Some amenities help a guest choose a holiday rental. Others are the small things they are pleasantly surprised to find after they arrive.
We think of the second group as surprise-and-delight amenities: thoughtful extras guests didn't expect and probably didn't choose the property for, but are genuinely pleased to have during their stay.
They are not substitutes for getting the fundamentals right. The property must first be clean, comfortable and properly equipped, with reliable Wi-Fi and working air conditioning. Surprise-and-delight amenities are extra touches that make the stay easier or more enjoyable, and they don't need to be expensive.
Getting those fundamentals right starts with furnishing and equipping the property properly.
The right extras will differ from one property to another. A one-bedroom condominium mainly attracting couples does not need the same additions as a family villa with a swimming pool.
Making Arrival a Little Easier
Not every thoughtful addition needs to be unusual. Sometimes the most appreciated items are simply the things that save guests from going shopping immediately after arriving.
At every holiday rental we manage, guests receive an initial supply of:
- Drinking water
- Coffee
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking oil
- Dishwashing liquid and a sponge
- Shampoo
- Shower gel
We also provide pool towels at every rental property.
These aren't extravagant additions, but they let guests make a drink, prepare something simple, or shower without first finding a supermarket. Beach towels are equally useful in Phuket, whether guests are staying at a pool villa or planning to visit the beach.
Providing these items consistently is more useful than offering something impressive at one property but overlooking the practical things guests need when they arrive.
Useful Kitchen Extras
A good coffee machine can be appreciated in almost any property, though the right type depends on the kitchen and the number of guests.
Ease of use is more important than buying the most complicated or best machine available. Guests should be able to understand it without lengthy instructions, and the coffee or capsules it requires should be readily available in Phuket.
An air fryer is another useful example, particularly in a condominium without an oven.
Many apartments have a hob and microwave but relatively limited cooking facilities. Guests staying for more than a few nights often want to prepare simple meals at home, and an air fryer gives them more flexibility without taking up the space a full oven would.
Neither appliance needs to be supplied at every property. The question is whether it provides something genuinely useful for the people likely to stay there.
Thoughtful Extras for Families
Properties regularly booked by families have different opportunities to add small, useful touches.
All of the holiday villas we manage have children’s tableware. Plastic cups, plates and bowls are a simple addition, but parents with younger children are often pleased not to rely on the property’s ordinary glasses and crockery.
At villas with swimming pools, a small selection of pool toys can also be appreciated. You don't need to fill the property with them. A few suitable items are generally more useful than a large collection that becomes untidy, damaged or difficult to store.
Colouring books and pencils are another inexpensive idea. They take up very little space and give younger children something to do when the weather keeps them indoors, while their parents prepare a meal or the family wants a quieter period at the villa.
Simple board games or playing cards can serve a similar purpose for families with older children and groups of friends. They are easy to maintain and do not require technical support, user accounts or software updates.
The best family additions are normally straightforward, durable and easy to replace.
A Small Convenience We Are Adding Across Our Rentals
We are gradually installing electrical sockets with USB connections beside the beds at all of our rental properties.
This will take time to complete across the portfolio, but it is a good example of a relatively small improvement that makes a property more convenient for international guests. Guests increasingly travel with several devices, but may not bring enough adapters.
It is not the type of feature most guests choose a property for, but they are pleased to find it when charging their devices at the end of the day.
Every Extra Still Needs Managing
Anything provided at a holiday rental becomes another item that must be cleaned, checked, replenished or occasionally replaced.
A coffee machine must be kept clean. Pool toys eventually break or deteriorate in Phuket’s weather. Colouring books need replacing once used, and board games need checking to make sure important pieces haven't gone missing.
Once an amenity is shown in the listing or described as part of the property, guests will also reasonably expect it to be available and working during every stay.
This is why the ability to check and maintain an item properly is just as important as buying it in the first place.
Choosing the Right Extras for Each Property
We do not believe every holiday rental should follow the same shopping list.
When reviewing a property, we consider its size, available space, and the guests it is most likely to attract. We also consider the questions guests ask and the feedback received after their stays.
For one property, an air fryer may be particularly useful because the kitchen lacks an oven. For another, children’s tableware, pool toys and colouring books will be more relevant because it regularly attracts families.
A few carefully chosen additions are normally better than filling the property with gadgets that guests rarely use. The aim is to make the home more comfortable, more useful and better prepared for the people who actually stay there.
If you own a villa or condominium in Phuket and would like help preparing and managing it for holiday rentals, get in touch.
