Enhancing Guest Experiences in 2024 In the ever-evolving vacation rental industry, delivering exceptional customer service is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s a crucial differentiator. As travelers become increasingly discerning and technology advances, vacation rental managers and owners must stay ahead of the curve to stand out. Here’s a look at some of the key customer service trends shaping the industry in 2024. Personalized Experiences Through Data Analytics Data analytics…
Looking for a culinary experience that stands out in Sarasota? Baker & Wife is a must-visit. Located at 2157 Siesta Drive, this neighborhood gem offers a blend of modern comfort and culinary excellence that’s hard to find elsewhere. From the moment you step inside, the warm, inviting atmosphere sets the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary meal. Whether you’re a Sarasota local or just passing through, Baker &…
Sean Altice, Co-owner and COO of Sarasota-based Altez Vacations, was recently named the 2022 Siesta Key Business Person of the Year by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. Altice has been an active member of the Siesta Key Chamber for over seven years. At age 26, Sean Altice co-founded Altez Vacations, LLC, with a focus on luxury rental properties. His entrepreneurial journey began in predicting the exponential growth of third-party…
Shell Beach – One of Sarasota’s Hidden Treasures A slice may be generous, let’s say a sliver of beach access exists on Siesta Key’s north end and is known only to those who have achieved true local status...or those lucky enough to have stumbled on it from Trip Advisor. The sliver is named Shell Beach and arrived at via none other than Shell Road. If you’re entering the Key from…
When the economy is up, it's to maximize the revenue for your vacation rental. But What happens when it's not? It's time to create a Unique Selling Point for your vacation rental. As vacation rental hosts, we all look like geniuses when the economy is booming. There is an influx of traveler demand, the money is flowing freely, and you’re able to book the reservations you want when you…
Suncoast Memorial Day Happenings! The weather is beautiful. The skies are sunny. The water is warm and there are plenty of happenings around town. There are numerous Memorial Day offerings whether you are looking for a formal ceremony or a relaxed experience with friends and family. Get outdoors, gather with friends, and enjoy the beauty of the Suncoast community while honoring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. There are…
Siesta Key Beach Vacation! Ready for your Siesta Key Vacation? We're sharing a few of our favorite ways to spend vacation time at the beach - the #1 beach as ranked by Trip Advisor users. First things first. If you want to fuel up for the day head over and grab an iced coffee and breakfast at Another Broken Egg. They open at 7AM so go early, avoid the crowd.…
Whew! This year of change has kept us on our toes and forced us to zero in on our most precious priorities, values and commitments. We find ourselves needing space to process, release and unwind more than ever. The Altez Vacations team recently asked a group of Florida and California guests of 2020 to share general thoughts on how they believe vacations have changed over the last 9 months. The number one…
Welcome to the new normal. The onset of Covid-19 has produced tremendous fluctuation in our daily, hourly and even moment-to-moment lives. We are facing an unprecedented global event which has swiftly flipped communities and businesses upside-down. Some people are completely out of work and out-of-business. Yet, when able, communities are supporting businesses which remain open, in an effort to support the livelihood of those lucky enough to be employed. We are witnessing despair…
Have you heard of the annual Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival on Siesta Key? It’s an amazing weekend event which showcases the immense talents of a variety of sculpture artists, known internationally for their stunning work. We have Sarasota local and Master Sculpture, Brian Wigelsworth, to thank for inciting the Siesta Key event for the first time back in 2010. The competition now brings over 60,000 tourists to the…
Hurricane Preparedness, It's the most important aspect of successfully surviving natural disasters. One Year Removed from Hurricane Irma. The Real-Life Stories and Lessons Learned from a Vacation Rental Manager Part 1 It was early September one year ago when a massive Category 5 hurricane was barreling towards Florida. Hurricane Irma wasn’t the first hurricane scare I’ve experienced in my brief 2-year period living in Florida and at first impression, it…
There’s no question that Sarasota has a formidable presence when it comes to the craft brewing scene. In addition to its robust art, architecture and cultural offerings, the beer scene has exploded over the past decade and continues to dominate night life and the city social scene. What’s even more impressive about the Sarasota beer scene is the fact that you can walk in most markets and gas stations and…
