The Airbnb Amenities List Guests Actually Use
The Airbnb amenities guests actually use start with Airbnb's essentials (toilet paper, hand and body soap, one towel per guest, one pillow per guest and linens for each guest bed) and then the features guests search for most, such as wifi, a kitchen, parking, air conditioning or heating and a washer or dryer (Airbnb Help Center, Airbnb Resource Center). Beyond that, the right list is the one your guests use and your cleaner can keep stocked at every turnover.
I have seen hosts buy every gadget on a listicle and then watch half of it collect dust. The amenities that matter are the ones that solve a problem for your guests. Here is how I think about it.
The essentials: non negotiable
Airbnb lists these as essential amenities:
- Toilet paper
- Soap for hands and body
- One towel per guest
- One pillow per guest
- Linens for each guest bed
Airbnb says listings that select the Essentials option but do not actually provide these items may face penalties, including removal from Airbnb (Airbnb Help Center). In practice, running out of toilet paper or being a towel short is the fastest way to a disappointed guest, so keep more than the minimum on hand.
The amenities guests search for most
Airbnb lists the amenities guests search for most often as (Airbnb Resource Center):
- Pool
- Free parking
- Wifi
- Air conditioning or heating
- Kitchen
- Hot tub
- Washer or dryer
- Self check in
- TV or cable
- BBQ grill
You cannot add a pool on a whim, but many on this list are within reach: reliable wifi, clear parking, self check in and a well equipped kitchen. If you have any of them, make sure they are selected in your listing's amenities so guests filtering for them find you. The same Airbnb page notes that guests working remotely look for fast, reliable wifi and a dedicated workspace.
Big amenities come with upkeep. A pool or hot tub needs a real routine, which I cover in pool care for Airbnb hosts and hot tub cleaning between Airbnb guests.
Room by room: what guests actually use
Kitchen
- Coffee maker plus coffee and filters or pods
- Kettle and tea
- Salt, pepper and cooking oil
- A few good pans, not a dozen worn ones
- Sharp knives and a cutting board
- Plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery for at least your maximum guest count
- Dish soap, a fresh sponge and dishwasher detergent
- Trash bags and paper towels
- Food storage containers and foil
Bathroom
- Toilet paper, with a backup roll visible
- Hand soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash
- Hair dryer
- Bath towels, hand towels and washcloths
- Bath mat
- Dark makeup towels or makeup remover wipes (see keeping white towels white)
- Small trash can with a lid
- Plunger, discreetly placed
Bedroom
- Protected mattress and pillows (see protecting Airbnb mattresses and pillows)
- Two pillows per guest, ideally one firm and one soft
- Extra blanket
- Blackout curtains or good blinds
- Bedside lamps and outlets or chargers near the bed
- Hangers and a place to unpack
Living and workspace
- Fast wifi, with the details easy to find
- A table or desk with a comfortable chair
- Good lighting
- A TV with streaming apps guests can log into
Laundry and cleaning
- Washer and dryer instructions
- Laundry detergent for longer stays
- Iron and ironing board or a steamer
- Basic cleaning supplies for guest spills
Safety
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Airbnb says hosts should clearly state whether these are present in the listing (Airbnb, Safety information on listings).
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit
What to skip or scale back
- Decorative extras that need dusting and can break
- Too many throw pillows, which slow down your cleaner and end up on the floor
- Gadgets that need explaining, unless guests ask for them
- Big selections of toiletries in fancy containers that are hard to refill
Every amenity adds a line to your turnover checklist. If it does not get used, it costs you cleaner time and restocking money for nothing.
Match amenities to your guests
Look at your recent reviews and messages. What did guests mention, ask for or complain about? A few patterns I watch for:
- Families: high chair, travel crib, outlet covers, kids' plates
- Remote workers: desk, monitor, strong wifi
- Long stays: laundry supplies, more storage, full size kitchen items
- Beach or lake homes: beach towels, chairs, a place to rinse off sand
- Pet friendly listings: bowls, a pet towel, waste bags
Adding one amenity that solves a repeated request is worth more than ten guesses.
Keep what you list in stock
The listing is a promise. If your amenities say "coffee" and the pods are gone, the guest sees a broken promise, not a small oversight. That is why restocking matters as much as buying.
- Write par levels for every consumable.
- Stock an owner's closet so your cleaner never has to shop mid turnover.
- Add every amenity to the turnover checklist with a quantity.
- Ask for photos of key amenities: coffee station, toiletries, towels, first aid kit.
Use the Airbnb restocking checklist as a starting point.
Photos are also where Clyn helps. Your cleaner takes turnover photos in the Clyn app, and Clyn's AI checks them against your property's standard, so a missing hair dryer, an empty soap dispenser or a bathroom short one towel gets flagged before the guest checks in. You get a pass or a fix list without having to go and count yourself.
FAQ
What amenities are required on Airbnb?
Airbnb lists toilet paper, hand and body soap, one towel per guest, one pillow per guest and linens for each guest bed as essential amenities. Listings that select Essentials but do not provide them may face penalties.
What amenities do Airbnb guests search for most?
Airbnb lists pool, free parking, wifi, air conditioning or heating, kitchen, hot tub, washer or dryer, self check in, TV or cable and BBQ grill as the amenities guests search for most often.
How do I make sure amenities are restocked every stay?
Set par levels, keep an owner's closet stocked, add each amenity to your turnover checklist with a quantity and ask your cleaner for photos of the key items at every turnover.
If you want every turnover checked before check in, you can try Clyn free on one property at clyn.com.