Guests Traveling with Oversized Luggage: Surfboards, Skis, and Giant Suitcases in Your Vacation Rental

A guest writes to you three days before check-in: "Hey, we're bringing two 2.10-meter surfboards. Where can we store them?". And you're there, looking at the hallway of your 55 m² apartment, wondering where the heck they're going to fit. If you rent out a vacation home in coastal, mountainous, or airport-adjacent areas, you're going to experience this situation more often than you think. In this post, I tell you how to prepare for guests with bulky luggage, what to charge (if you charge anything), how to avoid damages, and why this niche can boost your bookings in the low season.

What We Understand by Bulky Luggage

We're not talking about the typical 30 kg large suitcase. We're talking about equipment that:

• Takes up a lot of physical space (more than 1.5 meters long)
• Doesn't fit through standard doors without maneuvering
• Can damage walls, floors, or furniture if handled poorly
• Needs a secure storage space (you can't leave it in the hallway)

The classics:

Luggage Type	Typical Dimensions	Guest Profile
Surfboard	1.80 - 2.50 m	North coast, Canary Islands, Cádiz
Skis and Snowboard	1.60 - 1.90 m	Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada
Bicycles (undismantled)	1.70 m x 1 m	Cycling routes, Mallorca
Diving Equipment	Several bags of 1.20 m	Mediterranean coast, Canary Islands
Large Musical Instruments	Variable	Festivals, music students
Double Strollers	1 m folded	Large families
Long-term Luggage	4-6 large suitcases	Digital nomads, moves

Why You Should Prepare (Instead of Rejecting Them)

Because they are guests who:

• Pay more per night on average (equipment = budget)
• Book longer stays (no one skis for just one day)
• Come in the low or mid-season (surf in October, ski in February)
• Return if treated well (surfers come back every year to the same area)
• Leave good reviews if you solve their main problem: where to leave their gear

If your area has potential for this type of tourism, ignoring it means leaving money on the table. And if you already have a vacation rental in coastal or mountainous areas, they are probably contacting you without any special effort. The question is whether you're prepared or improvising each time.

Where the Heck Do I Store All That?

Here's 80% of the problem. Let's look at real options based on your property type.

If You Have a Storage Room or Garage

Congratulations, it's solved. But be careful:

• Set up a specific corner with a wall support for boards or skis (30-60 euros)
• Put a lock if sharing the storage with neighbors
• Leave clear instructions on how to access (door code, floor, number)
• Warn about temperature: diving gear shouldn't be in garages at 40°C in summer

If You Only Have the Apartment

More complicated, but there are solutions:

• Dedicated room or closet: leave a large empty closet or a corner with vertical supports
• Wall supports in the entrance: boards and skis are stored vertically, taking up minimal space
• Under beds: many suitcases and ski covers fit perfectly in beds with a bed base
• Covered terrace or balcony: only for equipment resistant to cold/humidity (never electronic devices)

If You Have No Real Space

Be honest in your listing. "We do not have storage for bulky luggage" saves you 50 problems. Alternative: collaborate with a local business (surf shop, ski store, storage facility) that offers paid storage. You send them clients, they solve your problem.

Important: never let guests store bulky equipment in common areas of the building (hallway, lobby, communal rooms). It can lead to neighbor complaints and, in some cases, community complaints. Also read our guide on how to manage neighbor complaints.

Typical Damages and How to Avoid Them

Bulky luggage damages things. It's true. What you can do is minimize it.

Walls and Corners

• Corner protectors in narrow hallways (5-10 euros, last for years)
• Washable paint in passage areas
• Wooden moldings at suitcase height

Floors

• Large rug or doormat at the entrance ("unloading" zone)
• Explicitly prohibit dragging boards, skis, or suitcases over parquet
• If you have cheap laminate flooring, consider investing in more scratch-resistant options

Doors and Frames

• Rubber door stoppers
• Frame protectors in narrow entrances
• Sliding doors if renovating

Bathrooms

• If guests store wet diving gear, set up a specific area with non-slip flooring
• An outdoor extendable clothesline saves lives (and prevents neoprene suits from hanging in the living room)

What to Charge for the Service

Here's the key: don't charge for storing, charge for added value. The difference is important.

What Doesn't Work

• Charging a "surfboard surcharge": sounds like abuse and deters bookings
• Charging extra deposits for equipment: seen as distrust

What Works

• Position yourself as "surf-friendly" or "ski-friendly" in the ad title and charge 10-20 euros more per night as a base
• Offer a "sports pack" with storage + extra towels + clothesline + outdoor showers + flexible hours for 15-30 euros per stay
• Raise the base price in specific seasons (surf = fall/winter in the north, ski = January-March)

If you want to deepen your pricing strategy, check out our post on dynamic pricing.