Things to do on a Girls Trip to Sarasota, Florida By: Susan Finch From: Must Do Visitor Guides Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Sarasota is the perfect place for a weekend of fun with the girls to bond and kick up your heels. Surrounded by breathtaking Keys, white sandy beaches, and plenty to do; the Sarasota area is the perfect playground for a bachelorette party, girls getaway, or friend reunion. https://youtu.be/fSg5ws93MWU…
Get out and explore Bend, Oregon for one of the best vacation days ever! 9:00 AM Wake-up and smell that fresh mountain air! That’s right, you slept until 9:00, because you’re on vacation, and sleeping-in, is a vacation thing to do. But, you don’t want to sleep in too much because sleeping the vacation away isn’t on the agenda for this trip. You wake-up fresh and excited to go because…
The Robinson Nature Preserve is one of Bradenton’s best kept secrets. It’s a beautiful space if you love the outdoors and want to step out of the local city scape for an afternoon of family fun. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are offered by reservation with Surferbus. Group camping is available by calling (941) 742-5923 in advance. The expansive 600+ acre salt marsh is home to abundant wildlife including water…
Pasadena sits in the San Gabriel Valley and began as a resort town in the late 1800's. It's been known for hosting well-to-do easterners during the winter, and most notably, the annual New Year’s Tournament of Roses Parade followed by the Rose Bowl Game. It's home to the Greene and Greene Gamble House and pays tribute to the craftsman era through the preservation of its landmark district, Bungalow Heaven. The…
15 Things Your Housekeeper is Missing Housekeeping and overall cleanliness can make-or-break a vacation rental guest experience. An unkempt home can result in poor guest satisfaction while going above and beyond standard expectations of cleaning may help bring a guest experience to the next level. Cleaning for a vacation rental is far different than cleaning a home for someone who is a full-time resident, and your housekeeping crew should know the…
Tips for Visiting The Ringling Museum of Art The Ringling Museum of Art is the state art museum of Florida and has a wonderful collection of artworks in a purpose built gallery. This was the legacy left by John and Mable Ringling, who made their fortune in the early 20th century as part of the famous Ringling family circus. However, your admission gives you far more than this wonderful art…
Preparing for a vacation home photo session is an important part in ensuring the result of your photoshoot are just as you've envisioned. Getting the right photos is key in advertising your vacation rental and showcasing what's unique about the property. Photos and drone shots of each vacation home could be viewed by up to millions of potential guests. Photography and video is also one of the most influential promotional opportunities in maximizing the overall occupancy…
Sarasota offers a wide variety when it comes to performing arts opportunities across the city. There are a number of options ranging from dance and musical theatre, to live music, comedy and dramatic art performances. There's something for everyone due to the breadth, depth and immense talent in the area. We recommend a few of our favorite, well-known venues below and hope you will enjoy them during your Sarasota vacation experience.
Sarasota Florida has a variety of options to choose from when it comes to the desire to live outdoors. Warm temperatures and sunny days provide a beautiful backdrop for nature walks, fishing, water activities, and bird watching. Here are a 3 of our favorite ways to enjoy Sarasota outside! 1. Myakka State Park is one of Sarasota’s most visited ‘natural’ attractions. Myakka river spans a 58 mile stretch and consists of…
8 Rainy Day Activities in Sarasota By Vanessa Caceres Don’t let rain get you down during your visit to Sarasota, Florida. There’s still plenty to do in and around the city. Just choose any of these eight destinations for a unique or fun experience. Visit the Ringling Museum of Art This property was once home to circus founder John Ringling and his wife Mable. You can make a full day…
Put down the shaky cell phone or cheap outdated camera. You don’t need to be a professional photographer to capture captivating quality photos but there are some important details to consider when trying to take a perfect photo. Your photos will be the very first aspect of your vacation rental listing to catch the attention of potential guests. From the very first picture, your potential guests will be judging…
If you're in western Carolina and looking for an authentic, small town experience - we recommend a day in Dillsboro. This beautiful small town sits just west of Sylva, and is close to attractions such as the Smoky Mountain Parkway, Waynesville, and the well known 'bigger' city hub, Asheville. The village lies along the banks of the Tuckasegee River and is host to quaint shops lining the streets appearing untouched since their 1800's…
