What is the short-term rental market like in Block Island, Rhode Island?

Block Island is a highly desirable coastal getaway located off Rhode Island’s mainland in Washington County, offering limited supply, strong seasonal demand, and premium short-term rental performance. According to recent benchmarks, listings here average approximately 58% occupancy with an average daily rate around US $697/night. ( AirDNA: Block Island RI STR Data ) These metrics reflect a high-ticket, high-expectation rental market where homes that deliver exceptional amenities and guest experience often capture significant value.

Guest segments in Block Island typically include:

• Beach-house vacationers enjoying quiet island life, boat rides, and oceanfront escapes
• Families and groups seeking premium coastal stays with limited availability and high comfort
• Weekend get-aways and special-occasion bookings from major Northeastern metro areas looking for “destination island” vibes
• Off-season guests seeking island serenity, nature hikes, and elevated stays away from crowded resorts

For owners and managers aiming to outperform in Block Island, success lies in focusing on waterfront or water-view positioning, luxury furnishings and high-end amenities, and dynamic pricing aligned with peak summer weekends, event traffic, and shoulder-season island demand. Given the limited listing pool and high guest expectations, professionally managed properties that deliver polished hospitality, optimized listings, and seamless guest service tend to capture higher occupancy and stronger returns in this premium coastal market.

What is your cancellation policy on your Airbnb properties?

Cancellation Terms for Block Island, Rhode Island Airbnb Rentals

• Cancellations made 30 or more days before arrival qualify for a full refund minus a $25 service fee.
• Cancellations made 8–29 days before check-in forfeit the 25% booking deposit.
• Cancellations within 7 days of arrival are non-refundable in full.

This cancellation policy applies to all Airbnb properties in Block Island, Rhode Island managed by Home Team Luxury Rentals as part of our full-service property management program for premium short-term rentals.

Our guest relations team works with travelers whenever possible to modify or reschedule stays, ensuring fairness for both guests and property owners while keeping our Rhode Island Airbnb rentals available for future guests.

How do your property management fees work?

Across the short-term rental industry, management fees generally range from 10% to 30% of monthly booking revenue, with most of our clients in Bristol falling within the 10% to 22% range based on property size, finishes, and service requirements.

Our full-service approach covers guest messaging, maintenance coordination, dynamic pricing, listing optimization, and performance reporting to help maximize occupancy and revenue.

Premium and waterfront homes in Rhode Island—especially in areas like Bristol—tend to sit at the higher end of the pricing spectrum due to elevated guest expectations, amenity upkeep, and concierge-level service needs.

We customize each management partnership for owners and investors seeking consistent performance. Real-time pricing tools, review management, and occupancy analytics ensure your Bristol short-term rental stays competitive in Rhode Island’s STR market.

See our management fee breakdown.

What does Airbnb management include, and how is it different from full-service vacation rental management?

Across the industry, “Airbnb management” is used in two different ways. First, it can literally mean managing a property only on Airbnb—the messaging, pricing, cleaning coordination, and performance tracking for that single channel. That’s the narrow definition.

But in everyday language, “Airbnb management” has become the colloquial term for full-service vacation rental management. If you look at Google Trends, “Airbnb management” is searched far more often than “vacation rental management,” and Airbnb has become the default word people use to describe the entire category—much like how people say they will “Google” something. When someone says they’re getting “Airbnb management” for their home in Block Island, they usually mean full-service STR management across multiple platforms, not just Airbnb.

This is why we use the term. Airbnb is the most recognized, most searched-for platform, and it consistently produces the strongest booking volume for most properties in Rhode Island. So we lead with “Airbnb management” because that’s what owners and travelers naturally call it.

But that doesn’t mean we only use Airbnb. We strategically add additional OTAs depending on the home’s price point, amenities, guest profile, and region. For example, luxury and family-oriented homes often perform exceptionally well on Homes & Villas by Marriott International, where travelers specifically look for high-end whole-home accommodations—not single rooms.

