Ultimate list of must-have Airbnb amenities

Best vacation rental amenities for better reviews and more bookings

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You’ve heard it before: It’s what's inside that counts. That’s especially true for vacation rentals.

Not only can amenities set your vacation home apart from the competition, they can help drive bookings and more 5-star reviews. Even better, the right touches can help foster guest loyalty, which can lead to repeat bookings.

We manage 44,000+ vacation rentals and have seen for ourselves the amenities that have the most impact. Before you pull out that credit card to go shopping, review our ultimate list of must-have Airbnb amenities. We’ve narrowed down which amenities guests look for the most, make your home feel luxurious, attract more family bookings, and more.

Basic Airbnb amenities that guests expect

Even a stunning exterior can’t make up for a home that’s ill-equipped to meet guests’ most basic expectations. Here’s what many guests will see as non-negotiables when looking for a vacation home.

  • Washer and dryer
  • Parking
  • Air conditioning or heating
  • Kitchen. Even better, one stocked with all these kitchen essentials.
  • Reliable high-speed WiFi. Vacasa provides homeowners with a powerful WiFi hotspot connection that guests can access with just one click.
  • Contactless check-in. In select markets, Vacasa will outfit vacation homes with keyless locks as part of our full-service management. We’ll generate unique door codes for each stay (or home care visit), ensuring no one else can enter your property outside the specified time.

Most-desired vacation rental amenities guests search for

Want to know what guests actually look for when booking a vacation home? We found out. We dug into the data behind millions of site visits and reservations on Vacasa.com and found which amenities guests want most and search for. In order, these include:

  1. Pool
  2. Pet-friendliness Welcoming pets can help you earn up to 15% more.
  3. Hot tub Hot tubs can help you earn 15-20% more.
  4. WiFi
  5. Central air conditioning
  6. Washer and dryer
  7. Fireplace
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Two dogs at a pet-friendly Oregon coast vacation rental

Best Airbnb amenities for pet owners

Do you allow pets to stay at your vacation rental? Smart move. On average, vacation homes that allow dogs earn as much as 15% more rental income than those that don’t. Plus pet-friendly vacation homes see an average 9% higher occupancy rate. Here’s what to offer to attract pet owners:

  • Water bowl
  • Food bowl
  • Portable/collapsible water bowl (for outdoor adventures)
  • Big dog bed (with a removable and washable cover for easy cleaning)
  • Waste bags
  • Leash
  • Designated pet towels to wipe off dirty paws
  • Machine-washable chew toys
  • Extra cleaning supplies, including fabric stain and odor removers
  • Dog wipes for easy grooming
  • Dog shampoo for baths

Best Airbnb amenities to attract business travelers

Remote work has given many employees the freedom to work from anywhere—even on vacation. They join traditional business travelers—who often hit the road to attend conferences, trade shows or meetings—to make up a growing number of people who prefer to travel with laptop in tow. Here are the business travel amenities they’ll be looking for:

  • Reliable high-speed WiFi
  • An ergonomic desk and office chair
  • A coffee maker and tea kettle
  • An HDMI cable to connect a laptop to the TV
  • A washer and dryer
  • Full-length mirror and hair dryer
  • Plenty of quality hangers and iron/ironing board
  • Keyless entry or a smart lock
  • Free dedicated parking

family with 2 kids eating dinner at their vacation home

Best Airbnb amenities for families

Families are often seen as the ideal vacation rental guests. They tend to book longer stays, they’re generally responsible and care for your property, and spend a lot of their time exploring family-friendly activities and attractions nearby. Make your vacation rental more appealing to families with amenities such as:

  • Bunk and trundle beds
  • Crib
  • A pack n’ play
  • High chair
  • Baby gates
  • Stroller
  • Baby bathtub
  • Sofas and couches upholstered with stain resistant fabrics like Sunbrella®
  • Board games
  • Family-friendly DVDs and books
  • Child-proofing (such as anchoring furniture to the wall, furniture corner guards, outlet covers)
  • Shatterproof, kid-friendly dinnerware

Best luxury Airbnb amenities

Luxurious homes tend to command higher rates. The good news is that luxury doesn’t only come in the form of wine cellars, infinity pools, or at-home movie theaters. These amenities below will elevate any vacation home and give it the touch of luxury that high-paying guests seek.

