What do you want in a beach rental?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a GRILL, I couldn't belive they removed the grill at the rental we have stayed at 4x and didn't tell us!

I would be perturbed also, but I understand why they did it. Lots of drinking at beach houses, people leave the grille on, don't bother cleaning the grille and it gets nasty, etc.

Then buy cheap grills and count on buying new ones every year or so. People want to grill when they are at the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a GRILL, I couldn't belive they removed the grill at the rental we have stayed at 4x and didn't tell us!

I would be perturbed also, but I understand why they did it. Lots of drinking at beach houses, people leave the grille on, don't bother cleaning the grille and it gets nasty, etc.

Then buy cheap grills and count on buying new ones every year or so. People want to grill when they are at the beach.

No I get it - not everyone can have a fancy stone outdoor chef's kitchen. I think owners are limited because (judging from my grille at my normal house) owners are limited where they can put their grille on the off season, and the salt air will eat away at almost anything not worth stealing, so they are left with fewer options. My dad taught me to clean the grille after every house at my house, but not everyone was taught that, so the grilles do get gnarly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

How does Sheets at the Beach work? How do they get in to your rental before you do, to make beds

Like PP said, they drop the bundle on the front porch before you arrive, and you make the beds. At the end of the visit, you leave tge dirty linens in a bag on the porch.

You have to make your beds in a rental you paid for??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dog friendly!

Opposite here, I will only book a rental if it is no pets allowed. Pet friendly rentals are never cleaned thoroughly enough to prevent DCs allergies.

The amount of people who have dogs v the amount of people allergic to dogs is very lopsided. I don’t think OP will miss your booking.

I also prefer rentals where pets aren’t allowed, but if they are I expect excellent cleaning in between guests.

"Pets allowed" are an automatic pass. A hard "no" for us. You never get rid of the hair and dander and dog smell and pee especially since beach houses have such a tight turnaround time with cleaning. Don't kid yourself that your house is clean after a dog has spent a week there.

Same I never book a house with pets allowed. I have in the past and they were ALWAYS dirty and to me it seems like the homeowners care LESS about their house if they allow pets.

+1

We know people who have been offered a beach use use for free and STILL asked to bring their pets - that takes cajones!

[Anonymous]

King sized beds, as many of them as will fit (in as many rooms as you expect couples to sleep). I won't go on vacation and sleep in a smaller bed than I sleep in at home. Yes, I'm a sleep princess, and I own it.

Also, take pictures during the daytime, and show how much light is in the house. I'm currently looking at not beach rentals, and it takes a LOT for me to keep a listing with bad/dark photos in the running.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 on well stocked kitchen, enough plates, cutlery, pots/ pans / baking sheets, small appliances.

Washer & dryer, nice fridge, dishwasher.

Beach items: beach towels, chairs, umbrella, beach toys are also nice to have.

Enough hooks in the bathroom for towels. The worst thing is when the rental is marketed for 6 people and there is 1 hook in the bathroom.

I'm at a beach rental right now. I agree with all of the above! Washer and dryer is amazing. Having a well stocked kitchen has been so helpful. But We only have one hook in the bathroom plus nowhere to hang wet swimsuits. I also don't understand why this place doesn't have any type of throw rugs right inside the front door to trap some sand.


Make sure you provide a broom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a GRILL, I couldn't belive they removed the grill at the rental we have stayed at 4x and didn't tell us!

I would be perturbed also, but I understand why they did it. Lots of drinking at beach houses, people leave the grille on, don't bother cleaning the grille and it gets nasty, etc.

Then buy cheap grills and count on buying new ones every year or so. People want to grill when they are at the beach.

No I get it - not everyone can have a fancy stone outdoor chef's kitchen. I think owners are limited because (judging from my grille at my normal house) owners are limited where they can put their grille on the off season, and the salt air will eat away at almost anything not worth stealing, so they are left with fewer options. My dad taught me to clean the grille after every house at my house, but not everyone was taught that, so the grilles do get gnarly.

