Glossary
This Glossary is provided to users of the website as a guide to terms and information they may find helpful. Definitions are added, edited or removed occasionally.
Family Member
Includes Traveling Companion's dependent, spouse, child, spouse's child, son/daughter-in-law, parent(s), sibling(s), brother/sister, grandparent(s), grandchild, step-brother/sister, step-parent(s), parent(s)-in-law, brother/sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, guardian, Domestic Partner, foster child, or ward.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Farm Stay
Usually operating farms that accept guests for lodging, food service, horse back riding and other farm life activities and experiences.
See also: Guest Ranch, Due ranch Origin: Wm. May Link: GuestRanchers.org
Fee Simple
When a real estate property is held in the property owner's name and ownership can be transferred at the will of the owner without other restrictions..
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Fleece
Another word for towels, wash cloths and math mats
See also: Textiles, linens, towels Origin: May, William
Fractional
Describes a lodging property, usually a vacation home, owned by more than one person or party. Usually organized as an association having multiple owners who share use of the home on a pre-determined arrangement, each getting different times of the year.. In some, but not all, states fractionals are governed by timeshares but operate differently with owners having control over choice of manager, amenities and later sale or disposition of the parties.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Front Desk
An office, accessible to guests during certain hours, where they can arrange the booking of lodging facilities and other types of travel services. And where, if a booking has been pre-arranged, where they may Check In to receive keys and guest instructions as well as Check Out.
See also: Central Reservations, Check In, Check Out Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Furnishings
All furniture, equipment, appliances, artwork and other assets located inside a lodging property or on its grounds.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
FVRMA - Florida Vacation Rental Managers Assoc
Trade Association of Vacation Rental Managers in the State of Florida.
See also: VRIA, VRMA Origin: FVRMA
Geographic Area
Also known as a Geographic Area. Can be a small or large area, from a building or destination up to a state of country. Used in conjunction to with describing real estate.
See also: Geographic Area Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Gite
A French holiday home available for rent on a short term basis. Usually self-catering and fully furnished. Technically the owner must live close by to provide help, assistance, and a warm welcome to guests. Often Gites are old cottages or converted outbuildings and barns close to owners' residence.
See also: Vacation Rental, Holiday Villa, Holiday House, Holiday Let, Self-Catering Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Gleaning
In agriculture, farmers allow charity groups to enter fields already picked, to take left over crops. In lodging, charitable groups are allowed to use or sell nights unlikely to sell. This provides benefit to the charities, promotional value to properties and goodwill for all.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Goldener Inns
Company that provides lodging services to the Goldener Network of Inns and Resorts. Those members provide management services to small unique Inns and Resorts Vacation Rentals in various geographic areas. The Goldener Inns name is promoted to consumers to establish a national and international brand name.
Origin: Goldener Link: GoldenerInns.com
Gratuities
The formal term for leaving money for those who serve such as wait staff, housekeepers and others. Not common in all countries or for all jobs. Wait staff are tipped in most places. Gratuities for Housekeepers are less common.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guaranteed Reservation
An option for guests who wish to have their lodging property held for their use regardless of time of arrival, or failure to arrive. In that case the guest is always charged. After one night of no show, the owner or manager may elect but is not obligated to rent the property to another party.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guesstimating
Projecting income, events or news with an admission that it is not based on science, or known foundation for the projection.
See also: Guesttimating, projection Origin: Vacation Rental
Guest
A person or persons who rents a real estate property for a short stay. As opposed to a "Tenant" who rents a property for a longer period. The difference between a Guest and a Tenant is usually determined by local governing bodies such as states, counties, cities or home owner associations. Many jurisdictions consider guests as those who stay for 30 days or less. Tenants and Guests have different rights of use for the property.
See also: Tenant Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guest House
A house, condo or other living unit used for short-term rental, usually in a resort or recreational area and having sleeping quarters, bath and kitchen. Also known as a Vacation Rental, Holiday let., Holiday House, Holiday Cottage, Holiday Villa or (in France) a Gite.
See also: Vacation Rental, Holiday Let, Holiday House, Holiday Cottage, Holiday Village, Gite Origin: Wm. May
Guest Obligations
As common courtesy, guests have an obligation to treat people and property with respect and within normal and usual reason. For vacation rental units those obligation include common sense items, such as turning off lights when not in use, taking care with fireplaces and barbecues, not creating noise or nuisance.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
Guest Ranch
Usually working ranches that accept guests for lodging, food service, horse back riding and other ranch and farm activities.
See also: Dude Ranch, Farm Stay Origin: Wm. May Link: GuestRanchers.org
Guest Survey
A mailed, or in unit, email or online survey inviting guests to rate and comment on the property they have occupied. Questions include guest satisfaction on cleanliness, furnishings, customer service and other factors which reflect on the property.
Origin: Vacation Rental Association
DETAILS: Glossaries and Dictionaries are handy tools. They provide an indication of meaning but additional study may be necessary to comprehend the full meaning. There may be alternate definitions not included here and experts may disagree on the proper explanation of each term.
SUBMIT: Please send missing terms to this website publisher for possible inclusion. Submissions may not be answered and the publisher does not guarantee that the submission will be considered or included.