Like Linda I provide a basic pre-stocked mini fridge in the unit along with a small fruit bowl. I have a large number of international travelers who arrive jet lagged and later in the day. In our area there are few places to obtain decent food after 8:30 pm. I know from my own travels the feeling of waking up at 3:00 in the morning so hungry that I would have done almost anything for an apple or pear.
I just build this this cost into the nightly price and it is another reason that I charge an extra daily charge of $10 per night per person for third and fourth guests. My breakfast basics are: pint of milk (quart if children are coming), small bottle of fresh squeezed orange juice, one pint or less of half n half, English muffins, cream cheese, butter and olive oil, 6-12 fresh eggs, four fresh apples, 2 oranges or other seasonal fruit. I don’t provide alcohol or meat as I can’t really know what the guests would enjoy. I am just trying to have something there to take the edge off if necessary. Sometimes if really young children are coming I will also provide a box of Cheerios. I also provide a few bottles of water, as well as cans of Perrier, Diet Coke, Orangina, cranberry juice and Gatorade.
I used to to provide even more staples (nuts, crackers, energy bars etc) and a much greater fruit array. However that extra cost was not registering in ratings. I still get the same appreciative ratings with a more minimal offering.
I think it’s worth noting that I often receive food from guests. Sometimes that’s a special gift. Sometimes it’s bottles of extra beer they never opened and so on. Sometimes it’s just in-opened cream cheese, milk or butter that I provided in thr first place - so not a loss to me.
My nightly rate runs about $125 for two guests. These basic supplies (many of which are organic) cost about $30-$35 per turn. Although Airbnb is often telling me my nightly rate is too high I don’t think they are taking this into account. In addition to fresh foods I always provide a vase of simple fresh flowers. Typically tulips cost about $8 on average.
This is approach may not be that useful in areas with fewer tourists, or with tourist clientele who are not particularly interested in fine food, lush produce and such that is so available in Portland. We have a lot of foodies visiting here and they seem delighted just to have a little food security when they arrive. They don’t have to rush right out to grocery shop to feed their hungry tired little kid or elderly Mom.