How to Exceed Furnished Rental Property Guest Expectations

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Expectations of furnished rental property guests

We have all spent the night in a lodge or hotel, and no doubt, some of our experiences may have been below-average. Maybe FAR below average. What did they do wrong to leave us with an unfavorable impression? Odds are good that the basic services, extra amenities, or environment left something to be desired. I once stayed in a place that smelled like mold, and to top the experience, the towels were ratty and threadbare. No thanks!

Owners and managers or furnished rental properties understand that their guests have expectations similar to someone staying in an elevated hotel. They want value for the price, safety, a convenient location, comfort, and functionality. But to get that coveted 5-star review, they need a little more. In this article, I offer a few suggestions for the furnished rental property owner or manager who wants to exceed the expectations of their rental guests.

Food and drink basics

So, I’m just coming back after three weeks of long road trips around the southeast United States. One night, I checked into my hotel around 9pm only to find that I had no water bottles, and no coffee maker in the room. Granted, it was a mid-level hotel chain, but those amenities are usually complementary. The inconvenience of having to find drinks was the last thing I felt like dealing with.

It shows a lot of thoughtfulness as a host to provide a few single-serving, individually packaged snacks, as well as an option like pancake mix for the morning. Coffee, cream and sugar are an essential for an overnight guest, and individual water bottles are also a nice gesture. Should you be expected to provide goodies for the entire stay? Of course not! But making the first overnight and morning easier on your guests gives them one less thing to worry about.

Personal care items

It’s standard for mid-level and higher hotels to provide personal care toiletries, and a furnished rental should follow that model. Again, it is not reasonable to be expected to meet the special requirements of every guest–a standard shampoo, conditioner, soap, and bath gel is typical. Also, enough supplies for one or two nights should be sufficient. Some have opted for refillable dispensers for the shower, which is a fine option. The trick with these items is to buy in bulk to get the best price possible.

Printer

Especially if your furnished rental guests include business travelers, having access to a computer printer is appreciated! Most mid-level and higher hotels have a business room, where a printer can be accessed. Having a wireless, inexpensive printer with a ream of paper and extra printer cartridges can save your guest a lot of trouble if they need to print something last-minute!

Clothes steamer

Oh yes, nobody who has ever packed clothes has removed unwrinkled clothing from their suitcases, I don’t care how carefully you packed. How does this even happen? Who knows. An easy-to-use clothes steamer can allow your guests to freshen their appearance and remove the mark of the weary traveler from their clothing.

Personal fan

I like to have white noise in the background when I travel, to block unfamiliar sounds at night. A small personal fan provides white noise, while also circulating air and cooling the room. The Holmes turbo fan is the one I use at home, and I love it!

Extra blankets

Seriously, would it kill hotels to provide an extra blanket for when the weather gets cooler? On a trip to Dallas last winter, I had to purchase a large plush blanket for the hotel room–it was unusually cold, and the thermometer didn’t seem to respond when I increased the temperature. The inconvenience and extra expense annoyed me enough to include this as a consideration for furnished rentals!

Robe

One final amenity that I personally appreciate (although some may not) is a bath robe. A white, washable bath robe is an amenity found in luxury hotels, and gives your guests a sense of privacy in transit from the shower to their room. It can also double as a cardigan for the guest who is always cold but didn’t pack for it. I would have loved a robe on my Dallas trip when I sat shivering in the hotel room, but the mid-level chain didn’t supply them. My loss.

Walk in your furnished rental guest’s shoes

Take the time to simulate the guest experience if you own or manage a furnished rental property. It gives you an excellent chance to identify gaps in your amenities that may add a lot to the guest experience. You may also find that there are an amenity or two that your typical guest may expect, but slipped your mind. Last, be sure to take guest feedback seriously. If they have a complaint or legitimate constructive criticism, be open to making changes. They will probably not be the only guests with the same comments.

Hillary McAlhany is the owner and Senior Creative Consultant of Gate City Design. She is a certified professional home stager/redesigner, E-designer & color expert. Although she is based in North Carolina, she offers remote design services outside of the central North Carolina region.

She is also the managing partner of Lakeside Property Group and has expertise in furnished rental planning. Contact her at Gate City Design for design & styling ideas for your furnished rental property!