To help guests understand more about the rental of rooms and house from inns, resorts and vacation rentals this glossary is provided for reference. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primary for terms guests may encounter in renting and utilizing lodging. Not all terms apply to Sunspots.

No Pets
When a lodging facility disallows pets of any kind at the property. If No Pets are specified then pets are not welcome on the grounds, in the vacinity or inside the buildings. [ Service animals are exempt from such limits. ] See also: Pet Friendly, Service Animal (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

No Show
A customer with a reservation at a lodging facilty who fails to show up and does not cancel. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

No Smoking
In most jurisdictions, guests are not allowed to smoke in properties or anywhere inside the buildings. Usually there are rules that prohibit smoking within a certain distance of the building or its entrance ways or that prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds. Most owners of lodging facilities prohibit smoking anywhere on the grounds or in the building See also: Smoking Penalty (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Non-Cancelable
When a booking for lodging property use is non-cancelable it means the guest must pay for and is not entitled to a refund even if they request a cancellation. This is similar to non-cancelable bookings for airfare and other travel services. See also: Re-Sellable (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Occupancy
A percentage indicating the number of nights sold (compared to number available) in a hotel, resort, motel, or vacation rental facility or destination. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Occupant
A person of any age who enters a lodging unit at any time; or enters the property or resort on which it sits. Includes overnight guests but also drop-in visitors. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Order (Booking)
When a guest makes a booking online it is referred to as an Order until such time as a staff member accepts and confirms it. The software uses this word as a Booking Status. See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Blocked, Cancelled, Confirmed, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Out of Service, Quoted, Unblocked (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

OTA - Online Travel Agent
Websites where guests can book lodging, airfare, rental cars and other services online. OTA's utilize Global Distribution Services (GDS) to display services and then to confirm them with the travel provider. Examples of OTA's are Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Hotels.com but there are many others offering the same services. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Out Cleaning
Vacation rental homes are usually cleaned after the guest departs, this is referred to as an Out Clean. Usually there is a one time fee for this service. See also: Out Cleaning Fee, Interim Clean, Housekeeping (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Out of Service (Booking)
When a property is not available for rental it is Out of Service. Often this happens when a property requires maintenance. Our software uses this word as Booking Status See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Blocked, Cancelled, Confirmed, Order, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Quoted, Unblocked (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Overages
Charges to the Guests for additional rent, activities, services, housekeeping or repairs that are greater than appeared on the guest's original estimated charges. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Owners Closet
A space with a lock in which a property owner stores assets not to be accessed by guests. Although the word closet is commonly used, the space may be closet, room or just a drawer. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Package
A fixed price travel product that makes it easy for a traveler to buy and enjoy a destination or several destinations. Packages offer a mix of elements like transportation, accomodations, restaurants, entertainment, cultural activities, sightseeing and car rental. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Patient & Family Lodging
Traditional hotel or other facility that provides lodging to patients receiving care in the area or to their families. (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

PayPal
A fast and convenient online payment service. (Origin: Plumbob Publishing)

Peak Season
The primary travel season when occupancy and rates are the highest See also: Travel Seasons, Low Season, Shoulder Season (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Pet Deposit
Should a lodging facilty allow for pets they may require the guest to pay a significant deposit to cover any damage or excessive cleaning necessitated by the pets occupancy. Pet Deposits are usually refundable if no damage or effect occurs See also: Pet Fee, Pet Friendly, No Pets, Pet Penalty (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Pet Fee
If a lodging property allows guests to bring pets, they may charge a fee, usually daily, for that priviledge. Generally guests are also responsible for any damage they may cause. See also: Pet Friendly, No Pets, Pet Deposit, Pet Penalty (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Pet Friendly
A lodging unit which allows pets in the facility and on the grounds. There is often a deposit and/or a daily fee for allowing pets. See also: No Pets (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

Pet Penalty
When a guest brings a pet to a facility designated as No Pets, a penalty fee is charged. To discourage unapproved pets, pet penalties are usually significant and utilized to retreat a room to counteract the presence of the pet and provide additional cleaning. See also: Pet penalty, Pet Friendly, No Pets (Origin: Vacation Rental Association)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11