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.
Scheduled Departure Date
The date on which a guest is originally scheduled to leave on a trip. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Scheduled Return Date
The date on which aguest is originally scheduled to return to the point where the Covered Trip started or to a different final destination. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Security Deposit
A payment guests make to property owners or managers to pay for any damage or overage fees they may incur. Not common in hotels or motels but more 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 Damage Deposit. See also: Damage Deposit, Deposit Waiver (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Self Catering
A term sometimes used for vacation rentals in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Also applies to furnished apartments without an onsite cook. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Seniors
Travelers over a certain age, usually 55, who receive certain benefits not afforded to the general public, such as discounts, early entry or other priviledges. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Service Order
When guests or owners request maintenance, additional housekeeping or other services from managers or other vendors. Owners may choose to purchase services using this system. If for essential services there is usually no charge to guests. But charges apply to non-essential services (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Short-Term Rental
Synonymous with Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday Home. A cabin, condo, apartment, house or villa available for rent on a nightly, weekly or occasionally longer basis. Usually fully furnished. See also: Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday Home (Origin: Istay)
Shoulder Season
The period between peak and low periods when business is stronger, but has room from growth. See also: Travel Seasons, Peak Season, Low Season (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
Site Inspection
An assessment tour of a destination of facility by a meeting planner, convention or trade show manager, site selection committee, tour operator, wholesaler or incentive travel manager to see if it meets their needs and requirements prior to selecting a specific site for an event. After site selection, a site inspection may be utilized to make arrangements. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)
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. However, it is virtually impossible for us to be sold out. We always have availability somewhere in a different unit, location or destination. So users are forbidden from using the term 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)
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 sudiences. (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)
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