Equipping your rental for more bookings: our tips
Want more bookings but not sure how to equip your rental? Here is everything you need to know, room by room.
With the current crisis, some facilities that were barely asked about a few months ago have become essential. So how should you equip your rental? Here is a non-exhaustive list of some of the must-have facilities to have in place if you want to increase your bookings and give your guests the most enjoyable stay possible.
1- Equipping the bedroom
A bedroom should feel cosy: it is where you rest after a full day of work or activities. It is where you drop your bags the moment you arrive. Make sure it has everything it needs: bed linen available, pillows and a spare duvet.
Some people (we know a few!) simply cannot sleep without two pillows. It is always worth offering extras. To buy them, take advantage of the sales and clearance events. Leave the duvet and pillows in the packaging they came in and store them somewhere easy to spot.
2- The bathroom
One of the first things people do after putting their bags down is freshen up, or even take a good shower and unwind.
To make life easier and to smooth your guests' arrival, do put together a set of toiletries for them (toothbrush, shampoo, soap and so on) along with clean towels.
The little extra? A hairdryer ready and waiting!
3- The living room
The most important thing, especially these days, is a good wifi connection.
Nice touches to add: a television with access to streaming services, a few books, magazines and so on.
If you let your property in winter: a warm throw and a few extra cushions for that cocooning feel.
Here's a summary of essential equipment and nice touches to offer, room by room.
| Room | Essentials | Nice touches |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Sheets, pillows (2 per person), extra duvet | Pillows and duvet stored visibly in their original packaging |
| Bathroom | Clean towels, toiletries (toothbrush, shampoo, soap) | Hair dryer available |
| Living room | Good wifi connection | Television with streaming access, books, magazines, warm throw and extra cushions in winter |
| Kitchen | Refrigerator, microwave, dishes | Coffee machine, tea, kettle, pans, local recipe card, bottle of wine |
4- The kitchen
No surprises here: a fridge, a microwave and crockery are the bare minimum, wherever possible.
For even more thoughtful touches, you can add a coffee machine, tea and a kettle, a few pans for cooking, and so on.
The touch that really makes the difference? A recipe card with the ingredients needed to cook a local speciality, or a bottle of wine. Got everything? Perfect! If not, it is worth investing a little. Put yourself in your guests' shoes: "if I were going away somewhere, what would I like to find?". And if you have other facilities to suggest, we would love to hear about them!
Frequently asked questions
What equipment is essential in a rental's bedroom? Available sheets, enough pillows and a spare duvet cover the basics. Plan for two pillows per person, since many guests don't sleep well with just one. Store the clean linens somewhere visible, still in their original packaging.
Should I provide towels and toiletries? Yes, preparing a toiletry kit with a toothbrush, shampoo and soap makes your guests' arrival easier. Clean towels are expected just as much. A hairdryer is a nice extra touch, though not required.
Which living room equipment matters most to travellers? A good wifi connection comes first, especially in the current context. A television with access to streaming services, along with a few books and magazines, are appreciated extras. In winter, a blanket and extra cushions add a cosy touch to the stay.
What should the kitchen include at the very least? A fridge, a microwave and dishes make up the minimum, if your rental allows for it. A coffee machine, tea, a kettle and a few pans are extra touches worth adding. A recipe card for a local dish, or a bottle of wine, often makes the difference.
How do I know which equipment I'm still missing? Put yourself in your guests' shoes by asking what you'd want to find on arrival somewhere else. Go through each room, bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen, checking it has at least the essentials described above. Sales periods are a good opportunity to fill the gaps without overspending.
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