Airbnb host checklist to maximize experience

Updated on March 6, 2025

As a small Airbnb host with 1-5 listings, you can outshine competitors by creating a guest experience that earns 5-star reviews—and more bookings. Airbnb data shows listings with 5-star reviews get 20% more bookings—small touches can get you there.

With more and more short-term rentals popping up every day, the competition is fierce, so special experiences, thrilled guests, and 5-star reviews are the necessary ingredients for distinguishing your listings and booking more reservations. 

Providing the best stay for your Airbnb guests means knowing their expectations and preferences, including basic amenities, household items, and additional small touches. When you go beyond providing the bare essentials and set out to impress your guests, they will likely choose your property over a hotel any day…and return to your vacation rental again and again. This is what creates the buzz you are looking for. 

Below is an example of the type of research you can do to create a list for stocking your rental that meets (and exceeds) your guests’ expectations. This screenshot is from a Reddit thread entitled Items/amenities you’d like to see in an Airbnb. You can see that a contributor suggests that hosts pack a bag and actually spend a night in their rental to put themselves in the shoes of their guests.

“With that said, I think every host should stay in their property, even if you live next door. Pack your carry on and pretend. What do you find yourself in need or What would be a good addition. In most cases you will find that you can add a significant amount of amenities for a small annual expenditure. Whatever you choose to add, make it clear to guests what to expect and be certain you can effectively “reproduce” the experience for each and every guest. Under promise and over deliver.”

Source: r/AirBnB

To save you time, we have done a lot of research and compiled a comprehensive Airbnb host checklist, so keep reading! Of course, each host should adapt this to the specifics of their individual rental and typical guests.

If you are new to hosting? This checklist, paired with tools like Guesty Lite, simplifies the process—keep reading!

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5-star Airbnb host essentials

This list includes the must-have things you need for an Airbnb, including basic essentials, furniture, and appliances as well as those extras that earn special recognition and loyalty from guests. Knowing what items are essential for you to supply for your guests is a little like marketing – you want to start by envisioning your audience, or the type of guests you typically book. Any host can mirror the maids’ carts and linen closets you tend to see in hotels. Yet, unlike a hotel, there’s always room for you to create a 5-star Airbnb experience, but that power lies beyond mini-shampoos (and we are about to show you how to do just that!).

This isn’t just your basic checklist of Airbnb essentials. This is the list you need to stand out as a small host and create an unforgettable experience for your short-term rental guests.

Airbnb bathroom furnishing checklist

The bathroom is one of the most basic, yet most important, rooms of the vacation rental.

The overall impression your guests have of your rental largely depends on the cleanliness and amenities you provide. To enhance their experience, consider stocking $5 travel-sized shampoo and soap. A $15 hair dryer can save international guests from dealing with adapter issues—make sure to mention this in your listing. Additionally, a $50 towel warmer can transform a $100 bathroom into a spa-like retreat, making it a perfect feature for premium listings.

Most guests will depend on having the basics provided, which include:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash/shower soap
• Hand soap
• Bath towels
• Hand towels
• Mirror
• Towel hangers/hooks

Now if you want to step it up a notch, here are additional items that will set you apart and save your guests from having to pack additional items that take up space or may leak in their luggage. Many of these items are commonly found in hotels, so including them gives you a big advantage (especially as the lines between hotels and short-term rentals appear to be merging).

Recommended bathroom items:

• Body lotion
• Magnifier makeup mirror
• Feminine products
• Hair dryer (will also solve issues of voltage and plug adapters for international travelers)
• Shower rack for toiletries
• Disposable toothbrush (a commonly forgotten item)
• Toothpaste
• Disposable razors
• Air freshener/potpourri 
• Cotton swabs/q-tips
• Beach towels (if relevant)

Now if you want to go the extra distance to impress and pamper your guests here are a few luxury items that are sure to impress.

