Have you ever stayed in an Airbnb that was missing something that you need? We stayed in an Airbnb in
Destin, FL, one of the top family beach destinations in the world! We were staying right on the beach
and couldn’t wait to get down there and lounge. You can imagine our disappointment when we went to
look for lounge chairs, beach towels, an umbrella, or a wagon to carry the goods to the beach, only to
find none of the above! As Airbnb owners ourselves and as vacation property managers, this just
illustrated to us the importance of making your vacation rental comfortable for guests.
The goal is to create a home away from home for our guests. This can be tricky, since everyone has
different routines and preferences, habits and customs. We created this list of top amenities needed to
make the stay at your property smooth sailing and comfortable and cover a wide array of tenants.
We created a list of basics that every Airbnb should strive to have in order to run a successful operation.
Be sure that your guests have access to the following:
An in-house washer and dryer is one of the most useful thing for guests to have access to. If a guest has
an easy way to wash articles of clothing, they will be more comfortable, and this could lead to longer
bookings. Be sure that you include enough laundry detergent for ten loads. Some Airbnbs also provide
vinegar or scent pearls for scent control.
A fully stocked kitchen is one way to provide convenience to your guests. I loathe going to the store to
pick up salt, pepper, and basic staples when I am at an Airbnb. We try to keep our rentals stocked with
an array of spices, including salt and pepper and oil cooking spray. A few bags of microwave popcorn, a
few water bottles and other snacks can also be a nice touch. Sometimes guests get to the rental late,
after traveling all day, and restaurants are closed upon their arrival. It is just nice to have a little
something waiting for them to hold them over to the next morning. And being welcomed by snacks
helps to create a homey feel. Think five-star ratings!
Provide an office or workspace with a desk. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but should be a small
dedicated area where a guest can work on their laptop.
A top request is for a private patio or outdoor area where guests can relax and enjoy the scenery. This
outdoor area doesn’t need to be large, but should be an area where guests can get away from the group
if needed.
Alrighty, we are getting to the top three requests from guests when staying at an Airbnb or vacation
rental. Most guests want some sort of amenity to relax and enjoy during their vacation. I get requests all
of the time for rentals with a hot tub, but we are located in Idaho, and 9 months out of the year it can
be chilly at night. Equally as popular are requests for a swimming pool.
Here we are, at the top two requested items from Airbnb guests. Number 2, is items specific to the
area. Think back to my trip to Destin, FL when we didn’t have any beach supplies, although we were
staying on the beach! If your rental is in Boise, ID, be sure to have blankets, sunscreen, beach towels, all
of the above! If you are located in a mountain community, consider having sleds, snow shoes, and
stocking the kitchen with hot chocolate and popcorn.

And here we are, at the number one requested item for vacation rentals. Cleaning supplies! I have
stayed at Airbnbs that didn’t have a broom or trash bags, a dish rag, or paper towels. Those are all daily
items that make a guest’s stay so much better!
Whatever you do, start with your basic list of supplies needed, and don’t skimp. Next, stay at your own
vacation rental for a few days and see what’s missing. Living there for a few days will help you to find
any missing items that are needed. Invite family or friends to a complimentary stay, and take their
feedback on what can be done to improve the stay. All of these things will help your Airbnb rental get
off to a great start, leading to a lot of bookings.