Holiday season: 5 tips to prepare for guest arrivals

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for hospitality professionals. Between group bookings, late arrivals and tight guest turnovers, managing daily operations can quickly become challenging.

From December 20 to January 5, every detail matters when it comes to delivering a seamless guest experience and maintaining high service standards.

Here are five practical tips to help you stay organized and make the most of the holiday season.

1. Plan ahead for busy turnover days

During peak season, check-outs and check-ins often take place just a few hours apart. To avoid last-minute complications, identify the busiest days in your booking calendar.

Pay particular attention to:

• properties with check-outs and check-ins scheduled on the same day;
• time needed for cleaning and property preparation;
• simultaneous arrivals requiring coordination between different team members.

Best practice: schedule tasks in advance and make sure everyone involved has the right information at the right time. See also our guide on digital check-in for property managers in Morocco.

2. Collect all guest information before arrival

The holiday season often brings more family trips and group bookings. However, booking details do not always include information about every guest staying at the property.

Collecting the required guest information in advance helps simplify check-in procedures and prepare the individual accommodation form. To know what to ask, read Police form in Morocco: what information to ask guests for?

The goal is simple: avoid last-minute paperwork and allow guests to enjoy a smooth arrival.

Best practice: send guests a digital check-in link before their stay to collect and centralize the necessary information and documents.

3. Prepare for late arrivals and unexpected delays

Delayed flights, heavy traffic and last-minute changes can affect arrival times, especially during the holiday season.

To ensure a smooth welcome, confirm your guests’ estimated arrival times a few days before check-in. It is also important to have a backup plan for late arrivals, whether through self-check-in, key collection arrangements or an available on-site contact.

Best practice: share access instructions in advance so guests have everything they need, even if their arrival is delayed.

4. Update your property’s practical information

During the holidays, opening hours and local services may change. Restaurants, shops and transportation services may operate on different schedules.

This is the perfect opportunity to update the information you share with guests, including:

• nearby restaurants and shopping recommendations;
• transportation options and useful contacts;
• property access instructions;
• house rules, particularly regarding noise and outside visitors.

Best practice: provide this information before arrival to reduce repetitive questions and help guests enjoy a more independent experience.

5. Streamline your pre-arrival communication

When bookings increase, answering the same questions individually can quickly become time-consuming. Preparing your messages in advance helps save time while ensuring consistent communication with every guest.

Consider three key moments:

• 7 days before arrival: send the digital check-in link and request the necessary guest information;
• 2 days before arrival: share directions, access instructions and reminders about any missing information;
• on arrival day: confirm the final details and ensure guests have everything they need.

Best practice: standardize your messages and automate repetitive tasks whenever possible, allowing your team to focus on guest satisfaction.

DarID: make holiday check-ins easier

During busy periods, efficient organization makes all the difference. With DarID, you can digitize pre-arrival procedures and centralize guest information to simplify daily operations.

Through a digital check-in link that can be shared directly via Airbnb or Booking messaging, guests can submit their information and required documents before arrival, without additional email or WhatsApp exchanges.

All information is organized in a single file, making it easier to track reservations and prepare accommodation documents. Discover a digital check-in in 4 steps.

The result: less administrative work, better visibility over upcoming arrivals and more time to focus on your guests.

Better prepared arrivals. Better guest experiences. This holiday season, make every arrival simple and seamless with DarID.

Frequently asked questions

When should I send the check-in link during the holidays?

About 7 days before arrival, then a reminder 2 days before if information is missing. Guests then have time to complete the journey before they travel.

Should I collect information for every member of a group or family?

A booking can cover several guests. Check which people require an individual form under the rules applicable to your activity, rather than limiting yourself to the booking holder.

How do I handle a check-out and a check-in on the same day?

Spot these days in advance in your calendar, book a cleaning slot between the two stays and share the timing with the team involved.