Sam’s Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Checklist

You’ve gotten a listing, maybe even had a few guests rent out your place, but there’s still something missing. Guests say the experience you serve is great, yet could it be better? How do you move from just a good listing to a fantastic one? Simple- with an Airbnb Superhost Checklist.

I’ve talked about the benefits of being an Airbnb Superhost previously on my blog, but what do you need to take things to the next level. I’ve compiled some of my favorite products for my listings into one singular place for your convenience.

The easiest way to bring together what you need is to put yourself into a travelers shoes. What are the most common items that you forget to pack? What would you love to bring to make yourself comfortable but don’t have room for? Taking these answers and turning them into readily available amenities for your guests will leave you with high-quality reviews and happy campers.

Without further ado, here is my ultimate Airbnb Superhost Checklist

Disclaimer: Just as a note, I do have some affiliated items listed below. However, I would not recommend them if I didn’t believe in their superb quality or ease of use.

What Is An Airbnb Superhost?

Airbnb Superhost

Airbnb has an evaluation program where the monitor the quality of their hosts. If you meet certain requirements during an evaluation period, Airbnb will bump you up to Superhost status. To be an Airbnb Superhost, you must:

  • Have no cancellations within the last year.
  • Get at least half of your gets to review your listing.
  • Respond to 90% of inquiries within a 24-hour period.
  • Complete at least 10 bookings in the last year.
  • 80% of your reviews must be of at least five stars.

While customer service will get you halfway where you need to be, the other half will certainly come from the listing itself and the amenities that you provide. However, when it comes to hearing from guests during your stay, the best news is no news. This Airbnb Superhost Checklist will help you become prepared to the point where your guests won’t need a single thing because you’re prepared for everything.

Think of it this way; this is your chance to foster a great impression from start to finish. Not all of the items you add to the listing from this checklist needs to be advertised in your listing either. It’s a good thing to note, surprises of comfort add in a factor of delight that is sure to leave an outstanding impression.

Airbnb Superhost Checklist: The Bedroom

When I’m out traveling and book time at an Airbnb, chances are I only use it as a place to crash for the night. The bedroom is where your guests will spend most of evenings and time that they’re in the house in general. If the bedroom isn’t a comfortable place to relax, recharge, and get ready for the day, chances are your guests won’t be pleased. Here are some items that I like to use when furnishing any of my bedrooms.

Airbnb Superhost Checklist

  • (3) Simple, but elegant, Queen Bed Sets.
    • On average I have three beds available per my listing. This number would change based on the amount that you need.
  • (3) Queen Mattress Protection Covers
    • These are good for keeping the mattress stain-free against both spills and bacteria. Bed bugs love dirty places, so protecting your mattress is vital.
  • (5) Wrinkle-Free Sheets
    • I make sure that each of my listings has spare sheets in case my guests need a replacement immediately or want a spare set for the couch. Getting a set that stays wrinkle-free also eliminates the need to iron between uses.
  • (6) Extra Pillows
    • There’s no way that I sleep comfortably with just one pillow on my bed. So, in reality, I can’t expect my guests to want to do the same. We are creatures that live for comfort.
  • Wall Art
    • Bland, blank walls don’t encourage a relaxing space. The overall goal is to make the guest feel like they’re at home away from home. Spicing the wall up with decorations can help you to achieve the vibe you’re looking for. Some hosts go for a spa aesthetic while others like to indulge in local decor.
  • Duvet Comforter (1 per bed)
    • Another great way to protect your mattress and bedding from dust. Instead of having to wash the thick, heavy comforter, the duvet cover can be slipped off.
  • Nightstand Decorations
    • Tissues and an alarm clock are also a must.
  • Decor for Coffee Table and/or Console Table
  • Hangers for Closet
    • Hotels are notoriously known for never having enough.
  • (2) Umbrellas
    • These can be placed by the bedroom closets or by the front door. Just make sure to mention them in your Airbnb Guidebook so that your guests know that they’re free to use.
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Queen Size Air Mattress
    • This is one that I find convenient. You just need to plug the mattress into the wall to inflate.
  • Luggage Stand
    • Another way to keep bed bugs at bay. Did you know that bed bugs tend to travel from someone’s suitcase? While you wash bedding on occasion, very few people will clean a suitcase.
  • Full-length Mirror
  • Garbage Can
    • I like to place extra bags in the bins themselves, that way I never need to go searching when my cleaning staff or I have to change them.
  • Multi-adaptive Phone Charger
    • I swear, a phone charger is the one item that I seem to always forget.
  • Did I mention a memory foam bed?
    • Check out another recent guest’s experience sleeping on my memory foam bed. She was skeptical at first until she tried mine!

