Amenities Checklist For Vacation Rentals

The facilities that your property provides have the potential to make all the difference between a first-time guest and a regular guest.

Your vacation rental home amenities should reflect the location of your property, the type of accommodation you provide, and the types of guests you expect.

Read more: How To Start a Vacation Rental Business: Complete Guide

Read more: How Much Do Property Managers Charge For Vacation Rentals

What Is An Amenities Checklist?

A vacation rental amenities checklist is a list that puts vacation rental owners and managers through every item, piece of furniture, decoration, equipment, and facilities to make sure that the necessary ones are available for the guests' use.

Why Do I Need An Amenities Checklist?

While the type and style of your vacation rental may have the most significant influence on your guests' experience, shopping/dining, location, culture, and family/friends, amenities come in second.

Making Your Vacation Rental Stand Out With The Right Amenities

When potential guests look at their alternatives, amenities can fully set your vacation rental apart and make it stand out, taking it from good to great.

To help guide you in your decision-making, we've put together an amenities checklist for vacation rentals. If you come across amenities, you already have, go ahead and check them off.

Read more: Tips On How To Make Your Vacation Rental Stand Out

Vacation Rental Starter's Kit

Though there is a wide variety of amenities that you need for your vacation rental, there are some that you should never ignore.

Some property management platforms like Airbnb have made it easy for you to decide.

Read more: Vacation Rental Guestbook Template

Airbnb put in place a survey and discovered that an enormous percentage ( 97%) of travelers surveyed in the US claim that amenities determine the quality of their travel experience.

Here are the top 10 vacation rentals amenities searched on their platform:

• Air conditioner
• A fully functional kitchen
• Coffee maker
• Free parking
• WiFi
• Set of wine glasses
• Pet-friendly environment
• Pool
• Heating system
• Jacuzzi
• TV
• Washing machine

Below is a list of 50 other essential amenities for a vacation rental home, besides the ones mentioned above.

Read more: Airbnb Service Fee: What Percentage Does Airbnb Take?

50 Essential Amenities For A Vacation Rental Home

Follow this vacation rental amenities checklist to impress your guests and make your home stand out:

Bedroom Amenities For Vacation Rental

As we all know, the efficiency of our sleep has a significant impact on how we feel the following day.

Make sure your guests enjoy a pleasant night in your rental if you want them to be genuinely pleased with it. Below is a list of some basic bedroom amenities:

• Premium Bedding And Plumped Up Pillows
• Robes and Slipper
• Sleep Masks, Earplugs, and Other Gadgets
• Black Out Curtains Or Blinds
• Air Conditioning Or Electric Fan
• Bedside Outlets
• Mosquito Prevention Amenities (Like mosquito nets)
• Cleaning and Storage Amenities
• A Washer & Dryer
• An Iron and Clothing Storage
• Shoe and Coat Rack
• Scented Products
• Vacation Rental Safe

Kitchen Amenities For Vacation Rental

It's crucial to keep a vacation rental kitchen equipped with all of the necessities. There should be enough plates, glasses, cups, and silverware. Provide wine glasses and bottle openers as a wonderful finishing touch.

Basic spices, cooking oils, and a good supply of coffee, tea, and sugar should always be available. We've got you covered with a list of things to put in a vacation rental kitchen with the items listed below.

Basic Kitchen Appliances

Those guests who like to cook at home while on vacation will appreciate it if you offer a variety of cookware/kitchen necessities such as:

A good set of sharp knives, utensils, a complete set of pots, serving platters, and other eating/cooking essentials

• A coffee maker,
• Kettle,
• Rice cooker,
• Processors
• Blenders
• Bottle openers
• Corkscrews
• Juicers
• Roasting pan
• Thermometer
• Colander
• Turkey baster
• Vegetable peeler
• Brining bag

Keep in mind that the holiday period is a perfect opportunity to step up your game and provide a wide variety of amenities that will assist you in preparing large family meals.

Complimentary Breakfast And Stocked Fridge

Prepare a few things in your refrigerator before your guests' arrival. Complimentary cookies, drinks, and breakfast supplies are examples of this.