Folks, grills rust at the speed of light at the beach.
I usually replace each season or two max.

[Anonymous]

Any bed meant for two people should have a night stand with a lamp on both sides of the bed.

If at all possible, if only doing one remodeling project, squeeze in a little half bath somewhere, anywhere. The more bathrooms the better!

[Anonymous]

Clean- big deal
Hard working appliances in kitchen such as fridge, stove, dishwasher, disposal, and a Washer and dryer that work well
Working AC
Well stocked kitchen (pots and pans, placemats, coffee maker with cone filter not k-cup, etc)
Good mattresses and decent linens
Outlets near bed for CPAP, etc
Consider lighting
Umbrella and beach chairs
Instructions for any quirks can be useful
Grill with tools to scrub before and after
Wi-Fi
Outdoor shower

Nice to have: puzzles, books, games
TV, kite, boogie board, storage for luggage etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clean- big deal
Hard working appliances in kitchen such as fridge, stove, dishwasher, disposal, and a Washer and dryer that work well
Working AC
Well stocked kitchen (pots and pans, placemats, coffee maker with cone filter not k-cup, etc)
Good mattresses and decent linens
Outlets near bed for CPAP, etc
Consider lighting
Umbrella and beach chairs
Instructions for any quirks can be useful
Grill with tools to scrub before and after
Wi-Fi
Outdoor shower

Nice to have: puzzles, books, games
TV, kite, boogie board, storage for luggage etc.

I have a video game system installed at my VB house.
I've received compliments from parents after they have had a long hot day on beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only saw “decent knives” mentioned once so will repeat. I actually like to cook on vacation, but even the nicest houses I’ve stayed in have had trash knife sets that make cutting a cucumber a struggle. Not saying you need a set of expensive German or Japanese chef’s knives but something better than a rusty $19 Macys Black Friday special replaced every 10 years would be great. Also, at least one decent cutting board, but preferably 2-3.

Adding on that towel hooks and drying lines are an absolute must, as are kitchen linens even if you don’t provide any others. Beds have to be decent. Bunk beds should have rails if you expect to rent to kids. Living/dining furniture should be commensurate with the number of people it sleeps. If you sleep 8, sit 8.

Hand soap, spices, dish tabs, trash bags, coffee filters, and some starter paper products are great but I wouldn’t feel compelled to keep up and restock all season. You should have batteries and light bulbs on hand, though.

Lastly - get rid of all glass tables, please. I teach my kids to respect things, but glass tables in a rental are just a problem waiting to happen. We rule out houses with glass tables from our searches as a rule.

Not following the last part? Why? Do the kids ransack the house? How many kids are packed into one place, and what are they doing, that breaking furniture would be a problem?

Two kids. I don’t trust glass tables in my home and never have since one exploded next to me as a child and sent me to the ER. (FWIW I wasn’t slamming the table - it was old, had a crack in the support, and a slight bump was all took). I’ve also seen adults trip and fall and land on tables. I know glass tables are cheap, but so is particle board.

[Anonymous]

If you provide coffee, then also provide tea. In either case, have a teapot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:a GRILL, I couldn't belive they removed the grill at the rental we have stayed at 4x and didn't tell us!

I would be perturbed also, but I understand why they did it. Lots of drinking at beach houses, people leave the grille on, don't bother cleaning the grille and it gets nasty, etc.

Then buy cheap grills and count on buying new ones every year or so. People want to grill when they are at the beach.

You would be shocked at how gross and drunk some renters are - they refuse to clean the grille, or pick up after a sugar spill, or run the dishwasher on low and of course, that doesn't work unless you actually scrape the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.....

If they want a hotel, they should rent a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Toilet plunger!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How does Sheets at the Beach work? How do they get in to your rental before you do, to make beds

Like PP said, they drop the bundle on the front porch before you arrive, and you make the beds. At the end of the visit, you leave tge dirty linens in a bag on the porch.

You have to make your beds in a rental you paid for??

It's a thing in New England (maybe just Cape Cod).