Boost Your Rental Appeal with Top Vacation Rental Supplies
Best vacation rental supplies categories checklist
Vacation rental procurement includes an array of tasks, such as outfitting the property for enhanced guest experiences, managing supply and maintenance inventory, and providing quality guest consumables. The procurement process is even more complex if you’re a property manager or entrepreneur overseeing multiple locations.
Technology can help streamline procurement processes for less stress and better results. While a spreadsheet can help initially, it doesn't scale. Sooner rather than later, vacation rental managers can lose track of orders and fall short on cost controls and performance management. Technology simplifies procurement tasks and ensures that stocking and maintaining properties doesn’t destroy the bottom line.
Let’s take a look at the most important supplies managers and rental hosts need to run comfortable, desirable vacation properties. We’ll also share ways to make the hospitality procurement process easier.
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Bedroom essentials
Ensuring your rental property’s bedrooms feel luxurious involves extra touches like high-quality linens, a selection of pillows for guests' preferences, and ambient lighting for a cozy atmosphere. Small welcoming gifts are another way to elevate the care and attention you've put into your property, making guests feel valued and pampered during their stay.
- A variety of comfortable pillows
- Quality linens and bedding
- Mattress protectors
- Cozy blankets
- Duvet covers
- Bedside lamps
- Alarm clock
- Full-length mirror
- Hangers
- Window coverings
- Nightstands
- Reading materials
- USB charging stations
- Air purifier or fan
- Safe for valuables
- Rugs or slippers
- Dresser or shelves
- Iron and ironing board
Bathroom supplies
Elevating the guest experience in hospitality extends into the bathroom with plush towels, high-quality toiletries, a hairdryer, and bathrobes. Including extras like bath salts and a waterproof Bluetooth speaker adds a luxurious touch that guests will appreciate.
- Premium bath towels
- Hand towels
- Washcloths
- Bath mats
- 3-ply toilet paper
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
- Body lotion
- Hand soap
- Shower curtain
- Hair dryer
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Cotton swabs
- Makeup remover wipes
- Air freshener
- Mending kit
Kitchen must-haves
Adding extra touches to the kitchen in a vacation rental, such as a fully stocked spice rack, high-quality cooking oils, and a selection of tea and coffee, can significantly enhance guests' culinary experience. Upscale kitchen appliances are another way to make guests feel at home and distinguish your property from the competition. In a market boasting over 2.9 million vacation rental hosts, showing guests their stay matters has never been more important.
- Coffee maker or espresso machine
- Tea kettle
- Toaster oven
- Blender
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator or wine fridge
- Cookware
- Cutting boards
- Knife set
- Dinnerware
- Glassware
- Silverware
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Baking sheets
- Seasonings and pantry staples
Cleaning products
Selecting the best cleaning supplies for a vacation rental property creates a space that feels fresh for guests. Opt for greener cleaning products that are effective yet gentle on surfaces, ensuring the space not only looks sparkling clean but is also safe for renters with sensitivities. This attention to detail reflects your commitment to guest satisfaction and environmental responsibility.
- Disinfectant spray
- Multi-surface cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Microfiber cloths
- Duster
- Mop and bucket
- Broom and dustpan
- Vacuum cleaner
- Garbage bags
- Dish soap
- Laundry detergent
- Fabric softener
- Stain remover
- Toilet cleaner
- Floor cleaner
- Furniture polish
Safety equipment
Ensuring your vacation rental has essential safety items is an important part of property management. This includes first aid kits, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency exit maps. Having these items readily available ensures compliance with regulations and a safe stay for guests.
- Fire extinguisher
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- First aid kit
- Emergency exit map
- Flashlights
- Anti-slip mats
- Window locks
- Door security bar
- Safe for valuables
- Childproof locks
- Pool gate lock
- Electrical outlet covers
- Night lights
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Growing a hotel business calls for strong process, cost savings, and commitment to guest satisfaction. Download this hotel budgeting template to achieve all three.
Entertainment options
Elevating the guest experience in a vacation rental goes beyond safety—it's about creating unforgettable moments. Incorporating entertainment options such as high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs with streaming services, board games, books, and outdoor sports equipment can transform a good stay into an exceptional one. These thoughtful touches cater to diverse interests, ensuring guests of all ages have access to fun activities.
- Wi-Fi
- Smart TVs
- Streaming subscriptions
- Movie library
- Bluetooth speaker
- Video game console
- Board games
- Playing cards
- Book collection
- Magazine assortment
- Puzzle sets
- Outdoor sports equipment
- Pool toys
- Art supplies
- Musical instruments
- Yoga mats
- Bicycles for rent
- Local guidebooks
Outdoor amenities
Incorporating extra touches into the outdoor experience of a vacation rental enriches guests' stays and distinguishes your property. From leisurely afternoons in a hammock to adventurous bicycle explorations, each amenity invites guests to create unforgettable memories, enhancing their overall satisfaction and likelihood of returning.
- BBQ grill
- Fire pit
- Outdoor lighting
- Patio furniture
- Hammock
- Sun loungers
- Picnic table
- Umbrellas
- Poolside chairs
- Hot tub
- Outdoor shower
- Beach towels
- Sandbox
- Kayaks
- Fishing rods
- Volleyball net
- Bag toss set
Welcome amenities
A welcome basket is a thoughtful way to greet guests upon their arrival at a vacation rental. Fill it with local delicacies, essentials like coffee and tea, and small personal touches that reflect the area's uniqueness to help guests feel valued and excited about their stay.
