What Guests Really Want: The 10 Most Requested Amenities in 2025

By the First Grand Property Management team, 10 November 2025. Author: Rohan Rai Vij, Founder of First Grand Property Management.

Guest expectations in 2025 are higher than they were two years ago. Fast Wi-Fi, premium bedding and seamless check-in are no longer nice-to-haves. We analysed over 800 stays across Mauritius in 2024-25 to find out exactly which amenities guests ask for most, and which ones actually move the needle on occupancy and rate.

Key takeaway: most properties under-perform not because they lack amenities, but because the basics are inconsistent. Properties that get the top 10 right consistently outperform comparable listings on review scores and average daily rate.

Why amenities are the new differentiator

Travellers in 2025 are more discerning than ever. With the rise of remote work, extended stays and experience-driven travel, your property is not just a place to sleep. It is a lifestyle product, and guests judge it as one.

Based on our analysis of these 800+ stays, the amenities below consistently increase nightly rates, boost occupancy and improve guest satisfaction. Get them right and they compound across every booking. Get them wrong and no amount of styling fixes the review.

The 10 most requested amenities

1. Fast, reliable fibre-level Wi-Fi

Whether it is a workation or uploading holiday photos, guests expect uninterrupted high-speed internet. Aim for a fibre-optic connection with at least 100 Mbps downstream, with coverage that extends outdoors and across every room. List your Wi-Fi speed on your OTA listing. It improves conversion by up to 12%.

2. Large smart TV with streaming access

Fit a 55-inch or larger smart TV with Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ pre-installed. Provide guest login instructions or a generic account, and mount the screen at eye level for a clean, professional look.

3. Hotel-quality bedding and pillows

An orthopaedic or mid-firm mattress, high-thread-count 100% cotton sheets, and a choice of soft and firm pillows plus extra duvets. This is the amenity guests notice most and complain about loudest when it is missing.

4. Air conditioning in every bedroom

Every bedroom needs AC. Fans are not enough. List "air-conditioned bedrooms" prominently in your title, because properties without AC see up to 20% lower occupancy during the warmer months.

5. Fully equipped kitchen

Fridge, oven or hob, microwave, toaster, kettle and a coffee machine, plus cookware, utensils and a few local spices. Highlight "self-catering kitchen" in your description to capture longer, self-sufficient stays.

6. Washer and dryer, or a drying rack

Front-load machines are preferred. Provide clear instructions, detergent, an ironing board and a laundry basket. Laundry availability is a top search filter for families, so mention it explicitly in your listing.

7. Private outdoor seating or balcony

A comfortable terrace or balcony with seating and shade, plus lighting and insect control for evenings. Make it photogenic. Outdoor photos convert browsers into bookers.

8. Secure on-site or dedicated parking

Private, gated or covered parking is highly valued. Include photos and state clearly whether it is free. Parking convenience correlates directly with higher review scores.

9. Self check-in and smart lock access

Install smart locks or key safes with unique codes, and send guests a short check-in guide via WhatsApp or OTA message. This reduces late-arrival stress and increases guest autonomy.

10. Welcome pack and digital local guidebook

A welcome note, a few local snacks or drinks, and a concise guidebook covering restaurants, beaches and things to do. Add emergency contacts and appliance instructions. Personal touches correlate directly with five-star reviews.

Where the impact is measurable

Not every amenity affects performance equally. Air conditioning and Wi-Fi are the two with the clearest, quantifiable effect on occupancy and conversion in our data.

Bonus: highly requested extras

These are not essential, but they often turn a good stay into an unforgettable one.

Budgeting for amenities

Expect to spend approximately MUR 350,000 to 600,000 on amenities and consumables for a guest-ready 2-bedroom unit, on top of furniture. Our pricing page breaks down how this fits into overall setup costs.

Final word: amenities equal revenue

Every feature you add, or skip, directly impacts your booking rate, your nightly pricing and your repeat guest potential. At First Grand Property Management, we build amenity optimisation into every property we manage, turning good homes into guest-magnet assets that perform year-round. See how we operate for the detail behind this process.