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Guest Amenities Hosting Tips

An Effortless Vacation Rental Checklist

A young property owner navigates her vacation rental checklist.

Regarding short-term vacation rental management, having even the slightest edge over your competitors can be the difference between meeting your goals and exceeding expectations. So, you may find yourself wondering, “What else can I do to set my business apart from the rest?” While upgrading your property and offering more amenities can go a long way, sometimes taking a step back and ensuring you cover all your bases are just as essential. That’s why Effortless Rental Group put together a quick and easy vacation rental checklist to guide you through the first steps of evaluating your amenities inventory. 

Creating Your Vacation Rental Checklist

A running checklist of your vacation rental items and amenities is an excellent way to stay organized. Not only does it help you keep track of what you have, but it can also give you ideas of what you want or need. The simplest way to break this down is by room.

Bathroom

It goes without saying that having a clean bathroom is critical to the guest experience. Besides cleanliness, you’ll want to include the following items on your vacation rental checklist.

  • Ample toilet paper
  • Tissues
  • Liquid handsoap
  • Face soap and body wash
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Small waste receptacles and trash bags
  • Towels

Dining Room

Meals are integral to the vacation experience, even if you’re dining in. Guests will appreciate feeling at home in their temporary space, and a positive experience is one they’ll remember. Here are some things to consider.

  • A large or expandable dinner table
  • Ample seating
  • Double the number of table settings
  • Tasteful decorations
  • Abundant light

Kitchen

Creating a kitchen checklist can feel overwhelming because there are so many items. Still, if you go take a look at guest reviews for vacation rental hosts, you’ll likely see several mentions of how well the kitchen was stocked. Your kitchen inventory should include the following.

  • Dishwashing soap, sponge, and washcloth
  • Paper towels and cleaning products
  • Large cutting boards
  • Containers for leftovers
  • Condiments and seasonings
  • Coffeemaker, coffee, and tea
  • Durable, dishwasher-safe plates
  • Glassware
  • Utensils
  • Kid-friendly kitchenware
  • Pots and pans
  • Garbage/recycling receptacles and ample trash bags

Living/Family Room

Although many guests will hopefully be out enjoying the nearby activities and attractions, ensuring they have a comfortable living space for lounging is still important. Plus, you never know; not all visitors plan to go out and about during their stay. Here are some living room essentials.

  • Clean, comfortable chairs and couches
  • Modern entertainment options (TV with remote, stereo, Bluray/DVD player)
  • Artwork
  • Table space
  • Lamps and overhead lighting
  • Fold-out couch/futon

Bedrooms

The bedrooms are arguably the most important rooms to ensure guests feel at home. Allowing your guests to have a good night’s sleep before and after each day is paramount. Read below to see what they’ll need.

  • High-quality linens and sheets
  • An assortment of high-quality blankets and pillows
  • Additional hangers
  • Alarm clocks
  • Effective sun-blocking curtains or blinds

Pet and Children’s Amenities

It’s relatively common for children and pets to join in on the fun. Although guests will usually have everything they need for their kids and furry friends, sometimes people forget! Adding these items to your vacation rental inventory will ensure everyone is covered.

  • Crib
  • High chair
  • Stroller
  • Childproof locks and outlet covers
  • Water and food dishes
  • Pet waste bags
  • Pet beds

Colorado’s Premier Vacation Rental Management Company

Effortless Rental Group Logo

Now that you’ve had a chance to compile your vacation rental inventory, you probably want to consider heading out and getting some things to fill the gaps. Next, you’ll want to find a trusted property management team to help bring your investment to the next level. Effortless Rental Group will show you the difference with various services ranging from stocking your property with essential items to using proven analytical marketing strategies to ensure no money is left on the table. Check out our site at Effortless Stay for a glimpse of the properties we manage.
To find out how much your property could earn, get started today with a data-driven evaluation today!

Categories
Hosting Tips

Considerations for Sustainable Short-Term Rental Management

A wooden home with a dense shrub in the background representing sustainable short-term rental management.

Sustainability is no longer a buzzword. Not only is eco-friendliness a sound business model, but it also appeals to consumers. According to Booking.com’s 2022 Sustainable Travel Report, approximately 70% of global travelers prefer sustainable travel and accommodations. With a growing trend towards environmental stewardship, this concept is integral to exponential growth, and short-term rental management is no exception. Eco-conscience travelers are becoming more prevalent by the day, so attracting their attention is imperative. Overhauling a business is never easy, but with a few small, budget-friendly steps, you’ll be well on your way to making a positive impact on the world and your bottom line.

5 Eco-Friendly Practices for Short-Term Rental Management 

Understandably, the thought of sustainable business models can sometimes be overwhelming. Still, you may be surprised at how easy they are to implement and the savings you’ll actualize while attracting more guests. From simple recycling bins to solar panel installations, here are a few ideas that can pay for themselves over the long haul.

Recycling

What may be a no-brainer to many, adding recycling bins to your rentals is an easy, cost-effective step towards sustainability. Environmentally-conscience renters likely recycle at home, so having the option will appeal to them. Even if your properties already have recycling bins, making that amenity visible on your listing could entice more guests.

Change the Lightbulbs

Another cheap way to achieve sustainable short-term rental management is ensuring all lights are LED. Although they require a higher initial investment than incandescent lights, LEDs are the standard in home design for a good reason. They use about 70% less energy and last longer-–it’s that easy.

Save Water

Over the last few decades, the need for clean, accessible water has never been more apparent. And although you never feel the effects of drought and contamination firsthand, hydrology experts warn that two-thirds of the Earth’s people could be met with water shortages during this decade. Installing water-saving fixtures and low-flow toilets are significant conservation measures. Some builders have even started incorporating rainwater-capturing devices into their plumbing systems.

Intelligent Heating and Cooling

Smart thermostats take the guesswork out of achieving energy-efficient heating and cooling. These innovative home devices help save energy by monitoring occupancy and adjusting individual room temperatures. That means the energy used to condition a vacant living room area will go elsewhere. Moreover, many smart thermostats can be managed via voice commands and mobile apps, making them easier to implement on the go.

Solar Energy

The initial cost of installing solar energy systems can seem staggering, but it’s arguably the best way to become energy-independent. The best part is that once your energy consumption reaches zero, you can literally watch your electricity meter rotate backward. And if you’re connected to the grid, you can expect a monthly check from the power company.

Vacation Rental Services in Colorado

As one of the nation’s leading sustainable travel destinations, Colorado’s eco-friendly homes and businesses play an integral role in attracting visitors and residents. As Effortless Rental Group strives to be part of the solution, we’re always looking for innovative ways to contribute, and that extends to our partnerships. Together, we can create a cleaner, more inhabitable world, one property at a time.