7 top vacation rental amenities that guests search for

Key takeaways

• Big-ticket luxuries like pools, hot tubs, and fireplaces are top in-demand vacation rental amenities (and guests will typically pay higher rates for them, too).
• Improve overall guest experience by adding inexpensive yet sought-after amenities: think pet-friendly policies, good WiFi, and the ability to do laundry.

Ever wish you knew what guests want once they start searching for a vacation rental? Good news—we have the answer. We can’t read guests’ minds, but we can certainly review their search and purchase behavior when they’re on Vacasa.com.

Based on data from millions of site visits and reservations, we’re now aware which amenities guests want most of and search for. Here are the most-desired vacation home amenities that you can invest in to command a higher rate and attract more guests.

(Pssst—if you’d like to see the biggest takeaways from our research, check out our Vacation Rental Search Report, where we dish on travelers’ browsing and booking habits, plus their vacation rental preferences.)

1. Pool

Though not as feasible of an amenity as the rest on this list, pools are a guest favorite on Vacasa.com. Their popularity and value can’t be ignored. Whether it’s a private pool or shared pool access in your condo community, offering a pool can help you make waves in searches and drive more bookings.

And it’s not just sunny coastal areas where pools are highly sought after. When we took a closer look, we found some surprises—around a quarter of guests filter their vacation rental searches for pools in these markets:

• 30% Palm Desert, CA
• 26% Phoenix, AZ
• 22% Long Island, NY
• 21% Scottsdale, AZ
• 21% Pocono Mountains, PA
• 20% Houston, TX

2. Pet-friendliness

Whether staying at a mountain cabin or a condo along the coast, one thing is for certain—travelers want to bring their pets along for the adventure. About 13% of reservations booked on Vacasa.com included at least one dog. That’s great news for vacation rental owners who open their homes to pets.

And there are more perks of being pet-friendly. On average, vacation rentals that allow dogs have:

• 10–20% higher rental income
• 6% higher overall occupancy

Want to make your home even more special for pet owners? Provide the extras their furry friends will love. Think dog water bowls, a dog bed, waste bags, and chew toys.

3. Hot tub

Hot tubs are a hot commodity with guests. While they don’t take up as much room as a pool (they can be tucked in a back porch or small backyard) or require as big of an investment, they can still reap some massive returns.

We’ve found that installing a hot tub can raise your annual revenue by 15–20%. Even better, when you work with Vacasa, we can even maintain the hot tub for you.

In our Vacation Rental Search Report, we found several markets that stood out as hotspots for hot tubs (pun intended)—based on the percentage of people who filter for vacation homes with hot tubs in that destination.

• 17% Girdwood, AK
• 16% Sunriver, OR
• 14% Mt. Hood, OR
• 14% Oregon Coast
• 12% Blue Ridge, GA
• 12% Avon, NC
• 12% Gatlinburg, TN
• 10% Breckenridge, CO
• 10% Leavenworth, WA
• 10% Sea Ranch, CA

4. Internet/WiFi

Today, we’re all accustomed to having quick and easy access to our email, social media accounts, video, texting, and other chat tools to keep in touch. That’s why WiFi is considered one of the top amenities that guests search for. A vacation without high-speed internet is undoubtedly high-stress.

WiFi is probably the biggest essential in any vacation rental. Unless guests are specifically seeking to go “off the grid” or on a digital detox, they’ll be expecting fast and free WiFi right on arrival.

Vacasa’s local teams will make sure guests can get online with ease. We check your internet speeds prior to check-in and allow guests to connect with just one tap via our mobile app.

5. Central A/C

Another thing guests desire the most—staying cool and comfortable. With summer being the peak season in most destinations, guests will want some assurance they’ll be able to escape the heat outside.

While you can invest in cost-effective cooling methods—like powerful ceiling fans or window air conditioning units—most guests prefer central A/C.

6. Washer and dryer

Some of the hallmarks that distinguish a vacation rental from a hotel stay, a washer and dryer are now generally considered standard when booking a vacation home. The same mishaps that happen at home can also happen on vacation—red wine spills on your shirt, beach towels get covered in sand, clothes get dirty while you’re out exploring.

The longer the stay, the likelier it is that guests will want to wash clothes. Things can get even messier for guests traveling with children. A washer and dryer is key for guests who want to avoid dragging around dirty laundry. Not to mention, it’s a bonus for housekeepers to simply toss in linens and towels while they clean the rest of the house.

7. Fireplace

Fireplaces are especially sought out in mountain destinations with colder climates. And, who can blame those guests? A ski vacation wouldn’t be the same without a crackling fireplace to cozy up to after a tiring day on the slopes. Some guests consider sitting by the fire an essential part of their overall mountain experience. Depending on your destination, installing a fireplace can be a worthwhile investment.

If a new wood-burning fireplace isn’t in the budget, consider a lower-cost electric fireplace, which can bring the flames without the funds.

The key to attracting more guests? Knowing what they want and look for. Thankfully our data—from tens of millions of site visits and users on Vacasa.com—tells us exactly that. Use our research to your advantage when considering what investments to make in your vacation home to boost your rates and rental income.