Top 15 Airbnb Welcome Basket Ideas
An Airbnb welcome basket instantly lets your guests feel instantly welcome and at home. After a long day of traveling most guests aren’t in the exploring mood
Imagine this scenario. Your guest has been traveling all day and finally reaches your Airbnb listing. They are hot, tired, and jet-lagged.
They don’t feel like going out for food and water. If you leave a low-cost Airbnb welcome basket with water and snacks, this will a great first impression. The happier the guests, the better reviews you get which leads to more bookings.
For us, we like to keep the Airbnb welcome basket between 5%-10% of our total Airbnb nightly cost. For most listings this will be under $10. Buy everything in bulk and make sure it’s easy to restock.
In this article, we will share our favorite Airbnb welcome basket combinations and a few secrets we do in our listings. Let’s get started.
What Is An Airbnb Welcome Basket?
An Airbnb welcome basket is a collection of items that are typically left in an Airbnb rental property for guests as a gesture of hospitality.
The basket can contain a variety of items, including snacks, drinks, local maps and brochures, toiletries, and other essentials. Welcome baskets can vary in size and contents, but the goal is to provide guests with a positive first impression of their Airbnb experience.
What Do You Put In An Airbnb Welcome Basket?
The contents of an Airbnb welcome basket can vary depending on the host’s preferences and the type of property, but here are some common items that are often included:
- Snacks and beverages: Consider items such as bottled water, fruit, crackers, cookies, or other non-perishable snacks that guests can enjoy during their stay.
- Toiletries: Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste can be helpful for guests who forget or don’t want to bring their own.
- Local information: Maps, brochures, and business cards for local attractions, restaurants, and shops can help guests get a feel for the area and plan their trip.
- Coffee and tea: A small bag of coffee and tea, along with a French press or coffee maker, can help guests start their day off right.
- Essentials: Consider adding a few essentials, such as spare light bulbs, batteries, and power adapters, in case guests need them.
- Personal touches: Personalized notes, fresh flowers, and a small gift can all help guests feel welcome and appreciated.
6 Steps To Creating The Ultimate Airbnb Welcome Basket
Creating an Airbnb welcome basket can be a simple and enjoyable process, and it’s a great way to make guests feel welcomed and appreciated. Here are some steps to help you create a thoughtful and memorable Airbnb welcome basket:
- Determine your budget: Decide how much you want to spend on the basket and what items you can afford to include.
- Consider your guests: Think about your guests’ needs and preferences and choose items that will make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
- Shop for items: Choose items that are practical, useful, and in line with your budget. You can purchase items in bulk to save money or look for locally sourced items that are unique to your area.
- Assemble the basket: Choose a basket or container that is appropriate for your theme and arrange the items in a visually appealing way. Make sure to include a note or card with a personal message.
- Store the basket: Store the basket in a convenient location where guests will be able to find it upon arrival.
- Update your listing: Be sure to mention your welcome basket in your Airbnb listing so that guests know what to expect when they arrive.
What Are Airbnb Welcome Basket Ideas?
Welcome Basket Idea #1 – A Bottle Of Wine/Beer
Not all guests will drink, but you have a win-win situation. If your Airbnb guests don’t drink and leave the wine/beer you provide then you can save money and won’t need to buy anything for your next guests. The kind gesture is still there.
After a long day of travel, there is nothing that starts the vacation celebration better than a bottle of wine or a beer.
A great idea is to go to a local brewery and buy a seasonal beer or local beer. Another option is to find the closest winery or at least buy a bottle of wine from your country.
Items we recommend:
Wine delivery or Beer delivery
Welcome Basket Idea #2 – Local Roasted Coffee
Almost all cities have locally roasted coffee. It’s a very popular trend and even better, some cities deliver coffee beans.
Go to a coffee shop close to your Airbnb and mention your listing. Local coffee shops might be able to spare some sample-size coffee in return for guest advertisement. Or at least give a discount coupon such as 15% off a coffee.
Coffee we recommend:
SF bay coffee fog chaser – medium-dark roast
Welcome Basket Idea #3 – Local Restaurants, Shops, Takeout Menus
Some of the best restaurant recommendations we have ever had are from Airbnb hosts. If you have a spot in your city where you frequently go, recommend this to your guests.