To go the extra mile, you may call your visitors ahead of time and ask if they require any particular food items. This might be very useful for guests with unique dietary needs, making them feel at ease.

Food Storage Containers

Many potential visitors would most likely wish to take long day trips to see the attractions in your vicinity during their visit.

You should make sure that your rental has food storage containers so that hikers can prepare and bring their own food.

Because food storage containers tend to be misplaced, you may alternatively send a roll of tin foil and cling film instead.

Kid-Friendly Equipment

If guests traveling with newborns or young children don't have to carry every single item of baby equipment, they will be incredibly thankful.

Disposable bibs, as well as children's cutlery and plates, should be on standby in your kitchen.

You could also put a high chair, travel crib, stroller in the storage area of your property to make it kid-friendly for guests.

Pet-Friendly Amenities

If you let guests bring their pets (primarily dogs and cats) on vacation, you may welcome them by keeping pet food and water bowls in the kitchen.

You might also make some snacks available as a special treat for your four-legged guests.

When they rate your services later, their owners will undoubtedly appreciate and remember such a kind effort!

Bathroom Amenities For Vacation Rental

The bathroom is where all the spa magic happens. Even if you don't provide spa services at your property, your guests may still benefit from the elegance and relaxation they provide. Provide the spa experience to your vacation rental by including the following amenities:

Toiletries and Fresh Fluffy Towels

You may provide this as the most basic bathroom facility. Guests anticipate travel-size amenities like these in a hotel, but they are blown away when they receive the same service at a vacation rental.

Installing soap and shampoo dispensers on the shower wall is an excellent place to start, and you can go even farther by providing other toiletries like:

• Toothpaste
• Body lotion
• Hair conditioner
• Mouthwash

Offering other things like bath bombs, bath salts, and essential oils could further impress your guests.

Additionally, you may invest in towels that will keep your guests clean, dry and warm and your bathrooms looking beautiful.

Hairdryer

Hotels occasionally provide hairdryers linked to the wall because travelers like dryers that allow them to go out the door fast (and enjoy their holiday).

You could even put a bag on the dryer and hang it on a rack or in one of your bathroom drawers to dress it up.

Other Hair Appliances

It's nice to have a hairdryer available for your guests, but how about curling irons and straighteners? It'll be even nicer to give them access to this little extra to make them feel more pampered.

Grooming And Beauty Items

Apart from regular hygiene supplies, you can also make available some extra vanity items like:

• Makeup remover wipes
• Disposable razors
• Shower caps
• Face mask samples
• Shaving cream

Such minor additions will make your guests feel like they booked a luxury spa service and upgrade their vacation experience.

Personal Care Kits

If you don't want to stock your bathrooms with all these toiletries, you can offer basic personal care kits for guests and include some useful (low cost) things like cotton rounds, q-tips, and a small sewing kit.

Surface Space For Storage

This might seem like a definite choice, but if your bathroom doesn't come with a large enough surface area, it might not be an easy option.

They are brought along, especially for bigger families or groups who need shelf space to store the toiletries. If there's none available, your vacation rental bathroom will potentially turn into chaos after the first day.

Purchasing a simple bathroom shelf can easily prevent that from happening and minimize the cleanup effort later on.

Outdoor Amenities For Vacation Homes

To tip your guests' experience over the edge, anticipate the activities they might want to get involved in during their stay.

Outdoor Furniture

You may fully equip your outdoor space by furnishing it with tables, chairs, outdoor couches, hammocks, and sun lounges.

These rental amenities will allow your guests to relax and enjoy their time outside fully.

Sun Protection

In outside areas, you should provide guests with amenities on your property's terrace to offer some shade to your guests that'll protect them from direct sun exposure. Examples of amenities like these are sun umbrellas gazebos.

Beach Supplies

If your vacation rental is close to the beach, be sure to offer amenities like beach towels, cool boxes, and fold-up chairs. You may also provide bodyboards or inflatables if you can afford them!

Dryers and rain protection

If it frequently rains at your vacation rental, be sure to provide some spare umbrellas or even plastic poncho raincoats for guests.

