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Airbnb Spain: Coolest Airbnbs and Tips for Creating the Same Experience
Each country has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities and operating an Airbnb in Spain is no different. From navigating local regulations to meeting very high guest expectations, it can be difficult to ensure that your vacation rentals stand out in a highly competitive location like Spain.
It’s one of the most popular destinations, not just in Europe, but across the world. While operating vacation rentals in underrated destinations is also challenging, guests’ expectations are generally lower.
This, though, isn’t the case with Spain. There’s a lot of hype around holidaying in Spain. To ensure that your property lives up to that expectation and guests enjoy an Instagram-worthy experience, here are the main considerations and examples of how other hosts in Spain have set up their properties.
What Are the Rules and Regulations for Operating Airbnbs in Spain?
First things first: make sure you know all of the rules and regulations for vacation rentals in Spain. It may seem like a daunting task, but it’s absolutely essential if you want to remain compliant and avoid any fines or other legal action.
Regulations vary from city to city, but some general guidelines include:
- Ensuring that the property meets safety and health standards
- Following noise ordinances
- Obtaining any necessary permits or licenses required for hosting short-term stays.
The last point is extremely important in a country like Spain. For example, in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, all tourist accommodations must be registered with the relevant register of tourism. On top of that, hosts in Madrid will also need to sign a statement of responsibility stating that they’ll comply with the existing regulations.
After the registration process was completed successfully, hosts will receive a registration number that they should include in the details section of the listing and other types of advertising. It might sound like a trivial detail, but this registration number will also give guests peace of mind knowing that they’re booking a vacation rental in Spain that’s legal.
3 Important Considerations for Vacation Rentals in Spain
After you’ve identified cities where the rules and regulations allow vacation rentals, also keep in mind the following three considerations. Just because the relevant authorities give you the green light to rent out your apartment or house doesn’t mean that the property will be profitable.
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Location
One of Spain’s biggest attractions is its beautiful white sand beaches. If you prefer to invest in a coastal property, consider investing in one of the following markets:
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Tacoronte
- Málaga
- Ibiza
- Palma de Mallorca
That said, Spain is known for more than just its beaches. It also has a rich history and architecture, diverse culture, lively art and festival scene, and world-famous cuisine. This means that you can expand your search to beyond coastal regions. If you prefer the countryside over the coastal region, you can consider the following locations:
- Girona
- Valladolid
- Madrid
For something in between, there’s Seville. It’s not too far from the coast and offers a great mixture of awe-inspiring architecture and green parks.
According to online data, any one of these places offer good occupancy rates and daily rates. For example, the average occupancy rate in Seville is about 70%, but it can be as high as 85%, depending on the season. In Madrid, you can enjoy even higher occupancy rates, while Barcelona boasts an average occupancy rate of over 85%.
Taxes
On top of local rules and regulations, you’ll also need to keep in mind tax regulations. In Spain, the deadline for tax forms is usually 30 June for regular residents. If you’re a non-resident taxpayer, you’ll need to file and pay your taxes each quarter.
As for the amount that you’ll need to pay, you’ll need to consult with the Spanish tax authority. Keep in mind, though, that online companies like Airbnb are required by the DAC7 to gather and report taxpayer information. As Spain is one of the EU member states, this data sharing will apply to them too. So, ensure that you stick to the deadlines to avoid fines.
Amenities
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with local regulations, it’s time to move on to guest expectations. As an Airbnb host or property manager in Spain, it’s important to understand what your guests are looking for in terms of amenities and services.
Of course, your main priority should be providing a clean and comfortable space for your guests to enjoy during their stay. But there are many other things that you can do to make sure they have a great experience.
Many travelers flock to Spain for its weather. Compared to other European countries, it’s a sunny country that enjoys a mild climate all year round. This gives travelers loads of opportunities to spend outdoors.
As such, you’ll want to furnish your Airbnb in such a way that travelers can soak up the sun. Here are examples of amenities that you can add to make the most of Spain’s mild climate:
- A private pool
- A covered terrace
- An outdoor shower
- An outdoor kitchen
While the temperature is mostly mild, it’s still a good idea to add air conditioning. Along with Wi-Fi, many travelers view air conditioning as a basic requirement. Also, with the increase in longer stays, these two amenities specifically can help to set your vacation rental apart and make it easier for your listing to appeal to remote workers and digital nomads.
