Luxury vacation homes stand out within the vacation rental space, attracting affluent travelers and a next level guest experience. And while there’s plenty of variables when it comes to properties and potential guests, in the high-end rental world, amenities are absolutely critical in helping to drive higher revenues for property managers.
In this article, we’ll explore the essential and exclusive amenities that can elevate your luxury vacation rental and attract high-end clients seeking the ultimate getaway.
Luxury vacation rental amenities
First of all, why invest in the luxury vacation market and the accompanying amenities to begin with? Hostfully customer and Co-founder/CEO Robin Craigen of Moving Mountains® says it best:
“Our ADR is 3 – 4X the market. People are paying a premium for our well-stocked, well set up and regularly maintained homes, and the services that we offer. That is not an accident.” Specifically, he notes that in the luxury rental market, “Items like a hot tub, gas grill, deluxe linens are all standard and required.”
So what else matters in a luxury vacation rental and where does a property manager begin? Let’s take a look.
1. High-quality bedding and linens
Hands down, comfortable, high-quality bedding and linens are a must for luxury rentals. Guests expect plush mattresses, premium sheets, and an assortment of pillows to ensure a restful sleep. Invest in high thread counts and aim for comfort and luxury.
Hot tip: California King beds
2. A fully equipped gourmet kitchen
Two words: kitchens matter. As Craigen explains, “We have many guests that like to really cook, and having a properly stocked and well-maintained kitchen is actually a wow. We make updates to our kitchen inventory list every year based on guest feedback.”
A fully equipped gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, cookware, an automatic ice maker, and utensils is, well, chef’s kiss. Guests appreciate the ability to prepare meals in a space that rivals a professional kitchen, reminding them of what they can do at their own homes, but elevated.
Beautiful countertops, custom woodwork, generous pantries, high-end stovetops (gas or convection), a clutch coffee maker (and local coffee!), and filtered water access are all part of the equation. Plus, keep in mind basics like ample dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and cooking utensils are key. Craigen remarks, “Dull knives for example are a common complaint in a vacation rental home.“
Hot tip: sharp knives and snack drawers
3. High-end living rooms
Guests will seek out comfortable high-end living spaces with state-of-the-art home entertainment systems, including large-screen smart TVs or 4K projectors, Bluetooth speakers, game consoles, and access to streaming services. Premium in-house entertainment options (even personalized message on the TV monitor) is a must-have for most visitors — including luxury guests.
Hot tip: a home theater
Remember to leave detailed instructions on how to use the electronic amenities like the ones listed above. The easiest way to do this is with a well-curated guidebook with a custom section for the living room. In that spot, you can create custom instructions that are either a description on how to connect, or links that point to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Home office setups
The digital nomad economy is real, and it’s especially true for luxury travelers. Guests seeking luxurious rentals typically don’t fully disconnect from their 9-5. They’ll need to work during their stay and will appreciate well-equipped home office setup with ergonomic furniture, printers, and office supplies. Which brings us to…
5. High-speed internet and wi-fi
It goes without saying (but, ok, we’ll say it), reliable high-speed internet and Wi-Fi are essential for modern travelers. Ensure robust connectivity to accommodate multiple devices and support remote work if needed.
If you list on Airbnb, make sure you enter the field that lists your Wifi speed. For other listing sites like Vrbo, Booking, and Marriott, list it in the description and check the amenity box if there is one.
Hot tip: a large monitor or printer
6. Smart home features
Smart home features, such as automated lighting, climate control, and voice-activated assistants, enhance convenience and provide a modern touch to any property. These technologies instantly elevate your rental property.
Hot tip: Nest temperature controls and smart locks for convenient and safe check-ins
7. Private pools, hot tubs, indoor fireplaces, and retreats
In-house spa and wellness facilities, such as saunas, steam rooms, and massage areas, provide guests with a private retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. Swimming pools (infinity, heated, saltwater) offer a sense of exclusivity while hot tubs enhance the luxury and relaxation appeal. And an indoor fireplace is a constant cozy reminder.
Hot tip: hot tubs
8. High-end bathrooms
From bidets to heated seats to automatic toilet lids, a toilet alone can stir up high-end decisions: But bathrooms truly are a space to add luxury touches (and not just toilets!). Rain showers, luxury lighting, and heated floors all lend themselves to a stellar guest experience. And of course, thick, soft towels should be plentiful and top quality.
But don’t forget the details and consider an eco-friendly approach. Craigen suggests the following: “Cotton buds and Q’tips in every bathroom. Small but meaningful and shows attention to detail.” He also notes that, “All natural refillable toiletries eliminate waste and deliver wow.”
Hot tip: branded toiletry containers with natural, refillable shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc.
