With so much competition out there, owners of all types of rental properties are facing more challenges when it comes to standing out from the crowd. Holidaymakers are on the hunt for unique stays and properties which offer them something that they can’t experience in their own homes. So, what actions can you take to secure bookings?
Ultimately, many factors affect your booking success including pricing, the quality of your property/photography, successful marketing and much more. But, in this series, we’re focusing on chalet equipment and the associated considerations, costs and benefits that come with investing in additional features.
In this post, we pay particular attention to home cinemas and the costs, considerations, pros and cons of adding one to your property.
What to consider before investing in a home cinema
Space
Many owners convert an unused space into a home cinema, such as a garage, basement, or mazot. For the room to be considered a home cinema as opposed to a lounge, it needs to have a large screen and sound system that together, recreate a cinema experience.
The size will depend on the capacity of your property. It may not be realistic for all guests to sit in there at once, but it should be large enough that groups of friends or at least all the children can enjoy it together.
If you’re planning on extending in order to build your home cinema, you will need to consider planning permission. Contact your local Mairie (Town Hall) for more information.
The costs
Adding a home cinema to your rental property is a relatively large investment.
Your costs will vary greatly depending on a few factors including:
- Size of the room,
- Materials and decorations (carpets, lights…),
- Quality and type of equipment,
- Electrical work or soundproofing that may be required.
Here’s a rough breakdown of the costs you can expect:
| Item | Cost |
| Projector screen | From 300 € |
| Projector (various types) | From 250 to 3600 € |
| Remotes | From 50 to 100 € |
| Seats | From 300€ to 7000€ |
You can find more detailed costs for installing a home cinema in France on the ooreka website.
There will also be added costs for seating/side tables, as well as lighting, accessories/artwork and increased energy bills.
The advantages of adding a home cinema to your property
1. They’re popular with families
Home cinemas are a fantastic source of entertainment for families with kids and teens. They’ll have their own space to hang out and watch films together whilst the parents relax in the living spaces.
2. They help to boost occupancy rates
Home cinemas can be used all year round, but are particularly good for improving occupancy rates in the off-season.
Guests travelling to the Alps for a cosy autumn break can relax with a hot chocolate in front of a film, or enjoy movie nights in spring before the warmer evenings arrive.
3. You can earn more
If you invest in impressive chalet equipment, you can justify increasing your prices, as people will be willing to pay more.
At first, you will, of course, be paying back the cost of installation, but once you have covered this as well as your bills, you can reap the rewards of the additional profit.
4. They boost guest satisfaction
Guest satisfaction is vital when it comes to running a successful rental business. On the whole, it is easier to retain loyal guests who spread the word about your property, than to try and acquire new ones due to guests not wanting to return.
Positive reviews are a great way of grabbing the attention of future guests and increasing the level of trust in your property – and extra chalet equipment is often mentioned in glowing reviews.
Here are some reviews of OVO Network partner properties which showcase the popularity of private home cinemas…
Huge thanks for letting us stay in this lovely chalet, with all its equipment and a fantastic home cinema.
François D – March 2020 – Chalet Le Charmieux, Le Grand Bornand
Pool, hot tub, home cinema… the comfort of this outstanding chalet charmed us all completely.
Florian D – May 2021 – Chalet Colombine, Villards-sur-Thônes
Adults and teenagers both loved the home cinema!
Bernard F – July 2018 – La Ferme du Gran Shan, Villards-sur-Thônes
The disadvantages of adding a home cinema to your property
- The cost – installing a home cinema is a pretty significant investment,
- They may not help to attract summer bookings,
- They’re not as popular as hot tubs or swimming pools.
Our top tips
- Take high-quality, well-staged photographs of your home cinema and list them clearly on your website,
- Consider the decor – the lighting, artwork and general ambience should create a novel experience,
- Make sure you provide plenty of films to watch. We’d recommend installing a smart projector with the Netflix app downloaded and providing login details for guests to use, (make sure to change login details regularly). Alternatively, guests may choose to log in to their own accounts.
For more ideas on how to maximise your bookings and increase your revenue, head to our ‘Earn more’ archives. Or, contact our revenue management experts to learn how much more you can earn per year by installing a home cinema.
Looking for a complete solution for your Alpine property? OVO Network can help you run a successful rental business while hardly lifting a finger. Discover more about our offering by clicking the link below:
And if you’re keen to discover more about the chalet rental industry, as well as gain expert insights into running a rental business, make sure to sign up for our Alpine Property Newsletter today.
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