Top 29 Airbnb Amenities for 5-Star Stays

To earn your first 5-star review, you need to understand the amenities guests expect.

Go visit your favorite Airbnb listing and click "Show all (#) amenities" under "What this place offers." This will reveal the nice-to-have and must-have items you should provide to outperform other listings.

Must-Have Airbnb Amenities

Here's a list of essential and popular amenities guests look for. There are over 29 amenities you can list, which can seem overwhelming at first. But, trust me, going through this checklist helps with cost management and systematic setup of your listing. You can easily manage shopping tasks by going area by area.

1. Essentials: Airbnb's Essentials category includes towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper.
   1. Start with at least four bath towels, hand towels, and face towels. Choose easy-to-dry cotton towels. Opt for neutral-colored towels (as white ones can yellow with Cebu's mineral-rich water), but ensure they all match to avoid a mismatched look.
   2. For bedding, have at least three sets of the following items: a bed sheet, blanket, and two pillowcases. If you plan to accept one-night bookings to achieve Superhost status quickly, this is a must. Select cotton bedding sets and avoid bamboo (which tears easily) and microfiber (which attracts dust). Add a water-resistant mattress topper.
   3. Place one toilet paper roll and leave an extra in an accessible cupboard for guests to use if they run out.
   4. Provide liquid soap in the kitchen and bathroom for basic guest hygiene. Beware of aesthetic dispensers sold online, as some of them rust if not made of true stainless steel. Small, refillable plastic bottles and bulk-purchased liquid soap are a reliable option.
2. Bed linens: If your bed linens are a major selling point (e.g., "5000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets"), you can specify their type.
3. King bed: Many 1-bedroom condos in Cebu and other major Philippine cities are less than 30 sqm, making a king bed (76x80 inches) a challenge to fit. But, if you can accommodate one, it's a major draw, especially for foreign travelers from the US and Europe who prefer wide beds. If not, don't fret. There's another market segment you can target: Asian and locals. Another thing to note: if your current bed has been in use for over three years, deep clean it before listing. It costs around P5000 to have it vacuumed, shampooed, and steamed.
4. Closet with hangers: If your property lacks built-in clothing storage, buy one as well as sturdy plastic hangers (of the same color: white).
5. Iron and ironing board: Buy an iron along with a board to prevent guests from burning clothes or the ironing board. Choose a quality iron you'd use yourself. Avoid small or non-standard irons, as they can be frustrating (and dangerous) for guests.
6. WiFi: Get fiber WiFi that is at least 80 mbps (you can show this off on your listing page, too). Clearly display the WiFi login details (name and password) inside your property, perhaps in the same sheet as your House Rules.
7. Dedicated workspace: You don't need to add a tiny desk to a small space to meet this requirement. A dining table or even a TV stand can double as a proper desk for a laptop. Ensure all your desks and tables are sturdy.
8. Kitchen: Airbnb defines "Kitchen" as a space where guests can cook their meals, which implies having a cooktop, a rangehood, ladle, pans... you get the drift. I like to label my cupboards so guests won't have to open all of them to find what they need.
9. Microwave: For short-stay guests, reheating food is crucial. Make sure this is available on Day 1. You don't need a fully equipped kitchen before you open, but a microwave is essential.
10. Mini-fridge: Guests will want to keep drinks chilled or store leftovers. Even a hotel-style, energy-efficient fridge should be okay. I still use one to this day, and my electric bill never exceeds P4,000.
11. Hot Water Kettle: A basic hotel appliance, an electric kettle is a thoughtful amenity. Offer a good quality one.
12. Coffee maker: While not everyone drinks coffee, providing a French press (just make sure it's clean) or a pour-over coffee maker, along with some ground coffee, is a nice touch. Some of my guests mention it in reviews.
13. Rice maker: More than 70% of my guests were Filipinos. If you expect the same for your unit, cater to their cooking needs by offering a rice cooker.
14. Toaster: I didn't initially provide this, but it's well-appreciated by guests who like toast and eggs for breakfast. It's also a better alternative than a waffle maker, as it stops as soon as the timer is up.
15. Dishes and silverware: Buy a dining set with at least two of each item: bowls, chopsticks, utensils, plates, cups, and glasses. Keep the receipt for claims in case of damage, allowing for easy replacement with the same item.
16. Cooking basics: When "cooking basics" are listed, guests expect pots and pans, as well as salt and pepper. Take it from an Airbnb guest who has stayed in over 2,000 listings.
17. Dining table: If space permits, a dining table is one of the happiest spot in a condo unit. Provide enough chairs for the capacity of your listing. Consider custom-made hardwood tables from local furniture makers for small spaces. Also read: Choosing Furniture for Airbnb in the Philippines.
18. Smart TV: Opt for one with Netflix and YouTube pre-installed, as most guests no longer use traditional TV channels.
19. Books and reading material: A small library of personal favorite books can add personality and offer an alternative to screen-based entertainment. I have a mini-library on one shelf for books we read and loved (and wouldn't be so sad to part with).
20. Family-friendly items: To attract guests with children, consider providing children's books and toys (for ages 2-5), children's dinnerware, and board games. Don't add them if you don't wish to host kids.
21. Home safety features: Most condo buildings must have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers per unit. Airbnb lists these under "Home Safety Amenities." Add a first aid kit stocked with common medications for diarrhea, headaches, and sore muscles.
22. Services: Inform guests about long-term stays (28 days or more), self-check-in, and cleaning services during their stay. Under this category, you can also specify if you use a smart lock or keypad.
23. Bathroom: make sure you have the following things in the bathroom for your guest's comfort:
    1. Hair dryer: As mentioned earlier, if guests find it in hotels, they often expect to find one in an Airbnb. Get an affordable one - I got mine from Xiaomi, which I can readily replace with a similar item.
    2. Cleaning products: Provide your guests with access to a few essential cleaning products, such as a scrub brush, broom, dustpan, toilet bowl cleaner (1/4 full), disinfectant spray (1/4 full), and a toilet brush, so they can clean up after themselves. There is no need to obligate them to clean, but simply making these products available encourages them to clean up after themselves.
    3. Shampoo, body soap, and shower gel: These are universal essentials that every host should provide.
    4. Hot water: Most people like a warm shower at the end of a tiring day. A hot shower is a worthwhile investment to prevent negative reviews.
24. Bidet: This one deserves a special mention because I sometimes wish I hadn't offered it. If you ever decide to install a bidet, be prepared to inspect it for limescale deposits and clean it regularly to prevent issues.
25. Parking: Understand the parking situation in your area to avoid headaches for guests. In our building, parking is free for the first 3 hours, then it costs P100 per hour. That's more than P1000 per stay if the guests decide to stay in the unit the whole time. Consider arranging a monthly parking rental if possible, especially if daily rates are high.
26. Pool: A pool is an attractive amenity. List it and set clear expectations about opening hours, cleaning schedules, and rules.
27. Shared Gym: A gym is another major draw. List all its offerings, such as exercise equipment, ping-pong tables, free weights, and treadmills. Include rules they need to follow as well as preferred attire.
28. Window AC unit: Mentioning that there is an AC and specifying the type of unit can be helpful for setting expectations for some guests.
29. Scenic views: Does your unit have a relaxing garden view, a peaceful mountain, or an inviting pool view? Mention that, too. This can be a selling point or a way to manage expectations (e.g., "pool view means noise during pool hours").

Sometimes, a quick blog post can't cover everything you want to ask. 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. List your spare condo on Airbnb and start earning today.