From “Nice Place” to “Saved as Favorite”: Crafting a 5-Star Guest Experience on LBI

If you own a Long Beach Island vacation rental (or you’re considering turning your home into one), the fastest way to stand out isn’t a trendy upgrade—it’s a smoother LBI guest experience. A 5-star LBI guest experience usually comes from repeatable systems: clear communication, an easy arrival, a home that “makes sense,” and a checkout that doesn’t feel like homework.

Use this evergreen playbook each winter so your home is dialed in well before the summer season.

1) Map the guest journey (and stop winging it)

Think in five moments: pre-arrival, arrival, first night, mid-stay, and departure. When you standardize what guests need at each step, you reduce confusion (and frantic texts) while increasing the odds of great reviews.

Quick win: Write three templates you can reuse: (1) confirmation + what to bring/expect, (2) arrival instructions, (3) checkout + thank you.

2) Make check-in ridiculously easy

Guests arrive tired, sunburned, or juggling kids and groceries. Your goal: zero guessing.

Step-by-step entry instructions (and which door to use)
Clear parking guidance
A simple backup plan if access fails

If you use smart-home tech, disclose devices clearly and keep privacy in mind so guests feel comfortable.

3) Create a house manual people will actually read

A great manual answers questions before they become complaints. Keep it skimmable:

Wi-Fi, thermostat, TV “quick start”
Trash/recycling, outdoor shower, parking
Appliance notes and “where things are”
Storm/rain plan and emergency contacts
House rules in plain English

Print one copy in the home (a labeled binder works) and offer a digital version guests can pull up on their phone.

4) Label storage and remove friction

A house can be “fully stocked” and still feel stressful if guests can’t find basics. Consider a quick mid-stay check-in message: “Anything you need?” Labels are boring… and wildly effective.

Label bins and closets (linens, beach gear, cleaning supplies)
Set one “guest pantry shelf” and one owner-only area
Add a one-page “Where things go” sheet for checkout

5) Add the LBI touches that earn repeat bookings

The small, practical comforts are what guests remember:

A clearly marked spot for beach badges (if provided)
A simple beach kit (chairs/umbrella, small cooler, rinse bucket)
A rainy-day bin (cards, board games, coloring supplies)
Hooks, nightlights, and a dedicated “wet towel zone”

You’re not trying to impress everyone. You’re trying to make the right guests think, “Yep—bookmarking this.”

6) Make checkout simple—and fair

Guests want to leave on time, not start a chore marathon. Keep your list short, realistic, and clear about what you handle vs. what you expect.

A quick “next step” if you want help

If you’d like help positioning your property for 5-star reviews and repeat guests, The Van Dyk Group offers rental listing management services to support owners through the rental process—from creating your listing and marketing it to handling the details that keep guests happy. Van Dyk Group

Learn more here: Vacation Rental Services for Owners
Ready to talk specifics? Reach out here: Contact our team

“Coastal entryway with keypad lock and organized guest station supporting a smooth LBI guest experience for vacation rental check-in and 5-star reviews.”

Sources

Subscribe to our newsletter

LBI guest experience: How to Earn More 5-Star Reviews