Short Term Rental Amenities Guests Want – Our Top 7 List

What short term rental amenities do prospective guests seek when booking a short-term rental? If you know, you will not only gain more reservations, but you can increase the amount of 5-Star reviews you receive. Short-term rental guests are looking for more than just a place to sleep. When choosing a property, guests are looking for certain amenities and features that can enhance their overall stay and comfort. Here are seven top short term rental amenities you should focus on:

• Location
• Comfort Items
• Parking
• Communication and Assistance
• Unique Property Features and Activities
• Safety and Security
• Checkout and Trash Disposal

Knowing and understanding these factors will help you create an attractive rental property that gets you the reservation and ultimately earns more revenue. In this blog post, we will discuss the most important factors short-term rental guests look for when choosing a property, based on our real-world experience of owning rental properties.

#1: Location

The location of a short-term rental property is paramount. In fact, most guests will rate location as the deciding factor in their choosing your property. From our experience with our own properties, we know that having a location that allows guests to walk to restaurants, shopping or attractions is a huge advantage. Guests want to explore the surrounding areas, visit tourist attractions and engage with locals. If your rental property is located near the beach, shopping centers, restaurants, or entertainment facilities, it will appeal to more guests. Particularly if they can go on foot. But even just a short drive to these locations will work for your property.

For example, we own a short-term rental in a town with a major university. The property is near campus, thus allowing alumni, parents and visitors to walk to campus events and not have to worry about parking or tickets. Giving your guests the ability to walk or rideshare to nearby venues and points of interest will make you stand out.

#2: Short Term Rental Amenities and Comfort

Guests want to feel at home during their stay with you, and they will be looking for beds, couches and workspaces that are comfortable. Many prospective guests will read the reviews to get a sense of overall comfort and other amenities in your short-term rental. From our experience, guests generally focus on linens, bed comfort and kitchen functionality. Of course, the list is almost endless as to the amenities you could offer, but here is a short list of the more important items to focus on:

• High quality bed linens and hotel-quality bath towels
• Mattress and/or mattress toppers for added comfort
• Keurig coffee maker
• Smart TV and Internet fast speed
• Surrounding noise levels
• Toiletries

To enhance a guest’s stay even further, consider adding exceptional amenities such as a hot tub, high-speed Internet, keyless entry, outdoor deck, fire pit, etc.

#3. Parking

Providing your guests the ability to park their car at or near your property is another big advantage with a short-term rental. If guests generally are within four hours of your property, there is a good chance they will drive. If your property is a house with a driveway, then this is an easy solution for guest parking. For condos and townhomes, guests may face additional parking challenges, such as parking passes or reserved spots. The most important aspect is to clearly communicate where and how to park.

For example, if you require guests to use a parking pass, make sure it is easy to find and display. If guests must use a marked spot, communicate where the spot is in advance. Doing so is key, especially for late night arrivals after dark. Many guests will also inquire about bringing multiple cars, so be clear on what your policy or property requirements are.

#4. Communication and Assistance

Guests appreciate host assistance, communication and responsiveness during their stay. Before guests arrive, ensure that they have all the necessary information about your rental property, such as the address, check-in instructions, the WI-FI password, etc. You should try to be reachable via phone, text or e-mail to address any issues or emergencies that may arise during their stay. Or at least offer to be available.

Having said that, we’ve found it best to not over-communicate with guests. Beyond checking in, guests generally just want to relax and enjoy your property. But here are the most common inquiries you might receive from guests just prior to or upon checking in:

• Where do I park/where is the parking pass?
• What is the Wifi password?
• Is there a Keurig?
• How do I turn on the fireplace (gas, of course)
• Does the kitchen have all the utensils to cook?

Check out some of the helpful guest management tools to improve communication and ensure guests have all the information they need. We recommend Lodgify and Guesty as good options.

#5. Unique Features and Activities

Guests will be looking for fun and memorable things to do during their stay. So in your listing, be sure to mention as many interesting short term amenities and features as you can. You will be limited in the amount of description you can provide, but you can add more in your guest book, either digitally or in the property (we always keep a physical guidebook in each property).

For example, be sure to offer info on items such as:

• Local dining suggestions
• Local sightseeing destinations
• Nearby shopping
• Nearby grocery stores

Also, if possible, add maps of the area and details on amenities such as umbrellas, bicycles or other equipment needed to enjoy the unique features of your rental. Properties with unique amenities and activities such as a pool, a BBQ grill, hot tub, games, hammocks, board games, a fire pit or a backyard can make your guest’s stay more fun and memorable.

#6. Safety and Security Amenities

Short term rental amenities guests will definitely give consideration to relate to safety and security. Guests want to feel safe and secure in your rental property and the surrounding area. So be sure to communicate that your rental property has a secure entrance, working smoke detectors and safety equipment such as a fire extinguisher. Most if not all of these features will be items that you check off in your short term rental listing. But be proactive and provide guests with as much detail as you can, either in your checkin instructions or guidebook.

If you utilize exterior security cameras (interior cameras are usually not a good idea to gain reservations), some guests may question you as to why. We’ve found that a simple explanation about using exterior only cameras allows you to monitor housekeeping teams, maintenance workers, weather events and so forth.

#7. Checkout and Trash Disposal

While we may tend to overlook checkout and trash disposal as not really important to guests, they actually are. Remember, you want to make a guest’s stay as seamless and easy as possible. So once checkout day has arrived, guests have questions, such as:

• Where do we put dirty linens or towels?
• Where do we put the trash when leaving?
• Do I wash the dishes?
• We left something behind, how do we get it back?

Most if not all of these questions and more can be answered in your automated checkout messaging, your guidebook or posted inside the property. As a best practice, we post both checkin and checkout instructions on the refrigerator in every property. Simple and effective.

Wrap Up:

In conclusion, understanding what short term rental amenities and features guests are looking for when choosing a property will help you stand out from your competition. By emphasizing factors such as location, comfort, effective communication, unique features and activities and safety and security, potential guests will feel more comfortable choosing your rental property over others. A little attention goes a long way to ensuring your guests have an unforgettable and enjoyable stay.