      Airbnb Superhost Checklist

      She loved it so much that she bought one for each of her 4 bedrooms!

Airbnb Superhost Checklist: The Bathroom

Airbnb Superhost Checklist

The second-most used room next to the bedroom, it is often the room most complained about. Keeping your bathrooms cleanly, in-stock, and orderly will help to boost your first impression. While a normal bathroom won’t give your guests a-second thought, an ill-prepared one can leave a horrible impression.

  • (12) White Cotton Towels
    • The average stay for my guests is three to four days. If they want a new towel each day, they might go through the clean laundry quickly. Also, it’s good to have extra on hand for your guests to use in the case of messes.
    • Guests like to use Hand Towels as well when preparing for the day.
  • Cotton Balls/Q-Tip Packs/Jars
    • From cleaning to makeup applications, cotton balls and q-tips have a variety of uses for your guests’ needs.
  • (6 – 8 Rolls) Toilet Paper
  • Blow Dryer / Hairdryer
    • A hairdryer is one of the biggest items that travelers don’t like to lug around. Plus, in comparison with what hotels offer this is considered a basic amenity.
  • Hand Soap Dispenser + Hand Soap
  • Bathroom Mats
    • Having someone slip and fall under your watch is not exactly ideal. However, with insurance coverage, this should be a minor concern. Still, it’s better to keep your guests safe than sorry.
  • Shower Curtains & Shower Liner
    • Metal rings are the best to use to hand your curtains. Plastic ones aren’t as sturdy and have the ability to grow moldy.
  • Decor, if needed
  • Trashcan
  • Toilet Brush and Plunger
  • Shower Shelf
    • To provide an area for shampoo, soap, conditioner, and razors. For tubs that don’t have areas built in you can use over-the-shower shelves. They often come with suction cups to stay attached to the walls.
  • Lint Rollers
    • Great for any Airbnb guests that travel with pets. Whether it’s getting hair or lint off your clothes or anything else, guests will be appreciative.

Airbnb Superhost Checklist: Kitchen

Airbnb Superhost Checklist

Moving on to the third-most important room in the home, the kitchen is not used fully by all guests. While some people prefer to cook while they travel, others will only use the fridge to hold their leftovers. All the same, here are some basics to get your kitchen in proper, working order.

  • Cutting Board
    • A vital part of keeping your kitchen counter without cuts and scratches.
  • Pots & Pans Set
    • This should include items like pot covers and non-stick cooking utensils
  • (23-Pieces) Cooking Utensil Set
    • An extended set of cooking utensils that I like to use for my bigger listings.
  • (13 Gallon) Large Trash Can
    • Don’t forget to pick up bags for these trash cans too!
  • Silverware
  • (2) Drawer Organizers
    • To set up your silverware and other kitchen utensils.
  • (10-set) Plates
  • (10-set) Bowls
  • (10-set) Drinkware
    • Having items that are plastic but look like glass will spice up the class while making them durable.
  • Wine Glass Set
  • (6) Coffee Mugs
    • However, I prefer ceramics mugs over clear glass. Hot liquids have a tendency to crack glass containers over time.
  • Sponges
    • These should be cycled out, deep cleaned, or thrown out between guests bookings.
  • Sponge Holder
    • These are best left by or inside the sink. This is so excess water doesn’t drip onto the counter and create mold.
  • Paper Towel Holder
    • Paper Towels
      • If you’re hoping to keep your Airbnb green, there are other bio-degradable options in place of paper towels as well. However, sometimes guests just want items for ease of use that they can throw out.
  • Kitchen Towels
  • Area Rug
  • Decor, if needed
  • Potholder
  • Small Toaster Oven
    • Personally, I rather have a toaster oven than a microwave. I feel like they can do so much more.
  • Small Rice Cooker
  • Keurig Coffee Machine
    • Coffee K-Cups
      • Something sweet to do is ask the guest if they have a preference in coffee. Then you can switch through k-cups types depending on their likes.
  • Ninja Professional Blender
  • Electric Tea Kettle
    • I also like to provide a variety of tea bag types along with the K-cups.
  • Recyclable Grocery Bags
  • Ice Trays
  • Fun Refrigerator magnets
  • Magnetic Whiteboard Calendar
    • A great way to leave your guests a handwritten message, note important in-town events of the week, leave emergency numbers and post the wifi password.
  • Dish drying rack
  • Dish Rag
  • Brita
    • Just as a note, this is only necessary if you don’t have a fridge with filtered water.
  • Can opener/Bottle Opener

Airbnb Superhost Checklist: Common Items

Airbnb Superhost Checklist

Never quite sure where to put those spare batteries or pieces of entertainment? Here are a few other amenities that I like to keep in the house in the common room or stored in spare closets. Also, it helps to mention where guests can find these inside of your Airbnb Guidebook.

