Family Vacation Rentals: Guide for Airbnb Hosts

Our Travel Trends predicted that family vacation rentals, vacation homes, and cabin rentals would be in high demand this year. With families comprising the majority of traveling parties, ensuring your listing caters to their needs is crucial.

If you’re looking to capitalize on this year’s biggest travel trend, it’s essential to make your vacation home the ideal family getaway. To create a haven for families seeking to make lasting memories, consider offering amenities like a private pool. This addition can be the highlight of their trip, providing a relaxing escape within your vacation house.

By focusing on family-friendly features, you’ll be well on your way to attracting those much-needed bookings for the next family vacation. We’ve outlined a few ways to perfect your Airbnb listing and grab those vital family group bookings!

Perfect Your Airbnb Property to Attract Family Vacation Rentals

Install Safety Measures

Creating a family-friendly vacation rental goes beyond the basics; it’s about offering a fun place for everyone. Parents traveling with small children seek a secure environment, so don’t forget to install safety measures.

Pool Covers and Plug-Point Protectors

Families will appreciate your attention to detail. Ensure all pools are covered, and plug-point protectors are in place to keep curious little ones safe during their stay.

Bunk Beds and Kid-Friendly Decor

To cater to families, consider adding bunk beds, making the house feel like a true family vacation home. Secure decor objects to prevent accidents.

Baby-Friendly Additions

While full-scale baby-proofing can be expensive, there are cost-effective measures you can take. Offer a crib and foldable baby gate for families with infants. Install easy-release locks on internal doors to keep youngsters safe.

Outdoor Space Transformation

If your property has a garden or yard, consider its appeal to a family. Opt for grass over gravel or concrete, providing a safe space for kids to run and play during the day or night.

By implementing these enhancements, your vacation rental will not only attract families but also ensure an enjoyable and worry-free trip for adults and children alike. Make your property the ideal choice for the next family vacation.

Change Sleeping Configurations

It’s tempting to design every one of your bedrooms as a chic and comfortable double room, but this may not be the best idea. Instead, try to identify a room in your property that would be ideal to convert to a kid-friendly, dormitory-style bedroom with bunk beds or multiple twin beds. 

Family groups want maximum sleep capacity so they can all enjoy a holiday under one roof. This is the key to attracting family vacation rentals.

Sofa beds are another great way to increase capacity. Not all of your sofas need sleepers, but if you have a whole home to let, it might be worth purchasing two sleeper couches, just in case your guests need the extra room. 

Upgrading Your Water Systems

Family groups mean more people and more people mean more wear and tear on the plumbing system of vacation rentals. 

Plumbing issues are a nightmare for homeowners to fix, and we all know how expensive emergency plumber call-outs can be. Try to get ahead of the issues and upgrade your systems before they break down while you have guests renting your property. 

Larger capacity water heaters, modernized pipes, lower-flow faucets and showerheads, and dual-flush toilets are all features of a water-wise property. According to a leading plumbing website in the United Kingdom, VictorianPlumbing.co.uk, adding an extra bathroom can increase your property value by up to 23%. 

If you’re due an update on your water-focused appliances, consider switching to a front-loading washing machine. Generally speaking, front-loaders use 70% less water than top-loaders. This means you can offer your guests the luxury of a washing machine! Without having to pay hundreds of extra dollars for water every month. 

Include Kid-Friendly Activities in Your Guidebook

Creating an informative area guidebook is a smart move for hosts in the vacation rental business. It adds a personal touch and increases the chances of guests returning for their next getaway.

Beach Town Adventures

If your vacation home is located in a beach town like Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, highlight the family-friendly beach spots where travelers can relax and play by the sea. Share tips on building sandcastles and finding seashells to make their experience unforgettable.

Cabin in Nature

For cabin properties, emphasize the natural wonders and outdoor adventures awaiting visiting families. Suggest nearby hiking trails, fishing spots, or wildlife encounters.

Cultural Exploration

In destinations with museums and historical sites, guide a family to child-friendly exhibits and interactive experiences. Share insights into the town’s history and culture that can captivate young minds.

Dining Delights

Recommend child-friendly restaurants and eateries where a family can enjoy a tasty meal together. Mention places with kids’ menus and accommodating staff.

Pool and Play

If your property has a pool, highlight it as a great way for a family to unwind, especially at night. Suggest nearby stores where they can pick up pool toys for added fun.

By incorporating these family-oriented suggestions into your guidebook, you’ll make your vacation home even more appealing to large family groups seeking memorable experiences in your area.

Amenities for Parents in Family Vacation Rentals

Whether you have kids or not, you’ll know the importance of a strong cup of coffee. Especially when you’re low on sleep and motivation to get out of bed. Parents suffer from this more than most, and a great tip for attracting family bookings is upgrading your coffee station. 

Nespresso machines are widely available now, as are Keurigs and other machines that produce restaurant-grade cups of coffee. 64% of Americans consume coffee daily, which means it’s highly likely that installing a higher-quality coffee machine will benefit your guests. 

For higher-end listings, consider installing a bar, drinks trolley, or wine fridge. You don’t need to stock your property up with booze, but putting the framework in place allows your guests the option of relaxing with a glass of chilled wine or whipping up a bespoke cocktail using the tools in your dedicated bar trolley.

After years in the industry, we’ve picked up more than our fair share of tips and tricks on how to best manage a single Airbnb property or several properties. Subscribe to our blog and stay up to date on all of our posts! In the meantime, check out our posts on the Travel Trends in 2021 and How to Use Them!

We know a thing or two about data so we compiled a list of the Top 10 most improved markets between February and March 2021. If you’re struggling to identify your next vacation rental investment location, try our fantastic Markets feature! It’ll show you a range of free data specific to the market that you specify in the search bar. Here’s how to use Markets to your advantage! Did you know that Airbnb has a YouTube channel? Well, they do and the videos that they post are so helpful! Check out our favorite ones!