In the competitive vacation rental market, amenities can set your property apart from similar listings. An amenity refers to a useful or desirable feature, and amenities can range from items like a washer and dryer to bathroom toiletries. In this article, we’ll cover the top ten vacation rental amenities you’ll want to consider adding to your vacation rental property for an enhanced guest experience.
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Top 10 Vacation Rental Amenities in 2024
With each passing day, guests are becoming more sophisticated, seeking the latest amenities in their rental homes. Below is a brief discussion of the 10 vacation rental amenities you must have for an enhanced guest experience and, ultimately, better revenue.
1. High-speed WiFi
High-speed WiFi is one of the most essential amenities in your vacation rental checklist! These days, most guests expect the property they’re staying at to have high-speed WiFi. If you don’t provide it, some guests may even leave you a bad review.
The need for high-speed internet in vacation rentals has increased quite a bit in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. With so many more people working remotely, it’s necessary to have access to a reliable internet connection no matter where you are.
Your guests are sure to appreciate it if you clearly display the WiFi password in a prominent location. You can also include it in your welcome letter or binder.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can create a space for those who work remotely to engage their productivity. Add a desk and ergonomic chair near an outlet so that your guests can charge their laptops and other devices. You can even provide a few office supplies, like paper clips, pens, highlighters, and sticky notes. Having a dedicated, fully-stocked space to work is sure to make a positive impression.
2. Full Kitchen
A full kitchen is one of the most frequently searched-for vacation home amenities. Many people choose to save money while on vacation by cooking for themselves rather than going out to restaurants for every meal. Having a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, oven, and microwave adds quite a bit of value to your listing.
Of course, not every property has a full kitchen. If your vacation rental doesn’t have one, you could invest in a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker since these smaller amenities can still make a world of difference in your guests’ experience.
If your property does have a full kitchen, make sure that it’s fully stocked! Ensure you have all the supplies needed to cook any local delicacies, as well as basic cookware, utensils, and dishes like plates, bowls, and cups. A nice set of wine glasses is perfect for adults who are ready to relax on vacation.
Stock the cupboards with various spices, coffee, tea, and snacks. Smaller appliances like a coffee maker, tea kettle, toaster, and blender are also nice to have. Other necessities include dish towels, pot holders, oven mitts, and paper towels.
Guests are generally willing to wash their own dishes, so providing dish soap and sponges is always appreciated. A trash can and trash bags are a must for your kitchen as well. Of course, it’s also wise to leave plenty of extra cupboard space for your guests to fill as they please.
Finally, a valuable addition to a full kitchen is a seating area where your guests can eat. Whether you have a kitchen table and chairs or a breakfast bar with stools, it’s ideal to have a space for your guests to come together and share a meal.
3. Vacation Rental Toiletries for Bathroom
Many people expect to get free shampoo and conditioner when they go to a hotel, but these kinds of amenities are generally much more appreciated at a vacation rental property. Bathroom toiletries add a luxurious feel to your rental, and by including all the small things people tend to forget (like toothpaste), you’re setting yourself up for positive reviews.
A few things that are great to have in the bathroom are body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Toothbrushes, along with travel-size toothpaste and floss, are also good to have. A working hairdryer and high-quality bath towels and washcloths will truly complete your vacation rental bathroom.
4. Multiple Entertainment Facilities
If your guests are spending a lot of time inside the rental property, having plenty of entertainment amenities is always smart. Give your guests varied options so that you can appeal to as many people as possible.
Readers will love a selection of books, while cinephiles will prefer DVDs or streaming services. An HDTV or Smart TV is almost always expected, and make sure you have a working remote.
You can really go above and beyond by providing a gaming system and a few games to play with it. Meanwhile, puzzles and board games are favorites for families, and a simple deck of cards is always a nice addition.
If you have the space and budget for it, a combination pool table/ping-pong table can be a lot of fun for couples, families, and friends who are traveling together. Thus they too can be added to your vacation rental amenities list.
