If you’re planning a beach trip, you probably already have a good idea of what to pack —swimsuits, towels, and lots of sunscreens, just to name a few essentials. This list is usually sufficient if you’re staying in a hotel, but if you’ve opted for a vacation rental, you’ll need more than just your bathing suit and a towel. Unlike hotels, vacation rentals don’t come fully stocked so if you don’t want to pay expensive vacation town prices, here is a checklist of things that you’ll need to pack for your next beach vacation.
Kitchen Supplies
While your vacation rental will likely have all the appliances you need to cook a good meal and make coffee in the morning, it’s up to you to bring anything that you might need to use during your stay that doesn’t come with the rental. That includes paper products like paper towels and napkins as well as paper plates so you don’t have to worry about spending your vacation washing dishes. Bring coffee filters too, unless your rental is equipped with a Keurig.
Cleaning products, from hand soap to dish soap and dishwasher detergent, depending on the available equipment, will all be necessary. Pack garbage bags too, and you may want to throw a package of disinfectant wipes in your luggage as well, just in case.
Don’t forget cooking supplies. You’ll need food, of course, but you’ll also need things like salt, pepper, spices, condiments and cooking oil or you’ll end up with some really bland food. You’ll also want to bring your favorite cooking utensils. Finally, bring things that you wouldn’t normally think of, like zip lock bags and foil for storing leftovers, a corkscrew for opening a bottle of wine, and matches for lighting candles.
Bathroom Supplies
Most vacation rentals won’t have a fully stocked bathroom either so if you’re going to be staying for any length of time, you’ll need to stock up on things like toilet paper, tissues and hand soap to keep you clean during your vacation. You’ll also want to stock up on bug spray, sunscreen and any personal hygiene items that you prefer to use during your trip.
Keep a fully stocked first-aid kit with you as well, especially if your rental doesn’t provide one. Hopefully, you won’t need it, but having bandaids, triple antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, antihistamines, and other basic supplies on hand can give you some peace of mind that will make it easier to enjoy your trip.
Laundry & Linens
Finally, make sure you’ve got your laundry and linens covered when you’re heading to a vacation rental. That means bringing your favorite laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets so you can do laundry, as well as sheets, pillows, pillowcases, towels, and washcloths so you’re ready for anything.
Enjoy Your Time at the Beach
Whether you’re heading for a day, a week or a month, a vacation rental can be one of the best ways to enjoy everything the beach has to offer. If you’re opting for a rental over a hotel, make sure you’ve got everything you need to make sure that you can enjoy your time at the beach instead of heading to the store. If you’re planning a beach trip with your family, check out all the fun Ocean City, NJ has to offer at oceancityvacation.com.
