When owners ask us about upgrading their vacation rental to make it more attractive to renters, they often start with large, expensive upgrades such as adding a hot tub or remodeling the kitchen or bathrooms. These are fantastic updates! However, one area owners sometimes overlook is one that can have a huge impact on how much guests enjoy their stay is: beds and bedding.
Renters will often overlook small annoyances in a vacation rental, but if they can’t sleep due to a worn, lumpy mattress — or are turned off by an old, worn or even stained bedspread — they’ll let other renters know via online reviews about a property. And, they’ll never rent that property again.
Take complaints about beds seriously
If guests are complaining that one of your beds is uncomfortable — or worse, posting it online in a review of your property — take notice. Of course, some people prefer a firmer mattress, some a softer one. 100 percent of the people who sleep in any given bed probably won’t love it. But if someone’s complaining that a bed prevented them from getting a good night’s sleep, it’s serious. Think about it. How likely would you be to rent a property where the beds prevent you from sleeping?
Look into it. The next time you’re at your rental, go to that bed (or, every bed) and lie down on it. (Or, if you live some distance away, have someone from your management company do it.) Does it sag in the middle? Are there lumps? If so, don’t tell yourself “It’s not a big deal.” Mattresses are not that expensive … but loosing guests because of them can be.
The same goes for bedding. In this case, have a neutral party — someone from the management company, or even a friend — check your comforters for tears, stains, etc. Ask them honestly: “Would you like to sleep in this?” If the answer is no, replace it.
Also, go online and look at pictures of vacation rentals. As you’ll see, pictures of bedrooms with stylish, “inviting” bedding are much more inviting to renters.
When it comes to beds, size matters
While you’re thinking about beds in your vacation rentals, remember that in general, people prefer bigger beds: a king over a queen, a queen over a full, etc. If you need to replace a bed entirely, consider going to a bigger size. But use common sense: Don’t cram a king sized bed into a room where people can barely walk around it.
Consider other options, too. For example, if your rental attracts families, could a queen bed in a third bedroom (sleeps 2) be replaced with two bunk beds (sleeps 4 kids)? Another popular option in vacation rentals are “captain’s bunk beds” that have a twin bed on top and a full-size bed below, sleeping three in one bunk bed.
Need advice?
Of course, if you work with a good property management company, they can help you with every step of updating your beds and bedding. This is especially important if you live some distance from your vacation rental. Your property manager should be able to coordinate purchasing and delivering mattresses and bedding for you.
At Summit Mountain Rentals, we’re happy to talk with vacation rental owners about bedding improvements and other ways to make their properties more attractive to renters. It doesn’t matter if you rent your property though us or not; we’re here to help! Just shoot us an email at owners@summitrentals.com com or post a question in the comments section below.
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