What Is Usually Included in a Holiday Rental?

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So you’ve booked your first vacation home and are preparing for your upcoming trip when you suddenly think: “Do I need to pack toilet paper/towels/dishwashing liquid?” Unlike a hotel where you know exactly what you’re going to get, the inclusions with holiday rentals is a bit of a grey area. But provided the online listing is detailed and you have good communication with the host, it doesn’t have to end in disaster.

It all starts with choosing a user-friendly holiday rental site such as Rentola.com, which allows you to browse multiple listings and their facilities/amenities. You can conveniently filter your search results based on the facilities/amenities you prefer, as well as chat directly with hosts. If there are things that aren’t mentioned in the listing, such as linen or a coffee machine, you can ask the owner if they supply it or if you need to bring your own.

That being said, a well-designed holiday rental will cover all of the basics so that all you need to bring is yourself, a few clothes and food.

General

In the 21st century, high-speed internet comes as standard in most holiday rentals, although it’s worth checking with the host if this is important to you. Having carbon monoxide and natural gas detectors is required by law in many jurisdictions, as is a fire extinguisher. While you won’t be expected to do a lot of cleaning during your stay, you can expect to find a broom and dustpan in case of small spills. Some holiday rentals will also have a laundry with a tumble dryer and washing machine, so filter your results accordingly if this is important to you.

Kitchen

Having a kitchen for self-catering on your holiday is one of the reasons that many people opt to book a vacation home over a hotel, so it’s important that it is well-equipped for your stay. At the very basic end, this means having an oven and stovetop for cooking, plus a refrigerator and freezer for storing food. But it might also include a microwave and dishwasher, not to mention some kind of coffee maker for your morning brew.

There’s no point providing cooking appliances without having saucepans and frying pans, as well as chopping boards, a baking dish, and perhaps a colander. When it comes to crockery, you can expect to find at least one plate and bowl per guest, plus glasses for wine and water. Coffee and tea mugs should also be supplied, along with forks, knives, spoons, and serving cutlery. For cleaning, it’s also recommended that you have access to new washcloths, scourers, and dishwashing detergent or tablets for the dishwashing machine.

Pantry

While you’re expected to bring the majority of your own foodstuffs to a holiday rental, most owners will provide some of the basics so that you aren’t lugging your entire pantry with you. Don’t be surprised to find cooking oil(s), salt and pepper, and basic spices/seasonings, as well as sugar and tea/coffee supplies.

Some hosts like to leave a few additional “welcome” items, such as a bottle of milk, a loaf of bread, and locally made condiments so that you don’t have to rush out to the supermarket as soon as you arrive. If you’re lucky, there may even be a bottle of wine waiting for you!

Bathroom

In the bathrooms of holiday rentals, you can expect to find basics like hand soap and toilet paper. Many will also provide shampoos and conditioners, although some guests prefer to bring their own if they are loyal to a particular brand. If you’re allergic or sensitive to particular scents, let the host know ahead of time. Higher-end properties will also provide bath, hand, and face towels while more budget-friendly options may ask that you bring your own.

Living room

The living room of a holiday rental is the social heart of the home and is where you will congregate with your family and friends after a day at the beach or out sightseeing. While most holiday rentals will have a large television, some hosts will purposely omit this appliance to encourage guests to chat and play games. If there is a television, check whether it is connected to streaming services and/or free-to-air channels. Aside from comfortable seating, the living room may also come with board games, a deck of cards, and books to read.

Bedrooms

In days gone by, it was common practice to bring your own linen to a holiday rental but things have changed in recent years. Most hosts will supply sheets, comforters, and blankets, as well as at least two pillows per guest. If you’re a bookworm, you can also expect some form of reading light that you can switch on and off from the bed.