How to Add Value to Your Hawaii Rental
The shift from staying at hotels to renting private homes for vacations that began during the pandemic is showing no signs of reversing. With more travelers choosing a Hawai’i vacation rental instead of a room at a busy hotel, the vacation rental market is hotter than ever. Check out these 11 luxury upgrades and valuable amenities that go a long way in adding real value and increasing the demand of your vacation property!
1. Luxury Linens
Make sure to stock your vacation rental with high-quality towels and bedding that are durable and comfortable. Opt for white linens and towels. Not only does white exude a fresh, clean feel, but white sheets and towels can easily be bleached when washed. When it comes to sheets, don’t settle for anything but cotton with a high-thread count. Long-staple, 100% combed cotton sheets with a 500 to 600 thread count are best. If you don't already replace your rental linens and bedding once a year, it’s time to make that a habit. And to really go the extra mile, make an extra set or two of linens and towels available to your guests.
2. Bathroom Upgrades & Extras
In addition to stocking bathrooms with luxury towels and basic supplies like toilet paper and face tissues, add extras like travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other toiletries. For a spa-like experience, skip the dollar shampoos at the drugstore and opt for locally-crafted toiletries. Since toothbrushes are the item travelers are most likely to forget when packing, have a few basic toothbrushes on hand, along with toothpaste. Wipes for removing makeup, cotton balls and swabs, shower caps, disposable razors, and shaving cream will also save your guests a trip to the store. When renters are looking at photos of Hawai’i vacation rentals online, one of the first things they’ll notice is the bathroom. An updated bathroom speaks volumes to visitors about how much you care about the home and the guests who stay there.
3. Air Conditioning
Many guests will only consider renting a vacation home if it has an air conditioning system. While central A/C is preferred, wall-mounted box units and portable units are also efficient. A good rule of thumb is that any air conditioning is better than not offering A/C at all, and an A/C system that is clean and functional, without being too loud, is best. Work with your property manager to have the rental’s A/C serviced on a regular basis and have all filters cleaned or replaced every quarter.
4. Wi-Fi High-Speed Internet
Many visitors will want the ability to access their Peacock, Hulu, Netflix, and other video streaming services when they need a break from the sun and some downtime relaxing in that refreshing A/C. And some guests will still need to check emails, social media, attend Zoom meetings, chat with family, and conduct some business, even while on vacation. To keep them connected, savvy vacation rental homeowners offer free Wi-Fi high-speed internet access as an amenity for their renters. If your rental is in a resort, or is a condo or larger home, we recommend investing in a booster or other device to optimize speed and performance. In addition, be sure that the unit’s Wi-Fi information and password are listed in arrival instructions, as well as displayed in a few highly-visible locations throughout the rental, such as on the refrigerator.
5. Updated Furniture & Enhanced Spaces
If someone is choosing between your Hawai’i vacation home rental and the competition’s, an attractive picture (or several) can be worth a thousand words! Consider upgrading the space with comfortable furniture and showcasing it with new property photos. Improve bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces with island-inspired furniture and decor that enhances their escape from the stress of life. Create a tropical oasis by upgrading outdoor living areas with comfortable chairs for lounging, chairs for dining, a matching table with an umbrella for particularly sunny or drizzly days, and extra seating such as a patio conversation set that can easily be rearranged around a coffee table. The goal is to cultivate a relaxing atmosphere that is as cozy as home, with a touch of luxury that makes guests feel pampered.
6. Private BBQ Grill
Many travelers choose to rent a vacation home in Hawai’i instead of checking into a hotel to live the island life, even if it’s only for a week or two. And having access to a high-quality, stainless steel barbeque grill while on a Hawai’i vacation is a perk that visitors seeking to live like a local continue to prioritize. In fact, many guests will not hesitate to pay more for a vacation property with a private BBQ grill. And since the actual grilling experience is as enticing as eating the grilled food, a cheap gas grill or charcoal grill will not cut it. Appeal to the many travelers that want to indulge in the simple luxury of a delicious, grilled meal with their family while enjoying fresh, tropical breezes by installing a high-quality outdoor patio grill at your rental property.
