The Best Amenities in a Short-Term Rental

The travel industry has changed tremendously in the past few years. Instead of renting a hotel or signing up for an all-inclusive resort, guests want something more authentic and comfortable. Enter the short-term rental.

Popular sites such as Airbnb and VRBO have experienced a massive influx of people since 2020 because of what short-term rentals have to offer. If you are thinking of investing in a short-term rental, here are a couple of amenities you should be looking for when deciding what property to purchase. These simple necessities will be sure to make your guests' experience outstanding.

It's The Little Things

One of the most valuable features of a properties' amenities is functionality. Practical amenities, such as a fully equipped kitchen, working laundry room, or beautiful balcony, are what guests are searching for when booking a short-term rental.

While each of your guests will have different requests, most have similar needs. Below are the top-valued amenities searched for in short-term rental properties.

• Kitchen utilities Families always gather in the kitchen. Be sure yours is stocked with great knives, pots/pans, an oven, a microwave, a dishwasher, and enough serving pieces, dishes and glasses to accommodate as many guests as your home can host.

• Laundry It's so nice to return home from vacation with the laundry already done! Equip your laundry room with detergent, dryer sheets and a nice iron and ironing board.

• Linens Invest in plush towels, pillows, and linens for an extra dreamy experience. Place toiletries in all the bathrooms and leave nice lotions/candles for guests to enjoy.

• Cleaning supplies With your guests wanting an "at-home" experience be sure to have all the classic cleaning supplies on hand and easily accessible. Stock soaps, all-purpose cleaners, a broom/dustpan, cordless vacuum, etc.

• Free WiFi – This is mandatory! Even though most people take vacations to disconnect, they still want internet access to check work email, Face-time the kiddos, and stream their favorite shows at night.

• Air Conditioning/Heating – Guests want to be comfortable in order to relax and unwind, air conditioning/heating is a must-have when booking a short-term rental.

• 24 Hour Check-in – If a short-term rental property limits check-in to specific times, it can affect your guests vacation time as well as their overall stay. Offer keyless entry, an automated check-in system, or a lockbox for your booking. It makes your guests' arrival so much easier.

• Parking – It is always beneficial to invest in a short-term rental that provides free parking. Be sure to highlight if your property has a garage or covered parking as well.

• Outdoor Space – Properties with a pool, a large backyard, private deck or balcony always stand-out. When booking a short-term rental accommodation, guests often want an outdoor area to use.

We hope this list of amenities has helped you know what to curate as you plan for your short-term rental investment.