Bicycles

Provide guests with ways to get around the city; this includes metro maps, driving routes, and bus schedules.

Another great amenity to have available is a couple of bicycles for your guests to tour and enjoy the area like a local!

Private Pool

Consider adding a pool or hot tub to your vacation rental property if you have the resources. You will be able to increase prices and boost your rental income right away!

Barbecue

On a pleasant summer evening, a barbecue party sounds like music to every vacation guest's ears. Having equipment for making barbeque will definitely make your property stand out to potential customers.

Outdoor Lighting

Your guests may want to enjoy warm summer nights even after sundown. Please enable them to do so by installing outdoor lighting with a warm hue around your property's outside sitting area.

Parking Space

There's a possibility that many guests travel to your property by car, which means they'll need parking space. You may provide them with this option either on your own property or by directing them to nearby parking spaces.

Metered EV Charger

It's becoming common for guests to bring or rent electric cars while on vacation. Having an EV charging station at your property not only leads the way for a long-term vacation rental investment but also sets your property up for the "wow factor".

Be one of the few short-stay rental owners to offer such an unconventional feature.

Accessibility Facilities (Handicapped Accessibility)

Make your property accessible to show that you welcome all guests and are prepared to meet their individual requirements.

Installing a handrail beside the toilet, providing a seat that can be placed in the shower, and giving a low-hanging mirror with shelf space are all simple ways to do this.

This type of amenity will definitely set your vacation rental apart from the competition for disabled tourists and senior travelers.

Entertainment And Recreation

24 Hour Check In

Travelers like the convenience of a flexible check-in, especially if their vacation does not go according to plan.

This doesn't mean you have to be available 24 hours a day; instead, make sure you have a structure in place for automatic check-in.

This amenity will make a terrific first impression on your guests, whether they get access to your house through a lockbox, keyless entry, or any other method.

Fast WiFi

These days, having access to technology and the internet is considered a must-have for a vacation rental. Therefore, WiFi is perhaps the most crucial feature in every modern vacation rental.

Your guests would anticipate WiFi as part of the rental package unless your rental is explicitly off-grid and indulging a "technology hideaway" demographic.

In fact, if you don't clearly state it, not having a fast wireless internet connection may discourage guests from booking with you or result in a negative review.

Cable Tv Or Streaming Services

Even if they don't watch TV, most guests consider television access to be a must-have feature in their vacation rental.

Providing cable television on a Smart TV with access to applications like Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon Prime, as well as live tv for weather reporting and live television, would be the ultimate mix.

Surround Sound System

Install a multichannel sound system or some high-quality speakers in the living room of your property so that your guests can get the most out of their movie nights or just listen to their favorite music.

DVD s and Books

If you don't want to pay for Netflix or cable for your vacation rental, supplying guests with various movies and books is a brilliant alternative. Make sure there's enough for everybody, including something to keep tiny toddlers occupied on a cloudy afternoon!

Here are some family-friendly favorites:

• The Lion King
• Home Alone
• Matilda

Game Console

Larger families will be ecstatic to have a game console at their vacation home. Some of the options are Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or PlayStation.

Also, provide a wide range of games to play for the entire family.

Family Friendly Games

Save families the trouble of bringing their whole pack 'n' play kit on their trips. Instead, make novels, crayons, and bathing toys available for free to children.

You could also provide some board games and cards for additional family entertainment! All-time family favorites include twister, trivial pursuit, Pictionary, chutes & ladders, and uno.

Local Maps, Guide books, and Recommendations

Make sure you provide your guests with a decent variety of local information. Leave relevant details for the eateries and cafés in your neighborhood that you endorse.

Include handbills of popular local attractions such as theaters, national parks, and historical sites.

A Complimentary Welcome Basket

If you like to go all out, you can give each visitor a welcome basket when they arrive at your rental home.

A simple assortment of local treats - sweets, coffee, wine, postcards – is a fascinating way to welcome your guests to the region and make a memorable first impression.

