8 Airbnb Amenities That Don't Matter As Much As You Think

All hosts want to exceed guests’ expectations about their property to get excellent reviews. This article will delve into the Airbnb amenities guests actually value and seek out using search filters, such as pools, to enhance their stay.

Going the extra mile to provide your guests staying the best Airbnb amenities is a part of a solid plan for success. However, not all vacation rental amenities are worth your money because your guests are unlikely to use them as often as you might think. Besides, some Airbnb amenities require big investments while generating low returns.

While it’s tempting to think that your guests will enjoy your property like it’s a second home, the reality is much different. In fact, these 8 Airbnb amenities don’t matter as much as you might think.

1. Swimming Pool with Private Entrance

It makes sense to have a swimming pool if you live in an area where it’s warm all year round. In other cases, it’s not worth your money. During the cooler months, the pool won’t be used by your guests enough to make up for the high maintenance costs. Additionally, in warm climates, a swimming pool might significantly attract more guests looking for a refreshing way to enjoy their stay.

The quality of your pool also matters. If you’re planning to install a cheap above ground pool, consider the fact that your guests can easily find a hotel pool or beach nearby. If so, your pool is nearly guaranteed to become a waste of money and an eyesore.

You’ll also need to cover the initial costs and maintenance for pool safety equipment to avoid potential accidents. Even if your Airbnb property is not intended for children, you still have to install safety items such as a pool fence with a lock, safety covers, and an alarm system.

If it sounds like a pool won’t be worth the hassle, this is definitely one of the Airbnb amenities that you shouldn’t waste your time and money on. Skip the beach towels as well. They can, and likely will, bring their own.

2. Streaming Services or Cable

Access to a streaming service, or even cable TV, might seem like one of those essential amenities, but it’s really not all that likely to make a difference. An expensive cable TV subscription is one of those Airbnb amenities that is hardly worth the cost unless you expect that the majority of your guests will spend a good portion of their stay indoors. In reality, guests prefer spending more time outside.

Consider getting rid of the cable TV subscription and replacing it with one or two streaming services if you consider television a must. That way your guests can still enjoy a bit of TV and not be disappointed by the available options while you save money.

3. Snacks in Excess

Finding the perfect snacks that will satisfy the tastes and dietary preferences of each guest is virtually impossible. Some guests may have food allergies that you are unaware of, which makes providing food a serious risk for you as a host.

Guests might also feel uncomfortable about eating food in your place when they can’t be certain of the food’s freshness or that it hasn’t been tampered with. The solution? Stick to beverages or products that have a long shelf life. A few bottles of water and soda are good enough when it comes to stocking the fridge.

A bottle of wine or some chocolate will also be a pleasant surprise to guests so this is another safe choice. Just don’t go over the limits with snacks selection.

4. Extra Toiletries

Extra toiletries and basic amenities are one of the Airbnb essential amenities that that might seem to be a good idea to provide. However, it turns out that most people take their own preferred brands of toiletries with them when traveling.

While the basics such as liquid hand soap, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are important to have on your Airbnb amenities list as part of the essential basic amenities, skip a body lotion or skin care products. Also, extra toilet paper is never a bad idea.

You should also avoid purchasing bars of soap because they get messy quickly and are often wasted. A liquid soap dispenser is also easier to refill.

5. Essential First Aid Kit With Extra Medicines

Safety amenities like a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector are kind of a must, so you might believe that you’re helping your guests by stocking your property with medical supplies. However, when it comes to the first aid kit that you keep around the house, stick to the basics.

A basic first-aid kit may contain:

• sterile gauze dressings
• bandages
• safety pins
• disposable sterile gloves
• tweezers
• scissors
• alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• sticky tape
• thermometer (preferably digital)

However, when it comes to extra medicines, such as rash cream, cough medicine, or painkillers, just leave these out. You should never store medicines for guests, even the most popular brands, as they may cause reactions.

Over-the-counter medications can interact with prescription medications or cause allergic reactions in some individuals. As a result, you could be doing more harm than good since you don’t know your guests’ prior medical histories.

6. Pricey Glass Kitchenware

What better way to impress your guests with Airbnb amenities in the kitchen but to invest in expensive glass kitchenware, right? Wrong!

While you might appreciate fine china, buying it for your vacation rental guests only increases the risks of potential injuries. Glass kitchenware is extremely breakable and is totally unnecessary for an Airbnb property when there a ton of stylish and safer options available. Instead of glass kitchenware, consider ceramic or metal options.

7. Pool Table

A pool table may seem like the perfect addition to an Airbnb property that you want to market as a group vacation spot. However, the cons of having a pool table far outweigh the benefits.

The majority of your guests probably won’t bother with it in the first place because they will be much more interested in activities outside of your place. In addition, a quality pool table costs a lot of money. A cheap poorly-made table just won’t cut it for pool enthusiasts.

You’ll also have to constantly worry about the balls and cues going missing because they’ve been lost or stolen from your place.

Finally, if your property is on the smaller side, a pool table takes up space that could be put to better use as a dining room or lounge area.

8. Whirlpool Tub

If you’ve thought about expanding your list of Airbnb amenities by installing a whirlpool tub in your property for guests: don’t do it. In fact, there are a whole host of reasons why your guests won’t like it. First, most of your guests will find it hard to relax thinking about the hundreds of other people who have bathed in the same tub.

Unless your whirlpool tub has a heater, it won’t be long before your guests are sitting in a hot tub, full of cold water, which will pretty much ruin their chances of an enjoyable bath.

Almost all whirlpool tubs are very noisy. The constant hum of the motor and pump makes it nearly impossible for guests to relax while using it.

On the other hand, a whirlpool tub that is operated by guests who might not know how to use it properly could lead to some serious home damages for you.

When a private room is not properly ventilated, the heat and moisture produced by the whirlpool tub can damage your bathroom. You’ll also have to instruct guests not to put bubble bath into the tub as this can easily result in excess suds and a flooded (and dangerously slippery) bathroom.

Finally, if a whirlpool tub isn’t properly drained after each use, you could also end up with mold growth concerns, which will require an expensive, professional clean up. Mold also creates a health hazard which means that you won’t be able to rent your property until the mold is removed.

These disadvantages highlight the importance of considering how such amenities can negatively impact the guest experience, potentially leading to less favorable reviews and a decrease in bookings.

Your Go-To Airbnb Amenities Checklist

There are a couple of must-have amenities guests need for a comfortable stay. This would be things like the following:

• free parking or an option for street parking
• wireless internet
• air conditioning
• coffee machine
• comfortable bed
• one towel
• cooking basics
• extra blankets

These are a surefire way to a good guest experience and a comfy stay. As an Airbnb host, always try and put yourself in a guest’s shoes to provide the

For a more comprehensive list of Airbnb must haves, you can grab our Inventory Checklist.

The Bottom Line? Don’t Go Overboard on “Essential” Airbnb Amenities

Striking the balance between just right and too much when it comes to deciding what should go on your Airbnb amenities checklist for vacation rentals can be tricky. If you’re unsure as to whether your guests will appreciate some Airbnb amenities in vacation rental settings, err on the side of caution and leave them out.

Stock up on the toilet paper, let the guests worry about their own meals, keep an iron and ironing board stowed away just in case of business travelers, and your vacation rental will do just fine.

Also, you might want to check some Airbnb interior design tips to make your vacation rentals just perfect for guests. There are many other ways to earn your five-star reviews that don’t require you to invest in high-risk, low-reward Airbnb amenities.