5. Parking
Another commonly searched-for vacation rental essentials is free parking, especially off-road parking that provides protection from the elements. For many travelers, there’s nothing worse than searching for a space to parallel park down the street from their rental property, and then having to drag their luggage all the way there.
If you’re able to provide a parking spot or two, include it in your listing since many prospective guests are in search of this feature. Include any rules regarding parking in your welcome binder. If you have a garage that guests can use, a remote that can open and close it adds even more convenience to your guests’ experience.
6. Washer and Dryer
Many people choose to stay in a rental property rather than a hotel because they can do their laundry as needed for no added cost. Therefore, if you can provide a working washer and dryer for your guests to use, that’s a huge asset to your property.
Be sure to stay on top of maintenance and provide detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and stain remover. An iron and ironing board can also come in handy for guests preparing to go to a business meeting or a nice restaurant.
7. Cleaning Supplies
By providing cleaning supplies, you’re benefiting both your guests and yourself! If guests have access to plenty of cleaning products, they’re much more likely to clean up after themselves–which means less cleaning for you after they check out. Most (but not all) guests are very responsible and prefer to tidy up after themselves rather than leaving a mess behind.
The basic supplies you should have are a broom and dustpan, a mop and pail for water, a vacuum, trash cans, and trash bags. Disinfectant wipes, glass cleaner, and paper towels are also helpful. If you have carpet or furniture that can stain, it’s wise to include some stain remover as well. Finally, if you live in a particularly snowy area, a snow shovel and some ice melt will be much appreciated by your guests.
8. Safety Features
Safety features are another important amenity to include at your vacation rental property. Not only do they provide peace of mind for you, but also for your guests. Plus, knowing you’ve included multiple safety features will show guests that their safety is important to you. And in the case of a fire or other danger, safety features will ensure catastrophe doesn’t occur.
The most important features to include are smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. You can go the extra mile with security systems and other enhanced security measures as well.
9. High-Quality Bedding
One of the worst things you can do in a rental property is to have a beautifully decorated bedroom with an uncomfortable bed. We all know how important a good night’s sleep is, and we also know how difficult it is to sleep well on an old or low-quality mattress. That’s why it’s so important to invest in high-quality bedding–and to ensure it’s cleaned properly in between every guest.
A high-quality mattress with a mattress cover is one of the luxury vacation rental amenities you shouldn’t skip. It can lead to good sleep for your guests and, in turn, good reviews for you. Include multiple blankets of various weights so that guests can get comfortable, along with plenty of pillows.
10. Outdoor Add-Ons
Most guests look forward to enjoying the outdoors when they’re traveling, so if you have an outdoor space, you should take advantage of it! Create an oasis where people can come together and have a good time outside.
A few popular outdoor amenities include a grill and grill tools (just make sure to keep the grill clean and well-maintained), a fire pit, and a deck, porch, or balcony. A hammock or two is fun for families and couples alike. Meanwhile, well-maintained landscaping is aesthetically pleasing and sure to attract guests.
If the property is close to a beach, then items like beach chairs, a large umbrella, beach towels, and sand toys for kids are great to include. Of course, a pool and hot tub are always in demand as well.
Main Takeaways from Vacation Rental Amenities
Here’s a quick recap of the top vacation rental amenities to include at your property if you’d like to make your vacation rental a 5-star experience:
- High-speed WiFi with the password included in your welcome binder
- A full kitchen stocked with cookware and basic food items
- Bathroom toiletries such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner
- Entertainment options like books, DVDs, puzzles, and games
- A designated parking space close to the property
- A working washer and dryer with detergent and dryer sheets
- Cleaning supplies including a broom, dustpan, and paper towels
- Safety features like smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors
- Comfortable bed(s) with high-quality bedding
- Outdoor add-ons such as a grill, chairs, and a hammock
Vacation Rental Amenities: Conclusion
As you curate your vacation rental experience, remember: the magic is in the details. Elevate guest satisfaction with carefully chosen Vacation Rental Amenities—high-speed WiFi, cozy bedding, and more. Transform your property into a haven, earning rave reviews and ensuring each stay is a memorable escape. Elevate, enchant, and exceed expectations.