What to Include in the Listing

Be very specific. Guests with bulky luggage look for specific keywords.

Examples of Effective Phrases

• "Secure storage for 4 surfboards in private garage"
• "Wall support for skis and snowboard in the entrance"
• "Wetsuit washing area with outdoor shower"
• "Lockable storage room available for bicycles (up to 2 units)"
• "300 meters from X beach, no stairs for transporting gear"

What to Clarify Before Booking

• Maximum number of bulky luggage pieces accepted
• If there are stairs, narrow elevator, or difficult access
• If you charge any extra (and why)
• If you have insurance covering their equipment (spoiler: usually not, but be clear)

The Insurance Issue

Your vacation rental insurance DOES NOT cover guest equipment. If their boards are stolen from the garage, it's their problem (and their travel or specific equipment insurance).

Put this in the welcome manual and in previous messages. Something like:

"Storage of sports equipment is the guest's responsibility. We recommend using the provided locks and not leaving valuables in sight. The property is not responsible for thefts, damages, or losses."

This doesn't fully free you legally, but sets expectations and prevents 90% of problems.

Arrival Protocol with Bulky Luggage

1. Pre-arrival message (48h before): ask how many bulky pieces they bring and what type
2. Specific instructions: send photos of access, storage area, and how to enter the storage/garage
3. Flexible check-in: these guests often arrive late (special checked baggage flights) or early (go straight from airport to beach). Consider automatic check-in
4. Signed inventory of equipment: useful if sharing items with other guests
5. "Transition" zone: a space at the entrance to unload everything before distribution

Specific Niches to Explore

North Coast (Cantabria, Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia)

Surf from October to May. Your property in Zarautz, Somo, or Pantín can be full in November if well positioned. Keywords: surf-friendly, storage for boards, outdoor shower, wetsuit clothesline.

Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada

Ski from December to April. Important: powerful heating, boot drying area (boot dryers: 150-300 euros, quickly amortized), supports for skis and boards. Also read about heating in vacation rentals.

Mediterranean Coast and Canary Islands

Diving and windsurfing. Equipment washing areas with freshwater (5 euro bottle + hose), large clotheslines, ventilated storage.

Mallorca, Girona, Granada

Professional and amateur cycling. Secure garages, basic tools, bike cleaning area. Premium niche, pays very well.

Common Mistakes

• Saying "yes" to everything without asking how much gear they bring (and then it doesn't fit)
• Allowing wet gear to be stored in the living room (odors, humidity, mold)
• Not having a lock on shared storage (they steal gear, blame your property)
• Explicitly prohibiting "sports equipment" in the listing and losing an entire market
• Not photographing the condition of gear at check-in if disputes arise

How Autoregistro Fits

If you have guests arriving with specific gear and slightly longer stays, you probably also want to save time on paperwork. The traveler registration with SES Hospedajes is mandatory for all adult guests, regardless of whether they bring a backpack or six surfboards.

Autoregistro allows you to send a form to the guest, who fills it out on their phone before arrival, and the data automatically goes to SES Hospedajes. It's 1 euro per month per property (less than a coffee) and saves you about half an hour of bureaucracy per reservation. If you manage a surf-friendly property with many check-ins outside normal hours, it's the difference between ending your day at 23:00 entering data or having a peaceful dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prohibit guests from bringing surfboards or skis?

Yes, but make it clear in the listing and house rules. Prohibiting after accepting the reservation can lead to disputes and negative reviews. Better to be transparent from the start.

What if they break something with their gear?

If covered by your vacation rental insurance, proceed as with any damage. If not, you can retain the deposit (if you charge one) or claim directly from the guest through the platform. Always document with photos before and after.

Should I offer technical support for their gear?

No. You're not a surf shop or ski store. You can recommend local businesses (and create commission agreements if you want), but don't commit to repairing anything.

What if they store dangerous materials (scuba tanks, motorcycle fuel)?

Don't allow it. Compressed air tanks must be stored under specific conditions, and gasoline is prohibited in homes by safety regulations. Make this clear in the welcome manual.

Is it worth investing in specific supports and accessories?

If your area has potential for this niche, yes. A wall support for 4 boards costs 50-80 euros and pays off in one reservation. A ski boot dryer (150-300 euros) positions you as a premium property in mountain areas and pays for itself in one season.