9. Scenic outdoor spaces
Nearly any luxury vacation rental is likely to include some amount of landscaped outdoor space. Ideally a scenic view will carry the most weight, but even if you’re working with limited outdoor square footage, comfortable seating, fire pits, quality grills, and water features all can create inviting areas for relaxation and socializing.
Hot tip: A hammock to boost relaxation and for social media appeal.
10. Outdoor kitchens and dining areas
Eating is a top priority for short-term guests so it’s no surprise that outdoor kitchens with gas grills, refrigerators, and dining areas promise al fresco enjoyment. These spaces are perfect for entertaining outdoors and providing flexibility for larger groups.
Hot tip: pizza ovens
11. Gyms and recreational equipment
A private gym with exercise equipment will likely appeal to high-end guests. And if your property is situated in a beautiful locale, providing recreational equipment like bicycles, beach chairs, kayaks, skis, surfboards and other sports gear adds loads of value for guests looking to engage in outdoor activities.
Hot tip: Peloton bikes (and an umbrella by the door is an easy but thoughtful addition)
12. Game rooms
If your property has the space, game rooms are excellent investments. Ping pong tables, billiards, shuffleboard, pinball machines will all add a fun and social component to your guests’ stay.
Hot tip: Board games are inexpensive, easy, and take up very little room.
13. Luxury vacation rental takeaways and extras
While there’s no end to luxury vacation rental amenities, Craigen shares that, “Wow amenities: peloton bikes, pool table, home theater, and properly stocked essentials have all drawn comments in our guest surveys.”
If you really want to go the extra, extra mile, here are some additional luxury vacation rental amenities and guest experiences to consider.
- Welcome basket with fresh-baked pastries, wine or coffee, and other local delicacies.
- A branded parting gift with a local memento, accompanied by a thoughtful note and reminder to kindly ask for a (five star) review.
- Personalized, dedicated concierge service offerings (to handle transportation, bookings, and any other personalized experiences and tailored excursions, your guests may be seeking). You can offer this as upsell and charge a mark-up for your team’s effort in booking.
- Private chefs and catering services with gourmet meals prepared on-site. These can offer as upsells to the guest during the stay.
- Eco-conscious amenities like energy-efficient appliances, sustainable building materials, solar technologies, and eco-friendly cleaning products to ensure a healthy environment for guests, reduce your property’s carbon footprint, and appeal to eco-conscious travelers.
- Gated and private parking areas or garages for guest convenience and security.
- Consider hiring an interior designer or landscape designer to optimize your square footage.
- Pet-friendly accommodations (gated yards) and kid-friendly amenities (high chairs) help cast a wider net.
- Finally — and these should apply to most any rental property regardless of pricing — emergency preparedness kits with first-aid supplies, flashlights, and emergency contact information. Also consider safe security systems like surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and secure access to provide peace of mind for guests (and you!).
Luxury rental property management musts
Above all else, keep the guest experience and your operations top of mind.
The guest experience and feedback
Luxury property or not, any vacation rental manager knows that listening to guest feedback is critical. Not only does it help to encourage repeat customers who feel heard and seen, but by making even small changes, it can also improve the guest experience for future customers.
As Craigen notes, “Our process is to listen to guests and then try to figure out way to give them what they want. When a guest asks for something – a tea kettle, crock pot, or even small things like sharp knives, we deliver. Staying on top of maintaining the amenities is to second key thing.”
High-quality communication, consistency, and recovery
You can manage the most beautiful vacation rental in all the world, but if you don’t have consistent communication and smooth operations in place, the value will be lost on your business.
The higher-end guest requires higher-end service, not to mention dedication. “Be ready to respond fast to any hiccups along the way – there will be some, but service recovery is an opportunity to deliver WOW for us.,” Craigen says. “There is no easy button in luxury hospitality.”
Lean into the tools your property management platform offers to share check-lists, send messages, replenish supplies, respond to inquiries, and keep your hospitality business as seamless as possible. “You have to be committed to this for the long term, and ridiculously consistent. Use check-lists, and train your team in the value of consistency,” Craigen notes.
Conclusion
Amenities play a crucial role in defining the luxury experience. They differentiate high-end properties from standard vacation rentals and provide the comfort, convenience, and exclusivity that discerning guests expect. Incorporating essential, exclusive, and unique amenities into your luxury vacation rental can significantly enhance guest satisfaction and drive higher revenue.
By understanding what high-end travelers value, effectively highlighting these features in your listings, and delivering A+ service every day, you can position your property as a top choice in the luxury vacation rental market. “We have focused on luxury for 27 years. It takes time to build a reputation and trust,” Craigen shares. “If you are going to go there, you have to go there with all your might.”
