Are you renting out your home in Greece? What amenities are the most important for a vacation rental to have in Greece? In this article, we feature research from 2 studies: a 42,000-recipient study of Booking.com and the Vacation Rental Search Report from Vacasa, a top vacation rental company. They analyzed what amenities are most important to guests, and how critical the amenities are when booking a place to stay.
Free Wifi Matters Most
70% of travelers worldwide say that free internet is either “very” or “extremely” important. This was especially true for travelers from Brazil, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Thus, having reliable connection is important for attracting guests to keeping them happy during their stay.
24-Hour Check-in
55% of travelers worldwide said that checkin at any time was important for having a pleasant stay. This is true especially for Asian travelers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to be at home all day for check in. You can use a key safe and a combination code so that guests can arrive late at night or in the morning.
Good Views
Of course, who doesn’t love a good view? 53% of guests say that they appreciate having a nice view from the room. Of course, not all homes have an ideal view. In this case, you can direct guests to where they can find the best views in the area. If you have an area on the property with views of the local landscape or even a small garden, it’s a good idea to feature them in property photos.
Spa Facilities
Spa facilities might not be possible for all hosts and might be thought of as a “nice to have” However, 33% of global travelers say they like having this amenity. Even if you don’t have your own hot tub or sauna, guests will like recommendations of spa facilities nearby for relaxation. It is also possible to recommend massage therapists or hair stylists who can visit the property.
Central A/C
Especially in Greece in the summer, air conditioning is an important offering. Especially since summer is the peak season, guests will want to known they can enjoy the heat in some way. Central air conditioning is usually preferred to ceiling fans or window A/C units. Guests usually like to control the air conditioning, but even if they can’t it gives peace of mind for guests to see on your listing that an A/C feature exists.
Washing Machine
Laundry services are one thing that separate a vacation rental for a hotel, and washers are becoming more and more common. It’s easy for beach towels to come back with sand, or red wine from your guests’ favorite taverna to spill when vacationing in Greece. The longer the guests stay, the more likely it is for them to want to wash.
What NOT to Focus On
Mini-bar
Some vacation rentals have begun to offer mini-bars. This might be a good form of revenue, but most guests don’t touch them. It might suggest to guests that you are trying to sell them an overpriced snack. Guests generally appreciate honesty, so it’s best to offer food or drinks that are local and are clearly complimentary.
Gym
Fitness facilities are becoming less important for travelers. Some big hotels spend a lot of money on their gym, but that doesn’t mean they are used a lot. Many visitors think of holidays as a place for rest and relaxation, not as a place to lift weights. Some guests of course see exercise as an important part of a holiday in Greece, but unless your target guest is a fitness buff, it’s better to invest in other amenities.
Elxis’s Research
We asked 600+ home seekers the ideal features of a home in Greece, and this is what they responded. The results come from a survey available on Elxis’s website and newsletter, so you won’t find these insights anywhere else on the internet.
Among amenities, terraces are the most important for home searchers in Greece, ranked higher than sea views, mountain views, pools, gardens, and outside kitchens. 54% of people surveyed said that having a terrace was “very important”, compared to 47% for the next category: sea views. People searching for a home in Greece felt that pools were also important, and they felt more neutral about the garden, garage, and storage.
Expected Income on a Rental Home in Greece
The rental income on a home in Greece varies greatly based on the region of Greece where the home is located. Important factors determining the price of renting include sea views, distance from tourist sites, walkability, distance from the airport, date of construction, and the outdoor/pool area.
Depending on the villa, its finishes, and its furniture, a villa can rent in the high season for roughly 80-120€ per night and bedroom. There are various rental management companies which charge 10-30% commission, depending on the services that are included (ie. Housekeeping, pool and garden cleaning, guest communication, marketing and tax registration).
