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Bardstown, Kentucky, fondly known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," presents a unique and thriving Airbnb market. The city's rich history, coupled with its world-renowned bourbon distilleries, attracts a diverse range of tourists, from history buffs to bourbon enthusiasts. The demand for short-term rentals is further fueled by the city's vibrant festivals, such as the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, which draws in thousands of visitors. Additionally, Bardstown's proximity to the state's largest city, Louisville, makes it an attractive destination for those seeking a quieter, more relaxed alternative to the bustling city life. The Airbnb market here is characterized by a mix of rustic cabins, charming cottages, and modern homes, catering to a wide range of guest preferences.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's renowned bourbon distilleries and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the fall, with a notable surge in September during the festival. During this time, Airbnb hosts can expect higher occupancy rates and can potentially charge higher prices due to increased demand. Conversely, the winter months tend to see a slowdown in tourism, leading to lower occupancy rates. However, the holiday season and the charm of Bardstown's "Old Kentucky Christmas" celebration can still attract a fair number of visitors, providing a smaller, yet significant, boost to the market.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city requires all hosts to obtain a business license and pay an annual fee. Additionally, hosts are required to collect a transient room tax from guests, which is currently set at 3% of the rental fee. Bardstown also has specific zoning laws that may affect the ability to host on Airbnb, particularly in residential areas. It's important to note that these regulations can change, and hosts are responsible for staying up-to-date and in compliance with all local laws.
Managing Airbnb properties in Bardstown, Kentucky, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The city's popularity as the Bourbon Capital of the World and its rich history attract a diverse range of tourists, making it crucial to cater to varied guest preferences. Challenges often arise during the Bourbon Festival and Kentucky Derby when demand surges, requiring efficient booking management and swift turnaround times. It's beneficial to establish a reliable local network for maintenance and cleaning to ensure high-quality guest experiences. Additionally, understanding the off-peak seasons and effectively pricing during these periods can help maintain a steady revenue stream.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, properties that highlight the region's rich bourbon heritage and proximity to the Bourbon Trail tend to be highly sought after by guests. Amenities that enhance this experience, such as a well-stocked bourbon bar, tastefully decorated interiors that reflect the local culture, or even offering exclusive distillery tours, can significantly increase the property's appeal. Additionally, properties that provide outdoor amenities like BBQ grills, fire pits, or patios for guests to enjoy the area's natural beauty and serene countryside views often receive higher ratings. Given Bardstown's status as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," incorporating elements that celebrate this unique aspect can set a property apart in this market.
Bardstown, Kentucky, fondly known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," presents a unique and thriving Airbnb market. The city's rich history, coupled with its world-renowned bourbon distilleries, attracts a diverse range of tourists, from history buffs to bourbon enthusiasts. The demand for short-term rentals is further fueled by the city's vibrant festivals, such as the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, which draws in thousands of visitors. Additionally, Bardstown's proximity to the state's largest city, Louisville, makes it an attractive destination for those seeking a quieter, more relaxed alternative to the bustling city life. The Airbnb market here is characterized by a mix of rustic cabins, charming cottages, and modern homes, catering to a wide range of guest preferences.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely influenced by the area's renowned bourbon distilleries and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The peak season typically begins in late spring and extends through the fall, with a notable surge in September during the festival. During this time, Airbnb hosts can expect higher occupancy rates and can potentially charge higher prices due to increased demand. Conversely, the winter months tend to see a slowdown in tourism, leading to lower occupancy rates. However, the holiday season and the charm of Bardstown's "Old Kentucky Christmas" celebration can still attract a fair number of visitors, providing a smaller, yet significant, boost to the market.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, Airbnb hosts must be aware of and comply with a variety of local regulations. The city requires all hosts to obtain a business license and pay an annual fee. Additionally, hosts are required to collect a transient room tax from guests, which is currently set at 3% of the rental fee. Bardstown also has specific zoning laws that may affect the ability to host on Airbnb, particularly in residential areas. It's important to note that these regulations can change, and hosts are responsible for staying up-to-date and in compliance with all local laws.
