What services cannot be missing in a holiday home?
The services offered in holiday homes can make the difference. A guest who feels welcomed and pampered even in the details will be more willing to return. On the other hand, if the services do not live up to expectations, not only will the guest not return, but they could also leave a negative review on the portals. Negative comments often concern the lack of services that travelers consider essential.
To confirm how essential the role of amenities is, we can mention a 2018 Airbnb study. The survey showed that a surprising 97% of respondents say that services affect their travel experience. For American travelers, services are in second place of importance after accommodation. For Italians they are even in first place.
It is clear how fundamental it is to understand which services are essential in a holiday home and apartments.
What should never be missing in a holiday home?
First of all, the services offered in the house must be in line with the type of traveler. The apartment or villa must have different services depending on whether the guests are a young couple, a family with children, a group of friends, a single person.
According to Airbnb, many guests use filters when searching for accommodation. This is to only see properties with the features or services they want. So offering and reporting the most popular ones can help get more bookings.
But let’s see in detail the list of essential services for a holiday home.
The most requested services on Airbnb
The Airbnb survey showed that the services most requested by travelers are:
- Pool
- Kitchen
- Coffee machine
- Parking
- Dryer
- Washing machine
- Air conditioning
- Space dedicated to work
- Hydromassage tub (Jacuzzi)
As more and more guests travel with the whole family, travelers appreciate the presence of playpens and travel cots too.
The services that cannot be missing in an apartment or villa are therefore a mix of everyday tools and appliances, such as the washing machine and coffee machine, and special products for pampering yourself. In fact, guests are looking for a place to relax, with a swimming pool or Jacuzzi, but with all the comforts of their own home.
What ancillary services are essential in an apartment or villa?
The Airbnb list collects the essential services if you don’t want disgruntled guests and negative reviews. But to make a holiday home welcoming and to have returning guests, you can do even better. There are many inexpensive and simple services to offer that can make the difference between one listing and another. Besides, attention to details generates positive reviews, which helps improve the reputation of the property.
We have divided the other services and accessories that can help make your stay unforgettable by category.
Technological services for a holiday home
Among the technologies increasingly requested by travelers we find:
Self Check-in
Guests want to be able to arrive at the most convenient time, even in the middle of the night in case of unforeseen events. But that doesn’t mean that there should always be someone available to welcome them. An automated check-in system becomes essential. For example through safety deposit boxes or keyless systems.
Fast WiFi
It was not in the Airbnb list, but WiFi is now a must. We can say that if it is not there or if it is of low quality, negative comments are guaranteed.
TV with streaming services
More and more travelers cannot give up following their favorite programs and TV series even when they are away from home. Offering a Smart TV with access to platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ will not go unnoticed.
Dolby Surround system
Since guests want to watch movies and TV shows, why not give them the best experience with an immersive surround system?
Services for the kitchen of a holiday home
Crockery, small appliances and cooking accessories
The kitchen is one of the most requested services by travelers on Airbnb, so all the tools for cooking cannot be missing. For example, kettle, coffee maker, colander, corkscrew, as well as sets of pots and pans.
Kitchen cleaning tools
If you want a tidy kitchen at the end of the stay, you need to let your guests clean up by providing them with sponges, detergents and towels.
Food containers
If the property is in a hiking and walking area, the possibility to store meals in take-out containers could be greatly appreciated.
Complimentary breakfast and culinary welcome offer
Depending on the possibilities, a property could decide whether to guarantee breakfast every morning or only on arrival. In any case, having a little culinary surprise will certainly be appreciated.
Services for the bathroom of a holiday home
Personal hygiene items
How inconvenient can it be having to carry shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and shower gel with you? Especially if guests have to fly to get to the house. These items are now taken for granted in a hotel room, but not in a holiday home.
Personal care set
In addition to the essential products mentioned above, another way to stand out from the competition is to offer kits with more sought-after items. For example, cotton buds, make-up remover pads, sewing kits. Equipping your home with these products could be a pleasant surprise that offers added value.
Hairdryer
Also in this case, it is now a must-have item for hotels. But a vacation home could do even better by offering a quality hairdryer instead of the basic one attached to the wall. If you then add the diffuser and a hair straightener, the wow effect of women is guaranteed.
Shelves and support surfaces
The bathroom could have all the items mentioned, but if guests don’t have space to place their beauty cases, there will be criticism. Especially in houses suitable for large groups, it is essential to equip the bathroom with shelves and free surfaces.
Cleaning and security services
Household cleaning items
As with the kitchen, if you want guests to help keep the space tidy, you need to equip the house with cleaning supplies. For example, broom, rags, buckets. It may also be helpful to provide instructions on how to clean the various areas and the best products to use.
Shoe rack and hanger
Containers and items to organize space are essential in every home. Even more if you want to offer your guests a better stay than at home, a shoe rack and a coat hanger cannot be missing.
Safe and security systems
Staying in a home away from home can cause some concern for travellers. Unlike the hotel, where the perception of safety is greater. To reassure the guest, it may be useful to equip the apartment with a safe to store the most valuable objects. Likewise, he might appreciate the presence of an armored door or an external camera system.
Entertainment for everyone
Finally, how can we not think about the enjoyment of all travellers? In fact, people on vacation want to experience new adventures. On the other hand, they also want to relax as they would not have time to do during their daily routine. For this, different pastimes and games to play together could be very appreciated. For example:
- DVDs and books
- Table games
- Outdoor games for children
- Bicycles and scooters
- Barbecue
The management of services from the Channel Manager
Once we have defined the services you want to offer, you also need a system that allows you to send and show them on the various OTAs. RoomCloud channel manager is able to manage the property contents, including the services, and send them to the main portals. In the dedicated section, select the services and the portal on which you want to display them. At the moment it is possible to submit services on Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, VRBO, Holidu.
Conclusions
The most suitable services for a holiday home and apartment depend on many factors. The location, the size, the type of guest and many other variables. The needs of a family who rents a villa by the sea are different from those of a couple who book a chalet in the mountains or a studio in an art city.
In general, we recommend the host to put himrself in his guests’ shoes and have an experience at his own property. What is missing? What could give more value to the property? How can you impress guests with special and unexpected attention?
In this way, thanks to positive reviews and recurring guests, it will possible to improve reputation and increase bookings.
For any information on RoomCloud channel manager and booking engine for holiday homes, contact us at sales.roomcloud@tecnes.com
