How STR Hosts Deliver the Ultimate Vermont Summer Experience for Guests—and Support Their Local Communities Too
Vermont isn’t a place you visit. It’s a place you experience.
From winding dirt roads to farmstand bouquets, our state offers a summer experience that’s as real as it gets. But here’s the thing: your guests don’t always know how to find it. Let’s be honest, you’re not going to find the best maple creemee or summer snack shack on Yelp.
That’s where hosts come in.
As a short-term rental (STR) host, you're not just offering a place to sleep — you’re opening the door to an authentic Vermont experience. The guests who choose vacation rentals are looking for more than hotel convenience. They want connection. They want character. A break from the norm. They want a glimpse into a Vermonter’s life. Your home, your knowledge, your recommendations — those are the experiences they’re looking for.
With just a few intentional touches, you can help guests discover the very best of your special corner of Vermont and support the small businesses and people who make it magical.
Here’s how:
📍 Recommend Locally (and intentionally)
Skip the big-box listings and spotlight your favorite places and activities: the local bookstore with community events, the taco truck that disappears in October, the swimming hole that’s not on any app, or the restaurant that has an amazing special one night per week. Create a custom digital or printed guide that directs guests to the local businesses and events that you know and love. This can go a long way in ensuring the places that locals love can stay in business year-round.
🎟️ Promote Events That Build Community
Vermont summers are packed with festivals, farmers markets, concerts on the green, art walks, and old-fashioned town suppers. These events keep our communities vibrant and guests curious. Share a rotating calendar of what’s happening nearby — or better yet, partner with a local organizer to offer guest discounts or early access.
🍴 Celebrate Food That’s Grown Here
Whether it’s cheese from down the road, a CSA pick-up nearby, or a farm-to-table dinner series, encourage guests to taste what’s in season by visiting your local farmstands. Leave a note with a few of your favorite makers and where to find them. Guests always remember experiences they can eat.
🌦️ Recommend Activities for All Weather
Vermont’s charm doesn’t disappear with the sun — but guests might need help finding it in the rain. Curate two lists: one for sunny summer days (swimming and picnic spots, hiking trails, scenic vistas, corn mazes, berry picking, boat rentals) and one for muggy rainy days (bookstores, museums, general stores, cozy cafes, artist’s studios, brewery tours, cooking classes, spa services).
🤝 Collaborate with Local Businesses
Team up with a local soap maker, coffee roaster, or woodworker to offer locally made welcome gifts or exclusive in-house experiences. You’re not just giving guests a perk — you’re strengthening Vermont’s small business ecosystem.
Go a step further:
🧭 Help Guests Stay Safe & Prepared for the Outdoors
Vermont’s natural beauty is part of the adventure — and helping guests feel prepared makes their stay more enjoyable. Consider adding a friendly section in your welcome guide or your pre-arrival communications can be crucial in helping first-time visitors set expectations and make the most of their experience:
Bugs & Ticks: Let them know tick checks are smart after hiking and that bug spray is a good idea around dusk.
Bears & Wildlife: Remind guests not to leave food or trash outside — it protects wildlife and keeps guests from surprise encounters.
Campfires & Weather: Share fire safety reminders and where to check for local burn bans or weather alerts.
Gear & Footware: Suggest local outfitters where guests can pick up forgotten essentials or upgrade their gear for hiking, paddling, biking, or even just a sturdy pair of shoes for exploring our trails. It helps them stay safe and supports local businesses too.
Reusable Containers: Suggest they come with reuseable waterbottles to carry with them during their daily advertures.
These small tips can help guests feel more like confident explorers and less like overwhelmed tourists — keeping their Vermont experience positive, safe, and respectful.
🌱 Teach Vermont Etiquette
Vermont has its own rhythm — and guests often don’t know the beat. As hosts, we have an opportunity (and responsibility) to teach respectful visitor behavior. A simple welcome note or “Local Tips” sheet goes a long way. Most guests want to do the right thing — they just need a little guidance. You may include things like:
Drive slowly on dirt roads
Yield to tractors
Pack out your trash when hiking
Don’t block trailheads or farm access
Keep noise down after dark
Ask before entering open land
🧑🌾 Help Guests Understand the Place
Vermont isn’t just pretty — it’s principled. Guests come for the beauty but stay for the feeling. Share a little about what matters here: clean water, land use, local economy, community resilience. A well-placed blurb in your welcome packet or guest guide can spark appreciation and care for the places they visit.
STRs are the Ultimate Vermont Experience
What’s more iconic in Vermont than a red barn, a log cabin, or a classic A-frame? When people picture a Vermont vacation, what do they imagine? STR hosts are at the center of delivering the dreamiest Vermont experience imaginable.
When done well, STRs offer incredible opportunities for hosts, visitors, and local businesses. Every dollar that stays local, every guest who leaves with a deeper connection to Vermont, creates a positive impact on our communities—not just today, but for the future.