In practice, this means Airbnb provides the most consistent volume and visibility, other OTAs are layered in when they are a better match for the property’s audience, and our approach is built on data and traveler demographics—not a one-size-fits-all channel strategy.

So when we say “Airbnb management,” we’re using the term the way owners use it: the common, everyday phrase for full-service vacation rental management—supported by multiple OTAs when it benefits your property.

What does your property management service include, and do you also manage guest communication, cleaning, and on-site needs?

At Home Team Luxury Rentals, our Airbnb management services in Block Island, Rhode Island are completely hands-off for property investors. You don’t have to do anything—our team manages every operational task, guest interaction, and revenue-critical detail from booking to checkout.

When we say we handle it all, we mean the entire operation supported by professional systems, data-driven tools, and local expertise that keep your Rhode Island rental performing without daily involvement.

Our Rhode Island Airbnb management services include:

• Airbnb listing optimization for visibility and conversion
• Professional photography and multi-platform marketing across Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and Expedia
• Dynamic pricing and occupancy management using real-time demand data
• Guest communication, booking coordination, and 24/7 support
• Cleaning, linen turnover, and maintenance scheduling with trusted local vendors
• Smart home setup, remote access, and seamless check-in/check-out processes
• Local regulatory guidance and short-term rental compliance in Rhode Island
• Tax documentation and income reporting

Our approach lets Rhode Island investors remain fully hands-off while enjoying professional hospitality, optimized revenue, and long-term property value.

How do you handle check-ins and guest arrivals?

Our check-in and check-out systems for Airbnb properties in Block Island, Rhode Island are fully automated to maximize convenience, security, and guest satisfaction. Guests receive digital smart lock access, clear arrival instructions, and a personalized welcome guide covering local dining, attractions, and experiences.

To keep communication consistent, we use the standard Airbnb, VRBO, and OTA messaging platforms whenever a guest books through those channels. All confirmations, instructions, and updates—including early check-in opportunities—are first handled within the platform the guest booked on. When an early check-in becomes available, we supplement that OTA message with a direct email from us to ensure the guest sees the update promptly. If a guest books directly with us, all messaging and early check-in notifications are delivered through our own automated email and communication system.

Each arrival is designed to reflect a five-star standard—from smooth entry to a spotless home. Guests appreciate the flexibility and independence of contactless check-in, while property owners benefit from reduced on-site coordination and stronger satisfaction ratings.

This high-touch, fully remote process is a key part of what makes our Rhode Island Airbnb management so reliable and consistent, delivering smooth stays across coastal, island, and city markets alike.

How do you screen potential guests for our Block Island Airbnb?

To keep Airbnb operations secure and efficient in Block Island, Rhode Island, we use Truvi’s AI-driven guest screening to verify identities, assess trust metrics, and detect potential fraud before approving bookings.

This upfront screening reduces safety issues and property risks, especially when combined with Airbnb’s protections and Rhode Island compliance standards.

It creates a smoother workflow for owners and a safer, more consistent experience for guests.

What short-term rental regulations apply to Airbnb hosts and investors in Block Island, and Rhode Island more generally?

Rhode Island requires short-term rental hosts to register with the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) and comply with municipal rules that differ by city. Hosts can review state-level requirements on the DBR website here: Rhode Island Short-Term Rental Registration.

State registration is renewed annually, and many cities require additional permits, licenses, zoning approvals, or safety inspections. Fees may also apply at both the state and local level.

Local examples include: Providence requiring a temporary use permit for entire units, Newport requiring both state and city registration with fees up to $1,000 per unit, Westerly requiring annual registration for rentals under 28 days, and Middletown requiring both registration and a Special Use application reviewed by the Zoning Board.

Most municipalities expect proper safety equipment, accurate tax filings, and compliance with occupancy limits. For full details, hosts should check DBR guidelines and review local ordinances published by their specific town or city.