Amenities are among the most powerful tools available to you as a vacation rental owner, driving both bookings and total revenue. Making the right decisions about amenities will help you differentiate your property from competitors in a competitive marketplace.
Continue reading this guide as we assist you, as an investor, in selecting amenities that will attract more guests by balancing what travelers want with a smart return on your investment.
How do Amenities Influence Booking Rates?
The strategic selection of amenities can significantly affect the profitability of your vacation rental. In addition to being decorative extras, they serve as essential tools to help a traveler make decisions about their rental, from searching for a property during the booking and writing reviews.
Guest Satisfaction & Reviews
Travelers today prefer to rent places that feel homey rather than just a room with basic amenities. The presence of an excellent kitchen and/or the reliability of the wi-fi will contribute to creating a great experience for your guest.
Guests who have had a good experience will write better reviews (5 stars), which will increase your listings’ visibility and credibility and thus lead to additional bookings at a faster pace.
Meeting Local Demand and Competition
Your property’s location drives guests’ expectations. For example, a guest renting an urban loft in a downtown area may be looking for a dedicated workspace, whereas a guest renting a mountain cabin will be looking for heating and access to a hot tub.
By analyzing the amenities in your local market and competitor listings, you can identify the features that make your property attractive and competitive to travelers seeking your destination.
Adapting to Seasonal Travel Patterns
Keep in mind the amenities most travelers want to have in a vacation home. For example, in winter, fireplaces and hot tubs become major selling points, while air conditioning, grills, and beach gear become must-haves during summer months.
By highlighting seasonally relevant amenities, you can adjust your pricing strategy and increase revenue year-round.
Must-Have Basic Amenities that Increase Booking Confidence
The “nice-to-haves”, such as gym equipment to help maintain fitness on vacations, may provide an extra attraction for guests, but the necessities will establish the foundation of confidence for the guest to transition from a browser to a guest. It would be most beneficial for you to address basic needs first, before addressing luxury features.
High-Speed Wi-Fi and a Workspace
This is no longer a luxury item it is a necessity. Many guests require reliable, high-speed internet access to either entertain themselves or work remotely. The presence of a functional workspace, even a simple desk, with adequate lighting signals to potential guests that you offer accommodations for the modern traveler, and could lead to longer bookings and better reviews.
Effective Climate Control
Guest comfort is essential when renting your vacation home, whether you rent it in winter or summer. The heating system needs to be strong enough to heat your home in the winter months, and your air conditioning should provide adequate cooling during the warmer months. Indicating to guests that your vacation home has complete climate control will help build trust with potential renters and make your rental available throughout the calendar year.
Security and Safety Features
Guests are concerned about their safety. The most important security-related items are a safe locking mechanism, such as keyless entry locks, exterior lighting, and working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A fire extinguisher and a first aid kit would also be beneficial. These are all things that will show you care about your guests’ safety and well-being and give them the confidence to book your vacation home.
Balancing Budget and ROI When Adding Amenities
What you want to do is invest in items that will make a positive difference for your guests, which ultimately translates into increased booking revenue, rather than in short-lived trends that provide very little return. Here’s how:
Prioritize Upgrades with High Perceived Value
Identify the amenities most commonly used by your guests and mentioned in their reviews. A programmable coffee maker, a smart TV that supports streaming services, or high-quality outdoor furniture are all much more valuable investments than a costly one-time-use item. All three options can significantly impact a guest’s daily experience, leading to improved reviews and repeat bookings.
Let Data and Feedback Guide Your Budget
Rather than making assumptions about what will attract guests, research your booking competitors’ guest comments and track the amenities they most frequently mention, both for your property and other properties in your area.
Work with a proactive property manager in Washington DC to track guest feedback and use that as a guide for future amenity upgrades. These experts provide key market insights and more to ensure your vacation home is perfect to make a significant impact.
Start Small and Scale Your Offerings
Do not try to implement all upgrades at one time. Start small with lower-cost items that have a significant impact, such as adding USB outlets, creating a welcome basket, or adding board games.
Review the effect on your bookings and guest comments. As your revenue grows, you can use the money to fund larger-scale projects such as a hot tub or a complete kitchen renovation. In addition, scale your amenities in sync with your growing business.
Conclusion
Making smart decisions about which amenities best fit your vacation rental will give your business an advantage.
Selecting the most fundamental amenities that give guests confidence their needs will be met, while strategically evaluating the cost/benefit of all upgrades, will increase the appeal of your vacation rental to potential guests and profitability.
The ultimate goal is to improve the guest experience and benefit your bottom line by increasing reviews, occupancy, and revenue.
