Getting to the final stages of a serviced accommodation (SA) project brings a whole new set of decisions to make that can get overwhelming. What do I need to buy? Where do I need to buy it from? How much should I spend? Endless questions leading to even more questions and stress.
It doesn’t have to be. Find a quiet spot, maybe even light a candle and, with a bit of light meditation, enter the mind of your future guests. Be the guest.
Did it work?
If not, at TML we've found the all best extras that every SA should have to deliver a great experience and better Return on Investment (ROI). Whether it’s a city centre crash pad, a remote country cottage or a beach house by the sea - we’ve got you covered.
Pillow and Duvet Set
Your SA is a place for your guests to lay their heads. On holiday taking a break from their busy lives to relax, or on a business trip where waking up fresh and ready to face the day is key - good bedding is essential.
Ironing Board & Iron
A lot of guests will be booking your property to attend an event. At weddings, birthdays and christenings, we need to look our best. After carefully folding and gently packing into their suitcases, your guests will inevitably pull out a crumpled & creased shirt or dress which needs to be made presentable, stat!
In desperate need of steam, the worst thing that can happen is finding one of those tiny, foldout ironing boards paired with a bargain basement iron that spits brown water on everything. Invest in a good, full size ironing board and a decent iron. Your guests will love you for it. Bonus points for having a garment steamer as well!
Foldaway Ironing Board by Rayen - full size board that you can store away easily
Iron by Tower - one of the best performing budget irons on the market
Handheld Steamer by Philips - we take ours everywhere, wish we didn't have to!
Toiletries
We know that maximising return on investment from your SA is as much about keeping costs down as it is achieving maximum rental values, so providing toiletries to your guests might seem like overkill. However, even the most budget hotels are providing body wash and shampoos.
We’re not recommending laying out Chanel No5 everywhere, but with a few little hacks, you can provide a luxury feel without spending luxury money.
Cookware
Most of the time, most of the people on holiday will go out for lunches and dinners. So breakfasts are usually eaten in the accommodation and over a week there’s only so many times you can go out to eat without taking the shine off the experience - guests might just want a quiet night in.
Even though they’re cooking “at home”, your guests will still expect to be able to rustle up something delicious, which you can’t do with a blunt knife, one pan with a wobbly handle and no roasting tray. Spending a little more on kitting out the kitchen will usually mean it’ll last longer - buy cheap, buy twice and all that. Also no one wants to be doing the washing up on holiday, get a dishwasher to make cleaning up a breeze.
Pan Set by ProCook - Stainless steel is the way to go to avoid scratched up non-stick coatings
Knife Set by ProCook - No one needs a 54 piece knife block, these will cover pretty much anything
Oven Trays by ProCook - We use these every day at home and they're like new
Rail & Hangers
Wardrobes are expensive and, without getting something custom, are never going to look all that inspiring shoved in a corner of the room. Besides, leisure guests especially don’t need to store their entire clothing collection, just enough for a week or two away. So, ditch the built-ins and flatpacks and install a sleek clothes rail instead.
You can get rails in loads of different finishes; have them freestanding, attached to the wall or for some extra drama, drop them from the ceiling. Finally, you can really up the wow factor with some cool hanger sets.
Freestanding from CotswoldCo | Hanging from Rod & Knot
Also Available: Freestanding from Argos | Hangers from Scandiborn
Tea & Coffee Facilities
Maybe your guests have driven for six straight hours in the worst traffic imaginable, maybe the kids have been arguing all day and they just need a 15 min break or maybe it’s the morning after one of those weddings? A perfect cuppa can cure anything, but shock horror, there’s only some old torn tea bags, no milk and the sugars rock solid. A British tragedy!
Whenever or whyever your guests are having a hot drink, you want it to feel like a barista experience, not a tea run in a student halls. Invest in a nice tea station and coffee machine and make sure you keep your ingredients fresh. It’ll make all the difference to your guests.
Coffee Machine by Krups (Nespresso) - Our favourite pod machine (we have one at home)
Tea Subscription by Brew Tea Company - Never run out with a tea subscription
Teapot by IKEA - Great looking teapot at an even better price
Mugs by Dunelm - Beautiful glazed mugs for any cuppa
What extras do you put in your SA projects? We’d love to see your little luxuries over on our instagram.
