What should you recommend to your guests when it rains?
By Rafael, on
Why plan ideas for rainy days?
Because a rainy day comes up in almost every stay, and that's when your guests need you most. In good weather they find a terrace or a walk on their own; in the rain, many stay in the accommodation for lack of ideas.
A good idea on that day counts twice: it turns a lost day into a memory, and that's often what guests talk about afterwards, to friends and family as well as in their reviews.
By a lake or in the mountains, rain changes everything
In many Swiss regions, the headline activities depend on the weather: boat trips, cable cars, hiking. When clouds hide the peaks, taking the cable car up loses its point. Your fallback ideas then matter even more than your fine-weather picks.
Which ideas should you recommend when it rains?
Indoor places where people happily spend two hours or more. Aim for variety: not every guest wants a museum, and a family doesn't want the same things as a couple.
| Type of idea | Examples in Switzerland | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Museum | The Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, the Fondation Beyeler near Basel | Families, curious minds, art lovers |
| Thermal baths | The baths in Leukerbad, Lavey or Bad Zurzach | Couples, friends, tired travellers |
| Chocolate and cheese | Maison Cailler in Broc, La Maison du Gruyère in Pringy, the Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg | Families, food lovers |
| Workshop or class | A cooking class, a pottery workshop, a tasting at a winery | Couples, groups of friends |
| A café to linger in | A café where you can read or play board games | Solo travellers, remote workers |
| A sheltered stroll | The arcades of Bern's old town, for wandering without an umbrella | Everyone |
These examples show the kinds of ideas that work. Yours will be closer to home: the small local museum, the village indoor pool, the café you go to yourself when it's grey outside.
With children
An indoor pool, a hands-on museum, a climbing gym or an indoor play park beat any art museum. A family with a plan for the afternoon doesn't go stir-crazy in the flat, and your neighbours will thank you. With teenagers, an escape room, a bowling alley or a trampoline park often works better than a guided tour.
What should you check before recommending a fallback idea?
That it will be open on the day your guests need it. A rainy day idea that ends at a closed door disappoints twice.
- Closing days: many museums close one day a week, often Monday.
- Winter hours, often shorter, and annual closures.
- Booking: on rainy days, everyone has the same idea. Baths and workshops fill up fast, so say whether it's better to book.
- The price, at least roughly. If your region has a guest card, some admissions are cheaper or even free with it.
- Access without a car, if your guests don't have one.
The safest bet is to have been there yourself: you'll be able to say whether it takes two hours or a whole day, and what not to miss.
How should you present rainy day ideas in your guide?
Like your other recommendations, with a personal line, but making it clear they work in bad weather. A guest opening your guide in the rain should spot them in seconds.
- Start the description with the context: "Our rainy day plan", "Perfect when it's grey outside".
- Say who it's for: "kids love it", "for an afternoon for two".
- Give the time needed: "allow two hours", "enough for a morning".
- Put each place in its category: a museum in Sights & culture, baths in Things to do, a café in Cafés & bars.
In HerePicks, every place shows your line prominently, with the travel time from your accommodation: guests see straight away whether the baths are fifteen minutes or an hour away. To write these descriptions, our local recommendations template gives examples ready to adapt.
Following the seasons
Fallback ideas change with the seasons too: in winter, days are short and some places cut their hours. Hide a place that's closed for the season and show it again in spring, without deleting it. With the Host plan, you can also prepare a summer guide and a winter guide, each with its own QR code.
When should you tell guests about your rainy day ideas?
The evening before, when rain is forecast. A short message at the right moment beats a list sent on arrival that nobody rereads.
Don't do it for every cloud: one message per stay, when it really changes the day, is enough. A quick look at the MeteoSwiss app in the evening tells you whether it's worth sending. Guests who follow the forecast themselves will find your ideas directly in the guide.
What should you have in the accommodation for rainy days?
A few small things that make a day indoors pleasant, without a big budget.
- One or two umbrellas by the door.
- Board games and a pack of cards, with the rules.
- A few books, including in English if you host international guests.
- Somewhere to dry shoes and jackets.
- For families, something to draw with.
These are touches guests talk about, just like a good recommendation. To build the rest of your selection, see our guide to the best local spots to recommend, and for a short-term rental, the page on the holiday rental welcome book.
Frequently asked questions
How many rainy day ideas should you recommend?
Three or four are enough: a museum, somewhere warm to swim, a workshop or a tour, and a café. A few reliable ideas beat a long list.
Should you recommend paid activities?
Yes, if they're worth the price, but add at least one free or nearly free idea, like an old town with arcades, a church or a library.
What should you suggest in the mountains when the clouds are low?
Thermal baths, a local museum, a cheese dairy or a village visit. Avoid the summits: under the clouds, you pay for the ticket without seeing the view.
When should you send rainy day ideas to guests?
The evening before, when rain is forecast, in a short message with two or three ideas.
How do you flag a rainy day idea in a HerePicks guide?
Say so at the start of the description, for example "Our rainy day plan", and file the place in its usual category.
Ready to create your guide?
Free, no credit card required.
Create my guide for free