In the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, short-term rentals have become a popular choice for travelers seeking a more personalized and comfortable accommodation experience. As hosts, it’s crucial to not only meet but exceed guest expectations, and one of the surefire ways to achieve this is by making your rental property family-friendly. Today, we explore the importance of incorporating family-friendly amenities into your short-term rental, delving into both essential features and delightful extras that not only enhance the overall guest experience but also contribute to increased bookings and revenue.
Throughout this blog post, we will guide you through the must-have family-friendly essentials, such as safety features, child-friendly furnishings, and functional spaces that make a significant difference in guest satisfaction. We’ll also explore ideas for fun extras that appeal to both parents and kids alike.
The Top 5
Even if you’re on a tight budget or you aren’t sure that a family is your ideal “client avatar”, then we would still recommend having these 5 items. They don’t take up a ton of space, and will set you apart from many other properties that don’t offer these essential items.
- Pack & Play
- Mattress (for the pack & play, typically tri-fold with a zippered storage bag)
- Waterproof fitted sheets (and we store them in this basket)
- High chair
- Kids dinnerware






Want to offer more than these top 5 items? Consider expanding your family-friendly amenities with one (or more!) of these categories below:
Sleeping
Mattress (for the pack & play, typically tri-fold with a zippered storage bag)
Waterproof fitted sheets (and we store them in this basket)


Baby monitor (simple, no camera or wifi)
And don’t forget blackout curtains or shades!
Do you have an extra-large walk-in closet with proper ventilation? If you’re going the family-friendly route, then you might consider adding a full size crib to that space. Here are some photos of properties where we’ve done that, along with product links.

Primary Closet turned Nursery at BaseCamp 74
Items shown, clockwise from left: Side Table, White Noise Machine, Rocking Chair, Plant, Hangers, Crib with Changing Table, Mattress, Blanket, Basket with spare Sheets, Rug

EATING
bathroom items
Entertainment – indoor
Board books – here are some favorites:

Game Systems:
At our Scottsdale property, we chose to add an Xbox with a Game Pass subscription.







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