Luxury travelers prefer reserving vacation rentals for the holiday season. They often travel as a multigenerational group that spends four plus nights together to ski, relax on the beach or explore a select destination. They equate to 20% to 40% of the market for Thanksgiving and 30% to 50% of the market for Christmas.
In order to provide guests a seamless experience in preparing and enjoying their holiday meals, every luxury vacation rental’s kitchen should include these supplies:
1. Large Roasting Pan with Rack
This is a non-negotiable kitchen item. A high-quality pan that can easily accommodate a 16–20-pound turkey or a ham of the same size. If your property sleeps over six people, I suggest a minimum of two pans since most people choose a turkey and a ham or turkey and brisket.
2. Meat Thermometer
This is an essential tool for reading temperatures for turkeys. I would have one per roasting pan.
3. Large Stock Pot (8-12 Quart)
A pot that can cook potatoes, soups, stock, seafood and other large-batch recipes is a convenient and expected option for the house chef, whether that is the guest or a hired private chef.
4. Multiple Baking Dishes
The holidays are synonymous with baking. Provide an array of options for stuffing, casseroles, sweet potatoes, desserts, etc. I provide aluminum baking sets as well as Pyrex sets for cooking needs year-round.
5. Mixing Bowl Set
A stainless-steel set of nesting bowls and lids provides your guest with the option to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously.
6. Quality Chef's Knife Set + Board
Every cooking connoisseur, amateur and professional, loves a sharp knife set. Choose a set that provides a consistent quality set, but not a set that is so high-end that a guest could lose a finger. Remember to provide a variety of substantial cutting boards, especially a large, solid wood option for carving and potentially serving meat.
7. Turkey Carving Set
A carving knife and fork elevate the dining experience and prevent guests from improvising with inadequate kitchen knives.
8. Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
Many holiday recipes require whipping vegetables, batters and creams for side dishes and desserts. I suggest having one of each for a luxury rental.
9. Ample Serving Platters and Serving Utensils
These items really make your rental stand apart. An assortment of serving bowls and platter sides, gravy boats, service utensils for salad, meat and dishes make a holiday meal festive, easy to facilitate and bring a level of class and formality that your guests might experience at home or at a high-end venue in their hometown.
10. Sufficient Dishware, Utensils and Glassware Capacity
Provide a formal dining package of dishware, glassware, barware and serving utenils. Your dishware set should include dinner, salad and bread plates plus bowls. Your glassware inventory should include water/beverage, red and white wine glasses (although a universal option is acceptable,) champagne, rock and martini glasses. Confirm that your flatware includes dinner, salad, regular knives, bread knives, desert forks/spoons and seafood utensils. I also include barware which includes ice chests with tongs, shakers, wine openers and stoppers as well as beverage bins for wine, champagne, water and sodas. The key to dishware, flatware and glassware is to have at least two-and-one-half the amount of the maximum number of guests.
Bonus Provisions
My client luxury homes also include placemats, linen napkins and napkin holders to provide the ultimate holiday table preparation. You can provide a placemat that is washable and can be used inside and outside. At times, I provide a washable option for inside eating and another option for al fresca meals.Lastly, consider offering a vase or two for guests to enjoy floral arrangements.
When you truly understand your customer demographic and psychographic profiles, you can anticipate their needs and provide all of the elements they expect for a luxury experience.
We always offer our clients this granular level of detail to ensure your luxury property is guest-ready all year. DM for more information about our design services to elevate your listings.
