Updated amenities list - what do you think?

[Huma0]

Hello, @Robin4 brought this to my attention in another thread.

Were you aware that the amenities list has been greatly expanded to include a lot more detail? I wasn't and I updated the amenities on my listings not very long ago.

So much stuff has been added that I can't begin to list it but, for example,  you can now specify:

- Your WiFi speed

- What kind of TV you have, including size, and what services you offer on it (Netflix, Amazon Prime etc.)

- What kind of heating you have

And here's where it gets a bit over-the-top in my opinion, but also:

- Which brands of shampoo and conditioner you supply

- What type of bedlinen, is it 100% cotton? Eygptian cotton? Silk?

- Not only what brands your fridge, stove etc. are, but whether the stove is stainless steel or not

And on and on.

What does everyone else think about it? Is it a good thing, e.g. more cover for a host if a guest complains about amenities when they were very clearly listed? Or, is this just too much detail to give? I can't put brand of shampoo as it varies and I have different sets of linens consisting of different types of cotton as well as silk and non-silk bedspreads, so I don't want to be that specific. Of course, it is optional which details you fill in.

Personally, I don't mind providing detail. What I do mind is that Airbnb keeps changing the amenities list without notification and, when it does, a lot of your previous settings disappear. Yes, I provide shampoo, and I have ticked this numerous times, but every time Airbnb makes one of these updates, the box (along with many others) becomes unchecked. You find out by accident and then have to check all that stuff again, on every listing. Yawn.

[Diane440]

@Huma0    We have several discount stores where we can buy in bulk and so far guests have done very little laundry. However, I do see your concern living in the UK. I have wondered how to get those individual packets that one finds in laundromat vending machines or at hotels. Here's one source that does ship internationally. If you buy in bulk and then offer each to your guests at a slight markup, it would help quell the waste. Or factor the cost into your listing price and dole them out as needed. I'm considering this option if a lot of guests start doing more laundry. 

https://lowlaundry.com/supplies-case-of-vending-tide-156-units-single-vend-1-8-oz-tide-vend.html?gcl...

There's no reason for you to cater to their expensive tastes. I'm very frugal when it comes to laundry soap as well and look for bargains. If guests aren't satisfied with what's offered, they need to buy their own products. 

[Fred13]

I saw this about a week ago and I took it as Airbnb thinking it may be helpful to some guests. Since, it doesn't apply to my type of clientele, who ask specific questions about whatever is important to them, I ignored it.

[Cathie19]

@Fred13, 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Brenda328]

In the Special Amenities section for my listings, there are now three selections:  Breakfast, Beach Amenities, and Piano.   Piano???  

[Debra300]

@Brenda328,

I am guessing that's for some homes that the host may have a piano for their family's use (kid's lessons).  I don't think that it's an amenity that I would share with guests though, because they aren't going to contribute to tuning it or won't confess is they break a key or pedal.  

[Scott-and-Mary-Ellen0]

@Brenda328"Piano? No thanks, I'll  bring my own..." Can you imagine? What's next, tuba?

However, this thread is a valuable reminder to check our entire listings including amenities in case something got "lost" along the way.  M.E. 

[Colleen253]

So many things happening lately suggest that Airbnb replaced the 1900 sacked employees with 5 year old kids. “Piano” today, tomorrow it will be “Stuffies”. 

[Huma0]

@Brenda328 

Yes, I noticed the piano too. 

Weird. I mean, I don't know how many places offer a piano as an amenity, but then there seem to be more important things missing from the list. There is no mention, as far as I could see, about seating for dining, e.g. dining table, outdoor table/chairs, that sort of thing. I imagine a lot more people on holiday would want to know about that than the piano...

[Diane440]

@Brenda328  For a time we had my electric keyboard moved upstairs to the guest space for lack of other place to put it. We did have one traveling band stop in late on a Sunday night after a gig in the city and they had a blast playing and singing  after a long concert tour.  It was fun to hear them and as a fellow professional musician, I trusted them to show proper care and respect, which they did. Since then, we've found a place for the keyboard in our private space to make room for other amenities for guests. So, there are times it can be useful. We also have an antique pump organ in the guest space that is more a conversation piece than an instrument to play. Wonder if there's a spot to put that on Airbnb's listing? 

[Huma0]

I once got a very odd review from a very nice guest. He was not an idiot, so I assume he just used Google Translate, which, as I'm sure we all know, is not fool proof. By the way, he was a Russian tattoo artist and his name was definitely not Autumn (unless he had an alter ego):

"Autumn liked the house. Interior. Design. Big kitchen. Responsive, sociable owner. Cute seals. The bedroom is chic."

I seriously thought about adding 'seals' as an attraction at my listing.

[Ann72]

@Huma0  I must come meet your seals.

[Huma0]

@Ann72 

Please do. They will give you a warm welcome 🙂

[Ann72]

@Huma0  I'll probably fall asleep smiling at this little one - the cute factor is off the charts.

[Cathie19]

@Huma0 , @Ann72 .

I want one! You know, the seal of approval one! 

[Cathie19]

@Huma0, @Ann72 

A little bit of a cheeky seal here, with no offence aimed at Airbnb, guest, or host!  Noting: no seal was injured in the making of this notice...... only the perpetually concealed embarrassment of the forum contributor.