How to Use Instagram Reels to Showcase Your Vacation Rental (with Video Ideas)

If you're using Instagram to market your vacation rental, you can't afford to ignore Reels. Instagram's short-form video feature is the single best tool for reaching a massive new audience, far beyond your existing followers. The algorithm heavily favors Reels, meaning a simple, 15-second video can be seen by thousands of potential guests.

But what makes a good Reel? It's about being quick, engaging, and using trending audio. Here’s how to get started and some easy video ideas you can film this week.

Technical Tips for Great Reels

• Use Trending Audio: This is the most important factor. When you're scrolling through Reels, tap the music at the bottom of a video you like and hit "Use audio." The algorithm will show your video to more people who like that sound.
• Keep it Short & Snappy: The best Reels are under 15 seconds. Use quick cuts and show a lot of different angles in a short amount of time.
• Shoot Vertically: Always hold your phone vertically to fill the entire screen.
• Add On-Screen Text: Many people watch videos with the sound off. Add short, simple text captions to your video to explain what people are seeing.

5 Easy Reel Ideas for Your Vacation Rental

1. The Quick Property Tour: This is the essential Reel. Film a series of 2-second clips: the front door opening, the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom, and the best view or amenity. Edit them together with a trending song.
2. The "POV" (Point of View) Reel: Create a Reel with the on-screen text, "POV: You just checked into your cozy cabin getaway." Show clips of someone enjoying the space: making coffee, sitting by the fire, relaxing on the patio. This helps viewers imagine themselves there.
3. The "Reasons to Book" Reel: Use a trending "pointing" audio and add on-screen text bubbles pointing to different features of your rental. For example: "Reason #1: The Hot Tub," "Reason #2: 5 Min from Downtown," "Reason #3: Lightning-Fast Wi-Fi."
4. The Amenity Showcase: Dedicate an entire Reel to your single best feature. Is it a pool? Film a fun time-lapse of the sun moving across the water. A fireplace? Show a satisfying video of you starting the fire.
5. The Local Guide Reel: Go outside your property. Film a quick montage of 3-4 of the best things to do in your town (e.g., the best coffee shop, a beautiful park, a popular restaurant). This sells the entire destination, with your rental at the center of it.

The Easiest Way to Create Professional Videos

You don't need to be a video editing expert to create amazing Reels. The key is having a good structure to start with. Using templates can save you a huge amount of time and make your content look incredibly polished.

Our Reels & TikTok Video Templates are designed specifically for hosts. They provide you with 42 easy-to-use Canva templates with proven, engaging layouts. You just need to drag and drop your own video clips, and you’ll have a professional-looking Reel ready to post in minutes.

Stop struggling with video and get the templates that make it easy.