Kitchenette option in Host Amenities

[John5097]

Not sure if this has already been covered.

Very exciting to see that Kitchenette has been include for the amenities section!

However in typical Airbnb fashion, when clicking on it, there seems to be a bug. Its interlocked to the Kitchen amenity, so if you check either one, Kitchen or Kitchenette, on or off they both will turn on or off, and only display "Kitchen" or not in the listing that guest see.

Still don't see Kitchenette. 

Hoping this is just a bug and soon host will have the option for Kitchenette instead of Kitchen. I list mine in 4 places that there is no oven, but guest still ask if they can use an oven. 

So to be clear as of now if you check on Kitchenette and off Kitchen, they both will turn off. Refresh page and they are both either on or off.  

And Kitchenette doesn't show up yet in the listing no matter what combo is checked on or off. 

[Gillian166]

@Debra300  yes, you've ticked kitchenette and you are lucky it says "no kitchen". I just tried again, ticking kitchenette and it now says I have a Kitchen! not sure why it's different for me. 

[Debra300]

@Gillian166,

But my listings still don't say that they have kitchenettes, just that kitchens aren't included.  This is not good, because kitchenette/kitchen may be a selected search filter.  I hesitate to check Kitchen as an amenity, but may have to.

[Gillian166]

@Debra300  yes, that's the glitch. I've put TWO mentions of this kitchen glitch in my listing, and a description under the photo. 

[John5097]

@Debra300 @Gillian166 

Yes mine also says Kitchen in the amenities, and under the rooms layout for photos, says Kitchenette on the very first listing page on laptop or phone. This is major improvement. Also adding text to the picture of the kitchen area, "Kitchenette" should eliminate any one not seeing it.

As Gillian mentioned guest who assume there  is an oven will ding your for accuracy. I've been lucky that I happened to see guest who thought this and they asked about it, even though I mentioned it in BOLD in 4 different places. But they will look at the photos so think this will fix it. 

As mentioned if you click kitchenette it will automatically click on Kitchen, (at least for now) 

But I'm very happy to see this improvement. I would like it to stay this way as most guest who search for kitchen will likely also want to see kitchenette options, but could give them the option of both. Mine just doesn't have an oven so can easily get by with microwave, and has everything else, nice counters, dishwasher, fridge, etc. 

Vast majority of my guest prefer a more budget friendly option. I also got rid of my cleaning fee. If guest want an oven they can rent an illegal ABB with hefty cleaning fee or a beach house. 

@Debra300 

Just reading your comment. Mine is a legal STR and only allows microwaves. I did try an induction cooktop, which was illegal, but guest would cook hamburgers the entire time, and the entire place, including the floor was covered in greasy film that was bad enough to see foot prints. Sometimes a guest will sneak in some kind of cooktop and takes days to get rid of the smell from cooking hamburgers. I would have to go up in my rates and it would just be too much risk as mentioned its illegal, and increases risk of fire, so just prefer not having one, and keep my rates more budget friendly. 

[John5097]

@Debra300 

PS.. The microwave does have a fan with exhaust vent up though the cabinets and roof, thats typical with microwave over an oven.

Everything is to code, but adding a induciton cooktop that plugs in would likely not be to code anywhere in the US. Meaning there would be a risk guests could move the cooktop or plug in too many appliances. Kind of like a space heater. 

I'm willing to take some risk, but guest didn't even read the instructions on how to use the exhaust vent. Everyone is set in their ways. 

Its can be frustrating. Mine is so popular its usually one the featured listings, and there are 3 full time STR zoning enforcement, where I could lose my business license for haveing an oven, but they don't go after all the illegal Airbnbs, and let them all have ovens, that all violate every zoning codes, no permits or anything.  

I'm just not taking the risk, or give insurance company reason to deny a claim. Hence the kitchenette. Just doing the best I can. 

[Debra300]

@John509

Yes, I am aware that there are many US municipalities have code restrictions for cooking appliances in ADUs, but they are not ubiquitous throughout the union.  As I said, I understand that you have your reasons not to provide a cooktop.

BTW, you need to add an "e" in kitchenette on your photo.

[Gillian166]

@John5097  why am I not surprised to hear that some guest behaved badly and so you took the induction cooker away.  *sigh* We could put one in but I don't need to be cleaning up grease either.  

[John5097]

@Gillian166 

They don't save any money cooking hamburgers or bacon at the apartment as there are tons of places to get stuff like that nearby. 

Here is a recent article about dad who is suing VRBO for house fire for illegal STR that had numerous code violations. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11472295/Dad-sues-VRBO-daughters-died-blaze-firetrap-8-000-...

[Gillian166]

@John5097  I've never had that photo thing where it shows the spaces at the top, and I already had Kitchenette selected. you can put captions on your photos and explain there's no oven, I can see with your how people would be confused bc it does look like a full kitchen - if you only glance at it. You even a dw. Have you considered getting a benchtop induction hotplate? 

[Casey242]

I have recently come up with the same issue. I have a small cottage with a true kitchenette. Per Airbnb's definition, a kitchen is a space where guests can cook their own meals, which I do not have (on purpose). 

I have confronted Airbnb about the issue of listing kitchen as an amenity when I click kitchenette. 

Their response; "Hi, Sunrise Point At Cedar Creek Lake

After further review, here's what we're able to find:

Kitchenette amenity isn't offered to marketplace listings (only for Luxe or Plus), so you would just set the Kitchen amenity. Kitchenette is a child amenity of Kitchen, so when it's turned on, Kitchen should be "on" by definition. Apologies as this is a system limitation we currently have.

Guests sometimes filter search results by the amenities you mention in your listing, so it's a good idea to include everything you offer (and include a description on your page).

This poses a risk for argument and refund if (when) I have a guest that does not read the full description. (happens all of the time, right?)

& why is that an option for Luxe or Plus listings anyway?