How to Curate Local Recommendations That Guests Actually Use

Every vacation rental welcome guide has a "local recommendations" section. Most of them are terrible. They're long, disorganized lists of restaurants and attractions that look like they were copied from TripAdvisor. Guests glance at them, feel overwhelmed, and open Google Maps instead. Here's how to build a local guide that guests actually rely on — and that earns you glowing reviews in the process.

Why Generic Lists Fail

The problem with most recommendation lists is that they try to be comprehensive rather than curated. A list of 40 restaurants tells the guest nothing. They still have to decide which one is right for tonight, with two tired kids, when they just want something quick and good within walking distance.

The best local guides read like advice from a trusted friend who knows the area intimately. They're opinionated, specific, and organized around how guests actually make decisions.

Organize by Situation, Not Category

Instead of listing "Restaurants" as one giant category, think about the situations your guests face:

• "We just arrived and we're starving" — 2-3 places that are close, quick, and reliably good. Include one delivery option.
• "Special dinner tonight" — Your 2-3 best upscale options with reservation tips and what to order.
• "Family breakfast spot" — Kid-friendly, not too expensive, good coffee for the parents.
• "Quick lunch between activities" — Casual spots near popular attractions.
• "Rainy day with kids" — Indoor activities, museums, bowling, movie theaters.
• "Romantic evening out" — Dinner + cocktails + sunset spot as a complete itinerary.
• "Active morning" — Best trails, bike routes, or water activities with difficulty levels.

Write Like a Local Friend, Not a Guidebook

Compare these two approaches:

Generic: "Coastal Grill - Seafood restaurant located at 123 Beach Rd. Open 11am-10pm. $$"

Personal: "Coastal Grill is our go-to for dinner. Get a table on the patio if you can — the sunset views are incredible. The fish tacos are legendary (get the mahi, not the shrimp). They don't take reservations, so arrive by 5:30 to avoid the wait. Cash only for outdoor seating, cards accepted inside."

The second version tells the guest everything they need to make a confident decision. It shows you actually eat there, not that you found it on Yelp.

The Perfect Recommendation Formula

For each recommendation, include:

1. Why you love it — One sentence that sells the experience
2. What to order/do — Specific, confident suggestions
3. Practical details — Hours, reservation tips, parking, payment methods
4. Insider tip — Something they won't find on Google
5. Map link — One-tap directions from your property

How Many Recommendations Is Enough?

Less is more. The ideal numbers by category:

• Restaurants — 8-12 total across all meal types and price ranges
• Coffee shops — 2-3 with a note on which has the best atmosphere vs. quickest service
• Outdoor activities — 5-8 options for different fitness levels and weather conditions
• Grocery and essentials — 3-4 stores covering different needs (quick stop vs. full shop)
• Attractions — 5-7 curated picks, not an exhaustive list
• Hidden gems — 2-3 places or experiences that make guests feel special

Seasonal Updates Are Essential

A local guide that recommends a closed seasonal restaurant or a trail that's snowed in damages your credibility. Set a calendar reminder to review your recommendations four times a year:

• Check for closures, changed hours, and new openings
• Swap in seasonal activities (beach season vs. ski season)
• Add upcoming festivals, farmers markets, and local events
• Remove anything you've heard negative feedback about

Partner With Local Businesses

Reach out to your recommended businesses and let them know you're sending guests their way. Many will offer your guests a small discount (10-15%) in exchange for the referral. This creates a win-win-win:

• Your guests get special treatment and feel like VIPs
• Local businesses get reliable customer traffic
• You strengthen community relationships and get insider access to events and specials

Some hosts even negotiate referral commissions, turning their local guide into a passive income stream.

Track What Guests Actually Click

If you're using a digital guide platform, check your analytics. Which recommendations get the most clicks? Which get ignored? This data tells you exactly what guests care about and what's wasting space. Over time, you'll refine your guide into something incredibly useful.

Build Your Local Guide With StayHive

StayHive's guide builder makes it easy to create beautiful, organized local recommendation sections with map links, photos, and categories. Guest analytics show you which recommendations get used most so you can continuously improve.

Start building your local guide →