According to a recent survey by Airbnb, providing guests with popular Airbnb amenities in your short-term rental can make or break your business strategy. Interestingly, this study found that guests find quality amenities in a short-term rental to be a more significant priority than the location or culture of the area they are staying in.

As a result, short-term rental hosts need to invest in the top amenities that guests search for. This blog post breaks down the top amenities for short-term rentals to help you secure more bookings.

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!

Why Do Airbnb Amenities for Short-Term Rentals Matter? 

Providing top amenities in your short-term rental is a key element of standing out from the crowd and keeping your booking calendar full. Many guests will filter their search by amenities such as WiFi, jacuzzis, workspaces, and more.

If your property does not have the amenities the guest has selected, it will not appear in their search. Adding top amenities will ensure your property is in front of more eyes and increase the value of your home. You can raise your daily rates and secure a higher hosting income when you offer top amenities. 

Be sure to research other successful short-term rentals in the area to see what amenities they offer. Try to match as many of those amenities as you can, and then look for a gap in the market that you can fill with something new.

Private Jacuzzi

Jacuzzi’s are among the most popular filters guests use when searching for a short-term rental. Jacuzzi’s are an excellent way to boost your winter occupancy rate. From couples to girls’ trips and families, many diverse types of travelers are attracted to a listing that includes a jacuzzi.

Purchasing a jacuzzi can range from $3,000-$10,000. It is recommended to invest in a quality jacuzzi with a high-efficiency rate and lower maintenance needs.

 While the cost may be more upfront, you will save money in the long run. To help combat maintenance issues, be sure to include a set of “jacuzzi rules” in your house rules (as well as posted near the jacuzzi). Hopefully clear rules will save both the host and guests a financial headache from accidental damages. 

Private Pool

Adding a pool to your short-term rental instantly adds value to your property and a bit of glam. According to Airbnb’s website, pools are currently the top amenity desired by guests globally.

However, pools were just behind free parking on their amenity wish-list for Americans and Canadians. Most homeowners spend between $28,000-$55,000 on building a permanent pool.

 Installing a pool will allow you to raise your daily rate significantly. However, be sure to research the local area to see if building a pool on your property makes sense.

For example, if you cater toward skiers on a mountaintop in Colorado, the pool would only attract guests a few months out of the year, and likely won’t be worth the investment. Whereas a property in Miami Beach could easily make up what it cost to build a pool.

Television

If your property doesn’t have a TV, you will miss out on a significant amount of potential income. TVs are highly sought-after amenities for long-term stays and properties serving families. A short-term rental needs to have at least a standard TV with cable, but a SmartTV or home theater with surround sound is even better.

A TV with streaming subscription capabilities is also an excellent addition. However, you don’t necessarily need to pay extra for a specific guest account on Hulu or Netflix, etc. Most guests today already have accounts, so providing the capability with a SmartTv or Roku is enough. 

Free Parking

Free parking is a massive plus for any short-term rental. For example, three million of the over five million listings on Airbnb include free parking.

 Knowing that parking will be smooth and easy will aid in the guest’s overall experience with your property. Suppose guests have to scramble to find and pay for parking. In that case, they are more likely to leave you a negative guest review. If you don’t already have a driveway, consider investing in a small parking space or purchasing parking passes for your guests in advance. 

Dedicated Workspace

In the last few years, the number of remote workers has doubled, and there are no signs of slowing down. As a result, more workers than ever are taking “workcations” where they visit somewhere as if it was a vacation but still work during the day.

Having a dedicated workspace in your short-term rental is a great way to encourage long-term stays and business travelers. A primary workspace should include a desk, chair, lamp, and high-speed internet. 

Private Balcony

A private balcony is an excellent technique to add space to your rental. If your rental is a small studio, a beautiful photo of a private patio will compel a guest who may be hesitant about a small space. This isn’t something you can build easily, but a balcony is a great feature to showcase if you have one. 

Indoor Fireplace

An electric-mounted fireplace can cost a host anywhere between $1,000-$4,000. However, if your short-term rental is an off-grid stay or has a busy season in the winter, an indoor fireplace will attract many guests looking to cozy up after a long day of winter activities. 

Kitchen

Providing a full kitchen is vital to secure guests, especially those looking to book a long-term stay. If you cannot offer a full kitchen, be sure to at least provide a mini-fridge, coffee maker, microwave, and hot plate. Offering guests a semi-stocked kitchen will set you apart from other listings and encourage a positive guest review. 

Air Conditioning

Many guests have become accustomed to air conditioning. Providing a comfortable temperature in your short-term rental is vital to the guest experience. If you don’t have central air, invest in a window unit air conditioner and a few fans. Not having temperature control could cause guests to end their stay early and leave a negative review. 

Heating

Providing heat in your property is even more vital than air conditioning. Have a few space heaters available and additional blankets in case you have a guest who gets particularly chilly. 

Pet-Friendly

Many hosts shy away from making their listing pet-friendly. However, according to sites like Airbnb, pet-friendly homes are one of the most popular amenities searched for.

It is worth weighing the benefits and challenges of a pet-friendly listing, but you will undoubtedly increase your bookings. You can also require a pet deposit to protect yourself from any furry-friend-related accidents. 

WiFi

If you don’t have fast WiFi, you will lose out on countless potential income. Most guests even filter their search by WiFi availability! More and more travelers are looking for short-term rentals to work during the day and explore the area at night. Your property must provide a strong and stable internet connection. 

Washer and Dryer

Short-term rentals with washers and dryers are attractive to both long-term guests and guests who have already been on the road for quite some time. Not having to find a laundromat on a trip is a huge plus for travelers unfamiliar with the area. In-unit laundry is yet another perk that will leave a positive impression on your guests. 

24-Hour Check-In

Both hosts and guests don’t want to worry about a key exchange. However, with the unpredictable nature of travel, schedules can quickly change and make coordinating difficult. Instead, offer a smart lock that can be automated with HostTools.com to easily send your guests an entry code and allow for 24-hour check-in. 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, providing quality amenities in your short-term rental is key to standing out from the crowd and ensuring more eyes get on your listing. When you provide top amenities like these, you are not just providing a better experience for your guests but investing in your long-term business plan:

• Private Jacuzzi

• Private Pool

• Television

• Free Parking

• Dedicated Workspace

• Indoor Fireplace

• Kitchen

• Air Conditioning

• Heating

• Pet-Friendly 

• WiFi

• Washer and Dryer

• 24-Hour Check-In

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!