Stock the Kitchen
Perhaps the most important step in getting your vacation rental ready for guests is nailing the kitchen set up! It’s easy to get lost in all of the beautiful design details and let the kitchen essentials fall by the wayside. At TurnKey BnB we know how crucial this step is and have searched high and low for all of the best items not to be missed that will make your guests raving fans.
If you have ever ended up in a vacation rental just to discover you have to run to the store to buy items for the kitchen that you won’t be able to take with you, we feel your pain. Maybe, you missed the mark on your own rental and now you’re seeking the must haves to step up your game. Either way, let’s take a look at the basics, the upgrades and the special gems that make you look like the prepared Rockstar you are.
THE BASICS
Think about your own kitchen, the years that it took to accumulate all of the items you have now and what you can’t live without, here’s a sampling of ours.
Glassware (think of how many guests you allow in your property and double that number).
Dishes (this should include small and large plates, bowls and coffee mugs. Again, make sure you account for your guests and more than one meal a day).
Silverware, lots and lots of silverware.
Good quality cookware (your guests want to prepare their own meals, make sure they have all of the pots and pans needed and yes, this includes lids. Start with at least a 10 piece set and make sure to replace them if they wear out. Ongoing replacement of such items are just as important).
Bakeware (just because you aren’t an aspiring Martha Stewart doesn’t mean your guests won’t be!)
Coffee maker (because coffee is life!)
Can openener and peeler
Wine key and bottle opener (seriously, no explaination needed).
Wine glasses (red and white).
Tea Pot (especially for our friends accross the pond).
Toaster
Good knives
Strainers
Plenty of cooking utensils (spatuals, slotted spoons, pierced fork, ladle, whisk)
Mixing bowls
Hot pads and oven mits
Dish towels and cloths
Measuring cups and spoons
Fire Extinguisher (absolutely a must on your list)
Detergents and soaps
Cutting Boards
BBQ untensils (if you have a bbq of course).
2. The Upgrades
These are the lovely extras that are really what set you apart. We reccomend keeping these items stocked for your guest to further enhance their experience. They will be pleasantly surprised by your thoughfulness.
Apron (get creative here, think about monograming to add to your branding).
Water/juice pitcher
Outdoor/pool friendly cups and dishes (this also helps to avoid a mishap with glass outside, we also recommend including this in your rules section of your manual).
Salt and pepper shakers
Spice set
Ice cream scoop
Cheese graters or mandolin
Hand mixer
Bar essentials (shakers, strainers, bottle stopper, bottle chiller).
Higball glasses, martini glasses and champagne flutes
Olive Oil and cooking sprays
Plasic baggies and other food storage
BBQ lighter
Pizza slicer
3. SPECIAL GEMS
Enter Rockstar status, we can hear the cheers from all the way over here! These items will propel you into the next level and blow the minds of all of your guests.
Condiments ie; mayo, mustard, ketchup, relish, hot sauce (make sure your cleaning crew is checking for outtages and expiration dates).
Upgraded coffee maker ie; Nespresso or the like
Coffee pods or loose ground depending on your set up
Syrups and flavorings for the coffee station
Travel mugs
Standing Mixer
Welcome basket (this could be a basket of goodies like chips and cookies or something more gourmet like wine and cheese board and flowers, this will be dependent on the price point of your listing)
Charcuterie untensils and serving dishes
Cookbooks (these could also be specific to your area, think what’s the cuisine popular to your location).
Tea bags
Picnic basket
Label your cabinets and drawers so your guests know where to look
There are so many different areas that you can show off in your rental, the key is being thoughful with your design and to have a plan. Anything that you comit to doing in your property you should plan to be able to keep up with. Have a strategy with your cleaners and property manager to make sure these are well kept and ongoing.
Remember, you are the curator of your guests experience and it starts the minute they walk in the door. The basics are a minumum requirement and with the increasing demand and popularity of vacation rentals, your guests have options when they are traveling. Keep in mind that many of your travelers are coming from other cities, states and countries, they don’t have the ability to bring the comforts from home and are looking to you to provide them with all of their needs. Now go out there and get cookin!
