1. Establish a reservation system

It’s likely that hospitality suites will be a popular amenity among residents, especially during holiday seasons or major events. Therefore, to fulfill everyone’s needs and avoid overbooking, you should use an online resident portal to streamline the process and minimize written mix-ups at the leasing office.

2. Create short-term leases

To protect your assets from non-residents, be sure to create short-term leases that outline the guidelines and costs for the guests’ stay. At our properties, residents are required to sign an agreement that states they are responsible for any damages accrued and they must pay an advance fee. In turn, the guest must abide by all the community rules and regulations throughout the duration of their stay.

3. Furnish the suite

Like hotel rooms, you should offer guests clean linens and towels, soap, shampoo and conditioner, a hairdryer, and free cable and Wi-Fi. You can also provide light kitchenware, pots and pans, and small appliances like a coffee maker and toaster.

4. Clean up

First impressions are everything, and cleanliness, or the lack thereof, can set the tone for a guest’s entire stay. Though it is strongly encouraged that guests tidy up after themselves throughout the duration of their stay, conduct a thorough cleaning following the guest’s departure as you would with any unit turnover to ensure it meets the company’s standard of excellence.

5. Find a convenient location

Try to place a guest’s hospitality suite within proximity to the resident they are visiting. The idea is to make it as easy as possible for them to spend time together, so offering a suite on the same floor can be a nice gesture that says, “We care.”

6. Provide free communal access

Offering access to community amenities will help to fill your hospitality suites -- especially for luxury owners. Consider providing access to the community pool and the fitness and business centers. Access to the heated spa and free treats such as Starbucks also can be a nice benefit.

7. Invite pets

For many, pets are viewed as family. Therefore, if you are already a pet-friendly apartment community, allow guests to bring their pets, too. This can give you a competitive advantage and create a higher selling point for your vacant units because most hotels turn pets away.

8. Decorate for the holidays

It is likely that you will see an influx of out-of-town guests during the holidays, as residents gear up to host get-togethers with family and friends. Adding holiday decorations may help guests get into the holiday spirit.

9. Market to prospective renters

Hospitality suites are a great sales tool to capture prospective renters who can only afford a studio or one-bedroom apartment but want the ability to entertain guests.

10. Serve as emergency housing

These suites make the perfect space for residents who might be temporarily displaced because of maintenance issues or emergencies. It saves money because you won’t have to pay for residents’ hotel fees should an issue arise.