Dictionary

This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.

Common Calendar

An online calendar which shows a list of available lodging units (room, suites or homes) in a specified Complex or destination; along with available dates. Usually a left hand menu list the units and a top menu shows days or weeks. Booked units are displayed so that a guest can determine which units are available and then make a selection. Available in virtually all lodging software and many lodging websites. Also called a Tape or Grid.
See also: Availability Calendar Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Composite Vacation Rental manager

A company that provides comprehensive vacation rental management services to second homes such as cabins, cottages, houses and villas by being a locally owned and operated business supported by a centralized back office support team. This allows local staff to focus on housekeeping, maintenance, guest and owner services, while the back office. Provides accounting, reservations with work class marketing and advertising.
Origin: Vortex Managers Link: VortexManagers.com

Concierge

An person whose job is to serve as the guest's liaison with the owner or lodging manager and arranging activities, attractions, facilities and services. Services are sometimes performed via phone contact.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Conditions

See Terms & Conditions
See also: Terms & Conditions Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Condotel

(1) A hotel room that is sold as if it were a home, but lacks certain common home features such as a full kitchen.

(2) Any condominium project where homes are operated as a hotel with a registration desk, cleaning service and more. The units are individually owned. Unit owners also have the option to place their unit in the hotels rental program where it is rented out like any other hotel room. Generally, condotels are sold as a second or third home.

NOTE: Mortgage financing for any property categorized as a Condotel may be labeled as "Non-Warrantable" and not financeable in the USA under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lending programs.
Origin: Investopedia & VRIA

Configuration

The arrangement of furniture, equipment and other features of a property including the specific layout and location.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Confirmation

The document usually sent to guests confirming that they have entered into a contract for the occupancy of a lodging unit such as a hotel room, vacation rental home, condo or similar lodging.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Confirmation of Booking Form

Form that includes the rental contract and rules sent to prospective renters at the time that they book your vacation home.
Origin: Istay

Confirmed (Booking)

An oral or written statement by the manager that they have received the guest's order and will honor a booking providing the guest honors their obligations, such as paying timely or arriving on time. Confirmed bookings may be Guaranteed or Advance Lodging Guarantee. Used in software as a Booking Status
See also: Abandoned, Aborted, Blocked, Cancelled, Hold, Incomplete, In Error, Order, Out of Service, Quoted, Unblocked Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Convention and Visitors Bureau

These organizations are local tourism marketing organizations specializing in developing conventions, meetings, conferences, and visitations to a city, county or region.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Conventions and Trade Shows

Major segment of travel industry business. Trade shows differ from conventions in that they have exhibit space that provides product exhibition and sales opportunities for suppliers, as well as information gathering and buying opportunities for customers.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Cosmetics

Improvements to a home such as installing a new fireplace that are relatively inexpensive and make a big difference to the look of the home.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Cover

Each diner at a restaurant.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

CVRO - Certified Rental Owner

Owners of lodging who study for and pass a test about their competence to manage vacation rental lodging are awarded a CVRO - Certified Rental Owner designation. The course of study includes awareness and a pledge to maintain properties that are properly outfitted, clean, maintained and truthful in advertising. The term CVRO is a trademark owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: CVRM, CVRI, VRIA Origin: Vacation Rental Association

CVRP - Certified Vacation Rental Profession

Managers of lodging who study for and pass a test about their competence to manage vacation rental lodging are awarded a CVRP - Certified Vacation Rental Professional designation. The course of study includes awareness and a pledge to maintain properties that are properly outfitted, clean, maintained and truthful in advertising. The term CVRP is a trademark owned by the Vacation Rental Association.
See also: CVRO, VRIA, IVVR, VVR Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VRIA.org

Damage Deposit

A payment customers make to property owners or managers to pay for any damage or overage fees they may incur. Not common in hotels or motels but very common for vacation rental cabins, condos and homes. If a guest incurs such charges they are subtracted from the deposit prior to its return. Sometimes called a Security Deposit.
See also: Security Deposit Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Damage Waiver

A fee paid by guests that covers a maximum amount of damages they may cause. It is paid in advance, is non-refundable and covers unintentional damage up to a certain threshold if reported to the owner or manager prior to departure. Does not cover intentional damage, excessive cleaning, charges due to guest failure to follow booking contract or amounts of the limit
Origin: Vacation Rental Association Link: VRIA.org

Day

In most lodging, guests do not rent "Days" but instead bookings are thought of as "Nights". The origin of this terminology comes from the traditional (Hotel, Motel) industry where guests frequently arrive in the afternoon and leave in the morning. Hence it is the night they are renting not the day.
See also: Night Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Deep Cleaning

Heavier than usual cleaning, usually done at least annually it is necessary to have housekeepers clean high spots, behind appliances, baseboards and hard to reach areas.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association

Departure Date

The date at which a guest departed or is expected to depart from a property. In lodging this also usually includes a time after which the guest is no longer allowed to be in the property.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association