Holiday rentals: top tips to get your kitchen guest-ready

Exactly how important is your kitchen to rental guests? Based on our 2023 Travel Trends research, 32% of global travellers plan to have a food experience on their leisure trips this year. So, let’s appeal to all these foodies and make your kitchen an absolute hotspot for guest satisfaction.

Set the vibe so it’s just right

Knowing where to draw the line when it comes to kitchen appliances is an art-form. You want to create a space which makes cooking effortless, while keeping clutter to a minimum. Keep the worktops free for food prep with just a few essential appliances like a toaster, a kettle and perhaps a coffee maker.

Don’t underestimate your guest's eagerness to cook up a storm. They’ll need all the basic kitchen equipment like pots, pans and cooking utensils. Bear in mind your kitchen is catering for all cultures and cuisines, so consider all the options and keep a well-stocked spice rack.

Get everything ready to refresh your weary travellers when they arrive. Fill a pitcher with water and a twist of cucumber peel and present it with a few glasses. You could pair this with some fresh fruit or a selection of sweet treats. Not only will this create a super homely atmosphere, it’s simple to pull off and will help achieve that all-important positive first impression. 

Behind the scenes, your kitchen drawers and cabinets should be neatly arranged too. Make sure you’ve got every home comfort your guests might expect (and maybe a few they didn’t). From tea and coffee to ice trays, oven gloves and bottle openers. After all, nobody wants to be jumping in the car to buy a tin opener. Everything should be right at their fingertips and, of course, it must all be spotlessly clean.

Take a ‘little and often’ approach to updates

The kitchen is a space where you can expect to see some general wear and tear. Accidents can happen and plates and glasses will occasionally need to be replaced. 

As part of your check-out routine, it’s worth looking for chips to crockery and glassware. In these instances, they should be replaced as soon as possible. In fact, why not keep an extra set of glasses and plates as spares, so they’re always ready should you need them?

Remember, good housekeeping in the kitchen extends to all the little extras you supply. Don’t forget the sponges, tea towels, dishwasher tablets and dishwashing  liquid. Keep the salt and pepper grinders topped up, refill those seasoning jars and regularly refresh the sugar bowl.

Check all food consumables are well within their use-by dates. If they’re expiring soon, why not use them up yourself to avoid extra waste?  

Go further to enhance their experience

A few thoughtful extras in the kitchen will win over your guests pretty quickly. To prevent your guests from overpacking, it’s worth providing a full breakdown of the equipment that you offer. Self-service facilities is one of the top reasons travellers choose holiday rentals, so if your space is too small for a full stove or oven, consider investing in smaller portable options.

There’s no better start to a holiday than finding a thoughtfully packed hamper on arrival. Add fresh local ingredients to yours to help them kick off their culinary experience. Local suppliers will be keen to help, and your guests will be impressed by the lengths you’ve gone to.

If you’re a pet-friendly rental, why not delight your four-legged visitors too? Pet bowls and a basket of healthy treats will always set tails wagging.

Everyone is more mindful about recycling these days and it’s just as important to people when they take a break. 45% of travellers recycle their rubbish when travelling. By providing them with clearly labelled bins and a simple note letting them know which day they’re collected, that figure could go even higher.

Finally, never miss an opportunity to gain a bit of customer feedback to see if your kitchen is really up to scratch. And remember to keep a keen eye on those recent reviews to help tweak your kitchen to perfection.