The following items can be included in your welcome basket:

• A welcome book
• Local snacks or drinks
• Personalized gifts

Transfers and Tours

Rather than limiting passengers to arranging these services elsewhere, form a partnership with any local companies and offer them add-ons.

You might provide several sorts of transport and trips, such as:

• Airport pick up/drop off
• City transfers
• Chauffeur service
• Sightseeing tours

Tools And Cleaning Supplies

If your guests are staying at your property for a long duration, they will, of course, want to keep the space clean and hygienic – especially if there are kids around.

Also, you don't want them to leave a lot of dirty dishes behind after their stay.

That's why your vacation rental supplies should have things like dish soap, a sponge or brush, a dish drying rack, new dish towels, and a lot of waste bags.

If you already offer a dishwasher, all you'll need is some dishwashing detergent or tablets, as well as some "how to use" instructions.

Read more: Ultimate Vacation Rental Cleaning Checklist For Better Guest Experience

Other Vacation Rental Amenities

Scale For Luggage

We've all gained some extra luggage while on vacation. It's just confirmation that you had an excellent time on your vacation!

The objective of having a bathroom scale, on the other hand, is to account for any additional luggage weight your guests may have accumulated at the conclusion of their journey.

They can use the scale to check if their bags and suitcases are still under the travel weight limit of the airline they booked after buying all kinds of souvenirs, gifts, and new outfits.

Guests who have gone on one or two big shopping sprees will enjoy this handy feature.

First Aid Kit

One of the most crucial aspects of a guest experience is safety. Unfortunately, cuts and bruises on vacation may occur more often than expected, even though no one anticipates or wishes for them.

Rather than allowing minor mishaps to spoil a trip, have a first-aid kit in the bathroom or another easily accessible spot in the house to help overcome negative encounters.

The essentials of a first-aid kit should be included, such as bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment, disposable gloves, and medical tweezers.

Bug bite creams, children's bandages, pain medication, cold packs, a digital thermometer, and saline solution may all be included if you want to be extra thorough.

Heated Floor

Have you ever stepped out of a shower or bath only to be met with very cold tiles? Heated flooring will be a massive thrill for guests, especially in the cold season.

If you're planning a bathroom remodel for your vacation rental, you may as well add heated floors to your list to provide your guests with the convenience of temperature-controlled flooring.

Landline Phone

Although it may appear old-fashioned, some visitors still value the convenience of a landline phone.

If your property is off the grid, this may be a must-have for guests who want to organize excursions, order takeout, or contact local businesses.

Only local calls are permitted, which you may specify in your vacation rental home rules.

Fireplace

If your vacation property doesn't already have it, it may be a considerable investment, but it may be worth it depending on your location.

If your home is near a ski resort or is known for being a winter destination, a fireplace may be a must-have because guests consider it to be part of the whole experience.

Office Supplies

People aren't enjoying regular vacations anymore, as travel evolves and redefines itself.

With the rising ability to work from home, many digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers are looking for vacation rentals that provide all of the amenities of an office in the comfort of their own homes.

Pencils, sticky notes, notebooks, paper, and even a computer monitor can demonstrate to guests that your home is well-equipped for their work-cation.

Electrical Adapter & Charger

The guests will bring their own adapters, but even the most organized travelers might forget, lose, or damage them.

They'll think of you as a lifeline if you keep a supply of universal adapters and chargers on standby.

Read more: How To Manage Vacation Rental Property

Key Takeaways

Subsequently, the amenities you choose for your vacation rental will be determined by their location, property, and kind of guests.

Additional amenities might be added to elevate it from a "good rental" to an "excellent rental."

You may always supply minimal facilities to your guests and yet receive positive feedback. However, if you genuinely want to impress them, you must go over and beyond!

Going through your home as a guest and asking yourself, "what do I need in here?" and, more significantly, "what would be fantastic to offer to make my guests feel like royalty?" is a terrific method to decide on the most incredible vacation rental amenities.

When you deploy the cloud-based vacation rental software from Booking Ninjas, you worry less about checking out and managing the necessary vacation rental amenities on your property.

It may boost your confidence in the quality of your service by helping you organize your vacation rental amenities checklist in an easier way.