BIO for Cheryl Somoano, Home Stylist:
As a professional: I am a native of California and have spent the majority of my life in the dynamic city of San Francisco. For 12 years, I worked for Williams Sonoma Inc., buying for its largest home furnishings brand Pottery Barn (www.potterybarn.com). Within this highly innovative environment, I was part of a team who created room concepts that were brought to life in our stores and catalogues.
I have traveled the globe in search of unique furniture and decor, bringing together a wide mix of materials to create a range of styles. I love to shop in markets for local vintage finds, combined with boutique stores and mass furniture retailers for the best possible balance of cost, quality and aesthetic. I hope to bring this design sensibility into your home to create a space that is both exciting and inviting.
As a traveler/guest: my personal vacations have taken me everywhere from Western Europe to Turkey, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. I have used AirBNB, Trip Advisor, and VRBO, at times with "limited" budgets and other times with "splurge" budgets. I am both a host and guest on AirBNB and have a good sense of what travelers are looking for. Let me guide you in transforming your property into a space that travelers will yearn to stay in, and at a higher price than you thought possible!
Traveler Statistics
The last few years have seen exponential growth in travelers seeking private vacation rentals. One of the top reasons is a craving for a unique experience...why stay at a cookie-cutter hotel when you can live like a local? What this means as a rental manager is that your property should stand out. Avoid the "all-IKEA" or "college student" furnishings that viewers see in most listings, and inspire them to spend a bit more for your personalized style.
The top reasons travelers book private rental properties:
Common Living Space: large groups and families enjoy spending time together and having an "at home experience" while traveling
Value for the price: rentals offer cost savings thanks to private kitchens that allow at-home cooking, and/or sharing the property with a larger group
Living like a local: many travelers seek to blend into the local culture of a new destination, where apartments are often located in residential neighbourhoods one may not encounter at a hotel
Unique Experience: renting a home allows travelers to stay in a place with personality. With the growing variety of on-line offerings, guests are able to choose a property that suits their personal style and tastes
Extra Amenities: rentals often include additional features for guests, such as use of a bicycle, golf clubs, picnic baskets, etc. It is a personal touch not rivaled by hotels
Privacy: avoidance of hotel noise and crowds, access to dedicated spaces