Can You Host on Airbnb Without a Full Kitchen?

It's possible to list a property on Airbnb without a full kitchen.

I did it for a month. That was during my first month of hosting, back in June 2023.

And I even got my first five 5-star reviews without offering guests a way to cook. I figured, if I'm hosting guests just like hotels, they wouldn't expect a full kitchen.

(This is in line with my principle: Minimum Viable Product Approach for Setting Up an Airbnb Space in the Philippines. It's worth a read if you're trying to decide what to prioritize before listing).

So, should you invest in a complete kitchen, especially when you're still testing the waters? After all, you're not sure if short-term rental was going to work for you.

If you need proof that a host can get bookings on Airbnb without having a kitchen in the unit, this is it. I did it.

There are several advantages to listing an Airbnb without a kitchen. I'll tell you my top 3.

I delayed getting a cooktop, range hood, quality pans, pots, a cutting board, a kitchen knife, and a toaster. My biggest concern was the cost.

The second big reason? The lingering cooking smells. It's just hard to get rid of strong odors from certain foods, so I hesitated offering a cooktop at first.

The third one? The more things you add to your kitchen, the more things you need to check and clean during turnover. If you've cleaned your space during the first month, you'll know that a minimal kitchen means less work for you.

My listing, which lacked a kitchen setup, worked for a short while. Even with an 8-night guest, it worked because they were here on a business trip. But one guest who booked a long-term stay (three weeks) said that having no proper cooking tools was an issue. That booking ultimately resulted in a cancellation.

Here are the disadvantages you need to consider, if you ever decide to launch a listing without a kitchen.

We've established that you can get bookings without offering a full kitchen. However, this can limit a listing's appeal, especially for guests staying longer. These types of guests couldn't survive on take-outs during their entire stay. It's unhealthy, unsustainable, and expensive.

Most guests choose Airbnb over hotels because they want the option to cook their meals.

Whether they want to save money or enjoy the convenience of homemade food, a full kitchen is a major draw. Without it, your market is too small. You'd only appeal to short-stay bookers, who usually prefer to eat out or rely on quick, microwaveable options.

The Realities of a Limited Kitchen

If I were to start over, knowing what I know now, I'd approach it differently.

Yes, I will still start with a minimalist kitchen until I'm ready to buy other things (gradually). Then, I'd cap stays at three nights to target guests who are likely to be out all day for tours or business. I'll also make sure that I communicate this through images, descriptions, and messages. To compensate for the missing cooking amenities, I'd offer lower rates. This will help me attract more bookings and meet the 10-stay requirements, which will enable me to earn the Superhost badge quickly.

Plan for Progress

It's great to "start before you're ready," but you also need to plan for improvements.

As booking income starts to come in, you can upgrade your kitchen amenities to a better guest experience and broader appeal. For me, the cooktop and rangehood became essential investments.

Earn your way to your kitchen upgrades and focus on guest satisfaction through your stellar customer service.

STR hosts have so many questions, and sometimes, a quick blog post can't cover everything. That's why I offer personalized consultations for new or would-be hosts who need help with their short-term rental (STR) business. If you have a 1-bedroom unit sitting empty, struggling to find a long-term renter, let's talk how STR can work for you. Launch your spare condo on Airbnb and start earning today.