Multigenerational Guests in Your Vacation Rental: Three Generations Under the Same Roof

More and more families are traveling in a multigenerational mode: grandparents, parents, and young children under the same roof. These are long stays, high-value bookings, and repeat guests. But they need specific things that most vacation apartments don't offer. I'll explain how to prepare your home, what to include in your listing, and how much more you can charge.

What is a multigenerational trip (and why is it growing)

A multigenerational trip is when three generations of the same family travel together: grandparents, parents, and children. Sometimes it's 4-5 people, sometimes 7-8. Usually, they escape for 5 to 14 nights, spending a lot of time at home.

This market is booming for several reasons:

• Grandparents have more purchasing power than ever and want to spend time with their grandchildren.
• Parents take the opportunity to get help with the children during vacations.
• Hotels and resorts are uncomfortable: separate rooms, dining schedules, little privacy.
• A vacation home with 3 bedrooms and a good kitchen costs less and is more comfortable.

According to data from platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, bookings for groups of 5 or more people grow at double digits each year. And most owners are not prepared.

Why this type of guest interests you

The numbers add up very well:

Metric	Typical couple	Multigenerational family
Average nights	3-4	7-10
Price per night	Base	+15-30%
Booking lead time	2-4 weeks	2-6 months
Cancellation rate	High	Low
Rebooking probability	Medium	High

Additionally, they spend more time at home (grandparents eat, dine, rest), which usually results in fewer complaints about the neighborhood, fewer parties, and more care of the property. They are quiet guests.

What your home needs to attract them

This is where most fail. Having 3 bedrooms isn't enough. You need to combine what grandparents ask for, what children need, and what parents expect.

For grandparents

• At least one bedroom on the ground floor or with accessible entry without stairs. If your house has two floors, make it clear if there's a bedroom downstairs.
• High and firm bed, not futons or sofa beds. A bed that's too low is a nightmare for a 70-year-old knee.
• Bathroom with a walk-in shower, non-slip floor, and grab bars. Bathtubs with screens are a serious problem.
• Good general lighting, especially in hallways and bathrooms. Night lights with sensors are a huge plus. More details in the lighting guide for vacation homes.
• Armchairs with armrests in the living room and dining area. Getting up from a sunken sofa is difficult.
• Stable WiFi and an easy-to-use TV, not a universal remote with 40 buttons.

For young children

• Crib, high chair, and outlet protectors. The basics are in this guide on cribs and high chairs.
• Unbreakable dishes, plastic cups, deep plates.
• Space to play on the floor (a washable rug works well).
• Safety gate for stairs if your house has multiple floors.

For parents

• Washing machine is mandatory. With 5-7 people and 10 days, several loads are needed.
• Fully equipped kitchen: oven, microwave, large pot, decent coffee maker.
• Dining table for 6-8 people. Not a foldable camping table.
• Outdoor space if possible (terrace, garden, patio).

How to set up the beds

This is a critical point. A multigenerational family needs separate beds and privacy between couples. The ideal setup:

• 1 room with a double bed (parents)
• 1 room with a double bed (grandparents)
• 1 room with 2 single beds or bunk bed (children)
• Possibility to add a crib

If you only have 2 bedrooms, you won't attract this market. End of story. A sofa bed in the living room doesn't work because grandparents won't sleep there, and parents need their space.

Important: when posting your listing, specify the type of bed in each room. "Sleeps 6" says nothing. "3 bedrooms: 1 double bed, 1 double bed, 2 single beds + crib available" sells much better.

How to adapt your listing to attract them

Beyond photos, the text matters. Saying "ideal for families" is too generic. Saying "ideal for trips with grandparents and young children: ground floor room, adapted bathroom, crib available" filters your perfect client.

Some keywords that work:

• Trip with grandparents
• Multigenerational
• Family reunion
• Accessible without stairs (if applicable)
• Independent bedrooms
• Fully equipped kitchen for family cooking

Include at least one photo of each bedroom, a photo of the dining area set for 6-8 people, and a photo of the bathroom showing the accessible shower. If you have a garden or terrace, include a photo with enough chairs for everyone.

