'Essentials' amenities

[Punam0]

Currently Essential amenities are: Towels, bed sheets, soap, and toilet paper.  I provide all of these except soap. I provide hand wash soap...but not body wash soap.  Seams strange that these are categoried together, and Shampoo is a separate amenity. I would have thought soap, shampoo, and conditioner would be in one category?  

Also, I get annoyed when Airbnb changes what is in the Essentials and don't tell hosts...meaning they can get caught out with what they are providing. 

[Linda108]

@Punam0  I agree the categorization might not make sense.  I am curious as to why you do not supply body wash.  Just wondering how you came to your decision to provide hand soap but not body soap.  😄

[Punam0]

@Linda108 Airbnb confirmed with me via Twitter that the 'soap' is hand soap and dish soap??  I asked them if they were sure?!!  Why would you include dish soap in bedroom/bathroon things.

I provide hand soap as people need to wash their hands properly after using the toilet. I provide dish soap also so guests can wash their dishes.  These are things that traellers dont necessarily carry with them.  My place is a 'basic' airbnb which I dont want to turn into a hotel/motel like place.  If I provided body wash, then I'd need to provide shampoo, conditioner, moisteriser, etc etc.  My place is also quite cheap and I dont want to increase the prices so like to keep things basic. 🙂

[Gillian19]

@Punam0 Agree 100%. I provide the same. Shampoo is somewhere I definitely wouldn't want to go. Would just give guests something else to complain about when the right type of shampoo for their hair type wasn't provided. Airbnb are going away from basic though, so who knows, next year we may have to provide 10 different types of shampoo!

[Sandra126]

I have never had anyone complain about wanting different types of schampoo. If you provide bodywash, you have a greater chance of clean guests in clean sheets 🙂

[Punam0]

@Linda108 @Sandra126If my prices are $100/night then definately I would provide everything...I only charge $28-30/night so only like to provide the basics. Guests always have bodywash...Sheets get washed anyway...so i think it's up to the guests to keep themselves clean. Not mine. If I am forced to buy bodywash, then I will be buying the cheapest stuff to keep in the shower. 

[Linda108]

Totally understand now, @Punam0.  What you are offering is a wonderful option for budget friendly travel.  I didn't know there was a definition of soap that did ot include body wash 😄  Thanks for the information.  I found a product through Trader Joe's (not sure if the store is in NZ) that is a 3 in 1 shampoo, body wash and conditioner!  No complaints from guests and keeps clutter down.  

[Karen947]

Maybe I missed something but I was not aware of these 'not so basics' being added. The region my property is it not unusual for clients to bring thier own sheets and towels. The cost of adding this to a 3 bed house is going to increase the cost by approx $100 a stay is cost of my cleaner managing it all. Plus the wear and tear on needing to buy new stuff as clients damage linen. This is a pricing comparison point that clients should choose to pay for. If it's a basic it assumes we are managing on site or close by.