@Michelle1851 I've never travelled as a guest, but to me, one of the advantages of Airbnb would be that each one is different, not looking like some generic hotel with art by the pound on the walls. I wouldn't be interested in something sterile- looking.
My private room listing doesn't look like anyplace else and my guests seem to really like it. I don't subscribe to the all white towels and bedding faction, those things are colorful in my listing and I even sew my own pillowcases in cool patterned fabrics and make my own curtains, throw pillows, etc. I've even sewn fun little patches over an otherwise good sheet that somehow got a tiny hole in it and one guest commented how cute they were. Furnishings are eclectic- some are things I've had for 25 years, some are refurbished gems from second hand stores or found by the curb on garbage day. The wall art are pieces done by artist friends or even choice pieces my kids did when they were young.
But the space is uncluttered and knickknack-free, which I think most guests prefer
A friend of mine hosts a private suite in her home, well stocked with games, books, and magazines. And as she also hosts folks with children, she has a box full of toys that her now adult son used to love. She has no TV in the suite. One of her guests told her they were so happy to find a cribbage board in the listing, that they hadn't played it in years and had a super fun time playing and probably wouldn't have thought to do so had there been a TV.
She gets lots of repeat guests who find it super cozy. She even had a guy show up who she saw had arrived in a brand new Lexus. When she jokingly said "Gee man, why'd you book my place, there's high-end hotels in town, you know", he laughed, said he travels a lot on business and prefers a place that feels homey to hotel rooms.
I suppose there's a type of guest who isn't at all adventurous and is fine with something souless and generic, the sort of person who eats at McDonalds everywhere they go:-) but that wouldn't be me or the guests I've hosted.
Couldn't you tell from the photos what this place you stayed would be like?
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that many hosts have removed a lot of unnecessary items, like lots of throw pillows, games, etc. because of COVID concerns- less to clean and sterilize. But there's no reason a host couldn't have rotating things of that nature, so that there were always some games, etc, that then get packed away after a guest stay, and left untouched for a week or two so any virus that could possibly be on it would no longer be viable.