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.
Configuration
The arrangement of furniture, equipment and other features of a property including the specific layout and location.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Confirmation
The document usually sent to guests confirming that they have entered into a contract for the occupancy of a lodging unit such as a hotel room, vacation rental home, condo or similar lodging.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Confirmed (Booking)
An oral or written statement by the manager that they have received the guest's order and will honor a booking providing the guest honors their obligations, such as paying timely or arriving on time. Confirmed bookings may be Guaranteed or Advance Lodging Guarantee. Used in software as a Booking Status
See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Blocked, Cancelled, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Order, Out of Service, Quoted, Unblocked Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Convention and Visitors Bureau
These organizations are local tourism marketing organizations specializing in developing conventions, meetings, conferences, and visitations to a city, county or region.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Cosmetics
Improvements to a home such as installing a new fireplace that are relatively inexpensive and make a big difference to the look of the home.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Cover
Each diner at a restaurant.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
CVRO - Certified Rental Owner
Owners of lodging who study for and pass a test about their competence to manage vacation rental lodging are awarded a CVRO - Certified Rental Owner designation. The course of study includes awareness and a pledge to maintain properties that are properly outfitted, clean, maintained and truthful in advertising. The term CVRO is a trademark owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: CVRM, CVRI, VRIA Origin: Vacation Rental Association
CVRP - Certified Vacation Rental Profession
Managers of lodging who study for and pass a test about their competence to manage vacation rental lodging are awarded a CVRP - Certified Vacation Rental Professional designation. The course of study includes awareness and a pledge to maintain properties that are properly outfitted, clean, maintained and truthful in advertising. The term CVRP is a trademark owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: CVRO, VRIA, IVVR, VVR Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VRIA.org
Damage Deposit
A payment customers make to property owners or managers to pay for any damage or overage fees they may incur. Not common in hotels or motels but very common for vacation rental cabins, condos and homes. If a guest incurs such charges they are subtracted from the deposit prior to its return. Sometimes called a Security Deposit.
See also: Security Deposit Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Damage Waiver
A fee paid by guests that covers a maximum amount of damages they may cause. It is paid in advance, is non-refundable and covers unintentional damage up to a certain threshold if reported to the owner or manager prior to departure. Does not cover intentional damage, excessive cleaning, charges due to guest failure to follow booking contract or amounts of the limit
Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VRIA.org
Darwin Program (Co-managed Vacation Rentals)
A co-management program with a booking agent company. Manager provides onsite services. Both parties advertise and process bookings. Offered by members of the Sunspots Vacation rental network, such as for cabins, condos, homes & villas.
See also: Homie-Minder Origin: May, William
Day
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: Night Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Deep Cleaning
Heavier than usual cleaning, usually done at least annually it is necessary to have housekeepers clean high spots, behind appliances, baseboards and hard to reach areas.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Departure Date
The date at which a guest departed or is expected to depart from a property. In lodging this also usually includes a time after which the guest is no longer allowed to be in the property.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Destination
A geographic description of where properties are located. Destinations are areas of a State, Locations, on the other hand are sub-areas of Destinations. For example, Poipu Beach is a Location. The island of Kauai is a Destination and Hawaii is the state. These geographic descriptions are not precise and are sometimes named to accommodate various geographic features.
See also: Location, State, Country Origin: Istay
Discrimination
Restricting renters on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin as prohibited under the Fair Housing Act.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Domestic Partner
A person who is at least eighteen years of age and can show: (1) Evidence of financial interdependence, such as joint bank accounts or credit cards, jointly owned property, and mutual life insurance or pension beneficiary designations; (2) Evidence of cohabitation for at least the previous 6 months; and (3) An affidavit of domestic partnership if recognized by the jurisdiction within which they reside.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Dude Ranch
Usually working ranches that accept guests for lodging, food service, horse back riding and other ranch and farm activities.
See also: Guest Ranch, Farm Stay Origin: Wm. May Link: GuestRanchers.org
Electronic Lock
A digital or push button mechanical lock that does not require a key or access card to operate. Must be programmed at the door, by opening the lock.
- Can not be programmed over Wi-Fi
- Does not use an Algorithmic code
- Is not a mechanical keysafe or lock box
- Usually also has a physical key to use.
See also: Wi-Fi Lock, Algorithmic lock, Keysafe Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Emergency Assistance
If you become sick or injured on your trip and are in need of Emergency Assistance, the assistance provider will: 1. arrange for and transport you to the nearest suitable medical facility; 2. provide you with assistance to return home; 3. provide round-trip economy airfare to send someone of your choice to be with you if you are traveling alone and are in the hospital for more than 7 days; 4. return your minor children home with an escort if they are left unattended due to your death or your hospitalization for at least 7 days; 5. arrange for and transport your remains to your home or place of burial in event of your death.
Origin: CSA Travel Protection