Article updated in October 2026.
Every guest wants a warm welcome at their holiday rental in the Azores. They are excited about the trip, the new places and, above all, the local food and products. That is why managing a holiday rental is not easy at first.
So what happens when an owner does everything possible to give guests the best stay? Positive reviews attract more guests. Guests tell their friends and family, and they write about the place on Booking or Airbnb. All of this counts when you want your holiday rental at the top.
One of the easiest ways to impress guests is a gourmet welcome basket full of good local products. Follow these tips and see how small details make all the difference.
1. Offer a gourmet welcome basket
Which products do guests love most when they visit the Azores? Keep that in mind. Offering something to your guests is an investment in your holiday rental.
A basket with queijadas (local cheese tarts), sweets or even a cheese board is more than enough. After all, it’s the thought that counts. Guests will be grateful and pleased.
Add a photo of your welcome basket to your listing. Guests will want to book when they know there is a basket of local products waiting. Decorate it too: a personal touch makes it more “instagrammable” and helps promote your holiday rental.
2. Write a welcome note
Next to the basket, leave a personal note wishing your guests a great stay. Many owners who manage their own rentals don’t have time to welcome every guest. So the day before they arrive, place a card next to the basket, with their names if possible.
Guests are in a place that isn’t theirs. A welcome note is a way of connecting with them. No detail is too small when you want someone to feel at home.
3. Offer comfort
Comfort is just as important as the basket. Keep your holiday rental clean and tidy and, if possible, provide bathrobes and towels. When we travel, comfort is what makes us feel at home. A cosy blanket on the sofa or a bathrobe in the bathroom makes all the difference.
Many guests come with a small suitcase, so towels save them space. Some stay for a long time; others travel with a backpack for two or three days of exploring.
So think about how long your guests will stay. Offering comfort costs little and makes a great impression.
4. Invite guests to live the local experience
Many of your guests are from abroad and choose a holiday rental instead of a hotel to live the island like locals. For a few days, they are your neighbours. So add a fresh island cheese or something typical for breakfast to your welcome basket.
Also keep a few local touches in the house, such as a cloth bag or a crocheted doily on the table. Again, it’s the details that count, and guests notice them.
5. Share useful information
Where is the nearest bus stop? Which sights should guests not miss?
Leave leaflets with useful information next to your welcome note. Offer a map of the island and a few must-see places. Everything is online today, but a city map, an island leaflet or a bus map is very helpful for someone who has just arrived.
Keep these five tips in mind. Your guest room will look different when you offer comfort. The welcome basket is one of the easiest ways to win a guest’s heart, and even the simplest gesture can lead to great reviews.
Would you like us to take care of everything?
AzoresBeds has managed holiday rentals in São Miguel since 2016. We handle your listings on Booking, Airbnb, our own website and other sites, as well as pricing, guests, cleaning, maintenance and guest registration with the authorities (SIBA). Meanwhile, you follow everything in the owner dashboard. See how we work or ask for a free assessment of your property.