Top 10 Most Wanted Vacation Rental Amenities
The most important aspect when choosing a vacation rental for travelers are the amenities available to them. Whether it’s a fully stocked kitchen or wireless internet, guests want all of the comforts of home plus a few little extras to make their vacation time a memorable and relaxed experience. www.HomeAway.com has put together a very useful “Top Ten” list based on what traveler’s are searching for when they visit www.VRBO.com. Here is the list:
1. Pool - When people go on vacation, they typically look for some body of water in close proximity. Even if you don’t have a pool in your own backyard, advertise the shared pool in your complex or a nearby community pool.
2. Hot Tub – Hot Tubs have become a must-have amenity in many markets, but even in Florida they can be a great selling point! When the weather cools during the winter and people are unable to lay by the pool, a hot tub can increase the chance of a traveler booking your property.
3. “Pet Friendly” - According to the Travel Industry Association, 14% of all American adults have traveled with a pet at some point in the past three years. Although it may not be a traditional amenity, accepting pets at your vacation rental could significantly increase your bookings.
4. TV - Even with the rising popularity of HDTVs, just plain “TV” remains the more popular search term. “Cable” and “satellite TV” also rank highly in traveler searches. We tend to have rainy afternoons here in Florida, so a television is an especially important amenity on days that you can’t soak up the sun on the beach!
5. Tennis - If you don’t have a tennis court in your backyard, subdivision, or complex, consider looking up local courts and including information about them in your rental unit. The same can be said for golf courses…people love to golf when they visit our area!
6. Internet - Even on vacation, travelers still want to be connected, whether it’s for work, for staying in touch with family or just for fun. Wireless internet has become the preferred method and for many travelers this amenity is non negotiable. If you don’t already offer a WiFi connection, contact your local cable or Phone Company for more details.
7. “Jacuzzi” Tub - Just like Kleenex and Google, “Jacuzzi” is a brand name that has become synonymous with its category. Many travelers search for “Jacuzzi” when seeking a whirlpool bathtub, and some use “Jacuzzi” interchangeably with “hot tub.”
8. Pool Table – Pool tables, along with video games, dvds and board games provide indoor entertainment and give the guests extra fun things to do should they tire of the beach and want to relax in the A/C.
9. Fireplace – An indoor fireplace is wanted in areas with cooler climates, such as ski resorts, but for warmer areas, such as Florida, www.HomeAway.com recommends an outdoor fireplace. This creates a great ambiance for your guests and would be an unexpected but very exciting perk. Less expensive fire “pits” can be found at stores such as Lowes and Home Depot.
10. Porch – Any type of outdoor living space is important for a traveler, especially when they visit our area and want to enjoy the warm weather. Dinner on the patio, bird watching from the lanai or dolphin gazing from the balcony – everyone wants to be able to enjoy the outdoors while vacationing.
Many standard amenities, such as air conditioning, telephone and washer and dryer also ranked highly in traveler searches. While they might not sound as exciting, they are equally as important to travelers and should be included in your rental. If you’re considering adding new amenities to your vacation home, these top requests from actual travelers are a great starting point.