Go there and grab a takeout menu and put it in your Airbnb welcome basket. Even grab a discount coupon for local restaurants and shops. This will give your guests something to enjoy and experience.
If it is a restaurant, recommend a few of your favorite menu items. One of my favorite things to suggest is my go-to coffee from our local coffee shop
Items we recommend:
Local coupons/discount
Chocolate made locally
Snack variety packs made locally
Local gift cards
Welcome Basket Idea #4 – Snack or Refreshments
For us, whenever we travel, it has this unknown tension. Are we going to be late? Is our flight going to be delayed? Did I forget to pack something?
All these questions add stress at the beginning of the trip and after arriving at an Airbnb listing, the last thing I want to do is go out and find somewhere to eat. We just want to relax and enjoy the evening.
If you can satisfy your guests until the next morning, then you have left a great first impression and your guests will normally be more forgiving if you forgot to clean something small.
TIP #1 – If you add simple instant oatmeal, fruits, bags of chips, bagels, or baked goods you can qualify with breakfast certification on Airbnb. This adds an additional filter option for potential guests looking for breakfast included.
Items we recommend:
KIND Bars, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Gluten Free, Low Sugar
MadeGood Chocolate Banana Granola Minis
SmartSweets Gummy Worms Candy with Low Sugar
Nature Valley Crunchy Oats ‘n’ Honey Granola Bars
Welcome Basket Idea #5 – Occasion Planning
Sometimes your guests will mention why they are staying in your Airbnb listing. It’s something we do whenever we travel.
You don’t have to give all these items to your guests. You can provide them for occasions and set them aside for other times.
If your guests do mention something special such as:
- Christmas
- Anniversary
- Wedding/Honeymoon
- Birthdays
- Sporting trip
- Easter
- Father’s day
- Halloween
- Mother’s day
- New year’s day
- Thanksgiving
- Valentine’s day
Then an Airbnb welcome basket idea is leaving something special to help them celebrate. I could be a balloon for a birthday, robes for a married couple, or a simple thank you card with a special note.
Items we recommend:
Welcome Basket Ideas #6 – Personal Toiletries
Just like hotels, personal toiletries are always a nice feature if you want to make you’re home high class
Most Airbnb guests forget one essential toiletry or another. Either to pack lighter or because they forgot. There is a list of what toiletries an Airbnb listing is required to provide but it is always nice to.
Something is always forgotten. The most common forgotten toiletries include deodorant, razor, shaving cream, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste.
Anyone that travels has forgotten one of these toiletry essentials before. Some people don’t even travel with them. It’s easy to go out and buy them but as an Airbnb host, if you provide them it is a thoughtful surprise for your guests if they need them.
Some great items to place in your Airbnb welcome basket are great-smelling toiletries. These can be local or bought online in bulk.
You are also able to get free sample sizes or travel sizes online when you sign up for certain websites. You can try:
Items we recommend:
Welcome Basket Idea #7 – Comfort Items
Comfort items are great if you want your guests to remember your listing as welcoming. If you have cold winters then a warm blanket and a book are essentials
or you live in an area with cold winters. There is nothing better then a warm blanket and a book.
- If your guests are staying in, they should feel comfortable
- These items can include a couch blanket, bathrobes, slippers, or heated blanket for the bed etc
Welcome Basket Idea #8 – A BBQ Kit
If you have a locally made bbq sauce or some meats, then add a small amount with details to the meat shop.
Add in some sea salt and apron for some extra style and advertisement
Welcome Basket Idea #9 – Soup Packages
When it comes to healthier food, you could leave your Airbnb guests a pre-packed soup package. All you would need for this is a pot for your guests to cook the soup in and the soup package that costs
You can leave all types of soup packages. Ones your guests will have to cook themselves which is usually healthier or instant soup packages.
Items we recommend:
Instant soup packages
Michelles soup packages
Soup packages
Welcome Basket Ideas #9 – Healthy Food
Not all the snacks you provide have to be unhealthy or expensive. A simple solution is going to the grocery store and buying bulk nuts, protein bars, or any low sugar items.
