As more vacation rental properties come on the market, properties (including cabin rentals) can begin to look and feel a little too similar. When guests begin their online search and type in their must-have amenities and conveniences for their getaway, their lodging options are seemingly endless. Travelers are looking for unique, comfortable, convenient, and memorable places to enjoy their family reunions, spur-of-the-moment mountain vacations, family getaways, and more.
At Mountain Vista Rentals, we utilize dynamic advertising to ensure each property stands out. After all, each property has a unique personality, and it’s our job to showcase that! But to best showcase your property, we need your help. As an owner, you need to know how to make your vacation rental shine.
Once it’s outfitted with expected guest amenities like a modern kitchen, updated furniture, and Wi-Fi, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your investment. Check out our top 10 standout amenities to take your North Georgia vacation rental to the next level! Not only will these amenities stand out online (meaning more eyes on your property and increased bookings), but they will also lead to higher guest satisfaction…which ultimately means repeat guests!
- Unobstructed Views
Are you lucky enough to have a property with a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a peaceful stream, city lights, or a verdant valley? Great! Can your guests actually see it? If the answer is no, then having a view is not benefiting you. Each view is unique, so showcasing a great view is a major selling point for guests. They don’t get to enjoy these mountain views from home, so they really feed into the experience of North Georgia. But if your view is blocked by trees, dirty windows, or cluttered decor, it’s not benefiting guests or YOU. Ensure trees and bushes are trimmed and cleared, windows are regularly cleaned (inside and outside), and keep any furniture or decor out of frame of a great view.
- A Soothing Hot Tub
This is easily one of our top-requested amenities. Long days at work, piles of laundry and dishes, tons of school work, everyday stresses, a long drive…a hot tub soak is the cure to it all. Guests LOVE arriving at a cabin with a steaming hot tub ready for them. Make your hot tub space extra-special with nice seating, a table for drinks, a towel rack, fairy lights, or an outdoor TV! If your property is large, consider adding a second hot tub for additional guests! Double hot tubs really stick out!
- Great Outdoor Living Spaces
Guests come to North Georgia to enjoy the scenery and the amazing mountain air. Give them some awesome outdoor spaces that stand out online as well! Add a nice table and chairs (or several for large properties), cushioned seating, Adirondack chairs, rocking chairs, or picnic tables. If you have yard space, a firepit is always a hit! Other standout outdoor amenities include swings, high-end grills, and outdoor TVs!
- Private Pool — Indoor or Outdoor
If you have the space, a private swimming pool is the ultimate way to make your property stand out from the crowd. While it is a huge investment, guests are happy to pay higher rent for it! Guests are ever-appreciative of a private space to swim year-round, and they are willing to splurge for it. Want to take the pool up a notch? Outfit it with waterfall features, a swim-in grotto, a walking bridge, an “island” with seating, color-changing lights, and a kiddie area.
For indoor pools, add as many windows as possible to showcase the views and natural light. And be sure to add plenty of seating and a big screen TV. If you are lucky enough to offer an outdoor pool, provide a nice deck and great seating options (lounge chairs, picnic tables with umbrellas, etc.) for both sun and shade.
- Game Tables + Arcade Units
Keep your guests entertained with games at the cabin! Classic standup arcades, air hockey tables, pool tables, foosball tables, and other full-size game tables stand out online. They appeal to both kids and adults, offering free fun for days they don’t want to plan or leave the cabin. Games like darts, basketball, and Skeeball are also fun and stand out, but consider that they can cause more damage to your property. How do you take your game room up a notch? Add a wet bar or kitchenette, some comfortable seating, and a big screen TV with a Blu-ray player and movie selection! Board games are also fun, but remember that pieces are often lost – and guests don’t always let you know, leaving the next guest disappointed. Be prepared to replace them often.
- Video Game Consoles
If your property doesn’t have space for a full game room, consider adding a video game console. It’s small, simple to install, and relatively inexpensive. They still entertain guests and stand out to gamers, people looking for a bit of nostalgia, or parents wanting some help entertaining the kids on vacation while they aren’t out exploring the national park or visiting area attractions. You can take a classic console to your rental or outfit the cabin with the newest Nintendo, Xbox, or Playstation. Rec rooms, living rooms, and bunk rooms (for the kids) are perfect! Don’t forget to pair these with big screen TVs and offer a nice selection of games for guests.
- A Private Home Theater
Sticky seats, craning your neck, kids kicking your back, popcorn on the floor, ringing cell phones…we can do better than that. If your cabin has the space, a private theater room is a huge selling point for guests. Guests love to watch movies to relax on vacation, and having a dedicated space for this makes it an experience. If you do have room for a full theater, go big. Get a huge screen TV or giant projector screen, movie curtains, DVD and Blu-ray players, surround sound, movie posters, dimmable lights, tiered theater-style seats or plump sofas, a popcorn machine, a kitchenette nearby…the works. Is it an expense? Yes. But is it worth it? Absolutely. Guests will pay a premium for a private theater, so it will pay for itself many times over.
- Streaming TVs
Nothing screams old and outdated more than tube TVs. Upgrade! This is a simple and relatively inexpensive standout amenity. Choose TVs with streaming capabilities so guests can binge their favorite shows on Netflix, Hulu, AppleTV, Amazon Prime, and more. Advertising smart TVs is a great way to place your cabin above the competition. One note: be sure you have high speed Wi-Fi at the cabin so guests aren’t constantly buffering. Nothing frustrates guests more than amenities that don’t perform! Want to take it a step further? Provide streaming services for guests who may not have streaming accounts. With so many options at such low prices, it quickly pays for itself.
- Unique Decor
Remember that when browsing online, guests are focusing on the photos. If they see outdated decor and furniture that looks like old toss-outs, including dated linens, they will be less than impressed. They will quickly move on to the next. Updating your space with unique but tasteful decor will make it pop in photos! Think about a custom chandelier, locally made table, a fun cabin-style bunk bed, modern kitchen lighting, and decadent bedding. Custom bedroom furniture is a must, as basic sets will simply blend in. Our top tip? Let a professional decorator outfit your cabin to the nines. The one-time cost will enhance your property for years to come.
- Green Energy
Fairly new in the vacation rental industry, eco-friendly additions and amenities really stand out. Solar panels are a great option for some, and a smart thermostat like Nest can work for virtually any property. It appeals to a new audience, helps save money on utilities, and is good for the environment. It’s a win-win-win!
The Takeaway: Make Your Property Stand Out!
Whatever you choose for your property, just make sure it’s unique and appealing to guests. Happy guests = returning guests, and returning guests = more $$ for YOU. Not sure where to start? Give us a call today at 1.866.262.6931 or email kevin@mountainvistarentals.com!
