6 Airbnb Amenities That Don't Matter as Much as You Think

All Airbnb hosts want to exceed new guests' expectations to get excellent reviews. They often think that the only way to do that is to offer more Airbnb amenities, but that’s not always the case. Instead, the secret is knowing what to invest in next for a comfortable stay.

Going the extra mile to provide your guests with the best Airbnb amenities is a part of a solid plan for success. However, not all vacation rental amenities are worth your money because your guests are unlikely to use them as often as you might think. Potential guests care less about amenities like loads of snacks, expensive glassware, and extra toiletries. Besides, some amenities require big investments while generating low returns.

While it’s tempting to think that more amenities will attract more guests, it’s not a given. In fact, the following Airbnb amenities don’t matter as much as you might think.

Key Takeaways:

• Airbnb amenities can be categorised as basic essentials (e.g., bed linen), features for a specific target market (e.g., a high chair for families), and unique extras (e.g., a hot tub). 
• Guest experiences can be improved by adding more or better basic amenities like extra pillows, king-sized beds, or extra blankets that directly boost your ratings.  
• Airbnb amenities guests do value include Wi-Fi, a hot tub, and their own kitchen.

6 Investments That Aren’t Airbnb Essentials

Snacks in excess

Finding the perfect snacks that will satisfy the tastes and dietary preferences of each guest is virtually impossible. Some guests may have food allergies that you’re unaware of, which makes providing food a serious risk for you as a host.

Guests might also feel uncomfortable about eating food in your place when they can’t be certain of the food’s freshness or that it hasn’t been tampered with. 

That said, you can still provide some snacks, like beverages or products, that have a long shelf life. A few bottles of water and soda are good enough when it comes to stocking the fridge.

Chocolate is generally another safe choice. For example, when it’s added to a welcome basket it will be a pleasant surprise. Just don’t go overboard with your snack selection or the contents of your welcome baskets. A few snacks, in the fridge or as part of a welcome basket, is a nice touch, but doesn’t move the needle on ratings meaningfully.

Pricey glassware

While you might appreciate fine china, buying it for short-term rentals only increases the risk of potential injuries. Expensive glass kitchenware is extremely delicate and can break easily. While glassware is among the Airbnb kitchen essentials, paying an exorbitant amount is totally unnecessary for an Airbnb property when there are loads of other stylish, but more affordable, options available. 

Rather invest in better quality pots and pans or a coffee maker. Including a coffee machine can improve the guest experience and add the same element of luxury as fancy glassware. However, unlike glassware, a coffee machine is more functional and durable.

Extra toiletries

Most guests take their own preferred brands of toiletries with them when traveling. As such, you can safely remove body lotion or skincare products from your bathroom essentials list. 

Rather than spending money on shampoos and body lotions which can get expensive fast, invest in more towels. Airbnb recommends only one towel per guest, but providing extra towels will increase the overall guest comfort.

Other than the one towel per guest, the only essential toiletries that Airbnb includes in its essential amenities lists are toilet paper, body wash, and hand soap. That said, when selecting soap, avoid purchasing bars of soap because they get messy quickly and are often wasted. A liquid soap dispenser is also easier to refill.

Medicines

Amenities like a fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are must-haves for guest safety which could lead you to believe that you’re helping your guests by stocking your property with medical supplies. However, the first aid kit that you keep around the house should stick to just the basics that include:

• Sterile gauze dressings
• Bandages
• Safety pins
• Disposable sterile gloves
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• Sticky tape
• Thermometer (preferably digital)

When it comes to extra medicines, such as rash cream, cough medicine, or painkillers, just leave these out. In fact, you should never store medicines for guests, even the most popular brands, as they may cause reactions.

Over-the-counter medications can interact with prescription medications or cause allergic reactions in some individuals. This means that you could be doing more harm than good since you don’t know your guests’ prior medical histories. Rather leave detailed instructions for what to do and whom to contact in case of a medical emergency.

Pool table

A pool table may seem like the perfect addition to an Airbnb property that you want to market as a group vacation spot. However, the cons of having a pool table far outweigh the benefits.

The majority of your guests probably won’t bother with it in the first place because they will be much more interested in activities outside of your place. In addition, a quality pool table costs a lot of money. A cheap, poorly-made table just won’t cut it for pool enthusiasts.

You’ll also have to worry about balls and cues getting misplaced or stolen.

Finally, if your property is on the smaller side, a pool table takes up space that could be put to better use for a dining table. 

That said, if space isn’t an issue, it can still be put to better use. Instead of creating a games room with a pool table, consider turning it into an office. Providing a dedicated workspace is key if you want to attract more business travelers or appeal to digital nomads or remote workers.

Whirlpool tub

If you’ve thought about expanding your list of Airbnb amenities by installing a whirlpool tub, rather opt for a hot water tub, or even a sauna. Hot tubs (and pools with a private entrance) are the top-searched amenities on Airbnb, according to the platform's internal data. 

What’s more, offering a hot tub is an attractive amenity as it can increase your property’s nightly rate. In fact, market research reveals that it can increase your average daily rate by 18.1%. 

Not only isn’t a whirlpool tub that popular anymore, but if it isn’t properly drained after each use, you could also end up with mold growth concerns, which will require an expensive, professional clean up. Mold also creates a health hazard which means that you won’t be able to rent your property until the mold is removed.

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The Bottom Line: Don’t Go Overboard on “Airbnb essentials”

Striking the balance between just right and too much when it comes to deciding what should go on your Airbnb amenities checklist can be tricky. If you’re unsure as to whether your guests will appreciate some fancy items like a whirlpool tub or what you consider to be cooking basics like cold-pressed olive oil, err on the side of caution and leave them out.

Instead, stock up on toilet paper, sufficient pillows, and always ensure freshly laundered bed linen. After all, neither a pool table or expensive tub beats a comfortable bed.

FAQs

What are essential amenities for Airbnbs?

Many guests value free parking, air conditioning, wireless internet, and a washing machine. For example, if you want to attract more guests staying for longer periods, a washing machine can be a dealbreaker.

Are streaming services important to Airbnb guests?

Airbnb only lists a TV or cable as the top amenities guests search for on its platform. In reality, guests prefer spending more time outside. Plus, many bring their subscriptions along anyway. If you consider television a must, consider offering one or two streaming services at most. That way, your guests can still enjoy a bit of TV and not be disappointed by the available options while you save money.

How can you make your vacation rental more appealing for families?

Family-friendly amenities like toys or children’s books can help you attract more families. For pet parents, consider creating pet-friendly policies. Not only can pet-friendly setups generate higher demand, but you’ll also be able to charge a higher rate.

The Bottom Line? Don’t Go Overboard on "Essential" Airbnb Amenities

Striking the balance between just right and too much when it comes to deciding what should go on your Airbnb amenities checklist for vacation rentals can be tricky. If you’re unsure as to whether your guests will appreciate some Airbnb amenities in vacation rental settings, err on the side of caution and leave them out.

Stock up on the toilet paper, let the guests worry about their own meals, keep an iron and ironing board stowed away just in case of business travelers, and your vacation rental will do just fine.

Also, you might want to check some Airbnb interior design tips to make your vacation rentals just perfect for guests. There are many other ways to earn your five-star reviews that don’t require you to invest in high-risk, low-reward Airbnb amenities.