Title: Dropping the Cleaning Fee: A Mountain Cabin’s Booking Boost in the Southeast

A long-standing mountain cabin rental in North Georgia—vacationed by guests for the past three years in a popular area—faced a common pricing challenge. With a 5-star rating, a hot tub, and one of the best mountain views in the Southeast, the property historically priced itself a touch above comparable listings. The first year, 2022, performed well, but after the fall season, bookings slowed significantly in year two.

The operator’s wife believed it was essential to recoup the cleaning fee from every guest. Cleaners cost over $200, with an extra charge for more than two beds, so the base cleaning fee had been passed through to guests. The cleaners themselves were a key component of the strong guest experience, contributing to a high overall score, making budget cuts in cleaning less appealing.

A range of strategies were tried to stabilize occupancy: lowering the nightly rate, experimenting with photos, and running limited-time offers. Despite these efforts, demand remained inconsistent. In early 2024, the situation mirrored the previous year, prompting consideration of selling the cabin. With no mortgage to service, the owners felt empowered to take a calculated risk.

The bold move: remove the cleaning fee entirely, while making only minor adjustments to nightly rates. The initial impact was swift and compelling. Within a few days, five bookings were secured, and over the next six weeks, every weekend has been booked, with reservations stretching into September. Notably, summer—a season typically slower in mountain regions—has seen a robust pace, and fall activity is expected to rise as usual.

Takeaway for hosts weighing a similar decision: removing the cleaning fee can significantly affect bookings in a positive direction. This anecdotal experience suggests that simplifying the total guest cost can resonate with travelers and drive occupancy, even when other pricing elements are adjusted.

If you’re evaluating whether to modify or eliminate cleaning fees, this case demonstrates a potential upside and encourages thoughtful consideration of how guests perceive total pricing and value.