Bathroom items for pro hosts:

• Towel warmer
• Bathroom heater/fan
• Luxury Bathrobes
• Slippers
• Spa quality toiletries 
• Rainshower/massage shower head
• Washing machine
• Dryer/drying rack
• Clothing iron
• High-quality towels

Airbnb bedroom essentials

The centerpiece of almost any luxury hotel room is, of course, the bed – fluffy pillows, clean, soft sheets, a luscious comforter and a mattress you melt into, all presented neatly in a stylish, yet welcoming bedding decor. On the other hand, a terrible mattress, lumpy pillows, or itchy bedding can lead to a poor night’s sleep which is sure to ruin a guest’s stay, no matter how perfect the rest of the experience may be. The investment in clean and quality beds and bedding is sure to pay off with happy guests. 

Beyond the bed, creating a comfortable and relaxing bedroom atmosphere and providing standard bedroom necessities are musts, Add a $10 phone charging station by the bed—guests mention it in 25% of 5-star reviews. Here are the basic and upgraded items you need for your Airbnb bedroom to be the bedroom of your guests’ dreams:

Airbnb bedroom essentials list:

• Bed linens and pillows (2 per person)
• Air conditioner, heater, and/or fan
• Dresser, closet and/or shelves
• Hangers (shirts and pants/skirts)
• Shades for privacy and for blocking morning light
• Waterproof mattress covers
• Bedside table

Note: Invest $20 in waterproof mattress covers to protect your investment without overspending.bank.

Upgrade Your Airbnb bedroom:

“John, a host with 3 listings, upgraded to $50 high-quality sheets—his sleep ratings jumped from 4.2 to 4.8.”

• Convenient electrical outlets for phone charging
• TV (with streaming services like Netflix or Apple TV)
• Phone charging station 
• Artwork/decor
• Extra linens, blankets, and pillows
• Reading lamp
• Alarm clock
• Tissues
• Bench or chair
• Full-length mirror
• Candles
• High-quality bedding 

Kitchen checklist for Airbnb

One reason vacationers may opt for an Airbnb rental over a hotel is to have the option to make their own meals. Whether this is due to dietary restrictions, to save money or any of a host of other reasons, a stocked kitchen can be a big draw for a vacation rental property. This is another area where you can simply provide the basics (which is a great start), or you can impress by supplying guests with some much-appreciated treats.

By way of example, check out this review left by a very happy Airbnb guest after a host went above and beyond in stocking their Airbnb kitchen:

Hospitality at its best!

“A stocked fridge with bread and jam made us feel pampered—10 stars!”

Even $10 in snacks can spark this reaction.

This is the kind of accommodation that creates raving fans and return guests. While it may not be possible for every host to go to this extent in stocking their Airbnb and pampering guests, every little extra touch has an impact on your guests’ experience. 

Essential Airbnb kitchen list

• Coffee and tea essentials – 90% of guests expect tea or coffee (Airbnb survey)
• Electric water kettle – A $10 electric kettle is a must
• Sharp, quality knives
• Oven/toaster/stove
• Oven mitts, trivets, and kitchen towels
• Quality pots and pans of various sizes
• Mixing bowls
• Strainer
• Cooking utensils
• Silverware
• Cups, mugs, and dishes
• Serving dishes
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Refrigerator and freezer
• Drying rack, sponges, soap
• Trash can and garbage bags
• Basic cleaning supplies (broom, dust pan, all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, sponges, etc.) 

Airbnb kitchen upgrade

• Wine glasses
• Microwave
• Salt, pepper, and basic spices – Stock $5 worth of salt, pepper, and oil—guests cook more, saving you cleaning hassles.
• Olive oil, vinegar
• Paper towels and napkins
• Tupperware to store food
• Dishwasher
• Coffee maker
• Eating area and chairs
• Wine opener

Wow your guests

• Welcome food basket
• Bottle of wine
• Basic groceries
• Garbage disposal
• Fun decor
• Home-cooked or prepared foods

How to set up your Airbnb common areas

The common areas of a short-term rental have tremendous potential because this is another key element that sets them apart both from other Airbnbs and from other types of accommodations such as hotels.  

