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Amenities that every vacation rental home should offer​

The vacation rental amenities you provide greatly impact your Resortifi property’s ability to attract bookings and can make the difference between a one-time guest and a guest who returns again and again. They should enhance the experience you’re offering and reflect the accommodation’s type and location. Above all else, they should appeal to the kind of guests you expect to host.

When potential customers browse their options, amenities can set your short-term rental apart and make it stand out by bumping your property from good to great. Follow this vacation rental amenities checklist to wow your guests and make your property irresistible.

Your guests have opted to stay in a vacation rental over a hotel, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t expecting excellent service. Investing in the right amenities for your property, even if they appear expensive, will help ensure your business’s sustainability.

Resortifi found that a whopping percentage of travelers or guests claim amenities affect their travel experience. And while the type of rental has the most significant impact on vacation quality, amenities come in second place ahead of shopping/dining, location, culture, and family/friends.

Here are some main vacation home amenities searched on Resortifi:

  • Coffee maker
  • A full kitchen (not just a simple kitchenette)
  • Air conditioning
  • Free parking
  • Backyard with BBQ setup
  • Pool
  • Set of wine glasses
  • Pet-friendly environment
  • WiFi
  • Washing machine
  • Jacuzzi
  • TV
  • Heating system

How to make your vacation rental stand out​

Customers are more and more demanding and can filter their searches according to the amenities they like on Resortifi. Therefore, it’s important that your vacation rental offers as many of these requested amenities as possible, as it will help you appear in the most searches.

Make sure you upload quality photographs of your amenities to your website. If your listing has a lot of text to read, a simple, high-quality photo will ensure that any potential customer will find your home’s best features.

Here are some essential vacation rental amenities to incorporate into your home that you can add as a bonus.

24-hour check-in

Guests love being able to check in whenever they please. Especially if something doesn’t go to plan on their journey. That doesn’t mean you have to worry about being available 24 hours a day, just make sure you have an automated check-in system in place.

Whether they gain access to your property via lockbox, keyless entry or any other service, this amenity will make a great first impression on your guests.

Bonus tip: Try Resortifi Check-in integration, a simple tool that facilities remote check-in

Fast and convenient WiFi

In this day and age, technology and digital accessibility are considered vacation home essentials. WiFi is necessary for any modern vacation rental. Unless your rental is specifically off-grid and catering to a “technological getaway”, your guests will expect WiFi as part of the rental package.

In fact, not having a fast wireless internet connection could actually deter guests from booking with you, or result in a bad review if it isn’t explicitly mentioned beforehand

Electrical adapters and chargers

Most guests will carry their own adapters, but sometimes even the most seasoned travelers may forget, lose, or break them. Having a stockpile of universal adapters and chargers will make you a lifesaver!

Landline phone

It might sound dated, but some guests still appreciate the convenience of a landline telephone, especially if they’re trying to contact someone who’s not so tech-savvy. If your property is off-the-grid this might be an essential item for guests to plan excursions, order takeout, or call local businesses. If necessary, you can be clear in your vacation rental house rules that only local calls are allowed.

Tea, coffee, and cooking essentials

Stock your kitchen with a few items ready for your guests’ arrival. After a long day, they’ll no doubt want to rest and put their feet up for a moment. Make sure there’s tea and coffee available as well as sugar, salt, and cooking oils. To go that extra step, you could also contact your guests and ask if they’d like any special supplies in advance. This could be especially helpful for guests with certain dietary requirements and help them feel right at home.

Vacation rental toiletries

This is the most basic bathroom amenity you can offer. Guests expect to find travel-size toiletries in any standard hotel, but they’re impressed when they get the same service at a vacation rental.

Before getting ready to explore the local area, your guests may want to freshen up. Be sure to supply soaps, shampoo, and toothpaste.

You can even mount soap and shampoo dispensers on the shower wall and go the extra mile by offering complimentary toiletries such as:

  • Hair conditioner
  • Body lotion
  • Mouthwash

Fireplace

It might be a big add-on if your vacation rental doesn’t already have it, but the investment could be more than worth it depending on your location. If your property is near a ski resort or is famously a winter destination, having a fireplace might be essential as guests consider it a part of the overall experience.

Pet-friendly necessities

If you allow guests to bring their dogs along for vacation you can accommodate them by storing a set of pet bowls for food and water in your property’s kitchen. Additionally, you could also keep a few treats as an extra special welcome for your four-legged guests. Their owners will definitely appreciate and remember such an attentive gesture when they review your amenities later!