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.

Memberships

Customers who wish to utilize one or more of our websites must sign up for a Membership in that site. Each membership has a username, logon and Membership type. Some sites allow users to view some data before becoming members.
Origin: Redstone Systems

Mid Rise Building

A building, often used for office space and usually between four and 12 floors.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Network Member

A person who owns a local vacation rental company in a geographic location, that is a member of the Sunspots Network. They are the key person in the are and may have other people who work for them. A member may also be referred to as a Networker, Operator, Manager or Property Manager.
See also: networker, manager, operator, property manager Origin: Vortex Organization

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

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

Order (Booking)

When a guest makes a booking online it is referred to as an Order until such time as a staff member accepts and confirms it. The software uses this word as a Booking Status.
See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Blocked, Cancelled, Confirmed, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Out of Service, Quoted, Unblocked 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

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

Out of Service (Booking)

When a property is not available for rental it is Out of Service. Often this happens when a property requires maintenance. Our software uses this word as Booking Status
See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Blocked, Cancelled, Confirmed, Order, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Quoted, Unblocked 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

Peak Season

The primary travel season when occupancy and rates are the highest
See also: Travel Seasons, Low Season, Shoulder Season Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Pet Deposit

Should a lodging facility allow for pets they may require the guest to pay a significant deposit to cover any damage or excessive cleaning necessitated by the pets occupancy. Pet Deposits are usually refundable if no damage or effect occurs
See also: Pet Fee, Pet Friendly, No Pets, Pet Penalty Origin: Vacation Rental Association

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