7. Outdoor Shower
Travelers to Hawai’i will appreciate a vacation home that offers amenities and features that accommodate the outdoor activities and adventures that they plan their getaway around. A private outdoor shower can be a special experience for guests who want to make the most of tropical temperatures, shower under the Hawaiian sun, and connect with nature. As a vacation homeowner, it can also keep your utility bills down and reuse good quality water in an instant. What’s more, outdoor showers can minimize the amount of sand and mold that are otherwise prone to make their way into your vacation home.
8. Culinary Luxuries
Travelers often opt to stay in a vacation rental instead of at a hotel or resort because they actually want to cook while on vacation. And many renters are intrigued by the idea of cooking in a kitchen that is an upgrade compared to their home’s kitchen. While a spacious, usable kitchen will generate interest in your vacation home, including a few gourmet additions can seal the deal. Consider bonus appliances that are relatively inexpensive such as an electric wine bottle opener, electric can opener, a blender or Vitamix, and even a tropical add-on like a pineapple core remover and slicer. For other cost-effective, attractive ways to refresh your kitchen, upgrade the light fixtures and cabinet hardware, clean, sand, and paint cabinets, and replace worn flooring with tile or another durable, climate-proof surface if applicable.
9. Private Hot Tub
After a long day of hiking, biking, snorkeling, surfing, and just plain exploring, it doesn’t get much better than relaxing in a private hot tub when the sun goes down and reminiscing about the day’s adventures. To give your vacation rental a competitive edge and enhance your guests’ experience, a hot tub is one of the best upgrades you can make. What’s more, a home with a private hot tub will typically rent for more nights and at a higher price point per night than other vacation rentals. While there’s no need for fancy lighting and complicated settings (which often require more maintenance), a large hot tub is preferred, especially if your rental is geared toward bigger families. To keep the hot tub clean and minimize heating costs, a good hot tub cover and regular service are necessities.
10. Inground Swimming Pool
Vacationing near the ocean is certainly a big part of Hawaii’s appeal, but some guests want the option of cooling off in a calmer, more private environment. That’s why a swimming pool is one of, if not the most, attractive amenities you can offer a renter. Since it is such a highly sought-after amenity, adding a swimming pool to your Hawai’i vacation rental will immediately increase your rental prospects. If your rental already has a pool, take the luxury appeal up a notch by making it the centerpiece of an entire outdoor living experience, which should also include a well-maintained deck, comfortable, water-proof outdoor furniture for sunbathing and dining, attractive tropical plants, and, of course, fun noodles, beach balls, and other pool accessories.
11. Outdoor Equipment & Beach Gear
Vacationers come to Hawai’i for many reasons. At the top of their list are outdoor activities that can’t be easily enjoyed elsewhere. Adding a few key amenities to your vacation rental offerings can influence a traveler who is considering your property to actually book it. These amenities include binoculars, bicycles, boogie boards, coolers, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, inflatable floats, and sand toys for little kids. Equipment and gear that is old, cracked, and faded just won’t do if you want to impress guests. Instead, supply them with new, high-quality outdoor equipment and beach gear. This includes a cooler with wheels or a cooler bag that can be carried like a backpack, beach umbrellas that they can sling over the shoulder with ease, and beach chairs that can be strapped to their back. Check Costco for affordable, functional options.
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To set your Hawai’i vacation rental apart from the competition, add real value to your property by investing in luxury upgrades and valuable amenities. This is just a brief list of the many extras that will help guests have an unforgettable vacation in paradise. For more ideas on how to add value to your vacation rental, contact Hawai’i Life. We’re happy to chat about how we can help you ensure that your vacation rental stands out in a saturated market!