Most Loved Rental Amenities: The Basics to the Never Before Seen
Hosts are stepping up…
It’s no longer enough to just have a cool house listed as a short term rental. Hosts are really leaning in to what it means to be a host by providing the extras that make their guests never want to leave. Here’s a round up of some of the best amenities, big and small, that hosts have provided that have made their unique stay that much more incredible. You can check out our Amazon Storefront to easily shop some of the items we mention and others that we would recommend.
The Basics
Local Goods: Coffee, Pastries, Honey, Syrup, Wine, Restaurant/Shop Recommendations
-we are always so thankful when hosts leave us something that is local to their area. We personally love coffee!
Nice Towels and Robes
-we have noticed quite a few places have the Parachute Robes and now they are on Savannah’s wishlist.
Comfortable Bed Linens and Pillows
-we love it when there is a combo of firm and soft pillows.If you are really trying to impress, try Brooklinen pillows + bedding.
Extra Phone Chargers
-This is a cheap and simple way to save somebody’s day. The extra long Iphone chargers are great but this one supports multiple types.
Indoor Fun: Board Games / Puzzles / Record Player / TV or Projector / Soaking Tub
-Sometimes its rainy or cold and dreary. What can your guests do inside to pass the time? Get creative! We see these conversation cards quite a bit. Savannah loves them—they aren’t Levi’s favorite, haha!
A Little Extra
Stocked Mini Fridge / Snack Bar / Condiments
-Buying ketchup and coffee creamer for two days is no fun and quite wasteful. If you don’t want to clutter your small refrigerator, we love how the host of Lenee’s layup provided individual packs of the most common condiments.
Comfortable Indoor Lounge Area: Deep Couch, Massage Chair, Conversation Pit
-Again, sometimes the weather is no good and you’re stuck inside most of the day. Having a comfortable place to sit or lay is appreciated. We have seen bean bags be used in smaller places (like dome homes) where a large couch isn’t practical.
Outdoor Fun: Bikes / Golf Cart / Paddle Boat / Kayaks / Corn Hole / Fire-pit
-If you’re lucky, the weather is beautiful! What can your guests do outside? Outdoor Jenga or Connect Four is common.
Comfortable Outdoor Seating: Hammocks, Daybeds, Swings
-A hammock or hammock chair can be an affordable, fun way to dress up your outdoor space.
Hot Tub or Alternatives: Outdoor bathtub or shower, Cedar Wood Burning Hot Tub, Plunge Pool, Cowboy Tub
-If you want something more low maintenance, try a stock tank pool! It doesn’t take a lot to find a little relief from the hot sun.
Over-the-Top
Heated Waterfall Swimming Pool - The Cliffs
- This was the craziest thing we have experienced. A natural waterfall turned into a heated swimming hole. The owners added a pump system for continuous water flow and a heater. Since there is a lot of water, its not hot tub temperature but not freezing. A true dream.
Zip-line Breakfast Delivery - The Emerald Forrest Treehouse
- A 150ft zip line connected the host’s house with the treehouse. In the morning, we pressed the “breakfast button” to activate the zip line and a huge basket full of breakfast food came right to our door. Very creative!! We were blown away.
Basketball Court - L3nee’s Layup Container Home
- The hosts built a U shaped container home to leave room in the middle for an indoor basketball court. A creative idea perfect for kids, family, or anyone that likes basketball.
Hanging Lounging Nets - Hill Country Hammock House
- As seen all over Instagram—nets built into decking is a luxury! The Hammock House has two of them right off the balcony. A surreal experience while watching the sunset.
Purposefully Planted Meadow - Nordly’s MetalLark Tower
- Nordly’s transformed old farm land into a beautiful meadow by planting over a billion seeds! We saw a small bear galloping through on our first day!
Outdoor Theater - The Emerald Forrest Treehouse
- This outdoor theater is literally one of the coolest experiences. A huge, multi level theater with a 16ft screen to watch movies at with tree elevators and hanging nets. You have to see it for yourselves.
Hidden Staircase - The Cliffs
- The Cliffs built a hidden staircase under the side table in the living room that leads down to their massive game room. This just proves with a little creativity, you can wow your guests without breaking the bank.
The Never Before Seen
Savannah: I am a child at heart. I’d like to see a long slide from the top deck to the ground (bonus points if it slides into water) and an in-ground trampoline!
Levi: I would love to see go carts with a mini track! An outdoor gym that utilizes nature (ex: monkey bars between trees) might also encourage me to work out on my trips.
*Only the links to products on Amazon are affiliate links. Nothing in this post is sponsored.