Hidden along the southern end of Siesta Key beach where white sand meets the sea wall is one of the best water sporting areas on the entire west coast of Florida. It is called Point of Rocks and is aptly named because it is at this location that beautiful rock formations meet the shore line creating a fishing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and exploration heaven. Point of Rocks is the only…
Oddly enough, it can be hard to get in the relaxation mindset sometimes. Once we arrive to our vacation destination, our 24/7 work culture has a hard time getting out of work mode – and some of the research suggests in can take up to 7 days to do so. Yikes! If you're looking to relax and dig into the essence of your destination spot, enjoy these easy tips for…
Do you have your Memorial Day plans ready? If you know anything about the best places to travel to for Memorial Day weekend, then you know that Sarasota/Siesta Key is the place to be, and the TODAY Show with Megan Kelly, would agree. Sarasota was recently highlighted by the TODAY Show as one of the 4 Unexpected Places to Visit During Memorial Day Weekend by Travel director for Travel +…
Asking the Right Questions When Finding A Property Manager Hurray for you, you’ve finally done it. You saved up your pennies and bought your very own vacation home! You sit down with the calendar, mark out your vacation dates for the next year, and then realize, for the most part, your home may do a lot of sitting empty. So, you figure you’ll give it a try at the vacation…
What’s not to love about a good beach day? Who doesn’t want to splash in the water and work on that golden tan? And of course, there is no better beach to soak in those summer days than the #1 beach, Siesta Key. However, a Siesta Key Beach day could soon turn into a not-so-fun beach experience if you don’t come prepared with the knowledge of local. Arrive Early Pack-up…
An Introduction to the Vacation Rental Industry Welcome to the world of Vacation Rentals. One of the most exciting, and innovative industries in the world. An industry steeped in history dating back hundreds of years, has now grown to become one of the leading industries in the world. What once was a small mom and pop home sharing business, has now exploded into a culture built with technological advancement, competitive…
One of the things we love about our work is the ability to meet a variety of people. We are so grateful to cross paths with the lives of thousands who are either traveling or looking for rental assistance for their own home. We especially enjoy keeping in touch and hearing about their travels after the fact. We love to know their favorite (and not-so-favorite) spots, what they cherished most…
When potential guests, owners, and business colleagues ask "Why Altez Vacations?" - the answer is easy, it's because Quality Matters. I had the great fortune of working in an industry I loved for 30 + years – Hotels & Resorts. Every day of each of those years was devoted to creating experiences for guests that were founded on Quality first. From the reservations process, to the seamless arrival, the thread count of the sheets, type of feathers in the pillows, the…
We wanted to start with the question, why hospitality? While the answer may be relatively simple we find the topic very fascinating. The average American (let’s name them “Casey”) will work roughly 2,054 hours in a year (7.9 hours/day x 5 days x 52 weeks).[i] The time Casey spends sitting at a desk, building a house, making sales calls, farming the fields or whatever Casey’s job may be, Casey is…
My Florida map is stretched out on the table along with a list of state and national parks. I’m planning another authentic Florida staycation, my favorite getaway. A staycation is a special trip where you get away, but remain close to home. Why not stay in Florida and take advantage of our glorious natural resources? Florida’s state and national parks are my go-to destinations for fun and relaxation. Most of…
Going to a brewery in downtown Asheville on a weekend can be a little bit hectic sometimes. Thankfully, the local craft beer scene has been expanding into the outlying towns. In just a few weeks we’ll be able to sample craft beer made in Fletcher, about 15 minutes south of Asheville. Blue Ghost Brewing Company’s 1.5 barrel system is all in place, their TTB permits should be complete this week,…
I’ve lived in the Sarasota/Bradenton area my entire life. While we have the #1 beach in the U.S.A., we also have some killer places to eat. My boyfriend, Andrew, and I love trying local restaurants. We cook a majority of the time, but we really like to go out for breakfast on a day off or try a new sushi place on date night. If I had a friend visit…
Need an adrenaline rush? How about walking away from your career? Or planning and being married in 30 days? Or selling your home and moving across country with a dream and a dime? If you’re really nuts, try all three together. If you need a change. If you are ready to dive in. If you are stagnant, stuck, or relatively uninspired; and If you are not working to express your…
