What makes the ultimate vacation rental experience? In beachy Florida, it may be worthwhile to tailor your vacation rental for beachgoers interested in the amenities you provide. Here are some ways to help your tenants enjoy their beach holiday at your property.
Create a Welcome Package
Create a welcome package with local snacks or trinkets guests can take home after their holiday. Before your guests arrive, ask them if they have any allergies or dietary restrictions as a guide for food items to include.
Write a welcome letter or create a booklet with all the essential information. Some items to include activities, check-out instructions and need-to-know house instructions.
Activities: A list of restaurants, beaches, shopping centers and local attractions. Include contact numbers and information for rental equipment, tours, wellness centers and spas. To make the experience extra special, list your favorite restaurants, excursions and attractions that a local would know.
Check-out instructions: Make it clear what guests must do when they check out.
Need-to-know house instructions: While you might be familiar with how your thermostat works or how to use the coffee machine, it’s always good to include instructions or point your guests in the direction of handbooks. Include information about locking doors and where to find more toilet paper or extra blankets.
Before your tenants arrive, ensure everything is in order:
Switch on the air conditioning.
Switch on lights if they arrive in the evening.
Stock the refrigerator with snacks.
Sweep the deck.
Keep your phone on in case they have any questions before they arrive.
Provide the Necessities
The key to creating a memorable vacation experience for your guests is to pre-empt their needs and desires. Ask yourself. What do you use every day? What would you want in a vacation home?
Stock the kitchen cupboards with at least six dinner plates, cups, glasses and cutlery. Include wine glasses and plastic cups for children. Add all necessary items to prepare a meal. Cutting boards, pans, pots, serving utensils and bowls, a grater. From there you can decide what appliances would make the stay more convenient.
According to Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo traveler trend reports, fancy coffee machines and air fryers are among the top five cooking amenities people expect in rental vacation accommodation. You could also add a food processor, blender or bottle openers for wine and other drinks.
Ensure the bathroom has a hairdryer and enough toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner. Add some extras they might expect in a hotel but not a rental home, like bath bombs or face masks.
Have Beach-Friendly Amenities
While your guests will most likely spend hours at the beach, many may forget some necessary items when they pack for their vacation. Prioritize these amenities to ensure your tenants enjoy their stay and have everything they need for the beach.
Beach towels and extra linen: Beach towels can be bulky and take up much-needed space for an extra outfit. Provide beach towels in the house and ensure they are high-quality, soft and fluffy. Also, put extra linen in a cupboard so guests can switch out bedding if they need to, especially for longer stays.
Mid-stay cleaning: Your guests might do all they can to keep the sand out of the house, but it’s bound to find its way in. It can put a damper on the holiday vibes when guests have to spend more than an hour cleaning up. Offer a mid-stay cleaning to refresh the space and keep the vacation spirit alive.
Beach kit: Make a difference in their beach adventures by providing a beach kit they can carry around. Include folding chairs, a beach umbrella, a cooler box and some plastic snack cutlery. All they have to do is find the right spot and get to the good part — suntanning and enjoying the waves.
Outdoor shower: Provide a remedy for the universal sand-in-shorts experience with an outdoor shower. It can be as simple as a shower fixture attached to an exterior wall or a stylish, portable outdoor shower.
Washing machine and tumble dryer: These amenities help for longer stays or swim shorts and beach towel drying.
They will appreciate the thoughtfulness behind your effort to make their beach vacation a little more convenient.
Include Smart Tech
In general, guests are willing to pay more if it means they will have good Wi-Fi. Having a smart TV with one or two streaming subscriptions in your holiday rental is also a good idea, especially for nights when guests want to stay in and watch a movie.
Upgrade some of your appliances to make the stay memorable. You can update anything from thermostats that allow personalized temperature schedules to auto-sensor night lights or Wi-Fi-controlled light switches.
Add an electric fireplace for an aesthetically pleasing living room. Although Florida generally stays warm throughout the year, a fireplace is still something to appreciate on those rare chilly nights. Electric fireplaces are also 100% energy efficient, which is great for utility and maintenance costs.
Skip the Beach Kitch and Go for Boho Coastal
It is a beach vacation after all. However, guests will see enough seashells, waves and sand at the beach. Go for more subtle decor, using the textures and colors of Florida’s beaches as inspiration. Think unique textures, summer hues and subtle beachy features.
Incorporate these seven items for stylish coastal Boho decor.
Woven items like baskets or wall art.
A breezy color palette with light-blue, gray and off-white tones.
Whimsical ceramic flower pots, vases or dinner sets.
Wood elements like ceilings, shelves, floors or decorative items.
Indoor plants like hoyas or pampas.
Cozy textiles like duvet covers, throws or rugs in neutral colors.
Textured wallpaper.
It’s also a good idea to decorate the house with materials and upholstery that can withstand sunscreen, saltwater and sand. While your guests might take extra care to prevent stains, the warm weather means open windows and open windows mean moist and salty sea air. Ensure your furniture is durable and waterproof and use material that’s easy to clean.
Create an Enjoyable Space for Beach Lovers
As a vacation rental property owner, you want to create a space that’s both memorable and convenient. Combining stylish beach-themed decor and functional amenities that support beach lovers will ensure you have guests booking your vacation home all holiday season — and making plans to return next year.