  • Board Games
    • Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Uno, a deck of cards – these are just a handful of suggested favorites.
  • Multi-purpose Cleaner
  • Dust Pan and Broom
  • Mop
    • You’d be surprised on how many guests still want to clean even when they’re on vacation. This is especially true when I have those who book a longer stay.
  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Mini Tool Set
  • First Aid Kit
    • *** Mark the location of the first aid kit in your Airbnb guidebook!***
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Dish Washing Soap
  • Dishwasher Packets
  • Iron
  • Vacuum
  • Decor, if needed
  • Welcome Matt
    • Or a place, in general, to put/wipe shoes as your guests enter and leave. Welcome mats are especially helpful in the winter months or places where salt is used on the streets.
  • Essential oil diffusers
    • Scented Candles, incense, and other forms of refreshing the air can help clear out bad odors and bring a calming atmosphere to your listing.
  • TV
    • Netflix
      • For just a few dollars a month, having a Netflix account for your guests to use can take you a long way. Plus, it’s a great thing to advertise on your listing!

A Final Look Across the Airbnb Superhost Checklist

So, how did your listing hold up? Did you find that you had a lot of things already in place? Or are you in the middle of filling up your Amazon cart?

If you have any other suggestions for great items to have as a Superhost, I would love to see your input as well! Post below or write what you think would be better over in my Facebook group.

It’s a growing and thriving place where entrepreneurs such as yourself can learn, get great feedback, network, and pick each other’s brains for the next big Airbnb idea. I introduce new members every week, so come on over! I’d love to see you there.

9 Comments
  • Adil Taslaman
    Posted at 17:07h, 01 August Reply

    Thanks for advices and it’s a great article! I already had most of items from yours check lists but I also found some new ones! I always try to make my guests feel like they are at their own place and so far Im doing fine. Regards Adil

  • Adil Taslaman
    Posted at 17:15h, 01 August Reply

    Hi,
    Thanks for advices and it’s a great article! I already have most of items from yours check lists but still I found some new ones! I always try to make my guests feel like they are at their own home and so far Im doing fine. Regards Adil

    • Sam
      Posted at 20:35h, 02 August Reply

      Very cool, Adil!

      Thanks for the support. I sure do appreciate it!

  • Lisa
    Posted at 17:56h, 06 May Reply

    Sam, we are new hosts and I stumbled upon your extremely helpful and wise site.
    To clarify for the bathroom, are the supplies for 1 bathroom or for 3, or neither? For example, the 12 towels or 6-8 rolls of TP. Having a number to shoot for is so helpful for stocking. Do you also supply shampoo/conditioner/soap? I looked online for the hotel size, and they aren’t expensive individually but can add up in bulk. Would it be bad to leave the giant Costco shampoo/conditioner/bodywash bottles so they can choose to use it or not but will hopefully last longer and be more efficient/economical? Also, do you think it’s necessary to have cable? We’re renting to an older, somewhat wealthier guest in southern FL so I’m not sure if they’d like all the technology but it’d be great to save on that expense. And last, what kind of comforter do you use? There are currently nice decorative bed covers, that I think would be a pain to wash each time (came with the house) but has the matching pillows and everything. If we keep those, how often should those be washed? Thanks again and sorry for all the newbie questions. Keep up the great work.

    • Sam Zuo
      Posted at 10:50h, 08 May Reply

      Hi Lisa,

      I buy from Costco and they tend to last 2~3 months. And for the rest, you’ll figure it out the volume and frequency once you start hosting.

      Start w/ Netflix and see if they complain. If they do, then it’s time to add additional services.

      Cheers!
      Sam

  • Johanna Weems
    Posted at 16:46h, 17 October Reply

    This checklist is awesome. Thank you!

    • Sam Zuo
      Posted at 13:25h, 19 October Reply

      Thanks Johanna! Glad you enjoyed it and you’re welcome.

      Sam

  • Joe Reisinger
    Posted at 15:24h, 27 February Reply

    Thanks for your time and effort in maintaining this blog. I’ve found the material useful in developing standards for my own rental facilities.

    • Sam Zuo
      Posted at 13:17h, 28 February Reply

      Glad to hear it, Joe!

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