There are certain amenities that are a must for any rental to ensure a positive experience for guests, and then there are extras that will provide that wow factor and guarantee a 5-star review. We’ll be going over these elements in this article, and feel free to tailor any amenities to the specifics of your place because every Airbnb is different.
The musts. One important thing to remember when stocking your rental with basic amenities is that the amount of each item you have should typically at least match the number of guests your rental sleeps. For example, if you have two bedrooms and a couch and your listing states that your place sleeps five people, you should have a set of at least five plates, bowls, cups, glasses, etc., although one or two extra doesn’t hurt. It’s always a smart idea to buy a larger set so that you have extras in case of accidents.
This article will go over specific amenities to have inside the home—for the most part, Wi-Fi and free parking are expected, and a self-check-in method is becoming increasingly important for guests.
Kitchen. The smaller appliances that guests typically expect in a rental include a coffee maker, microwave, toaster, and blender. Essential dishware is usually the following: large plates, small plates, bowls, glasses, wine glasses, and of course silverware. The cookware should be appropriate for the kitchen—pots and pans, a knife set, cutting board, and it is
great to provide basic cooking essentials (the properties we manage provide salt, pepper, oil, coffee, and sugar at the minimum), Tupperware, and dishtowels. While it may be obvious, keep in mind that these amenities and all the ones we will go over in the following sections may vary according to your rental’s specific characteristics. To provide an example, if your Airbnb is a tiny house with a little square of a kitchen, minimalism is going to be key. Conversely, if you have a luxury rental with a grand kitchen, it would be quite odd if the items above were all you had. Too much going on isn’t a good look, but with a large kitchen, you can get creative and provide special extras (e.g. bakeware, a crockpot, a salad spinner, a spice rack, you name it). It is also important to make basic cleaning supplies available somewhere in the home for when guests need them (paper towels, dish & laundry detergent, trash bags, broom, multi-purpose spray, etc.)
Bathroom. The bathroom should be stocked with hand soap, body and hand towels, a bathmat, a place to hang towels, a trashcan, hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We recommend being as kind to the environment as possible and using refillable pumps for all soaps.
Bedroom. It’s essential to keep extra sets of linens in the home--in case there is an accident, and it makes post-checkout cleaning easier, as well as extra pillows and blankets. We recommend at least 4 pillows for each bed. If you don’t have a built-in closet set up, you’ll want to make sure guests have a way to hang and store some clothes. Another amenity that is essential is an iron, and a full-length mirror somewhere in the home is always nice if possible.
Safety. Every home should have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and safety information.
The extras. Every property we manage provides some kind of special
amenity/amenities, no matter how small, and it really makes a difference in the guest’s
experience. We also have welcome guides in the form of a binder at all of our rentals that provide local information on activities, restaurants, maps, etc. Here are some ideas for extra amenities that are guaranteed to make your Airbnb one to remember.
Welcome gift. A common practice that we find guests’ love is to leave a gift in the home for them to discover when they arrive. You can get creative as you want with this; buying something special
relating to the area you live in (e.g. fruit from your local farm) is an awesome idea, but it can be as simple as a few of your favorite snacks, an assortment of drinks, etc.
Child friendly amenities. Airbnb and other rental sites have a specific section for amenities dedicated to child-friendly amenities—this includes things like a pack n’ play crib, safety gates, a high chair, and changing table. While these aren’t necessary, I find that the parents that rent the properties that do provide them are usually incredibly grateful to not worry about some of these things traveling (P.S. the pack n’ play is the biggest hit!)
Fun stuff. This last section relates to entertainment and is somewhat dependent on the type of place your Airbnb is and the location it is in. It is great to provide some form of entertainment and fun and it’s another thing that we find guests appreciate the most. This could mean anything from having a Smart TV, Bluetooth speakers, beach gear (snorkel, umbrella, chairs) if you’re near a body of water, outdoor games like cornhole and ring toss, indoor games like board games, Jenga, cards, etc. Having something to do if guests just want to chill in their Airbnb for the day is special.
I hope this article helps you get your amenities in check, and if you want advice on your Airbnb and/or are interested in investing in the Los Cabos area, feel free to reach out to us. Happy renting!
This article was written by Isabel Rowe, co-owner of Baja BnB, a property management company based in Los Cabos specializing in short-term vacation rentals, servicing areas in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose Del Cabo, Todos Santos, and the East Cape.
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