More about writing effective ads in the listing description guide.

Prices: how much more you can charge

The multigenerational market is willing to pay more per night because:

1. They split the cost among 2 or 3 family units.
2. They save 2-3 hotel rooms.
3. They eat many meals at home.

My approximate figures, based on what I see in the sector:

Type of property	Base price	With multigenerational positioning
3 beds, coast, August	€150/night	€180-200/night
3 beds, inland, holiday bridge	€90/night	€110-130/night
4 beds with garden, summer	€220/night	€280-320/night

Add a higher cleaning fee (since there are 7 people, not 2). An extra €30-50 on top of standard cleaning is justified, and no one complains if you see it coming.

What extra services you can offer

This is where you can make a difference and earn 5-star reviews:

• Initial shopping: offer to do a basic grocery run before they arrive (milk, bread, coffee, fruit, water). Charge a 15-20% surcharge on the bill. You save them a trip to the supermarket tired after traveling.
• Booking local restaurants: send a list of 3-4 restaurants with terraces, kids' menus, and accessibility.
• Contact with a nanny or caregiver: if you trust someone, they highly value this for a night without children.
• Extra childcare equipment rental: stroller, changing table, bottle warmer.
• Generation-specific activity guide: what to do with children, what to do for grandparents (without walking too much), what to do for parents.

Common mistakes that make you lose this market

1. Photos only of the living room and kitchen. If the bedrooms aren't visible, large groups won't book.
2. Not specifying accessibility. If you have stairs and don't mention it, you'll end up with a negative review and a frustrated grandparent.
3. Poorly equipped kitchen. A family of 7 can't dine with 4 plates and a frying pan.
4. Few bathrooms. One bathroom for 7 people is a nightmare. If you have 2, highlight it in the title.
5. Banning young children or cribs. Some listings outright say "not suitable for children under 3". You're giving up this entire market.
6. Charging excessive deposits. Families with grandparents don't come to break things; don't set a €500 deposit.

How to manage check-in with large families

Arriving 7 tired people, with crying children and a grandparent with leg pain, isn't the time for a long check-in. Automate everything possible: smart lock, digital welcome manual, video instructions.

More on this in the check-in automation guide.

Watch out for the traveler registration: you need to register all adults (and minors with their specific data). With a group of 7, doing it manually upon arrival is unfeasible. It's better if they input their data beforehand.

How Autoregistro fits in

When a family of 7 arrives, registering everyone manually in SES Hospedajes is a nightmare: 5 adults, 2 minors, passports, IDs, birth dates, addresses...

Autoregistro solves this: send them a link, each guest (or all together) fills out their data from their mobile, and the information is automatically sent to SES Hospedajes. You do nothing.

It costs €1 per month per property. Less than a coffee, and it saves you from the worst operational moment of hosting large groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge an extra fee per person in multigenerational groups?

Yes, it's common. Most platforms allow you to set a base price for 4-5 people and an extra fee for each additional person (typically €15-25 per night). Make it clear in the listing where the limit is.

What if grandparents have mobility issues and my house isn't accessible?

Be transparent in the listing. Specify if there are stairs, a bathtub instead of a shower, or difficult access. Losing a booking that doesn't fit you is better than a 2-star review for false expectations.

Do I need to register grandparents and children in SES Hospedajes?

Yes. All guests over 14 must be registered with full details. Minors are also registered with specific data. More info in the minor registration guide.

Is it worth investing in adapting the home for this market?

Depends on your property and area. If you have 3+ bedrooms and are in a family-friendly tourist area (coast, charming villages, nature inland), yes. Basic investments (accessible shower, lighting, crib, high chair) recover in 1-2 seasons with increased price and occupancy.

What should be the minimum stay for this type of guest?

They usually book between 5 and 14 nights. Setting a minimum stay of 4-5 nights in medium and high season filters this client and avoids weekend groups that tend to cause more problems.