Essential vacation rental amenities can make or break the relationship between you and your guest. These are some of the most common complaints (or praises) you will see on guest reviews and can play a large role in whether or not your guest will return to your rental.
Reliable WiFi Service
I have said before that this is 2019 and your property NEEDS to have Wifi. This is probably the biggest necessity for anyone operating in the hospitality industry. Guests in the smart phone era have come to expect WiFi service wherever they travel.
Just as important is that you have fast and reliable WiFi. Research internet providers in your area and find the most reliable company you can. You may only have one or two options for providers if your vacation rental is in a small market. In that case, don’t try to cut pennies and make sure you purchase the fastest/best internet package that you can.
Having poor, or worse no WiFi service, in your vacation rental is the quickest way to disappoint your guests. Even explicitly stating that your rental has no WiFi in your property description is not enough. Unless you are located in a rural area with guests looking to “disconnect” from technology, your guests will simply assume that your rental has WiFi. This will also almost certainly deter guests from booking with you and cost you potential nights booked.
Cable TV
Your vacation rental guests may not spend much time watching television on their vacation, but they will expect a basic package of channels. Ideally you will offer cable service combined with a smart television allowing access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other popular streaming apps.
Another option that is catching on quickly with both owners and renters is stand-alone streaming apps such as Sling, DirecTV Now, and Hulu+. These can provide live access to the most popular channels at a lower cost to you than cable.
Toiletries
At a minimum, you should supply your guests with a start-up (1-2 day supply) supply of toilet paper, paper towels, dish and hand soap, trash bags and tablets/detergent for the dishwasher. I also highly recommend providing bathing soap and shampoo. You can also provide personal items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream and lotion if you want to go the extra mile.
Most vacation rentals are self-catering, meaning that the guest should not expect maid service, towel service or restocking. Like it or not, vacation rental guests are starting to expect hotel-style amenities and many vacation rental listing sites are encouraging this. Be generous with stocking toiletries and you will keep your guests happy.
Kitchen Appliances
Of course you need to have a refrigerator, microwave, etc., but there are several small kitchen appliances you need to think about. Every vacation rental needs a coffee maker. Other appliances to have are a blender, crock pot and electronic griddle. These items are relatively inexpensive, so don’t be afraid to go on a shopping spree.
Cookware
Kitchen cookware is one of the most essential vacation rental amenities. Having a kitchen is a big reason why renters choose vacation rentals over hotels. Make sure your kitchen is stocked with plenty of pots, pans, silverware, cups and other useful items. This will probably be the most extensive list of items you will need to get when you first purchase your vacation rental.
Put yourself in the guest’s shoes. Ask yourself what you would need if you were to cook a meal on vacation. If you engage a vacation rental manager, they should be able to provide you an inventory list that they have compiled based on guest feedback. Go through your kitchen inventory at least once a year to make sure you have everything and it is in good shape.
Outdoor Grilling Equipment
An outdoor grill maybe one of the underappreciated essential vacation rental amenities, but I feel it is important, especially if you live in a warm climate where guests tend to congregate outside. This is always one of the big questions we get from potential guests at my company since we are a beach destination.
Make sure to provide your guests with a quality grill and utensils. Inspect your grill regularly as the outside elements can cause wear and tear quickly. Charcoal/wood, lighter fluid and tools for cleaning the grill are useful touches as well.
Quality Bedding and Towels
Invest in some quality bed linens and bath towels. You don’t have to spend a fortune. Just look for items that will be soft and comfortable for your guest that can also withstand the constant use.
Washer & Dryer
A washer and dryer is one of the top essential vacation rental amenities. Most vacation rentals do not restock clean towels, so guests need to have a way to launder towels themselves.
Vacation rentals also tend to attract more extended stay guests. This type of guest is much more likely to demand a washer and dryer than a single night guest.
Fluffy Pillows
Purchase some quality pillows that will be comfortable for your guests. Also make sure to have plenty of pillows. Ideally you would have two pillows for every person your vacation rental can sleep. Some guests like to sleep with more than one pillow.
A Welcoming Welcome Book
A welcome book allows you to add a personal touch for your guests. I recommend including a welcome page introducing yourself and thanking your guests for staying. Also have an area for guests to leave comments, or have a separate book just for comments.
Your welcome book should also contain practical information. This can include things such as how to operate electronics in the home, a TV channel list, the WiFi password and other pertinent information.
