Lessons Our Guests Taught Us in 2025: Growing a Short-Term Rental, One Stay at a Time
Launching a short-term rental is equal parts excitement and pressure — and doing it right before summer definitely made for a stressful start. But looking back on 2025, I can say with confidence that it was also one of the most rewarding seasons of growth, connection, and learning.
We welcomed our very first post-opening guests on May 22nd, and from that moment on, our guests shaped the way White Magnolia Galveston operates today. While I came in with big ideas about hospitality, it was our guests who taught me how those ideas work in real life — especially with back-to-back stays, larger groups, and the realities of day-to-day hosting.
What follows are some of the most meaningful lessons we learned directly from our guests this year.
A Season of Firsts — and Unexpected Kindness
That first summer was busy, fast, and incredibly engaging. We met families, friend groups, couples heading out on cruises, and milestone celebrators — and nearly every guest brought warmth with them.
Unexpected Surprises
One of our earliest stays was a group of four women who left behind something I’ll never forget: a sandwich from their traditional culture, thoughtfully wrapped, alongside a handwritten thank-you note. It was such a small gesture, but deeply meaningful — a reminder that hospitality is a two-way exchange.
Another guest re-arranged our Scrabble tile sign into a custom thank-you message before they left. It felt like a reflection of how guests didn’t just stay in the space — they engaged with it.
One of our earliest guests took amazing photos and gifted us with a couple of them from their stay. They especially enjoyed this lounging space to savor a quiet cup of coffee before everyone else woke up and the day began. Guests love that we provide both drip coffee and Keurig options plus lots of different tea
Guests as Co-Creators: The Best Improvements Came From You
Some of our best upgrades came directly from guest creativity.
Guest Driven Innovations
After one stay, I noticed the non-slip bath mat suctioned to the wall instead of laid in the tub. At first glance it seemed unusual — but then it clicked. It clearly shows the tub has been freshly cleaned, and it gives guests the option to place the mat themselves if they want it.
So simple. So smart. And something I’d never thought previously to do until that stay.
Other guest-inspired improvements included:
- Drying mats for kitchen cleanup
- More kid-friendly dishware
- Outdoor hooks for towels to dry after the beach
I immediately added these items, which I know guests appreciated. Guests have definitely taught me that they’re creative, smart, and innovative when it comes to traveling — and the best ideas often come from real-world use.
Learning to Appreciate Constructive Feedback
Not every piece of feedback was glowing — and honestly, I’m grateful for that.
I did have a guest give some critical feedback, but I actually appreciated this as a way to refine some processes and improve my messaging. Hosting taught me that feedback isn’t failure — it’s refinement.
When Big Hospitality Ideas Meet Back-to-Back Stays
I love thoughtful, personal touches — but 2025 taught me that not all ideas are sustainable with tight turnovers.
For example, I love doing a cute message with the Scrabble tiles, but on back-to-back stays this is not always achievable — and no one wants a “Congratulations bride and groom” message on their sign when they are going on a cruise.
So when I know I will have a problem doing this now, I put out a more general but still applicable message like:
- “Enjoy Your Stay”
- “Enjoy Your Cruise”
- “Congratulations & Welcome”
It still feels intentional — without creating pressure for the cleaners or risking awkward mismatches.
To keep the customization without the burden, I enacted a new process with welcome pages that include the guest’s name and clear check-in and check-out procedures, so guests still get a personalized touch, but the individualization isn’t burdensome for the cleaning team.
Adjusting Promises to Match Reality
Another lesson: if it’s not sustainable, it shouldn’t be promised.
I was promising to air up bikes before every stay, which is not practical — and that was another challenge brought to my attention. Now I let guests know that we can absolutely air up bikes on request, and otherwise the automatic air pump is made available.
Clear expectations = happier guests and hosts. See more highlights on our Amenities page.
Adapting the Home for Larger Groups
As we hosted more families and groups, it became clear that the space needed to evolve.
Small Changes - Big Impact
In response, we:
- Put in a second shower to create two full bathrooms
- Bought a recliner for the living room to expand seating
- Purchased extra chairs housed in the garage for guests to pull out for intimate gatherings
These changes dramatically improved comfort for larger stays.
