Couples and Romantic Getaways in Your Vacation Rental: How to Attract Them and Charge More

Couples are one of the most profitable segments in vacation rentals: they pay more per night, complain less, and leave better reviews. But most owners do nothing specific to attract them, losing bookings to less well-located properties that are better prepared. I’ll tell you how to prepare your property for couples, which details make a difference, and how much more you can charge without spending a fortune.

Why couples are the best segment (and no one targets them)

Look at the numbers. A couple occupies the same space as a single person, consumes less than a family, doesn’t throw parties like groups, and usually stays between 2 and 4 nights. But they pay the same (or more) than four people in the same property.

And the best part: when a couple is celebrating something — anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, Valentine’s Day, a "just because" getaway — price stops being the main factor. What they seek is for the place to be special.

What data we have

• Couples account for between 40% and 55% of bookings for one-bedroom apartments in Spain.
• The average stay is 2.8 nights (compared to 4.1 for families).
• They pay an average of 15-25% more per night than groups of the same size if the property is "prepared for couples".
• The rate of 5-star reviews is 18% higher than average.

Summary: less trouble, more money, better reviews. And yet, most listings are generic.

How to know if your property fits the "couples" segment

Not all properties work the same. Before reorienting your strategy, check if you meet the basics.

Factor	Ideal for couples	Not suitable for couples
Size	1 bedroom, 40-70 m²	More than 3 bedrooms
Bed	King size or 150 cm	Two single beds together
Bathroom	Bathtub or large shower	Standard minimal shower
Location	Downtown, charming areas, coast	Residential neighborhoods
Views or terrace	Yes, even small	Interior patio without light
Noise	Quiet area at night	Above a bar

If you score 4 or 5 in the left column, you have a property with romantic potential. If less, you can still target couples but without positioning as a "romantic escape".

Details that turn a normal property into a romantic getaway

This is where most fail. No need for renovations. Small details costing 50-200 euros that change perception.

In the bedroom

• High-quality bed: good mattress, 300-thread count sheets minimum, quality pillows (two firm and two soft). If your mattress is over 8 years old, replace it. See the mattress guide.
• Soft lighting: bedside lamps with warm light (2700K), never cold white light in the bedroom. A dimmer costs 15 euros and makes a difference.
• Blackout curtains: for good sleep and privacy. Basic.
• Full-length mirror: seems trivial, but couples value it to get ready.

In the bathroom

• Clean, good-condition bathtub: if you have a bathtub, it’s your best asset. Photos of the bathtub with candles (off, for regulations, but pretty) sell a lot.
• Thick white towels: no thin colored towels. White, at least 500 g/m². Two sets per person.
• Robes: 30-40 euros for two. Couples love them.
• Decent amenities: gel, shampoo, and conditioner in refillable dispensers, not sad hotel bottles.
• Good hairdryer: not the 15-euro one. A 40-50 euro model makes a difference.

In the living room and kitchen

• Real wine glasses: 4 good glasses, not IKEA 2-euro ones. About 20 euros total.
• Decent corkscrew: not a broken lever one. A good sommelier corkscrew for 15 euros.
• Music: simple Bluetooth speaker (JBL or similar, 50 euros).
• Soft blankets on the sofa: for movie nights.
• LED candles: never real candles (fire risk and stains), but quality LEDs mimic real candles well.

Details that cost almost nothing but boost reviews

• A bottle of cava or local wine as a welcome gift (5-8 euros).
• Quality chocolates or bonbons (3-5 euros).
• A handwritten welcome note.
• Rose petals on the bed (if celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon).

More ideas in welcome products and details for guests celebrating something.

How to adapt your listing to attract couples

Having the property prepared is useless if your listing says "cozy apartment for 2-4 people". You need to position yourself.

Title

Change:

• Bad: "Downtown apartment with Wi-Fi"
• Good: "Romantic nest in the city center with bathtub and views"

Words that work: nest, refuge, getaway, romantic, intimate, charming, cozy, with views, for two.

