Best Airbnb Amenities to Make Your Vacation Rental Stand Out

The pandemic changed how we view most things and reminded us how to appreciate the small (and finer) things in life. For short-term rental hosts, this means that they’ll need to pay extra attention to how they furnish their vacation rental properties moving forward.

Guest expectations have changed across the board and hosts – especially new ones – will need to take this into account when choosing which vacation rental amenities to prioritize while setting up their rental properties.

By shopping smartly for Airbnb amenities hosts can improve the overall guest experience and level of cleanliness at the same time.

For hosts with limited cash flow, here are the most important vacation renal amenities to invest in and practical tips for how to impress your guests to make your vacation rentals stand out.

These are the Airbnb amenities guests expect to see in 2024

There are certain amenities guests expect at Airbnb vacation home rentals. A quick look at traveler trends reveals that the following amenities are expected to become increasingly more in demand in coming years:

Wi-Fi

In 2024 and beyond, high-speed, reliable internet is be a must-have feature. It has become something that guests expect, not just business travelers and digital nomads. Some have even argued that access to the internet should be made a human right, but that hasn’t been written into law just yet.

Also, more and more travelers are booking longer stays as they can work remotely. However, you’ll only be able to leverage this travel trend if you provide high-speed Wi-Fi.

If you’re thinking about charging guests an extra fee, reconsider this approach. As mentioned, it’s become an expectation and travelers will be caught off guard if they’re charged an additional fee for this amenity.

Instead, when you work out your nightly rates, rather include this in your calculation, just like you would include other expenses such as insurance, electricity, etc.

Streaming services

Airbnb hosts should consider installing stream services in their properties because modern travelers expect the same entertainment amenities they enjoy at home. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have become an integral part of daily life, offering a wide variety of content that appeals to diverse tastes and preferences.

By providing access to these services, hosts can significantly enhance the comfort and satisfaction of their guests, making the property feel more like a home away from home. This small investment can lead to positive reviews and repeat bookings, as guests appreciate the added convenience and entertainment options during their stay.

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and competitive edge, providing these services can contribute to a safer and more enjoyable stay. Guests who have access to a variety of entertainment options are more likely to spend time indoors, reducing the risk of issues related to unfamiliar surroundings or local safety concerns.

This can be particularly appealing for families with children or individuals traveling alone. Overall, offering streaming services aligns with the evolving expectations of travelers, ensuring that guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience that encourages positive feedback and future bookings.

Smart locks

Staying with the topic of technology, it’s better to opt for smart locks over traditional keys for your vacation rentals. After the pandemic, increasingly more travelers have grown familiar and comfortable with the self-check-in process. It leaves a lot less room for accidental contact and gives guests a greater sense of autonomy over the space.

Not only is it more convenient, but it’s also more secure. Guests can’t lose or misplace the key. Plus, you can also keep better track of who tries to access the property.

But, of course, in the event of a power outage or other emergency while you have guests staying, many smart/electronic locks still work with a traditional key or have an override of some kind to still allow access.

A comfortable desk and chair

As mentioned earlier, increasingly more travelers are taking advantage of remote work policies. To make your property an attractive location for guests who have this level of flexibility, ensure that you have a dedicated workspace.

It doesn’t need to be big and a laptop-friendly workspace will do. Most travelers simply need a comfortable desk and chair (and, of course, Wi-Fi). Add plugs or outlets that allow them to charge their devices and make sure the setup is ergonomic enough for a longer period of work and it should be good. To make it feel more inviting, add a couple of indoor plants and it’s basically as good as the real deal.

A well-equipped kitchen

Entire home vacation rentals should ensure that the kitchen is properly stocked. After all, a fully stocked kitchen is one of the main reasons why guests opt for short-term rentals over hotels. If you’re going for the home-away-from-home feeling for your rental property, a great kitchen for your guests to cook their own meals in is a must.

Some property managers and Airbnb hosts offer a special custom-stocked fridge offer which sees them providing guests with a range of food products and even wine, with the price built into that of the listing. High-end guests expect these sorts of luxury vacation rental amenities.

To help vacation rental guests find the item they’re looking for, ensure that it’s organized logically and intuitively. Otherwise, your guests will be quick to jump to the conclusion that your kitchen lacks the essentials. Plus, by taking the time to organize your kitchen, it will also be easier for guests (and your cleaners) to return the items to their correct places.

You can use this kitchen checklist to ensure that you have all the essentials:

• Fridge
• Coffee maker
• Microwave
• Oven
• Toaster
• Electric kettle
• Cookware
• Cutlery
• Mugs
• Glassware
• Cutting boards
• Food storage containers
• Wine opener
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Trash can
• Cleaning supplies
• Sharp knife
• Scissors
• A smoke detector and smoke alarm
• A fire extinguisher

You can look at our list of kitchen essentials for a more detailed rundown of what you need in the kitchen. For an even more comprehensive list, download our Vacation Rental Inventory Checklist.

Laundry facilities

Similarly to a fully stocked kitchen, a washing machine can also be the difference between a guest deciding to book your short-term rental or just checking themselves in at the local hotel.

