Must-have guest amenities for the ultimate vacation home rental

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Jen Lyons
November 21, 2024
Well-appointed kitchen in a luxury vacation rental
When travelers choose to stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel, they expect certain amenities will be provided to ensure a comfortable and convenient experience. As a vacation rental property owner, it’s up to you to stock your home with these items — and if you do it well, you may garner better reviews from renters and be able to charge more per night. 
Here’s what you need to know about providing the right set of amenities in your vacation rental. 

Essential vacation rental amenities

At your run-of-the-mill hotel, there’s a standard slate of amenities travelers expect to find in their room: a coffee maker, bath amenities like shampoo and soap, towels (and sometimes bathrobes), hair dryers, an iron and ironing board, and a safe for valuables. Of course, the room should also be equipped with comfortable beds, a clean and functional bathroom, a TV and Wi-Fi. But when someone rents a single-family home or a privately owned condominium as their vacation accommodations, those hotel-level amenities are just the beginning. Let’s explore the must-have amenities you’ll want to provide, room by room. 

Whole-home amenities

Here are a few required amenities that should be functioning throughout the home. 
  • Heating and air conditioning
  • High-speed Internet access
  • Cable/streaming TV services
  • Major systems and appliances 

Safety-related items

The safety of your guests should be your top priority. What’s more, many of these items are required by law — or by rental listing platforms. 
  • Smoke detectors
  • Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Locking doors and windows
  • Flashlights
  • First aid kid 

Kitchen essentials

The kitchen is one of the most complicated rooms to stock, due simply to the long list of items needed to successfully prepare and serve meals. 
  • Small kitchen appliances (toaster, coffeemaker and blender, for example)
  • Pots and pans
  • Dishes
  • Glasses, mugs and barware
  • Silverware
  • Utensils for food preparation and serving
  • Cutting board
  • Bakeware
  • Kitchen towels
  • Oven mitts
  • Salt and pepper
  • A small selection of spices
  • Cooking oil

Bedroom amenities

A good night’s sleep is vital to a great vacation experience. Don’t overlook comfort.  
  • Comfortable mattresses
  • Quality linens (with extras available)
  • Pillows
  • Alarm clock 
  • Reading light 
  • Luggage stand
  • Closet space

Bathroom basics

A fully stocked bathroom is an absolute must.
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion
  • Hair dryer
  • Full-length mirror

Laundry amenities

In-unit laundry is one way that vacation rentals stand out compared to staying in a hotel. Make sure your home’s laundry room is ready for every guest. 
  • Washer and dryer
  • Laundry detergent 
  • Fabric softener
  • Drying rack
  • Hangers

Consumables

Always have plenty of these essential items that commonly have to be replaced during a guest’s stay.
  • Paper towels and toilet paper
  • Soap
  • Batteries
  • Light bulbs
  • Garbage bags

Amenities your renters will love

Want to take your rental to the next level? Here are the amenities that will show guests that you’re going above and beyond to make their stay exceptional.

Luxury amenities

Luxury rental prices require luxury amenities. Discerning travelers expect high-quality amenities that turn an average stay into an indulgent getaway. 
  • High-end appliances
  • Hot tub
  • Home theater
  • Pool table or game room
  • Swimming pool 
  • Sauna
  • Luxury bath amenities
  • Upscale linens and pillows
  • Exercise equipment

Family-friendly features

Many people who choose to rent a home have small children and need more space than a hotel room allows. It’s important to offer them the amenities they need to keep the younger set safe and happy. 
  • Portable crib and bedding
  • High chair
  • A few toys and books
  • Kid-friendly dinnerware and utensils 
  • Extendable baby gate
  • Plenty of storage space

Fun-filled amenities

It’s always a nice touch to provide your guests with some items to keep themselves entertained. 
  • Board games
  • Playing cards
  • Puzzles
  • Books
  • Outdoor games 

Smart home elements

Today’s smart home gadgets make a stay more enjoyable for guests — and more convenient for owners and property managers
  • Smart lock for self check-in
  • Smart thermostats
  • Bluetooth-enabled music and entertainment

Outdoor amenities 

Don’t focus so much on interior amenities that you forget to stock your home’s outdoor spaces. 
  • Barbecue with fuel and utensils
  • Outdoor seating
  • Bikes and bike storage
  • Pool or hot tub towels 
  • Outdoor-friendly dinnerware and drinkware
  • Garden hose with spray nozzle
  • Beach toys

Location-specific amenities

Every vacation home requires some specialty amenities based on location:Mountain home: Homes located in mountain ski towns make popular vacation rentals among skiers and snowboarders. Delight your winter weather-loving renters with thoughtful amenities like an apres-ski hot tub, on-site gear storage and boot warmers. Lakefront home: Anticipate what your renters will need before and after a day on the water. Coolers, ice packs, floaties, ropes, shade umbrellas and beach towels can make all the difference. Desert home: When the weather’s hot, earn brownie points by giving your renters plenty of ways to cool off. If your home has a pool, be sure to include floaties (and a way to inflate them), pool toys, pool towels, plenty of shade, a cooler and — best of all — built-in cool water misters. 

Other things to consider about vacation home amenities

Making your vacation rental stand out

If your rental is located in a popular vacation destination, it can be a challenge to differentiate your listing from others. Here are a few ways you can use your amenities to your advantage. Decorate with a theme: The most memorable vacation rentals deliver a distinct sense of place. Take cues from your outdoor environment and decorate in a way that complements the setting. Include a welcome kit: Make the extra effort to provide your guests with “insider information” that will help them have a great trip. Create a welcome kit that includes notes on your favorite local restaurants, watering holes and activities. Include a guest book to sign and maybe even supply your favorite local coffee or a sweet treat. Show off your amenities in photos: Great photos make all the difference when renters are choosing between a few listings. In addition to professional photos of the home’s interior and exterior, take the time to photograph your home’s most impressive features and amenities. 

Upgrading your home’s amenities

It can be expensive to outfit a whole home at one time. Start with the essentials, then build on your offerings over time. When time and budget allows, add or upgrade elements that will make your rental special. Not sure where to start? Read your guest reviews! They’ll let you know the most pressing issues that need to be addressed, whether it’s missing kitchen utensils, lumpy mattresses or simply “nice to have” items that would have made their stay even better. 

Let Pacaso take care of it

Setting up and running a vacation rental can be expensive and time consuming — and the amenities are just the beginning. If you’d rather spend more time enjoying your second home and less time managing it, consider buying a Pacaso. While Pacaso homes can’t be used as vacation rentals, our unique co-ownership model puts a vacation home within reach that you might not need renters. As a co-owner of a Pacaso second home, you’ll enjoy time in your very own professionally designed and furnished property. Everything you need will be taken care of for you by professional property managers. Every time you arrive at your home it will be fully stocked with all the amenities you need, from Turkish cotton towels and natural down-filled duvets to kitchenware from brands like Le Creuset, Ninja and KitchenAid. There are plenty of thoughtful extras, too, like barware for any cocktail you can concoct, family-friendly must-haves, Nespresso coffee makers for early mornings and beach chairs for fun in the sun.Ready to find your dream vacation home with Pacaso? Explore our collection of turnkey listings in some of the most sought-after destinations.

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