Are you craving an escape to the mountains of Wyoming? Or maybe you need a helping hand for your short-term rental in Maui. Today’s travelers and homeowners have plenty of options for vacation rental management companies.
But how do you pick the right one?
We’ll help you narrow it down with this AvantStay Vacation Rental review.
Based in West Hollywood, California, AvantStay is a vacation rental site managing short term rentals in 80 countries worldwide and specializes in group vacations. We’re talking large groups, whether it’s a family reunion or corporate retreat.
Plus, they have the respect of reputable publications, appearing in the New York Times and Business Insider. The company has endless positive reviews regarding comfort, competence, and price satisfaction.
Speaking of price satisfaction, Wheelhouse’s dynamic pricing tool helps vacation rental companies price their units high enough to make a profit but low enough to retain happy, repeat guests.
But back to AvantStay — let’s start by exploring how it works and how it’s different from competitors.
How does AvantStay work?
The process is simple for both guests and homeowners.
AvantStay For Guests
All you have to do is check availability based on date and location.
Take your pick! A desert villa in Scottsdale, Arizona?
A cozy cabin in Asheville, North Carolina?
Or perhaps a Queen Anne home in Austin, Texas?
Once you pick a city and date, you can view countless listings and order them by listing date, recommended listings, or price.
Then check out the enticing photos, rental rules, occupancy limits, amenities, and other details.
Before you book, you’ll see a short summary of the rules, along with payment details and price breakdowns for the rental, cleaning, and other applicable taxes.
AvantStay for Homeowners
AvantStay looks for homeowners with 4+ bedrooms in select destinations. On top of that, you’ll undergo a 12-month revenue projection to see if you qualify for AvantStay’s vacation rental management services.
The company works with homeowners to decorate the unit with the latest interior design trends to attract high-class clients. You’ll see your home transform into a luxurious space with stylish finishes and locally inspired decor features.
After your unit is show-ready, AvantStay will take care of everything. They’ll list your rental on 50+ distribution channels, so no more endless notifications from Airbnb and Booking.com on your end.
Plus, they’ll handle guest vetting and revenue management — features often missing in other vacation management companies. Trust us; you’ll appreciate the guest vetting– there’s nothing worse than finding out a guest’s cleanliness or party habits are different from advertised.
Of course, all the standard property management aspects are taken care of too. Regular maintenance is a given!
Homeowners can access property information, analysis, and reservations in one convenient location — the owner portal. On top of that, a dedicated account manager smooths out any issues with knowledge and impeccable customer service.
Happy homeowners and guests are a strong start, but how does AvantStay shine over other vacation rental sites like Airbnb?
How is AvantStay different from Airbnb? What about Vacasa?
Let’s compare AvantStay with other vacation rental sites. We’ll cover the main difference between AvantStay vs. Vacasa and Airbnb.
AvantStay vs. Airbnb
Leverages traffic from other sites: AvantStay doesn’t function like a direct competitor to Airbnb. Why? The company leverages Airbnb listings to help you find clients. AvantStay lists your unit on multiple distribution channels like VRBO and Airbnb to widen your pool of clients. While Airbnb relies on only its own traffic, AvantStay combines traffic from other providers like Expedia, Airbnb, Booking.com, and more to improve occupancy.
Focuses on group rentals: Everyone knows you can make more revenue with a larger property, especially in high-traffic vacation areas. AvantStay tailors its offerings to attract larger groups of travelers, meaning more high-paying guests for you.
USA niche: Airbnb is a global vacation rental site with visitors from all over the world. AvantStay only services the US, which is often sufficient for the local homeowner.
Enhanced customer experience: Every homeowner has a dedicated account manager through AvantStay — a luxury Airbnb doesn’t provide.
Property maintenance and management: Airbnb is just a distribution channel for your rental. You still need to maintain your unit on your own or through another vacation rental management company.
AvantStay vs. Vacasa
More distribution channel listings: Vacasa advertises listings on popular distribution channels, but nowhere near as many as AvantStay’s impressive 50.
Dynamic pricing: AvantStay offers revenue management but doesn’t specify if they use dynamic pricing strategies to maximize revenue. On the other hand, Vacasa offers smart pricing for all homeowner clients.
Promised income: While the website doesn’t list a dedicated AvantStay management fee, users report a Master Lease program that offers a set monthly income for homeowners, no matter the month’s performance. Furthermore, AvantStay promises a 20% increase in revenue when homeowners switch. Vacasa offers a management fee, but they don't list it on the site. It is a custom quote for each client.