- Local products
- Fresh fruit
- Bottled water
- Gourmet coffee
- Tea selection
- Chocolate
- Mini toiletries
- Scented candles
- Cozy blankets
- Board games
- Travel guides
- Discount vouchers
- Bottle of wine
- Beer sampler
- Cheese platter
- Handwritten notes
Sourcing the best vendors
Sourcing high-quality vendors for vacation rental procurement is crucial to helping guests have an exceptional time at your property. Premium products and services from reliable suppliers enhance the overall experience, elevating guest satisfaction and loyalty. Using top vendors reflects a commitment to excellence, distinguishing your properties in a competitive market and ultimately driving more bookings.
Consistent product quality: Ensuring consistent product quality directly impacts the guest experience and their perception of value. Top-tier products foster trust and satisfaction among guests, encouraging repeat visits and positive reviews vital for sustaining and growing a successful vacation rental business.
Timely and reliable delivery: On-time and consistent delivery for vacation rental supplies guarantees that properties are always stocked with necessary items, ensuring a seamless guest experience. This reliability helps build a strong reputation, encourages positive reviews, and increases the likelihood of repeat business.
Competitive pricing: Price comparison helps procurement maintain profitability while offering guests an extraordinary stay. Striking the right balance between cost and quality can differentiate your property, attract more bookings, and help guests feel they're getting great value for their money.
Strong customer service: Strong customer service ensures prompt issue resolution and adaptability to last-minute demands. This reliability enhances guest satisfaction, directly influencing positive feedback and repeat visits, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of your rental business.
Wide selection: Using suppliers with broad access to different products allows hosts to cater to unique guest needs. Whether it means providing allergen-free products or arranging bespoke welcome packages, this adaptability can significantly elevate guest satisfaction, leading to glowing reviews and increased loyalty. A procurement platform can create easier access to all the supplies needed for a vacation home or other short-term rental.
Positive reviews: Positive reviews offer insight into a supplier's reliability, showcasing their track record in delivering quality products and customer service. Reviews serve as social proof to help managers make informed procurement decisions.
Optimizing vacation rental supply procurement to save money
Building best practices in the procurement process helps vacation rental companies improve systems and outcomes. With thorough research, price benchmarking, and supplier performance management, property managers help guarantee the quality and reliability of their offerings.
Establish a purchasing policy
Better procurement starts with better processes. Create a documented procurement policy outlining the steps for selecting suppliers to develop consistency in quality and delivery and maintain pricing and customer service standards. This policy can also emphasize ethical sourcing and sustainability, reinforcing your brand's commitment to responsible practices.
Use strategic sourcing for vendors
Strategic sourcing for vacation rentals means analyzing supplier relationships to protect value, quality, and reliability. Vacation rental managers can streamline procurement processes by evaluating vendors based on performance, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with business goals. This approach reduces costs and delivers a consistent supply of high-quality products and services.
Automate where possible
Automating procurement for vacation rentals can simplify operations, cutting down on manual tasks and reducing errors. By leveraging technology, property managers can control inventory, place orders, and track deliveries in real time. This increases efficiency and provides a seamless guest experience through high service and product availability standards.
Stay on top of vendor performance
Good vendor management requires regular communication, clear expectations, and consistent performance monitoring. Establish a method of tracking supplier metrics, such as lead time, compliance rates, and pricing. This ensures any issues are promptly addressed, fostering strong relationships.
Track your spend
Monitoring spending helps property managers optimize procurement for vacation rentals. While some opt for a simple method like a hotel budgeting template, technology can expand understanding of spend to enable better decisions. By recording and analyzing expense trends, owners can identify cost-saving opportunities, negotiate better deals with suppliers, and allocate purchasing budgets more effectively. This practice enhances operational efficiency and maximizes profitability by preventing unnecessary expenses and ensuring investments deliver the best value for both guests and the business.
Hotel Budgeting Template
Growing a hotel business calls for strong process, cost savings, and commitment to guest satisfaction. Download this hotel budgeting template to achieve all three.
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Vacation rental supply procurement tools
A central procurement platform can streamline the order and invoice management process for vacation rental supplies. Procurement software offers features like automatic reordering, inventory tracking, and spend analysis. Automation reduces manual effort, guarantees timely restocking, and provides insights to make cost-effective purchasing decisions, enhancing overall efficiency.
What to look for in a procurement tool for vacation rental supplies
With the abundance of procurement tools available, selecting the right one is crucial to success. The ideal tool should align with your specific operational needs, offer scalability, and integrate easily with your existing systems, ensuring a smooth workflow and maximized efficiency.
Support for smaller businesses: Some procurement tools work better for small and medium businesses, giving property managers the flexibility and scalability needed now while growing alongside the company. Look for an option that can support your organization's needs today and in the future.
Ease of use: Selecting an easy-to-use procurement tool is crucial. Look for intuitive interfaces, straightforward navigation, and clear, accessible support resources to ensure a seamless experience.
End-to-end procurement support: Choosing a procurement tool with comprehensive end-to-end features, from order intake through to payment processing, creates a streamlined, efficient supply chain management process.
Vendor-agnostic features: A vendor-agnostic procurement tool o