When furnishing a new vacation rental, hosts often overspend on decorative knick-knacks and underspend on the functional items guests actually care about.
A guest will not leave a 5-star review because you have a beautiful vase in the hallway. They will leave a 1-star review if they cannot find a coffee filter at 7:00 AM.
Here is the essential Airbnb amenities checklist—broken down by room—to ensure you provide exactly what guests need.
The Kitchen (The Dealbreaker)
If a guest books a house with a kitchen, they expect to be able to cook a full meal. A single frying pan and two forks will not cut it.
The Essentials:
- Coffee Station: A Keurig or drip coffee maker, coffee grounds/pods, filters, sugar, and creamer. (Do not skip this. Lack of coffee is a guaranteed bad review).
- Cookware: 2 frying pans (non-stick), 2 saucepans, 1 large pot (for pasta), a baking sheet, and a cutting board.
- Utensils: A quality chef's knife, spatulas, tongs, and a wine key/bottle opener.
- Tableware: Plates, bowls, water glasses, wine glasses, and silverware (Provide enough for your maximum occupancy x 1.5).
- Consumables: Paper towels, a fresh sponge (never leave a used sponge), dish soap, dishwasher pods, salt, pepper, and cooking oil.
The Bathroom (Hotel Standards)
Guests expect a hotel-level experience in the bathroom.
The Essentials:
- Towels: 2 large bath towels and 1 washcloth per guest. (Buy high-quality, fluffy white towels. White can be bleached to remove stains).
- Toiletries: Pump bottles (not travel-sized plastics) of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner mounted to the shower wall.
- Hair Dryer: Keep one under the sink.
- Consumables: Minimum 2 rolls of toilet paper per bathroom. Hand soap at the sink.
The Bedroom (The Sleep Experience)
If a guest sleeps poorly, the entire vacation is ruined. Do not cheap out on the bed.
The Essentials:
- The Mattress: A medium-firm memory foam or hybrid mattress (Zinus or Tuft & Needle are great, affordable options).
- Pillows: 2 pillows per guest. (Provide one soft and one firm option).
- Linens: 100% cotton sheets (percale or sateen). Avoid cheap microfiber; it traps heat and causes guests to sweat.
- Blackout Curtains: Crucial for light-sensitive sleepers.
- Power: A lamp on the nightstand with an easily accessible USB port or power strip for charging phones.
The Living Room & Tech
The Essentials:
- Smart TV: You do not need cable. You need a Roku or Apple TV (or a built-in Smart TV) so guests can log into their own Netflix/Hulu accounts. Set the TV to "Guest Mode" so it automatically logs them out on their checkout date.
- Fast, Reliable WiFi: This is not an amenity; it is a utility. If you host remote workers, internet speeds must be 100+ Mbps.
- Comfortable Seating: Ensure there is comfortable seating for the maximum number of guests the house holds. If the house sleeps 6, a single 3-person sofa is insufficient.
Premium Upgrades (How to Charge More)
If you want to increase your nightly rate, you need "anchor amenities" that stand out in search results.
- Hot Tub: The highest ROI amenity in the industry. Properties with hot tubs routinely earn 15-20% more revenue than identical properties without them.
- Pet-Friendly Setup: Provide a dog bed, food bowls, and a jar of treats. (See The Pet Fee Strategy).
- Remote Work Station: A dedicated desk, an ergonomic chair, and a secondary monitor will attract long-term stays.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
How do I manage cleaning between guest turnovers? Use a standardized cleaning checklist, hire a reliable cleaning team, and automate scheduling using your PMS or channel manager. Set minimum stay requirements if your cleaners need advance notice. BookBed can automatically notify cleaners when a checkout occurs.
What insurance do I need for a vacation rental? At minimum, you need a short-term rental or landlord insurance policy that covers guest injuries, property damage, and loss of income. Standard homeowner's insurance typically excludes commercial rental activity. Budget $1,000–2,500/year depending on property value and location.
How do I handle maintenance issues remotely? Build a network of local contractors (plumber, electrician, handyman, locksmith) and create a shared contact list. Use a smart home system for remote monitoring (leak sensors, temperature alerts, smart locks). Have a local co-host or property manager as backup for emergencies.
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