Photos

• Main photo: the bed nicely made with warm lighting, or the bathtub, or the sunset terrace.
• Avoid cold photos with direct flash.
• Include details: two glasses on the table, the robe hanging, the wine bottle.
• If you have views, sunset or night photos.

See the professional photography guide.

Description

Speak directly to the guest type:

"Perfect for a couple’s getaway. King size bed, bathtub to relax after a day exploring the city, and a small terrace for breakfast in the sun. We leave cava as a welcome gift."

More on how to write the description in the practical guide with examples.

When and how much to increase the price

If you prepare your property for couples, you can raise the price during these dates:

Date	Recommended increase
Valentine’s Day (Feb 12-15)	+40-60%
Long weekends	+25-35%
Weekends year-round	+15-25%
Local anniversaries (holidays)	+20-30%
Christmas Eve and New Year	+50-80%

Couples celebrating something don’t compare prices obsessively like groups of friends. They compare experiences.

More on this in dynamic pricing for vacation rentals.

Common mistakes that scare away couples

• Two single beds: even if joined, it’s noticeable. Buy a 150 or 160 cm bed.
• Kitchen with limited utensils: couples want to cook at least one night. Have nice plates and decent glasses.
• Childish or family decor: visible high chairs, cartoon pictures, folded cribs in the corner. Store these if you’re targeting couples.
• Unpleasant smell upon entry: deadly. Check the odor guide.
• White fluorescent lighting: change to warm light. 20 euros in bulbs.
• Bathroom with mold or dirty tiles: for a couple, the bathroom is 50% of the experience. Keep it spotless.

Important notice: if you offer "romantic dinner" or "massage at home" services, check that you don’t fall into hotel licensing issues. In some autonomous communities, changing from accommodation to "experience" requires a different license. Check the requirements by community.

Which extra services work well (and which don’t)

Work well

• Optional romantic pack (25-40 euros): cava, chocolates, petals, personalized note. Margin of 50-60%.
• Late check-out (20-30 euros): highly valued by couples. See early check-in and late check-out.
• Personalized recommendations for romantic restaurants. Free for you, gold for them.
• Restaurant reservation managed by you.

Don’t work as well

• Prepared dinners (logistical hassle, low margin, possible legal issues).
• Elaborate decor that needs cleaning afterward.
• Equipment rentals (projector, karaoke) for couples: not their profile.

How to manage check-in with couples

Couples value discretion highly. If they can check in without seeing you, even better. Remote check-in with smart lock is the winning combo.

A WhatsApp message like "All set, the code is 1234, cava in the fridge, any questions message me" works better than a long in-person check-in.

FAQ

Is it worth specializing only in couples?

If your property has 1 bedroom and is in a tourist or central area, yes. You will have more stable occupancy, better average price, and fewer problems. If it has 2 or more bedrooms, it’s better to also target families and small groups.

How much should I invest in "romanticizing" the property?

With 300-500 euros well spent (good sheets, robes, warm lighting, glasses, speaker), your property is ready. No more needed.

How do I know if a reservation is a couple celebrating something?

Ask in the welcome message: "Are you celebrating something special? We like to prepare a little surprise". 30-40% will tell you, allowing you to personalize.

Should I charge separately for the romantic pack or include it?

Always include a basic detail (cava or wine, chocolates). Charge separately for a premium pack if they want petals, flowers, better bottle, etc. This increases the average ticket without losing bookings.

Can I put real candles for photos?

For listing photos, yes (off or on, doesn’t matter). But don’t leave them in the property for guests. Fire risk and stains. Use quality LED candles instead.

How Autoregistro fits in

If you attract many couples, you’ll have high turnover: short stays of 2-3 nights, many check-ins. Each guest must be registered in SES Hospedajes, and doing it manually takes your time.

Autoregistro is the simplest solution: 1 euro per month per property (less than a coffee), guests fill out a form before arrival, and data is sent automatically to SES. You focus on leaving the cava in the fridge and they enjoy their getaway. See autoregistro.es.