There’s a lot of work that goes into creating the perfect customer experience for your Airbnb guests. Part of that success formula involves the quality and types of amenities that your property offers.
Buying vacation rental supplies is one of the tasks that you’ll need to approach carefully in order to ensure that you have the essentials that matter to your guests most. In addition to the basics, you’ll also want to purchase a few special items that will really make your vacation rental guests feel like they are well taken care of.
Generally, when it comes to deciding which Airbnb supplies to purchase for your guests, you should think of your property as commercial accommodation. Purchase the same quality of toiletries, linens, and other items that you usually see in hotels. However, since many Airbnb properties don’t really match the traditional concept of a hotel, you’ll need to also consider the type of guests that your property attracts.
Using a property management tool like iGMS can help you tailor your supplies and amenities to the preferences of your specific guests, ensuring a more personalized and satisfying experience. Follow these rules and the tips below to ensure that you purchase the right Airbnb supplies to help you exceed your guests’ expectations.
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Airbnb Supplies Essential Checklist
Here is a complete checklist of what Airbnb supplies you’ll need, as well as, some tips on where to buy them.
The Bathroom
- Bath Towels
- Hand Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Body Soap (a soap bar will need to be replaced after every guest, but it means less plastic than disposable bottles of body wash).
- Toothpaste
- Body Lotion
- Disposable Razors
- Disposable Toothbrushes
- Shower Hanger
- Towel Hanger
- Hair Dryer
- Bath Mat
- Garbage Can
The Bedroom
- Bed Linens
- Pillows (more than one pillow per guest is ideal)
- Tissues
- Safe for Valuables
- Bedside Table and Lamp
- Garbage Can
- Notepad and Pen
- Hangers for Clothing
- Alarm Clock
The Kitchen
- Tea and Coffee
- Tea Kettle
- Sugar and Seasonings
- Dishes
- Pots and Pans
- Silverware
- Cups
- Wine Glasses
- Ice Trays
- Coasters
- Tupperware
- Cleaning Supplies
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Hand Soap
- Trash Bags
- Mop
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Oven Mitts
- Dish Towels
Living Room
- Coffee Table Reading Items (Books, Magazines, Travel Guides)
- Pens and Pencils
Appliances
- Washer and Dryer
- Television
- Cable and/or Subscription Streaming Service
- Clothing Iron
- Wi-Fi
Safety Equipment
- First Aid Kit
- Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Fire Extinguisher
- Contact List for Emergency Services
- WiFi Thermostat
- Childproofing
- Disaster Kit
- Anti-slip Mats
While this list is a general checklist that can be applied to all Airbnb properties, you should also make sure to tweak your essentials to match the types of guests that your property attracts. iGMS can help you manage these adjustments efficiently, ensuring you always meet and exceed guest expectations.
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Airbnb Supplies Checklist By Guest Type
The types of supplies that you’ll need for each guest will vary according to type. of course, the base essentials like toilet paper will always need to be kept in stock. Here are some additional items to consider for your Airbnb supplies checklist to help you cater to the various types of Airbnb guests.
For Business Travelers
Business travelers tend to have more convenience and efficiency-focused requirements when it comes to Airbnb toiletries and vacation rental amenities. For some extras, consider purchasing spare smartphone chargers and setting up a laptop-friendly workspace somewhere quiet in your vacation rental property. A coffee maker also would be a great addition to your property, for pretty much every guest type!
As an Airbnb host, you may also want to consider getting your listing certified as ‘Business Travel Ready’ by Airbnb. This will allow your property to be advertised on Airbnb as a property that is suitable for work-related travel guests. To qualify you must make sure to include the workspace, Wi-Fi, self-check-in, and certain other basic amenities.
For Leisure Travelers
If guests are staying at your property while on vacation, you’ll want to make an extra effort to make your place feel like a home away from home. In this case, it will be the small details that matter most to your guests. Upgrading to more expensive brands for toiletries and purchasing high thread count Airbnb bed sheets are two simple ways to help your guests relax.
“All bed linens are not created equal. Something that surprised me was that some bed linens, despite the price being on par, or close to, are not going to work. Most properties – I have a linen company who wash and lend me the sheets and towels. They are then responsible for ensuring the quality and pressing and so everything always looks good.”
—Elaine Watt,Holiday Let Success
You should also make sure that you have a well-stocked kitchen with the assumption that your guests might like to cook. A play area for the kids is a final nice touch.
For Couples
For couples that are using Airbnb for a romantic getaway, make your guests feel like they are escaping everyday life. Airbnb supplies that are nice extras to purchase for couples include a welcome gift basket, a welcome letter, fresh flowers, and a bubble bath.
For Guests with Pets
Guests who are traveling with their furry friends will certainly appreciate it if you leave a few pet-related supplies in your vacation rental property somewhere. You don’t need to go as far as pet food, but perhaps some extra bowls for water, pet-friendly furniture covers, a roll of poop bags to clean up the garden of your Airbnb property, and additional cleaning supplies.
For Families with Children
If your guests tend to bring their children along when staying at your Airbnb property, you should make sure that you have all of the items that parents need to feel safe and comfortable. Invest in childproofing and extra guest linens. You may also want to add a crib, a play area for the children, toys, and night lights.
Where to Buy Airbnb Supplies
To buy vacation rental supplies for your property, it is generally advisable to purchase them in bulk. Not only will you get access to wholesale pricing but it will also mean that you don’t have to shop as often for refills of the supplies.
Discount stores and box stores provide great deals on bulk Airbnb towels, Airbnb sheets, and more. You can also purchase Airbnb toiletries from online shopping sites.
Many vacation rental hosts rely on Costco, Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com, and other retailers to purchase supplies in bulk. Online shopping sites are also particularly useful for stocking up on supplies because you can set up automatic shipments so that you never have to worry about finding time to order them again.
Subscription orders are pretty much essential if you have multiple Airbnb properties and you want to make sure that they are always well-stocked. Then you can simply adjust your monthly purchases over time based on your needs.
Protecting Your Investments in Airbnb Supplies
Although you want to provide a great experience for each and every guest, don’t overlook the importance of protecting your investments in vacation rental supplies. You might worry about the Airbnb risks of purchasing certain amenities in the case of guests who do not respect your property. However, there are ways to safeguard against these issues, namely checking your guests’ reputation thoroughly before accepting a booking.
For more expensive items, such as furniture and appliances, these items will be covered under Airbnb’s insurance policy, as well as, your own insurance that you purchased for your Airbnb business. If you’re in doubt about whether the Airbnb supplies and amenities of your property will be covered by your insurance, make sure to ask your insurance agent or Airbnb first.
Conclusion
Once you’ve stocked the necessary supplies, it is time to start making money with your vacation rental. To set your business up for success, and make sure you are keeping various aspects of your business under control, opt for vacation rental software.
Regardless of your focus in the realm of short-term rentals, iGMS provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to elevate every aspect of your hosting experience.
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