AvantStay Review
Vacation rental management companies range widely in terms of services offered, quality customer service, cleanliness of units, maintenance schedules, accounting practices, and more.
Let’s start with services:
Guest Services
Group-catered listings: Every AvantStay booking offers enough space and polish for group vacations. Whether a company retreat, conference, or family reunion, the platform makes large groups feel comfortable and impressed with each booking.
Ancillary services: Guests can access the AvantStay app to arrange grocery delivery, spa services, or anything else they need with the personal concierge.
Unique experience: Most vacation rental sites don’t commit to trendy interior design for every listing. AvantStay guests will relish the luxurious, locally inspired furniture and decor. From farm-style dining rooms in America's rural south to sleek leather finishes in a Utah mansion.
Vacation Rental Management Services
Revenue management: AvantStay tailors services to help homeowners meet annual financial goals.
Owner portal: Explore reservation history and revenue insights with AvantStay’s dedicated portal.
Interior design: Every homeowner benefits from uniquely tailored design touches to each unit, fit for luxury photos and clientele.
Listings and marketing: AvantStay promises rental visibility across 50 distribution channels, with a history you can view on the owner portal.
Other services include:
Smart technology
Guest vetting
No party policy
Regular maintenance
Vacation Rental Management Fees
AvantStay doesn’t list its rental management fees on the company website. However, customers report satisfaction with revenue and maintenance. It’s helpful to note that AvantStay advertises a 20% increase in revenue for homeowners, leading us to believe the management fee would be significantly lower than that figure.
Homeowner Benefits
Data visualization and insights: AvantStay’s portal shows you booking history, annual revenue, and forecasting to help you plan each property’s budget.
Dedicated account manager: No more waiting hours on customer service lines or sending endless emails. AvantStay offers homeowners a dedicated account manager to take care of any issues that may arise.
Hands-off approach: Homeowners let AvantStay manage their properties, appreciating the full-service management that comes with membership.
Property enhancements: State-of-the-art furniture and decor touches will attract high-class clientele and increase your property value.
Leading revenue management: AvantStay offers single- and multi-year commitments that help you with the accounting aspects of short-term rental management.
Vacation club management:Sometimes investors need a break, too, right? Enjoy travel credits with AvantStay, which offers discounts on various US rentals.
Distribution superiority: Your listing will appear on top vacation rental sites and 50+ distribution channels, including Airbnb, VRBO, and more.
Good neighbor policy: Worries about neighbors complaining about short-term tenants? AvantStay takes care of the relationship management and puts strict guest vetting policies in place to prevent tension.
Guest Benefits
Impeccable customer service:Are you missing an amenity or looking for an activity to go with your accommodation? AvantStay has a superb customer service team and a personal concierge to help guests with every need.
Luxury stays: Guests experience only the best accommodations with AvantStay, in villas, apartments, cabins, and houses with locally inspired touches and the latest interior decor trends.
Credibility: AvantStay has fabulous reviews from other travelers to ease your mind at booking. Moreover, the company is featured in many reputable publications, offering unmatched credibility for aspiring vacationers.
Guest and Homeowner Reviews
AvantStay has plenty of satisfied users, with positive reviews from guests and homeowners about Avantstay’s employees, homes, and vacation experiences.
My husband and I love the hands-off owner experience AvantStay provides. It’s really nice to sit back and let them do the work, while still having our say in what we want and don’t want. We trust that they’ve got every single detail sorted out.”
– Renee M.
“The house was in a beautiful, paramount location, has breathtaking views, and has luxury fit for royalty. We had a great time and obviously couldn’t have asked for a better location nor better amenities. The house management team was very attentive and helpful.
– Tristan R.
I was pretty nervous about handing the keys over to someone else to manage my property, but the security and technology AvantStay installed throughout my home is second to none and its all included and covered by them.
– Mariah L.
The Bottom Line on AvantStay
Overall, AvantStay is a top choice for both guests and homeowners in the world of vacation rentals. Customers praise its above-and-beyond personal touches, luxurious finishes, and customer service.
As for homeowners? Revenue management and maintenance, plus a 20% increase in income sounds like a fabulous combination.
Are you currently using AvantStay’s services and looking for more ways to maximize rental revenue? You might consider exploring Wheelhouse’s dynamic pricing tool to see even more profit.
Wheelhouse helps you earn up to 40% more revenue and scale your portfolio through automated data analyzing, vast customization options, and easy integrations,