The guests have left. New ones coming in three hours.
This is the daily reality of apartment owners during the tourist season in Montenegro. In that short window between check-out and check-in time, everything must be done — cleaning, changing the bed linen, checking the inventory, preparing the bathroom and kitchen.
If you don't have a clear system and a reliable person who implements it, it is easy for something to be skipped. And one bad review on Booking.com or Airbnb can cost more than you think.
In this guide, we go through the complete process of preparing the apartment between guests — step by step, room by room.
Why preparation between guests is critical to the rating of the accommodation
Guests booking private accommodation today have high expectations. Platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia give cleanliness a separate rating category — separate from location, price and service.
Research consistently shows that cleanliness is the number one factor influencing whether a guest will leave a positive or negative review.
A well-prepared apartment means:
- Higher average rating on platforms
- More rebookings
- Recommendations to other travelers
- Fewer complaints and refund requests
Conversely, one omission — a hair in the bathtub, a stain on the sheet, a dirty cup in the closet — is enough for a guest to rate the cleanliness one or two stars, regardless of everything else.
How long does it take to prepare the apartment?
This depends on the size of the apartment and the number of rooms, but as general rules:
- Studio apartment — 45 minutes to 1 hour
- One bedroom apartment — 1 to 1.5 hours
- Apartment with two bedrooms — 1.5 to 2.5 hours
- Larger apartment or penthouse — 2.5 to 4 hours
These terms apply to an experienced housekeeper who knows what she's doing and has all the necessary materials at hand. If you don't have a permanent housekeeper, find one at spremacica.me — a platform that connects accommodation owners with certified housekeepers in Montenegro.
Complete quest list — room by room
🛏️ Bedroom
The bedroom is the first thing a guest sees when they enter. White, freshly laid linens give the feel of a hotel — and that's exactly what guests are looking for in private accommodation.
What to do:
- Remove all used bedding — sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads
- Inspect the mattress and pillows — remove any stains or damage
- Place fresh bedding — a sheet, pillowcases and a light blanket
- Vacuum the floor, including under the bed
- Wipe the dust from all surfaces — bedside tables, dressers, shelves
- Check the closet — put away any forgotten belongings of the guests
- Open the window for short airing of the room
Tip: White bedding is not only an aesthetic choice — it is easier to wash at high temperatures and you can immediately see if it is clean. An investment that pays off.
🚿 Bathroom
The bathroom is the room where guests can most easily notice faults. Hair in the drain, a stain on the mirror, an empty shampoo bottle — all of these leave a bad impression.
What to do:
- Clean the toilet bowl inside and out, including the hinges and tank
- Wash the sink and faucet — especially around the rim and drain
- Clean the shower cabin or bathtub — tiles, glass, faucets and drain
- Wipe the mirror to a shine — no fingerprints or splashes
- Wash the bathroom floor.
- Replace towels with fresh ones — hands, body, legs
- Refill or replace: toilet paper, soap, shampoo, shower gel
- Empty the trash can.
- Check that all taps are working properly and that there are no leaks
Tip: Arrange towels like in a hotel — folded in a triangle or rolls on a shelf. A small detail that guests notice and remember.
🍳 Kitchen
The kitchen is the space that guests use the most — and where they leave the most traces. Thorough cleaning of the kitchen between guests is not an option, but standard.
What to do:
- Wash or run the dishwasher with all used dishes
- Inspect and clean the interior of the refrigerator — remove leftover food from guests
- Clean stoves and ovens inside and out — grease and food residue
- Wipe the microwave inside and out
- Clean work surfaces and kitchen fronts
- Wipe down the faucet and sink.
- Empty and put a new bag in the trash can
- Check supplies: coffee, salt, oil, spices — top up if included in the offer
- Wipe the kitchen floor.
Tip: Leave a small welcome gesture — a bottle of water, fruit or coffee. Guests notice it and almost always mention it in the review.
🛋️ Living room
The living room should look neat and inviting — not just clean.
What to do:
- Vacuum the sofa and pillows — paying special attention to the cracks between the pillows
- Inspect and arrange cushions and decorative elements
- Dust all surfaces — table, shelves, TV, windowsills
- Wipe the TV screen with a soft cloth
- Vacuum or mop the floor.
- Check that there are no guests' belongings left behind
🌿 Terrace or balcony
The terrace is often the most popular part of accommodation in Montenegrin apartments. Guests drink their morning coffee there, watch the sea — and every trace of previous guests is immediately noticed.
What to do:
- Sweep the floor of the terrace or balcony
- Wipe the furniture — chairs, table, lounge chairs
- Remove any leftover food or drink
- Check that there are no guests' belongings left behind
- Spray flowers if available
🔑 Checking of inventory and technical matters
At the end of each cleaning, we recommend a quick check of the technical condition of the accommodation:
- Do all the lights work?
- Is the air conditioning working properly?
- WiFi is active and the password is visible?
- Do the door and window locks work?
- No visible damage not reported by previous guests?
If you find damage, take a photo of it immediately and report it through the platform where the guest booked. This is your protection in the event of a dispute.
How to organize cleaning when you have several apartments
Owners who manage two or more apartments know that coordinating cleaning between guests is a particular challenge — especially when schedules overlap.
A few practical solutions:
Permanent maid with a fixed cleaning fee. You know exactly how much each turnover costs, it is easier to plan costs.
A backup person for emergencies. Always have a contact person who can jump in to help when the main housekeeper is not available.
A standardized list of tasks. The same document for each apartment — the housekeeper knows exactly what is expected of her, without additional explanations every time.
Appointment management through the platform. On spremacica.me you can find housekeepers with experience in tourist accommodation who understand the rhythm of the season and can cover multiple locations.
For multi-property owners, see page For Property Owners where all the options offered by the platform are described.
When to hire a professional maid
Many apartment owners initially clean themselves between guests. This is understandable — especially when there are few facilities and the pace of bookings is slower.
However, there is a moment when it becomes clear that hiring a full-time maid is a smart decision:
- When you have more than three turn-over appointments per week
- When guests book short stays of one to two nights — which means more frequent cleaning
- When you are not staying on site yourself and cannot be there between guests
- When you start to notice a drop in cleanliness ratings
In these situations, a professional maid isn't an expense—she's an investment in your rating and income.
Find a reliable maid for your accommodation at spremacica.me — search by city and type of service, read reviews and contact directly.
Conclusion
Preparing your apartment between guests isn't just cleaning — it directly affects your rating, revenue, and reputation as a host.
With a clear system, a complete to-do list, and a reliable housekeeper, this process can be quick, predictable, and stress-free—even in the busiest weeks of the season.
👉 Find a maid for your apartment
