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.
Smoking Penalty
The fee charged to guests for smoking in a No Smoking lodging facility. Usually the fee is significant due to the costs associated with cleaning facilities sufficiently to return them to a no smoking condition; and to deter unauthorized smoking.
See also: No Smoking Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Sold Out
When a destination, location or unit has no available dates left for sale, it is tempting to refer to those as Sold Out.
See also: See Noso Origin: Istay
Spa
(1) A small pool usually indoors and accommodating 2 to 12 people who can sit in and enjoy the hot water usually 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually self contained including pumps, air jets, covered when not in use and treated with chlorine or similar chemical to keep the water sanitary. Also called a hot tub. (2) A business which offers health and therapeutic treatments such as massage, facials and exercise.
See also: Hot Tub Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Spa Hot Tub Cleaning Fee
A certain amount above and beyond the rental rate charged to renters wishing to use a hot tub.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Spouse Program
Special activities planned for those who accompany an attendee to a convention, trade show or meeting. Note that programs today are not simply for women, but rather for men and women, spouses and friends. Programs must be creatively designed to interest intelligent and curious audiences.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
State or Province
A State or Province is a sub-area of a Country. For our purposes Countries hold States. States hold destinations, Destinations hold Locations and Locations hold Properties, Resorts or Venues.
See also: Province, Country, Destination, Location Origin: Redstone Systems
Stay Over
See Hold Over.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Sundries
Incidental supplies provided along with rent of a lodging property such as paper goods, soaps, salt/pepper and other kitchen basics. Many managers provide a started supply of such things. Most do not provide an unlimited stash.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
SunPartners
A company which owns and offers vacation rental home ownership on a fractional basis. Segments of homes, usually 2 months in length are sold to owners who share ownership in one of several legal arrangements.
See also: Fractionals Origin: Istay
Sunspots Network
A group of independent real estate agents and lodging managers who utilize the Sunspots central office for a variety of services that support the offering and delivery of quality vacation rentals. Members subscribe to the best practices of the lodging industry and are contractually obligated to provide a consistent quality guest and owner experience.
Origin: Vortex
Sunspots Vacation Rentals Network
Network of Vacation Rental Management Companies, each independently owned and operated operated by trained and certified managers in various geographic areas.
See also: Sunspots Network Origin: Vortex Link: SunspotVacationRentals.com
Sunspotters
A program where guests who frequently rent from membes of the Sunspot Vacation Rentals Network and are given special privileges for their loyalty. Also referred to as a "Frequent Stayer" club. There is no charge for joining Sunspotters
Origin: Sunspot Vacation Rentals
Tariff
Rate of fare quoted and published by a travel industry supplier (i.e. hotels, tour operators, etc.) Usually an annual tariff is produced in a booklet form for use in sales calls at trade shows.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Tenant
A person or persons who rents a real estate property for an extended stay. As opposed to a "Guest" who rents a property for a short stay. The difference between a Guest and a Tenant is usually determined by local governing bodies such as states, counties, cities or home owner associations. Many jurisdictions consider tenants to be those who stay for more than 30 days. Tenants and Guests have different rights of use for the property.
See also: Guest Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Terms & Conditions
The list of conditions, usually in writing and often printed on a website, that govern a contract or order. They spell out how payments are handled, what the policies and procedures are, what happens in the case of certain events. They govern the customer's comportment and obligate them to other rules and regulations.
See also: Rules, Regulations Origin: Istay
Textiles
All bedding, towels and other fabric products used in a lodging facility to comfort to owners, family and guests.
See also: Bedding, towels, fleece, Linens Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Therapy Animal (Dog)
Provides affection and comfort to people in Hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations such as disaster areas.
Not to be confused with Service Animals or dogs, Therapy Dogs and their Handlers have no Legal rights. Institutions may invite, limit, or prohibit access to therapy dogs. If allowed, these institutions will have their own requirements for Therapy Animals.
Therapy dogs are not Service Animals. A Service Animal has a skill which directly reduces the effect of a disability and so can legally accompany their disabled handler anywhere they can legally go. In the United States, Service Animals are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. As Therapy Dogs do not provide direct assistance they are not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
See also: Service Animal (Dog) Origin: FreeMyPaws.org Link: FreeMyPaws.org
Time-Shares
Homes divided in ownership or use on the basis of time periods, most often one or two week each year.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Tip Envelope
Housekeepers leave in rooms indicating their name and date cleaned. Usually includes subtle reminder that tips are not required but gratefully appreciated.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Tour Operator
Develops, markets and operates group travel programs that provide a complete travel experience for one price and includes transportation (airline, rail, motor coach, and/or ship), accommodations, sightseeing, selected meals and an escort. Tour operators market directly to the consumer, through travel agents and are beginning to be listed on computerized reservation systems.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association