It might come as a surprise, but some guests actually do washing while they’re on holiday. After all, if you’re booking a longer stay, how else are you going to have enough clean clothing?

Not only will investing in a washing machine help your guests, but it will also come in handy when you have a same-day check-in. Getting the linen ready for the next guests is a major headache if you continuously need to rely on third-party services. It will also work out more expensive in the long run.

Consider also storing an iron and ironing board in your vacation home or short-term rental. Keeping these items in your laundry room allows guests to use them when needed.

Free Parking

Guests who travel don’t need to worry about where their vehicles are or how safe they are while they stay at your property, so if there is free parking available, be sure to state that.

Specify what kind of parking it is as well, whether it be a simple parking bay on the property, an open spot designated for your property in a larger lot, an available garage, or even on-street parking. Tell them about it well ahead of time to set their minds at ease.

If there isn’t free parking available, try to provide affordable alternatives as close to the property as possible. If the distance could be considered inconvenient, try to come up with a convenient workaround to help them out.

A pet-friendly space

Longer stays are one of the top travel trends that are expected to remain popular in 2023 and beyond.

To help you make your listing more inviting to guests looking to book a weeklong stay or longer, consider opening your home to pets. It’s one of the easiest ways to set your rental apart from the competition as it’s a unique value proposition that few currently offer.

In addition to listing your property as pet-friendly, also ensure that you offer the following items:

• Bowls for water and food
• Furniture covers
• A pet bed
• A couple of pet toys (including a scratching post) and treats
• Designated pet towels
• A litter box
• Cleaning supplies

An outdoor area

If space allows it, one of the most popular amenities guests want is an outdoor area. it’s strongly recommended that you create some sort of outdoor space. Once again, it’s one of the key amenities that can help set your listing apart from the competition, especially hotel accommodation.

When creating an outdoor area, pay special attention to privacy. Not only do guests want to escape the gaze of onlookers, but also the sun. A pergola or awning can be an attractive addition that can also offer shade. Alternatively, you can simply settle on an umbrella.

Then, depending on the size of the outdoor area, you can also try to include an outdoor patio set where guests can enjoy al fresco dining and a BBQ grill. Alternatively, a hammock or lounger can add the final touch if it becomes too cramped.

As an Airbnb host, you can further enrich your outdoor area with basic gym equipment, like a yoga matt and weights. This is not essential but a nice perk for your guests anyway. Be sure to include a warning to keep your guests safe.

Hot tubs, Swimming Pool or Splash Pool

Depending on your location and budget, a pool or hot tub can also be an attractive amenity to include, especially for luxury vacation rentals. While it’s not a must in most cases, it will add a level of entertainment and comfort that guests are sure to appreciate, especially in hotter climates. Not only will it help to attract more bookings, but it will also allow you to increase your nightly rate.

So take a look at your budget and weigh up the options. You may not be able to accommodate an in-ground pool, but there might be room and money for a hot tub.

What Do Airbnb Hosts Have to Provide?

Many of the ideas listed above for Airbnb amenities are nice-to-have items. While a hot tub and a patio can elevate the guest experience, they aren’t essential amenities.

To ensure that your listing has everything your guests will expect, you can use this handy checklist of the basic amenities, along with the Airbnb kitchen essentials checklist shared earlier:

Living area essentials

• Couch
• Armchairs
• A coffee table
• Television
• Rugs
• Decor
• Indoor plants

Dining room essentials

• A dining table and chairs
• Adequate lighting (smart lighting can lend a modern touch)
• Artwork
• A high chair (if your target marketing is mostly families with young kids)

Bedroom essentials

• A bed and mattress
• Mattress cover
• Guest linens
• Sufficient pillows
• Matching pillowcases
• An extra blanket and extra pillows
• A wardrobe (and remember the coat hangers)
• Bedside tables
• Lamps
• An ironing board and iron
• A full-length mirror
• A hairdryer

Bathroom essentials

• High-quality towels
• Beach towels (if your property is by the sea)
• Toilet paper (and remember to include extra toilet paper)
• A bath mat
• A mirror
• A toilet brush set
• A trash can
• A first-aid kit
• Body soap

How Do I Impress Guests on Airbnb?

While these Airbnb essentials and extra amenities can help to boost your occupancy rate and guarantee a comfortable stay, there are a number of other ways in which hosts can impress their guests. Small gestures, like a welcome basket and note, can show guests that you’re willing to go the extra mile for them.

At the end of the day, impressing guests is more about the experience that you offer than the amenities that you provide. Be attentive to their needs and ensure that your communication is professional and prompt.

Your Mastercard credit card might be able to buy you these five-star Airbnb amenities, but for everything else, there’s iGMS vacation rental software.

Being a host is a time-consuming task, but by investing in vacation rental software you can save many hours per week by streamlining your communication and other routine tasks. A software solution like iGMS can help with:

• Organizing messages into a single feed with a unified inbox
• Improving communication with automated templates and triggered messaging
• Creating your own direct booking website