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Airbnb host checklist for an exceptional guest experience 

Guesty Marketing Team

TL;DR 

This checklist breaks down exactly what Airbnb hosts need to create stays guests rave about, without overspending.

If you’re a small Airbnb host with 1-5 listings and a tight budget, you can still outshine competitors by crafting a guest experience that earns 5-star reviews and more bookings with every stay. 

Listings with consistently high reviews tend to attract significantly more bookings, according to Airbnb and industry reports. 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. 

To save you time, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Airbnb host checklist you can adapt for the specifics of your individual rental and typical guests. The checklist helps you nail the stay. Guesty Lite helps you manage it with automated messaging and perfectly synced calendars so you can focus on providing an exceptional guest experience. 

Table of Contents

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. Think of it like marketing: start by picturing your typical guest, then stock accordingly. 

Hotels max out at mini-shampoos and folded towels. You can do more—and that’s where 5-star reviews come from.

How to use this checklist:

Use this Airbnb amenities checklist as your baseline, then personalize with a welcome basket or digital welcome book for extra impact 

Airbnb bathroom furnishing checklist

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

Modern marble bathroom vanity featuring gold faucets, a wooden tray with amber toiletry bottles, eucalyptus greenery, and a silver magnifying mirror.

The overall impression your guests have of your rental largely depends on the cleanliness and amenities you provide. Consider stocking $5 travel-sized shampoo and soap or $15 hair dryer. Even a $50 towel warmer can transform a simple bathroom into a spa-like retreat. 

Non-negotiables 

5-star touches 

Premium extras

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. A worn mattress, lumpy pillows, or itchy bedding can ruin a guest’s stay, no matter how perfect the rest of the experience may be. The investment in high-quality beds and bedding pays off significantly in reviews. 

Here are the basic and upgraded items you need for your Airbnb bedroom to be the bedroom of your guests’ dreams:

Non-negiotables 

5-star touches 

Kitchen checklist for Airbnb

One reason vacationers may opt for an Airbnb rental over a hotel is the option to make their own meals. Whether this is due to dietary restrictions, to save money, or other reasons, a stocked kitchen is a huge draw for a vacation rental property. You can provide the basics, or exceed expectations 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:

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

Even $10 in snacks can spark this reaction. A simple welcome basket with local treats or breakfast basics signals thoughtfulness without breaking the budget. This is the kind of accommodation that builds your online reputation and creates lasting guest loyalty. 

Stainless steel espresso machine and home coffee station featuring a jar of beans, ceramic mugs, and a handwritten "Welcome, enjoy" note on a wooden board.

Non-negiotables  

5-star touches 

Premium extras

How to set up your Airbnb common areas

The common areas of a short-term rental are a key element that sets them apart from other Airbnbs and hotels. 

How you furnish and stock the common areas 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 outdoors. 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. 

Non-negiotables  

5-star touches 

Premium extras

Woman working on a laptop at a wooden desk in a sunlit home office filled with indoor plants and mid-century modern furniture.

Essentials for digital nomads and remote workers 

Essentials for families with kids 

Elevate arrivals with keyless entry

Today’s guests expect keyless entries. This saves you key handoffs and ensures smoother arrivals on all sides. 

With self check-in and keyless entry, you avoid late-night key exchanges and give guests the freedom to arrive on their own schedule. Smart lock automation lets you generate unique access codes for each booking period — no more tracking down spare keys or coordinating handoffs.

Guesty LocksManager takes it a step further, automatically generating and sending unique codes for each guest so you never think about access again. If you’re interested in learning more about smart lock systems, check out this deep dive into the best smart locks for Airbnb. 

Better safe than sorry

Safety and first-aid items are important but often overlooked Airbnb essentials to supply in your rental. A $15 first aid kit costs little but gives guests peace of mind — just make sure to keep it visible. 

First-aid essentials 

It’s also wise to include emergency numbers in your digital guidebook or post them in an accessible location. 

Cleanliness & staff shortages

A sparkling clean property is a non-negotiable in hospitality. 

Particular attention should be paid to: 

See the tips Airbnb Superhosts share on how they keep their listings clean and what areas they focus on in their rentals. 

Property managers with many properties depend on a reliable professional cleaning service to maintain cleanliness. Cleaning staff shortages can lead to complications, delays, and disgruntled guests, so it’s important to stay on top of your roster and have a system in place for cleaning emergencies.  

Your checklist, your Airbnb

Treat this Airbnb essentials checklist as a living document. Revisit it seasonally and update based on guest feedback. 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. 

Ready to put it into action? Guesty Lite helps small hosts automate the busywork — messaging, calendars, and guest communication – so you can focus on the guest experience. Get started here.  

Frequently asked questions

What essentials should every Airbnb host provide? 

At minimum, stock toiletries and towels in the bathroom, quality linens and climate control in the bedroom, basic cookware and coffee/tea in the kitchen, and comfortable seating with fast WiFi in common areas. These are guest expectations, not extras.

How much does it cost to stock an Airbnb? 

You can cover the basics for a few hundred dollars. Small upgrades — a $15 hair dryer, $10 kettle, $50 towel warmer — add up to under $100 but make a noticeable difference in reviews.

What amenities do Airbnb guests value most? 

Fast WiFi, a comfortable bed, and a clean bathroom consistently top guest priorities. After that, small touches like a coffee station, phone charging, and quality toiletries get mentioned most often in 5-star reviews.

Do I need a smart lock for my Airbnb? 

Not required, but highly recommended. Self check-in with keyless entry eliminates scheduling headaches and ranks as a top filter guests use when booking.

How do I get more 5-star reviews? 

Nail the basics, add a few thoughtful extras, and keep the space spotless. Guests notice when you’ve thought about their experience—and they mention it in reviews.

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