping Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Overages

Charges to the Guests for additional rent, activities, services, housekeeping or repairs that are greater than appeared on the guest's original estimated charges.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Package

A fixed price travel product that makes it easy for a traveler to buy and enjoy a destination or several destinations. Packages offer a mix of elements like transportation, accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, cultural activities, sightseeing and car rental.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Patient & Family Lodging

Traditional hotel or other facility that provides lodging to patients receiving care in the area or to their families.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

PayPal

A fast and convenient online payment service.
Origin: Plumbob Publishing