  • Smart home technology, like smart locks, noise monitors, smart thermostats, smart TVs, and smart lights. In select markets, Vacasa provides and installs smart locks and noise monitors as part of our full-service vacation rental management.
  • Home gym
  • Game room
  • Vacation rental safe
  • Luxury interior design
  • Fireplace or fire pit
  • Outdoor living space
  • Pool or hot tub
  • Dedicated workspace
  • Central air conditioning

Unique vacation homes in Michigan

Best beach house and lake house amenities

So you’ve invested in a beach house or a beautiful lake house. Now, it’s time to get a leg up on the competition for bookings. Here are the best amenities for beach houses and lakes houses to help them stand out on vacation rental listing sites like Airbnb and Vrbo:

  • Outdoor dining and lounge areas
  • An outdoor shower
  • Beach towels
  • Beach chair and umbrellas
  • Beach cart or wagon
  • Outdoor dinnerware and cutlery
  • Portable cooler
  • Boogie boards
  • Beach games and toys
  • Beach cruisers
  • Marshmallow roasting sticks

Best mountain cabin amenities

Few things come close to the magic of a mountain cabin. You can make your mountain vacation home stand out even more with the help of these extra amenities. They’ll go above and beyond to provide your guests with the ultimate rustic retreat.

  • Sleds and snow tubes
  • Trail guides and suggestions
  • Cozy textiles like nubby knits and faux furs
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Fireplace or fire pit
  • Boot tray
  • Hooks and storage for bulky winter clothes
  • Games

Airbnb amenities FAQ

Every Airbnb should have the nonnegotiables every modern traveler expects. Like fresh sheets and towels, a coffee maker, plates and cups, lamps, and WiFi. When you work with Vacasa, our local teams will stock your home with a complimentary starter supply of guest necessities—including laundry detergent, hand soap, trash bags, and paper towels—before every stay.

Make your Airbnb special and stand out from the competition by focusing on interior design and extra amenities. These could also help boost your bookings. Some things to keep in mind when designing your vacation home include:

  • Determine how you want guests to feel in your home. Warm and cozy? Energized and ready to explore?
  • Plan out a cohesive color scheme to set the scene
  • Look for furniture made with quality materials that fit your budget
  • Don’t buy what’s cheapest. Items could wear out and break faster.
  • Invest in high-touch furniture, such as beds and sleeper sofas. Then spend less on pieces guests won’t touch as often, like a TV stand or bookcase.

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California licenses
Vacasa Seasonals Inc.
California DRE #02160171


Vacation Palm Springs Real Estate, Inc.
California DRE #01523013

Vacasa offers property management and other real estate services directly through Vacasa LLC and through Vacasa LLC's licensed subsidiaries. Click here for more information about Vacasa's licensed real estate brokerage/property manager in your state. Vacasa’s licensed real estate brokerages/property managers include: Vacasa Alabama LLC; Vacasa Arizona LLC; Vacasa of Arkansas LLC; Vacasa Colorado LLC (Micah Victory); Vacasa Delaware LLC, 302-541-8999; Vacasa Florida LLC; Vacasa Illinois LLC 481.014072, Micah Victory Managing Broker Lic# 471.021837; Vacasa Louisiana LLC, Dana MacCord, Principal Broker, ph 504.252.0155 (Licensed in LA); Vacasa Michigan LLC, 602-330-9934; Vacasa Missouri LLC, Vicki Lyn Brown, Designated Broker; Vacasa Nevada LLC; Vacasa New Hampshire LLC,45 NH-25, Meredith, NH 03253, Susan Scanlon, Broker of Record; Vacasa Minnesota, Broker: Micah Victory, license #40877637; Vacasa New Mexico LLC, 503-345-9399; Vacasa New York LLC, 888-433-0068, Susan Scanlon, Real Estate Broker; Vacasa North Carolina LLC; Vacasa Oregon LLC; Vacasa Pennsylvania LLC; Vacation Palm Springs Real Estate, Inc., California DRE #01523013, Mark Graham, California DRE #00700720; Vacasa Real Estate LLC (licensed in Texas, Debra Brock, Designated Broker); Vacasa Real Estate LLC (licensed in Washington, Robert Brush, Designated Broker); Vacasa Seasonals Inc., California DRE #02160171, Lisa Renee Stevens, California DRE #01485234; Vacasa South Carolina LLC; Vacasa South Dakota LLC; Vacasa Tennessee LLC; Vacasa Vacation Rentals of Hawaii LLC, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr. Ste. #2F17, Waikoloa, HI 96738; Vacasa Vacation Rentals of Montana LLC, Terah M. Young, Licensed Property Manager; Vacasa Virginia LLC; Vacasa Wisconsin LLC; Vacasa Wyoming LLC. In Canada, this advertisement is provided by Vacasa Canada ULC, CPBC lic. number 75826, 172 Asher Rd. V1X 3H6 Kelowna, BC.