Guest Favorites That Truly Stand Out
Some features consistently come up in reviews and messages:
The Outdoor Shower 🌿
The outdoor shower has been a guest and a host favorite. Washing off the sand from the beach or just enjoying the outdoors with a shower in the private courtyard has been a win — and not tracking sand into the house has been a win for the hosts too. See more highlights on our Amenities page.
The Photo Wall 📸
The photo wall has been used by guests over and over again, and we love when they send us a picture in front of it with a note of thanks. Check out one group's stay at White Magnolia including a picture in front of the photo wall at Ladies Galveston Getaway.
A King Bed Upgrade 🛏️
We changed out one of the beds for a king bed, and many guests have appreciated having the extra room.
Bathrobes in Every Bedroom
Every bedroom now has a bathrobe for guest use. Since the shower is central on the floor, guests like the option to grab a robe. Check out the full Amenities!
Homemade Baked Treats 🍰
The homemade baked goodies — especially the cake balls — have become a favorite. We’re always trying out new flavors, and guests love telling us which ones are their favorites. Learn more about the baker behind White Magnolia Bread Co.!
Cruise-Friendly Perks 🚢
Another favorite is the free cruise parking adjacent to the property and, when possible, a free shuttle to the terminal. If you’re planning a cruise, you may also enjoy our Galveston travel caribbean cruising from Galveston content here: Caribbean Cruising From Galveston.
Going the Extra Mile: What 5-Star Hospitality Really Means
Going the extra mile is what 5-star hospitality is all about. And sometimes, that looks like doing the inconvenient thing — because it’s the right thing.
Precious Treasures Left Behind
One time we had a guest that left a class ring, and we mailed it to them. We’ve also had guests who thought they might have put purchased shirts accidentally in the trash, and we dug through the trash for them. Unfortunately, the shirts did not turn up — and trash digging was not fun — but I know I would have appreciated a host that put forth that level of effort.
Cruise Terminal Shuttle Service
We scheduling allows we have taken guests to the cruise terminal. We genuinely enjoy these opportunities to learn more about the guests and their upcoming cruise plans.
Early Check In or Late Check Out
We have permitted early check-ins or late check-outs when possible — and why not if we can? Travel days can be long, and flexibility can make a huge difference.
White Glove Cleaning Service
It takes nearly four hours to clean the house top to bottom, but hotel-quality cleanliness is another way to show top notch hospitality — and cleanliness is not an area to compromise on.
Honoring Special Requests
One time we made a special cake for a guest to celebrate a special occasion. We love to use recipes from Sally's Baking Addiction. Check out Sally's Baking Addiction for this vanilla cake recipe with buttercream frosting and all of her other recipes that we are addicted to!
Private Pre-Stay Tours
On several occasions, we’ve given guests tours of the property before their stay so that they could plan the logistics for festivities they were planning on the property.
Parties are welcome, if communicated ahead of time. White Magnolia is the perfect place to celebrate and we want the guests to have the memories.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Our guests have shaped this home in ways I never could have anticipated. Their creativity, kindness, and honest feedback helped us improve presentation, communications, and setting expectations — all while refining comfort and flow.
As we head into 2026, our goal is simple:
- More guest memories
- Continued refinement
- An even better stay with every visit
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s this: the best hospitality is collaborative.
Explore More From White Magnolia Galveston
If you’re planning a stay or exploring what makes White Magnolia Galveston a thoughtful, guest-centered place to stay, these pages offer helpful inspiration and planning insight.
- Galveston Travel Blog — seasonal guides, local events, and travel inspiration written from a host’s perspective.
- Local Guide — our favorite places to eat, explore, and experience Galveston like a local.
- Amenities — discover guest-favorite features like the outdoor shower, cruise-friendly perks, and homemade welcome treats.
- Gallery — take a visual tour of the home, courtyard, photo wall, and thoughtfully designed guest spaces.
- Photography throughout the site is by Kelly Chapman , the photographer with My Galveston: Adventures of a Local Tourist behind many of the images that capture the heart and details of White Magnolia Galveston.
