The Top 10 Airbnb Must Haves
Toronto Airbnb experiences have the allure of passive income as a golden ticket—one you imagined as your perfect antidote to financial freedom while adding an edge to your real estate portfolio. Yet, after plunging into the world of Airbnb Toronto, you may find yourself clutching a phone at midnight or engulfed by guest complaints that paint a different picture altogether.
The foundational premise of my proven Perfect Listing Framework rests upon understanding exactly what today’s discerning guest is yearning for. It stems from over 10,000 successful stays, leaving a trail offering precisely ten transformative tips that catapult ordinary listings to extraordinary sojourns.
The Pain of Airbnb Hosting: Solved with Prudence
"I Thought This Would Be Passive Income, But It's Eating Up My Time and Sanity."
The initial spark of joy in Airbnb hosting can indeed morph rapidly into an onerous ride fraught with daily demands—of course unless supplemented with our Perfect Listing Framework for an effortless approach.
“The Market is Brutal – My Property Isn’t Booking, and I’m Bleeding Money.”
Leveraging outstanding features like listing a king-size bed, attaining a placid yet lucrative business is possible, simply by escalating one’s visibility in unforeseen channels.
Essential Items to Turbocharge Your Airbnb Toronto Success
1. King Bed = More Bookings!
In 2023, Airbnb introduced a king bed filter, making it a game-changer for hosts. Listings with king beds now feature more prominently in search results. If your property lacks a king-size bed, you could miss out on potential bookings—so make the upgrade and attract more guests.
If you have a king bed, you’re showing up in more searches. If you don’t, you’re missing out on traffic that leads to bookings. So get a king-size bed.
2. Makeup Station
Guests appreciate attention to detail, especially when it comes to their comfort. A well-lit makeup station can make all the difference for traveling women. Position an easel mirror near a window, add a clip-on ring light, and ensure your bathroom lighting is bright and cool to enhance this experience.
Women need a space with good lighting and a mirror to do their makeup.
Position an easel mirror near a window for natural light
Add a clip-on ring light to the mirror
Include a handheld flip mirror with 5x magnification
Ensure your bathroom has bright, cold lighting
3. Irresistible Coffee Station
Coffee and tea are essentials for many travelers, with 1 in 3 guests preferring decaf or tea. Organize a welcoming coffee station using mason jars for regular coffee, decaf, creamer, sugar, and tea packets. Include a coffee machine, an electric kettle, and even a small decorative flower for ambiance. Opt for a moveable tray if space is tight, allowing guests to easily reposition it as needed.
Use wide-mouth mason jars with labels for:
Regular coffee
Decaf coffee
Creamer
Sugar
Tea packets
Also, you want to:
Organize coffee filters in a tupperware container
Provide both a coffee machine and an electric kettle
Add a small decorative flower for ambiance
4. Showing Off The Full-Stocked Kitchen Versatility
One key advantage your Airbnb can offer over hotels is a fully stocked kitchen. Equip it with high-quality cookware, cutting boards, strainers, a four-burner stove, double oven, full-size fridge, and microwave. Make sure your listing photos showcase the kitchen, as this can be a decisive factor for guests, especially families.
Here’s what to include:
High-quality pots and pans
Cutting boards and strainers
Can opener and wine opener
Cheese board for entertaining
Four-burner stove
Double oven
Full-size fridge
Microwave
5. Finding Your Angle: Support Underserved Needs
Differentiate your property by offering amenities that are often underrepresented, such as ADA accessibility, EV chargers, or a home gym. Features like these can increase your property’s visibility by up to 400% in certain cities, making it more attractive to a wider audience.
Your options:
ADA Accessibility
Disabled parking space
No-step entry
36-inch wide doorways
Adequate room around the bed
Proper ramp access
EV charger installation
Home gym setup
6. Cleaning Supplies - Manage Accessibility to Elevate Experience
Provide unobtrusive access to cleaning supplies in unbranded containers to avoid theft and encourage guests to help maintain the space. Label products simply, like "Windex" or "Bathroom Cleaner," and include dish soap and sponges. This setup not only helps with faster turnovers but also reduces cleaning costs.
Smart tip: Avoid stolen supplies by using unbranded containers:
Buy clear, label-less bottles from Home Depot
Label them simply (e.g., “Windex,” “Bathroom Cleaner”)
Fill with cleaning supplies
Include dish soap and sponges
Pro Tip: When guests have easy access to cleaning supplies, they often help maintain the space, leading to faster turnovers and lower cleaning costs.
7. Stock the Extras - Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Minimize potential issues by stocking your property with duplicate items such as parking passes, extra batteries, spare dinnerware, and emergency backup supplies. This preparedness can keep both housekeeping staff and guests satisfied, avoiding last-minute hassles.
Prevent issues before they arise:
Multiple laminated parking passes (avoid decals)
Extra batteries for all remotes
Spare plates, cups, bowls, and wine glasses
Backup supplies for everything that commonly breaks
This preparedness keeps your housekeepers happy and prevents emergency shopping trips.
8. Comfortable Beds— The Bedrock of Great Reviews
While beautiful interiors can attract guests, nothing is more vital than a good night’s sleep. Don’t skimp on quality bedding and mattresses—an uncomfortable bed can ruin an otherwise great stay. Ensure your bedding is plush and inviting, and you’ll see the positive impact in your reviews.
Don’t lose a 5-star review over a $10 pillow - invest in quality bedding.
9. Smart Technology – Redefining Ease and Security
Integrate essential smart tech like keyless entry systems and noise and smoke monitors to streamline operations. Keyless entries provide convenience, while devices like Minut or Wyze help manage noise and enhance security. Additionally, using Wi-Fi solutions like Stafi can capture guest emails for future marketing, aiding in building direct customer relationships and bookings.
Essential technology stack:
Keyless entry with app-controlled codes
Noise and smoke monitors:
Minut or Wyze devices
Helps prove smoking violations
Prevents unauthorized parties
Homeseeker Welcome Wi-Fi access:
Captures guest emails
Enables retargeting
Helps build customer database
Makes direct booking easier
10. Optimize Storage Solutions
Effective storage solutions can be a game-changer for maintaining a well-organized and guest-ready property. Choose the right option based on your space:
Apartments/Condos:
Invest in $30-40 bins with luggage locks to keep extra items secure.
Houses:
Consider a dedicated supply closet with keyless entry for easy access and additional storage space.
Multiple Properties:
Utilize a storage unit to manage supplies across different locations efficiently.
Stock them with:
Extra sheets and towels
Backup coffee supplies
Spare batteries
Extra TVs (for multiple properties)
Cleaning supplies for housekeepers
Conclusion
Every detail matters when hosting on Airbnb. By thoughtfully implementing these ten essential items, you'll not only stand out in a competitive market but also attract more lucrative bookings and elevate your rental income. Prioritize these upgrades, and watch your property flourish.
P.S. Want to know how much your Toronto Property could earn on Airbnb?
For a limited time, Homeseeker Vacation Homes is offering a FREE Airbnb Revenue Report for Toronto Real Estate and Second Home Owners. Discover your property’s true earning potential with insights on pricing optimization, occupancy trends, and revenue projections tailored to the Toronto market.
Take the first step toward maximizing your rental income while enjoying peace of mind. Click here to request your free report and start turning your Toronto investment into a revenue-generating machine today!