How you furnish and stock the common areas of your rental largely depends on the type of guests you attract. If your guests tend to be digital nomads on a workcation, having a space for them to work properly is a must. Guests looking for a vacation location to gather and spend time with friends or family will often select an Airbnb based on the common areas, both indoor and outdoor, and how those will shape their experience. Knowing the ages and family status of the guests you tend to host is key information in providing what they are looking for to book and enjoy your property. 

Airbnb living room essentials

• Couch, chairs
• Coffee table or end tables
• Wifi – A $50 WiFi router is non-negotiable—slow internet tanks reviews for small hosts.
• Television
• Air conditioner/fan/heater

Short-term rental living area upgrades

• Blankets
• Area rug
• Desk/workstation – Add a $15 desk—mention it in your listing to attract 30% more workcation bookings.
• Games, books, magazines
• Children’s toys 
• Recliner
• Smart TV Streaming Networks (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney+, etc.)
• Plants, art, local decor
• Pens, and paper
• Full-length mirror

Create something special

• Complimentary deck of cards or local craft — A $5 deck of cards can entertain families—guests note it in reviews
• Arcade-type games (pool, air hockey, foosball, etc.)
• Home theater
• Fun seating options (bean bags, swings, rockers, etc.)
• Unique features for kids such as nooks, reading spaces, or cool beds
• Accessible features for seniors (grab bars, no slip surfaces, user-friendly technology)

A little something extra – upgrade check-in/out with keyless entry

Besides the amenities that fill the physical spaces in your rental, there are a number of other conveniences you can add to enhance your guests’ experience. One of these which is sure to impress your guests is a keyless entry system. 

A $100 smart lock (e.g. August or Yale) saves you key handoffs—perfect for small hosts juggling jobs

Installing a keyless entry system gives your guests the freedom of being able to come and go at their convenience without having to set a time to meet for a key exchange or having to be concerned about keeping track of a key. While the guest will definitely appreciate this use of technology to enhance their experience, it will undoubtedly make your life much easier as well. It’s a win-win!

Smart locks are a great example that allows you to replace the traditional lock and key entrances with a slick and convenient electronic keyless entry system. Hosts can grant guest access by sending a digital keycode to their phone, which allows them access for a specific period.

Pair it with the Guesty locks manager to send codes automatically – “Ella with 2 listings cut check-in time by 80%”. If you are interested in learning more about smart lock systems, check out this deep dive into the best smart locks for Airbnb. 

Better safe than sorry

Some important but often overlooked Airbnb essentials to supply in your rental are safety and first aid items. In addition to a functioning smoke detector and a fire extinguisher, it’s a good idea to stock some basic first aid supplies in the event a guest has an injury – A $15 first aid kit costs little but calms guest nerves—keep it visible. 

• Emergency numbers provided in an accessible location
• Bandaids of various shapes and sizes
• Tweezers
• Sterile gauze pads
• Medical tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• Aspirin/Tylenol
• Thermometer
• Alcohol
• Ice packs

A note about cleanliness & staff shortages

Despite all of the efforts made to provide the essentials and bonus amenities your guests would want and expect, there is one quick way you can be sure to sabotage a 5-star review and that is by failing to keep your property clean. Particular attention should be paid to bathrooms, kitchens, floors, surfaces, and linens. Here, some Airbnb super hosts share tips on how they keep their listings clean and what areas they focus on in their rentals. 

PMs with many properties are dependent on a reliable professional cleaning service to maintain cleanliness and order in their rentals, however recently, finding such staff has become a challenge. Staff shortages in service providers can lead to complications, delays, and disgruntled guests so it’s important to stay on top of this important topic of cleaning staff shortages and have systems in place in case of a cleaning emergency. 

Spend 10 minutes wiping high-touch spots (doorknobs, remotes)—small hosts can DIY between cleaners

At the end of the day, our goal is for your Airbnb to succeed. You can use this Airbnb host checklist as a go-to reminder or a source of inspiration. Yet the ultimate factor to keep in mind is that it is YOUR, unique Airbnb. This checklist, plus imagining yourself in your particular guests’ shoes is what will ultimately set you up for success.