How to Attract Digital Nomads and Remote Workers to Your Short-Term Rental

As more people embrace remote work, the demand for flexible, comfortable, and work-friendly travel accommodations has soared. Digital nomads aren't just looking for a place to stay—they're looking for a space that supports their lifestyle. Here's how to make your short-term rental irresistible to remote workers.

Showcase Reliable, High-Speed Internet

Why it's important

A reliable and high-speed internet connection isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for digital nomads and remote workers to stay connected with colleagues, clients, and business operations. Offering fast, stable internet ensures that your guests can attend virtual meetings, collaborate on projects, and complete tasks efficiently without interruptions.

Highlighting this feature in your listing is key to attracting guests who rely on uninterrupted internet access for their work. By promoting a fast and dependable internet connection, you create a comfortable, hassle-free environment that supports your guests’ productivity and encourages longer stays.

What to do

Ensure that your property is equipped with a high-speed internet connection, ideally offering at least 100 Mbps, to meet the demands of digital nomads and remote workers. A strong and stable internet connection is a key factor in attracting long-term guests, as it allows them to complete tasks efficiently, attend virtual meetings, and stay connected with colleagues or clients. It’s also important to regularly test the internet connection to verify that it remains stable and reliable throughout the day, especially during peak usage times. A backup option like a portable hotspot can earn extra points.

Offer a Comfortable Work Environment

Why it's important

A comfortable and functional workspace is essential for digital nomads, as it directly impacts their productivity and comfort. Remote workers often spend long hours working, so providing a comfortable work environment helps them stay focused and avoid discomfort.

Offering additional workspaces, like a cozy nook or flexible dining table, gives them options to change their environment as needed. By creating an optimal work setting, you enhance the guest experience, increasing the chances of positive reviews and repeat bookings.

What to do

It’s essential to provide a spacious desk that offers ample room for their laptop, notebooks, and other work-related items. The desk should be paired with an ergonomic chair that promotes good posture, ensuring they can work for extended hours without discomfort or strain. Good lighting is also crucial, as it reduces eye strain and creates a conducive atmosphere for productivity—consider adding a combination of natural light during the day and adjustable task lamps for evening work.

In addition to the primary workspace, offering access to multiple power outlets around the property ensures guests can keep their devices charged and ready to go. If space allows, consider adding a secondary workspace, such as a cozy reading nook or a flexible dining table area. This additional workspace offers variety and the option to change up the environment, allowing guests to work in a setting that best suits their needs, whether it’s for deep work or casual tasks.

Provide Tech Essentials

Why it's important

Providing tech essentials is a simple yet effective way to cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers. These travellers rely heavily on their devices and productivity tools, so offering additional equipment like extra monitors, wireless keyboards, or printers can make a significant difference in their work experience.

By anticipating their tech needs, you make their stay more convenient and comfortable, which can directly impact their productivity and overall satisfaction. When digital nomads don’t have to worry about the hassle of using their own equipment or finding local alternatives, they’re more likely to feel at home and focused on their work.

What to do

Consider providing extra monitors to help guests manage multiple tasks at once, or a wireless keyboard and mouse to make typing and navigation more comfortable. Spare charging cables or adapters can be a lifesaver for guests who forget or misplace theirs. If your space has the capacity, a printer can also be a valuable addition for those who need to print documents for work, travel, or personal use.

Ensure Seamless Wi-Fi Coverage Throughout Your Home

Why it's important

Even with the fastest internet connection available, an outdated or inadequate router can prevent your guests from fully enjoying that speed. Digital nomads want to focus on their work, not stress about Wi-Fi connectivity. They need to be able to work from anywhere in your home, whether that’s the living room, kitchen, or a separate workspace like a garden office.

Depending on the size and layout of your home, including factors like the building materials (e.g., brick walls), the Wi-Fi signal might struggle to reach certain areas. Without proper coverage, guests may face slow speeds or dropped connections, which can disrupt their productivity and leave them frustrated. Ensuring your router is capable of handling the demands of remote work, with strong coverage throughout the space, is key to providing a seamless experience for digital nomads.

What to do

Investing in a Wi-Fi mesh system can significantly improve your internet coverage. Unlike traditional routers, mesh systems use multiple nodes placed throughout the property to create a seamless network. This helps eliminate dead zones—areas where the Wi-Fi signal is weak or nonexistent—and ensures strong, consistent coverage in every room, regardless of the size or layout of your home. Whether your property has thick walls, multiple stories, or expansive outdoor areas, a mesh system provides reliable connectivity from room to room, allowing guests to stay connected no matter where they are in your space.

Wi-Fi extenders can be a simple way to boost your signal to reach further corners of your property. They’re relatively affordable and easy to set up, making them a quick fix for smaller spaces. However, in our experience, they tend to be less reliable than a dedicated mesh Wi-Fi system, particularly in larger homes or properties with thick walls where a consistent, strong connection is key.

Promote Long-Stay Discounts

Why it's important

Digital nomads typically look for longer stays compared to traditional short-term rental guests. This extended stay can range from a few weeks to several months, as they often seek a stable, productive environment for their work. By offering a discount for longer bookings, you not only make your listing more attractive to this growing group of travellers but also increase your occupancy rate. Discounts on extended stays provide guests with a financial incentive to commit to a longer stay, making your property a more affordable option for those on the move.

It also helps you secure consistent bookings, reducing the risk of vacancy between short-term guests. Offering these discounts fosters a relationship with your guests, encouraging them to stay longer, return in the future, and recommend your listing to others. For both you and the guest, it’s a win-win that enhances the overall rental experience.

What to do

Offer weekly or monthly discounts to encourage longer stays. Digital nomads typically book stays ranging from one week to several months, so providing these discounts not only makes your property more attractive but also helps you secure longer-term bookings, reducing the chances of vacancy. You can offer tiered discounts based on the length of the stay—like a 10% discount for a week, 20% for a month—to further incentivise guests to commit.

Additionally, create a welcoming package to make guests feel at home from the moment they arrive. A thoughtful kit with essentials like toiletries, snacks, and local products adds a personal touch that shows you’re catering to long-term guests. This simple gesture fosters a sense of comfort and convenience, helping digital nomads settle in quickly and feel more at ease during their extended stay.

Suggest Local Work-Friendly Spots

Why it's important

Providing additional workspaces and local amenities can significantly enhance the experience for digital nomads and remote workers. While having reliable Wi-Fi and a dedicated workspace within your property is essential, offering a variety of external options makes your space even more attractive.

Digital nomads often appreciate the opportunity to change their environment, whether it’s working from a co-working space, a local cafe, or even outdoors. Access to these alternatives not only supports their productivity but also aligns with their lifestyle of flexibility and exploration. Offering local recommendations for co-working spaces, cafes with Wi-Fi, transportation options, and networking opportunities can make their stay more enjoyable and rewarding.

What to do

Help them make the most of their stay by providing a curated list of nearby co-working spaces, cafés with reliable Wi-Fi, and outdoor spots like parks or garden areas suitable for working. Highlight options known for their strong internet and relaxed vibe, or where they can work with great coffee on hand. Include practical details like opening hours, Wi-Fi reliability, and proximity to your property.

It’s also helpful to share information about local transport links, bike rentals, or walking routes to make exploring easy. If there are any networking events, business meetups, or creative workshops happening locally, mention those too.

Conclusion

With the rise of remote work, attracting digital nomads and remote workers is both a smart business decision and an opportunity to foster lasting relationships. By providing the right amenities and creating a space that balances productivity and relaxation, you can turn first-time guests into loyal, repeat visitors. This approach not only enhances your property’s appeal but also builds a strong foundation for long-term success.