6 Favorite Guest Amenities to Consider According to Expert Airbnb Hosts

Both big and small additions to your property can drive bookings. Photo: Gleb Albovsky.

As an Airbnb host, you’re competing with over 6 million listings, meaning the success of your short-term rental is in your hands. You may be wondering, how the heck can I differentiate myself in such a large market? One of the top reasons guests cited booking with one stay over another was based on the extra amenities available that suited their (or their family’s) needs. 

So what’s the best way to do this? Our advice is to offer all the basic Airbnb essentials (which you’ll cover in your listing description), plus additional premium amenities that will have guests clicking the book now button. From big ticket purchases like a hot tub, to smaller thoughtful touches like local coffee beans — we’ve tapped into our expert host network to uncover the top six most loved guests amenities that will help your five-star booking rate soar. 

Luxury Toiletries

Much like a hotel, there are few things guests love more than mini luxury toiletries. Consider stashing your favorite brand in bulk to tuck away for each guest's arrival. You don’t have to go super high-end, but nice product packaging and a spa-like smell can certainly go a long way. Guests also frequently forget items at home, so stalking up on extras like toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss and makeup remover can be a nice, homey touch. 

A Welcome Basket

Make your guests feel right at home with a locally-curated welcome basket. Hosts who incorporate this little touch have seen a massive boost in positive reviews and leave guests feeling like family. Consider supporting local and sourcing coffee beans from a nearby shop, a regional bottle of wine, small-batch beer, fresh cheese or even baked goods from your favorite shop. Not only are you stimulating the local economy, but you might even introduce your guests to a new favorite brand or company. 

Pet-Friendly Accommodation 

If there is one thing families with four-legged friends love to see when making a booking, it’s pet-friendly accommodations. Consider updating your listing to offer space for the whole family, including dogs and cats. With the addition of a water bowl, bed, extra cleaning supplies and perhaps even a toy or two––your rental can be turned into a pet paradise, maybe even giving you a boost or two towards that five-star review. 

A Hot Tub 

This is certainly a big ticket item and an investment in your short-term rental, but many guests add this feature into their listing search. This rings particularly true if your Airbnb is positioned in a ski town or in a cold weather destination, like upstate New York. While it may be expensive upfront, you can increase the price of your rental, meaning more revenue in the long run. Another option, consider a second-hand hot tub––they’re often in considerably good shape and relatively easy to find. 

A Tricked Out Backyard 

Perhaps one of the most overlooked spaces when setting up an Airbnb rental, it might be time to rethink the potential of your backyard. Another often keyword used during an Airbnb search, guests want to kick back and relax in nature. For a small upgrade, consider adding a firepit, Adirondack chairs, a BBQ and lots of greenery. To take things to the next level, string some outdoor lights and add outdoor heaters to allow for year-round enjoyment. 

A Dedicated Workspace 

In the world of work-from-home and remote working, there has never been a better time to add a small desk or separate workspace to your Airbnb. Most guests at the very least need to stay on top of emails during their time at your property and having a dedicated space to do it is guaranteed to increase your bookings. For the more dedicated workers, you may want to add notepads, pencils, a desk lamp and an extension cord with more space for laptop plugs. 

While not every amenity is easy to add overnight, slowly improving your Airbnb overtime with the most-wanted guests amenities are sure to boost you to Superhost status. It doesn’t always have to be the big things, sometimes just a simple, thoughtful touch (like a customized digital guidebook) can go a long way in driving repeat bookings.