8 Useful Items to Take When Staying at an AirBnB

Airbnbs have become an extremely popular travel option for those looking to find an alternative to staying at more traditional establishments like hotels and motels.  These short-term rental options have many benefits such as being more unique and personalized compared to the larger hospitality corporations.  Many people look to stay at these properties to better connect with the communities they are staying in and have a better overall experience while getting to know the new towns that they are exploring.  While short-term rentals on Airbnb and VRBO offer many advantages, they can also present some potential obstacles that travelers need to be prepared for.

Convenience

Most travelers are looking for convenience when staying at your Airbnb property.  A poll in 2019 stated that guests would be much happier to have a properly functioning coffee maker or toaster than a well-written welcome note.  Convenience and functionality can be a major hurdle to overcome when staying at Airbnbs compared to hotels.  If you are short on towels or run out of shampoo in the mini bottles provided, you can simply call the front desk, and they will be able to assist you. Also, you may never know what kitchen supplies will be at the Airbnb during your stay either, so it is a good idea to pack your most essential items for your trip just in case the Airbnb doesn’t have them.  The following is a list of what you may find useful for each room.

Bedrooms

Ear Plugs- Ear plugs are always a good item to pack whenever you are sleeping over while traveling. Airbnbs come in a variety of situations, including entire houses, private rooms in a house, apartments, etc. There could be a wide range of noises, such as from outdoor construction, rowdy neighbors, or the people sharing the house with you making noises in the kitchen.

Sheets and Pillowcases– Only some Airvbnbs will provide you with sheets and pillowcases.  But there is always the possibility that it may be bedding you don’t desire such as it being too thin or an unwanted fabric.  The size of the bed should be listed on the listing, but you always want to double-check to make sure you bring bedding that will properly fit the bed.

Nightlight– Anyone who is staying in a new property will be unfamiliar with their surroundings.  This is especially true for those who will be waking up in the dark during the middle of the night and trying to remember their surroundings.  It could be awkward if you got out of bed in the middle of the night and couldn’t see the door opening.  This is why it could be wise to pack a night light.

Kitchen

Personal Utensils – You don’t know what the kitchen utensils will be like in the property that you are staying at.  The products could be old and dull, or they may simply not be to your liking.  This is especially important if you are planning on preparing a nice dinner for a lot of guests, such as for a reunion.  The most important utensil you may want to pack is a knife.  It can be very difficult to chop meat, fruits, vegetables, etc, with a withered knife.

Seasoning– It’s difficult to cook without seasoning and condiments like salt, pepper, olive oil, etc.  There’s a good chance that some of these will be found in the pantry of the Airbnb you are staying at, but you can never be sure.  That’s why it’s a good idea to pack these yourself if you plan on doing a lot of cooking.  These condiments are light and small, so they shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience to bring along.  You wouldn’t want to waste time making a trip to the grocery store to pick some up, especially if you’re staying in a rural area and nothing is very close by.

Cleaning Products– It would be great for all Airbnbs to provide cleaning products in the kitchen, but that is not always the case.  It is especially important to bring cleaning products if you are staying at the Airbnb for longer than a few days and plan on using a lot of dishes.  You may want to pack liquid dish detergent, powder dish detergent, and sponges.

Coffee-Makers– Most Airbnbs will have some way to prepare your coffee, but it may not be up to your standards.  Some avid coffee drinkers like their own personalized way of preparing their coffee, especially if it is crucial to help with getting your day started.

Bathroom

Toiletries– These are arguably the most important group of items to bring for your trip.  Some Airbnbs will leave some basic toiletries for you like toilet paper, but it is wise to still pack at least one roll.  However, the rest is essentially up to you.  It is a good idea to pack shampoo, conditioner, bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand soap, etc.  For those who need it, you may also want to bring a hair dryer because these aren’t always provided.

Laundry Detergent– This is an ideal product to pack for those who will be traveling for several days and will want to wash their clothes during the trip.  Most Airbnb properties will have laundry machines somewhere in the property, but they may not always provide laundry detergent or other items needed for laundry such as vinegar or bleach.  InnStyle offers Laundry Detergent Powder and Linen Stain Powder Remover.

Airbnbs Should Try Adding These Items if Possible

This is a list of items that many travelers have recommended for others to bring because they weren’t always available in the Airbnbs and other short-term rental properties that they were staying at.  Property managers reading this may want to see if they can take any additional steps to add some or all of these products to help make their guests’ stay more enjoyable and relaxing.  If your property features a hot tub, consider providing pool towels for guests. Additionally, ensure you have high-quality sheets and bedding. Comfortable linens can significantly improve your guests’ sleeping experience and help them get the much-needed rest they deserve. InnStyle has a large selection of hospitality products that can help make your hospitality property more competitive.  Please give InnStyle a call at 267-354-6020 or visit the website at  https://www.innstyle.com/.