Our Top Short-Term Rental Essentials to Elevate Your Property
Short-Term Rental Essentials: A Host’s Guide to Success
Furnishing a short-term rental can feel overwhelming. Choosing the right decor and gathering all the essentials is a lot. But with some planning, you can create a space guests love and simplify your operations. Think five-star reviews and maximum bookings.
I’ve spent over a decade in the short-term rental business. I’ve seen what works. My properties have hosted tens of thousands of guests, earning thousands of five-star reviews. Supplying your rental with the best products for quality and price makes a big difference.
We have a secret for maximizing those 5 star reviews. It’s our signature Forgot Something Basket. We provide our guests with a curated basket of all of the items they often forget – think Q-Tips, Lotion, and Hairspray. Guests love this amenity and they reflect this in their reviews!
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Table of Contents:
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Smart Locks
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Durable, Stylish Rugs
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Comfortable Bedding
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Top-Notch Amenities
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Décor That Pops
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Yard Games and Entertainment
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: A Well-Stocked Kitchen
- Short-Term Rental Essentials: Faux Plants
- Conclusion
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Smart Locks
Security first. A smart lock is a must-have. I’ve tested many, and the Yale Assure Smart Lock is my top pick. It’s company policy for my properties. I add Z-Wave connectivity for home automation via third-party smart home hubs.
I choose the model with a key backup. Keep a spare key near the door and one off-site in case of connectivity issues. This redundancy prepares for power or communication outages.
We love Smart Locks so much, we have an entire post rounding up our favorites (and least favorites)! Check out our Smart Locks post here.
Why Choose a Smart Lock?
Smart locks simplify guest access with unique codes, eliminating key handoffs. You can also monitor access remotely for peace of mind. Automated check-in is a breeze.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Durable, Stylish Rugs
Rugs warm up a space. A good rug does this safely. Durability and affordability are key for short-term rentals. I choose washable rugs from Rugs USA for easy cleaning between guests.
Rug Safety
Slip and fall incidents happen. Provide slip-resistant rug corners for safety. While rugs add ambiance, prioritize safety with proper rug pads and corner grips.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Comfortable Bedding
Guests crave a good night’s sleep. The Helix Hospitality Mattress offers hotel-quality comfort. Guests won’t take these home, but they’ll appreciate the comfort. What if guests stay in all day? The Helix is designed for comfortable sleeping and sitting.
Most hotels use high-end mattresses and sheets for restful stays. Guests create lasting memories and associate them with your property when they relax on a comfortable mattress. Host GPO helps you avoid retail markup.
Bedding and Linens
Top-quality linens enhance the guest experience. I recommend Standard Textile, trusted by Hilton and Marriott. Their zippered mattress protectors save my cleaning team time.
Premium materials and clever designs like easy-change duvet covers make a difference. Maximize returns by providing excellent accommodations. Guests remember the quality and leave positive reviews. Host GPO offers great deals on hospitality supplies for short-term rental hosts.
Host GPO leverages the collective buying power of hosts. This results in competitive wholesale prices on essentials like paper towels and soap.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Top-Notch Amenities
Thoughtful amenities create a luxurious feel. Provide sleek hand soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. I prefer refillable dispensers for eco-friendliness and cost savings. Travel-sized toiletries are a great option, too.
Toiletries
Premium brands elevate your space. Remember the toilet paper shortages during the early days of COVID-19? Host GPO, through Staples, offers rental essentials like paper towels and soap at wholesale prices.
Having enough toiletries allows guests to freshen up after their journey. This is especially helpful if they had luggage issues or unexpected fees. Complimentary toiletries are a welcome touch.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Decor That Pops
Artwork imprints a lasting impression on guests. It influences their decision to return for future bookings. Consider offering wine glasses and board games as well.
Artwork
Guests appreciate stylish touches. I use Giant Art for a “wow” factor. Matching artwork with the room’s theme creates a cohesive style. Large paintings and plants enhance the décor, showing guests you care.
Consider featuring pop art or art installations to spark interest. Guests notice the details and appreciate a well-designed space. This can lead to repeat bookings and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Yard Games and Entertainment
Yard games are a bonus for properties with outdoor space. They offer a unique experience beyond a typical hotel. Provide options for guests to enjoy, even while traveling alone. A smart TV with streaming services is also a great idea.
Entertainment Amenities
Think giant Jenga, Connect Four, or horseshoes. These small touches set your rental apart. Include a copy of Candy Land for a nostalgic touch. Board games like Connect 4 offer strategic fun.
Providing local maps and a landline phone can be helpful for guests. These thoughtful additions show you go the extra mile.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: A Well-Stocked Kitchen
The kitchen is more than just functional. Guests often cook family meals during their stay. Provide high-quality cookware from trusted brands like Williams-Sonoma. This shows guests you care about their experience. Cooking essentials like coffee filters and bottle openers should also be included.
We equip all of our kitchens with a fully stocked coffee bar! Our guests appreciate the ability to make their favorite coffees and we love hearing from them in their 5-star reviews! All of our Coffee Bar Essentials are curated right here in our Amazon Store.
Kitchen Utensils
Along with cookware, provide matching silverware and glasses. Ensure your kitchen has modern appliances, including a coffee maker and kitchen appliances. Don’t cut corners in this area.
Provide a complete set of utensils, including chef’s knives. Guests should feel comfortable cooking anything from a quick meal to a multi-course dinner. Serving platters are a nice touch for family meals.
Free parking is a valuable amenity for guests. Make sure this is clearly stated in your listing. This can influence guests’ booking decisions.
Short-Term Rental Essentials: Faux Plants
Greenery livens up any space. Plants add a vibrant touch without requiring guest maintenance. They can also improve air quality and absorb humidity.
Why Choose Faux?
Live plants can be difficult to maintain. Guests may not have the time or knowledge to care for them. Faux plants offer a realistic look without the hassle. Nearly Natural is a great brand for realistic faux plants.
Guests often admire the décor, making their trip memorable. Indoor and outdoor plant spaces add to the ambiance. Faux plants eliminate the need for watering and pruning. This saves you time and effort.
STR Essentials Made Easy
Creating a great short-term rental takes effort. Equipping your property with essentials makes guests enjoy their stay. They’ll remember your rental as a “home away from home” and give you positive reviews.
Provide keyless entry, comfortable bedding, and luxurious linens. Stock the kitchen with quality cookware and utensils. Add thoughtful amenities like toiletries and entertainment. These details create a lasting impression.
One More Airbnb Host Essential: The Hosting Handbook
If you loved this post we invite you to check out our one-stop-shop solution for hosts everywhere —the Hosting Handbook! While you can download all the easy to consume, step-by-step tips we use in our own hosting business and create the ultimate “book” the Hosting Handbook is so much more than that! If you’ve consumed or content for years (or just met us!) this is the reference guide for all the amazing and tactical tips we have for running a profitable and, more importantly hospitable, short-term rental. How do we price for pets? How do we fold our towels? What sheets do we buy? How do I purchase a short-term rental? All these questions (and more!) can be answered in the Hosting Handbook! Check it out now!
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