I am glad to find this thread, as this has been a puzzle to me as well. I've been a host for several months, have had over 10 guests and 5* ratings from most.
I think it is important that guests not have to head out to hunt down a drugstore, in a town they don't know, if it's late at night when they discover they've forgotten something. And, part of Airbnb's "business traveler ready" is offering these toiletries, and if I check that box, I want to be honest about it. I travel myself, and I know having toiletries available has saved some awkwardness late at night when I find I'm out of something or have forgotten something, in a town I don't know.
So for the host house, I've been providing a basket of the little "travel size" toiletries that can be found in so many stores - Walmart, drugstores, even grocery stores.
However, I am surprised that many of the guests are using what I provide instead of their own toiletries. I am sure they did not all come with no toiletries of their own, but they select what they like out of my stash. One of them that left a 5* review even suggested in the private note to me that I provide the toiletries in each bathroom!
Clearly there is an expectation with many guests to my host house that if a host provides toiletries, that is what the guests will use. Although these items aren't expensive individually, it is starting to add up to provide so many.
I host a 4 BR 2 BA house that the guests have all to themselves. It is comfortable but I wouldn't call it luxury by any means. I am happy to be an excellent host even if that means I'm providing toiletries. I just didn't really expect that the guests would use what I provided instead of what they brought themselves. 🙂
I've seen several of Airbnb's guides and videos for hosts. Hopefully they will add one on toiletries, just to help hosts prepare! 🙂