The local recommendations section of your guest guide is where you stop being a landlord and start being a host. Generic lists from Google Maps don't cut it — guests want the insider knowledge that only a local can provide. Here are ten recommendation categories that consistently earn mentions in five-star reviews.
- Your morning coffee spot. Not the closest café — the best one. The place where you'd take a friend visiting for the first time. Name the exact order if you have one: "Try the flat white with oat milk."
- The dinner spot for a special night. One restaurant for a celebratory evening. Mention whether they need to book ahead, the signature dish, and whether it's walkable from your property.
- The cheap and cheerful meal. Not everyone wants fine dining. A reliable takeaway, a great fish and chips shop, or a food truck that's worth the walk. Bonus points for anything open late.
- The best walk or hike nearby. Distance, difficulty, how long it takes, and what they'll see. "20-minute loop along the headland with ocean views the entire way — start from the car park at the end of Marine Drive."
- The beach or park that isn't crowded. Every area has a tourist beach and a local's beach. Point guests to the quieter one with a sentence explaining why it's better: "Skip Bondi — walk 10 minutes south to Tamarama for a third of the crowd."
- Where to buy groceries. The nearest supermarket, whether there's a farmers' market on weekends, and any specialty stores worth knowing about. Guests cook more than you'd think.
- The best view. A lookout point, a rooftop bar, or even a particular bench. Something they can photograph and share. This is the recommendation that shows up on Instagram and brings you referrals.
- Something for kids (if applicable). A playground, a family-friendly beach, an ice cream shop, a rainy-day activity. Parents travelling with children are the most grateful audience for local tips.
- The hidden gem. A bookshop, a mural, a swimming hole, a second-hand record store — something unexpected that makes the trip feel like a discovery. This is the recommendation that gets quoted in reviews.
- Emergency essentials. The nearest pharmacy, the closest medical centre, the after-hours GP. Nobody plans to need this, but when they do, having it in the guide is invaluable. Include addresses, not just names.
The key to great recommendations is specificity. "There are nice restaurants nearby" tells your guest nothing. "Book a table at Rae's on Wategos — ask for the deck, order the kingfish" tells them everything. Write your recommendations the way you'd text a friend, and your guests will feel like they know a local.