One of the nice things about running a short-term rental like Airbnb is that hosts get to choose the level of amenities and toiletries that they provide. In our experience running Ensourced, we have seen the issue of amenities handled in lots of different ways.
Essentials
In a host’s Airbnb listing, under amenities, is a box called “Essentials.” Basically, they define essentials as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. 
If you don’t provide that, you can’t check that you provide the “essentials.” Not every host actually provides those basics. However, it is such a small expense to provide those things and make the space feel more like home for your guests. It might not be their brand of cleanser, and you can be as fancy or not as fancy as you like, but people definitely appreciate the effort.
First-aid kits are pretty much a must-have amenity for an Airbnb property. There are certain safety features that Airbnb would like every home to have and a first-aid kit is definitely one of them. So be sure to have one of those that is checked periodically and kept fresh.
Toiletries of Requirement and Convenience
As far as toiletries are concerned, hosts definitely should provide plenty of toilet tissue in the bathroom with overflow supplies easily accessible to guests.
If you have a kitchen space or some kind of kitchenette space, be sure to provide paper towels or some way for your guests to take care of spills. If you’re providing dishes, give them a way to wash their own dishes.
Provide liquid hand soap in the bathroom. Bars of soap are dirtier and harder to maintain in between guests.
Think about things like hairdryers. Do you provide hairdryers? Do you provide different types of toiletries, like toothpaste or emergency back-ups for your guests?
Choose Your Own Amenities
Will you provide local food or beverage? Or are you going to provide fresh coffee? Are you going to provide tea and sugar? Are you going to provide any kind of food, oatmeal or some kind of dry good that can last a little longer for guests that might arrive in the middle of the night with hunger pangs?
These are things to take into consideration when determining your hosting style and approach. The nice thing about Airbnb is that there’s something for everyone and every host can handle it how they wish and can make changes along the way. If you really don’t want to provide any local food or beverages, it’s not a big deal either.
Under Promise and Over Deliver
The number one thing to remember about amenities is offer only what is within your own comfort level. Don’t offer more in your space than you are comfortable providing. Maybe you’ve decided to provide special things only for guests that you’ve really connected with during the inquiry process, then just do that and don’t include information about the special items in your listing. Don’t provide pictures that show more amenities than you’re actually going to be providing when they arrive. Understandably, guests will rate you based on what your listing says it provides, so truth in advertising while delighting guests with unexpected surprises will really make for great reviews.
We’re new to hosting at airbnb and found your recommendations very helpful. Some really great ideas/ suggestion that we’ll be adding to our little cottage’s amenities. Thank you for your expertise…………….Paul
Amenities under AirBnB actually states (when hovering over the option “Essentials” as “Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper”. Just wanted to clarify this fact so your readers aren’t misinformed.
Mahalo
We stayed at a condo on the beach that was privately owned. We were coming across country and were told that we had to provide our own sheets, towels and TP. I believe these to be essentials for those who are traveling don’t have access to these things. We had to add-on a linen package for more money and we had to make our own make when we arrived after a full day of travel. I was not happy. Is this common practice?
Hi Marcia – You’ll be very happy to know that Airbnb has made it a basic requirement for hosts to provide essentials like linens, towels and TP. We’re sorry you had that unexpected experience but glad to hear you hopefully never will again! For more information about their requirements, check out this link.
I have been an owner of a weekly rental for 42 years to large groups and families of 12 to 18 people . Providing soaps,shampoo, toilet paper, paper towel, laundry, would break me. I always tell the large groups, there is enough to get you started, you provide the rest. A linen package is an option, if I provide linens, I make the bed. If I didn’t have the package as an option, they would be asking for discounts, negotiating anyway, it gives them a chance to save some money. If the host provides sheets and towels, be sure to have a healthy damage deposit. I go thru linens like water. Towels get used on cars, the beach, bleached at pool, colors run when they wash. I also provide a huge stack of damage towels, with or without package, in hope they use these for the car, but they still ruin my good towels and linens on a regular basis. Perhaps renting to 2 people would make it easier to provide essentials