Top Vacation Rentals in Spain
From beach houses to one-bedroom apartments, here are seven examples of how you can decorate your vacation rental to appeal to different types of guests.
This three-storey house boasts a great location in Seville. Some of its best features are the fully equipped kitchen adjoining a dining area, a rooftop bar, and a quiet area outside where guests can unwind with a book. While it doesn’t have a pool, it does offer a private hot tub and an outdoor shower. All in all, it’s a great example of how the hosts have ensured to optimize the outdoor space.
For an example of how you can combine a modern interior and an old-town feel, you can check out this luxury penthouse apartment. It offers stunning views of the nearby beach as well as intimate cityscapes. It’s not as spacious, but the living room leading onto a private deck lends a relaxing flow to the layout. Combine that with the clever use of white and lighter colors and the result is an airy, inviting space.
Formerly a peasant house, this five-bedroom villa has been restored and fitted with creature comforts like air conditioning and free internet. It might not be as centrally located, but it makes up for that in privacy and space.
Another huge feature (and in the literal sense of the word) is the massive outdoor pool. In fact, it doesn’t have one swimming pool, but two. All of a sudden the fact that it’s a 20-minute drive from southern Mallorca’s beaches becomes a minor detail.
This charming two-bedroom apartment is only a few kilometers away from the heart of San Sebastian. There’s a terrace garden from where guests can enjoy stunning views of the nearby beach. It also includes a small pool that complements the landscaped garden beautifully.
While the kitchen is small, all the essential amenities are included and with some thoughtful use of storage, the hosts even managed to include a washer and dryer. Plus, the dining table outside offers ample space for four guests to socialize and appreciate the scenery and home-cooked meals.
For an example of how you can accommodate large groups of travelers, you can check out this unique Airbnb. It’s a five-bedroom villa located just a few kilometers away from Santa Eulalia.
It can accommodate up to 14 guests, but it offers enough flexibility to cater to smaller groups too. All rooms are situated on the ground floor, each with its own private entrance.
The architecture maintains the old, rough stone, but modern amenities like heating, air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, a TV, an impressive sound system, and a cinema ensure a first-class stay. It also includes luxuries like daily cleaning in the price per night and meals can be prepared on request.
This elegant apartment located in the heart of Valencia is an excellent example of how your go-to color for decorating your vacation rental doesn’t need to be white. The main color of its designer kitchen is teal which is also echoed in the bathroom and other parts of the interior and exterior of the building.
Standout features include an intimate furnished terrace overlooking Valencia and underground parking. It’s also only a short walk from the central market.
This spacious apartment is all about location. It’s within walking distance from the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, restaurants, and shopping areas.
Not only will the prime location appeal to art lovers, but also its interior. Decorative elements, like chandeliers, several pieces of wall art, and even a piano, transform the space into a cozy home away from home. It’s also very well equipped and includes amenities like a washer, dedicated workspace, and Nespresso coffee machine. While it doesn’t include air conditioning, it does provide portable fans for those days when the temperature is less mild.
Manage Rentals in Spain Without Any Pain
Spain is a destination on most travelers’ bucket lists offering a wide range of attractions with everything from lively tapas bars to peaceful mountain views. If you’re thinking about investing in holiday rentals in Spain, keep in mind that according to a 2022 online survey among Spanish consumers about online booking platform brands, Booking.com was preferred over Airbnb. Trivago, TripAdvisor, and Expedia were three of the other sites that were listed highly.
Considering this, you’ll probably want to list your vacation rentals on other platforms in addition to Airbnb. With reliable vacation rental software, this doesn’t have to be a pain. Software solutions like iGMS won’t only take the pain out of synchronizing your calendars across Airbnb, Booking.com, and other vacation rental websites, but it can also streamline management further by, for example:
- Sorting your communication with guests into a single feed
- Using automated templates and triggered messaging to streamline guest communication
- Automating the process of leaving guest reviews
- Creating a direct booking website for your property
- Monitoring your business performance on an analytics dashboard
- Receiving payouts and creating invoices by connecting your Stripe account to iGMS
- Sharing daily cleaning schedules with your team and auto-assigning new jobs.
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