What You Should Know About Your Kitchen

“The kitchen had EVERYTHING you could possibly need.” “We cooked and ate several meals in the condo and the kitchen was fully stocked and had everything we could have possibly needed.” “The kitchen was well stocked.” These are just a few of the reviews we receive daily that mention the guest’s experience with the kitchen. Many travelers choose to stay in a vacation rental over a hotel because of the kitchen. A home or condo with a full kitchen gives families yet another place to gather and allows them to save money by not having to eat every meal at a restaurant. Especially in our area, where fresh seafood and locally grown ingredients are so abundant, many guests are eager to experience the culinary delight of preparing their own “hooked and cooked” meal. A study by TripAdvisor found that 83% of travelers thought the kitchen was the most important travel accommodation. Therefore, it is essential to provide renters with kitchen necessities. For example, quality cookware is important. Vacation rental kitchens get a lot of use, and inexpensive pans will quickly need to be replaced. Your guests are more likely to enjoy cooking in your kitchen with quality pots and pans. If your rental can accommodate larger parties, consider kitchenware for large groups, such as large platters, snack bowls, and pots & pans large enough to cook for more people. Once you’ve provided everything your guests need to

create a fantastic meal, consider their leftovers. It is extremely important to have a few storage containers available. Also, a coffee maker is a no-brainer, but consider investing in a Keurig, which is much easier for guests to use. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to navigate an unfamiliar kitchen, so make sure high-necessity items are easy to find. And while guests expect necessities, they love extras too. If there is room, consider items such as a crock pot or rice cooker. And one last thing that is a MUST in a beach town... an ice cream scoop! If your guests have a good experience using your kitchen, they’ll have a favorable impression of you as a host, and that will be reflected in their reviews.