Managing Airbnb properties in Bardstown, Kentucky, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The city's popularity as the Bourbon Capital of the World and its rich history attract a diverse range of tourists, making it crucial to cater to varied guest preferences. Challenges often arise during the Bourbon Festival and Kentucky Derby when demand surges, requiring efficient booking management and swift turnaround times. It's beneficial to establish a reliable local network for maintenance and cleaning to ensure high-quality guest experiences. Additionally, understanding the off-peak seasons and effectively pricing during these periods can help maintain a steady revenue stream.
In Bardstown, Kentucky, properties that highlight the region's rich bourbon heritage and proximity to the Bourbon Trail tend to be highly sought after by guests. Amenities that enhance this experience, such as a well-stocked bourbon bar, tastefully decorated interiors that reflect the local culture, or even offering exclusive distillery tours, can significantly increase the property's appeal. Additionally, properties that provide outdoor amenities like BBQ grills, fire pits, or patios for guests to enjoy the area's natural beauty and serene countryside views often receive higher ratings. Given Bardstown's status as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," incorporating elements that celebrate this unique aspect can set a property apart in this market.
How It Works
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Connect With Local Pros
Seamless Onboarding
Sit Back And Earn
With the right vacation rental property manager, your home is in good hands.
They'll handle the bookings, guests, pricing updates, and day-to-day operations while you enjoy stress-free earnings and more time for what matters most.
Who We Trust
Personalized Support
Each home and host is different. The best property managers work with you to find the services and support that make sense.
Demonstrated Earnings
Your investment is important. Our partners have proven they can substantially increase revenue on properties over market averages.
Tech-Forward Focus
The best property managers use data to make smart decisions, and technology to create seamless guest experiences.
Trusted Brand Reputation
We partner with property managers with Superhost status and high guest ratings, so guests always know what to expect.
Who’s a good fit for a professional manager?
You think your short-term rental can make more money
Your property is not beating market averages, getting enough bookings, or does not have visibility across the major rental platforms.
You want a partner where you are valued
Our preferred managers build personal relationships with all of their owners and care about each property like it's their own.
You want hassle-free hosting
Whether you're down the street or a flight away, dealing with guest inquiries, cleaning, and everything in between is too time consuming and challenging.
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FAQ
Answers to common questions
What is vacation rental property management?
Vacation rental property management is a service provider that maintains and improves a vacation rental on behalf of owners. They manage the ongoing operation, marketing, maintenance, and promotion of a vacation rental, short-term rental, or Airbnb property.
What services does a vacation rental manager offer?
Most managers offer partial or complete end-to-end management of vacation rental properties. Complete management includes all aspects of home maintenance, cleaning, guest and host communications, and marketing, pricing, and promotion of your property. In addition to these services, Summer connects owners and hosts with professional design and investing services for their vacation home.
Can they help me convert an existing home into a vacation rental?
Absolutely! Many property managers do onboard homes that were recently purchased or are being converted into vacation rentals. The best teams will provide advice, guidance, and services to help your home prepare for its short-term rental launch.
How long does the onboarding process take?
The onboarding process usually takes 2-4 weeks. This gives the manager and owner ample time to inspect the property, get it ready for guests, and get the listing live. In the event that owners need additional time to furnish or otherwise improve the property, the onboarding process can be extended.
Will I get a smart lock?
Yes, most managers provide a smart lock. This helps them operate the home and seamlessly let guests in. While there is some upfront expense associated with the lock and some additional time to set it up, there’s nothing worse than a guest not being able to access the property when they arrive.
Will they take updated photos of the property?
In most cases, your manager will hire a professional photographer to do a shoot at the home. This happens after the home is both cleaned and staged for photography. This helps the home stand out on vacation rental booking sites and results in better bookings overall. If you have really high-quality photos already, you can skip this step in the onboarding process.
How do I know my property will be safe with guests?
Professional managers put a number of security measures in place at the home to monitor noise and avoid unwanted guests in the property. Most also have built-in procedures for resolving any immediate guest issues involving parties, extra guests, and anything else in violation of the booking and local laws and requirements.