Items we recommend:
Nuts and organic
Almonds and cashews
Flavour nut packages
Protein bar
Roasted nuts
Low sugar item
Welcome Basket Idea #9 – Situational Luxuries (break it into climates, surfing, snowboarding, biking, hiking, etc)
When we traveled to california, the beach were to far to walk, the uber rides were far to expensive and there was no parking.
Our Airbnb host knew this and provided bikes for us to ride to the beach. It was the perfect solution to exhance our experience and we definitely mentioned it in our review.
Depending on where you live, these items will change. If you live by a beach you can provide a cooler bag, umbrella, beach chairs, towels, etc
Where there is a lot of rain, you can provide a rain umbrella. If you live by the ocean you can provide a snorkel, surfboard, paddleboard, etc.
If you live by the mountains you can provide a snowboard for the winter or a mountain bike for the summer.
Mention anything you provide in your Airbnb description and make any potential guest aware of what you offer. Your guests will love it
Items we recommend:
- Beach coolers bag or totes
- Coolers
- Insulated cooler bag
- Beach chairs
- Beach umbrella
- Umbrella for the rain
- Beach towels
- Sandels
- Snorkel
- Surf board
Welcome Basket Ideas #11 – Chalk Board & WiFi
Write a personalized thank you note welcoming your guests by their first names. “Thank you Jane and John for booking with us. Enjoy your stay!”
This is one of the most personal things you can do for your guests and will be mentioned in your reviews
Furthermore, you can write your wifi password on the chalk board which is always one of the first things guests look for.
Add guests name, wifi password and anything else that you might think of as important.
Welcome Basket Ideas #12 – Helpful Information
- One of the best things about Airbnb stays is how much more the hosts will know about the local area then what you can find online. Furthermore, Airbnb homes are often in an area that has some pretty amazing things to see
- Leave Maps, city guides, brochures on popular attractions
- Since you know what your city has to offer, you will know popular less touristy things to do. An amazing walk/biking path, an unknown beach, a smaller festival coming to your city, etc
- Most hosts will leaves a detailed brochure in there welcome basket or welcome letter
Welcome Basket Ideas #13 – A towel wrapped up like an animal
Put some shampoo and conditioner inside or some chocolates
Welcome Basket Idea #
Our Favorite Airbnb Welcome Basket Combinations
#1 – Protein bar, microwave popcorn, instant oatmeal, cereal, cookies, fruits,
#7 Fire Pit with Smores
- If you live in an area that wont disturb your neighbours and you have a fire pit. Then add some smores items. Smores kit, marshmallow roaster, and some chairs
Welcome Basket Ideas #15 – House Manual, Self Checkin Instructions
Information
It is essential to leave a charming personalized welcome message that contains any information specific to your accommodation, such as wifi passwords, and digital lock codes.
Then if you visit your local tourist office, they will probably have handouts and booklets about the area and any attractions. If you do not have a local tourist office, then try the city hall.
Toiletries
A couple of mini bars of soap, shampoo sachets are all that’s needed. Many people will not open these so you can reuse them in the future.
Snacks and Drinks
Four bottles of water, four packs of chips, and four individual cookie packs would be good. Then add a handful of different tea bags and coffee sachets, with a dozen individual sugar packets and whitener.
That probably is all you need to include. You are merely trying to ensure that when they arrive tired that there is an opportunity to sit down, have a break, a drink, and a bite while they read the information you have left.
What Is A Good Honeymoon Welcome Basket?
Ideas On How You Can Design A Welcome Basket To Stand Out
The final touch is to arrange all these items in a basket and cover the basket in cling film so the guest can see it is a fresh basket that has been left for them and not just a collection of unwanted stuff. Once its all packed and covered in cling film, a small ribbon around the basket (optional) tied in a bow will make it appear much more of a “gift.”
Another simple way is to add a welcome card for your guests. Place it in the baskets with the card mentioning basket is an Airbnb welcome gift. Welcome cards can be mass ordered on Vista Print for cheap.
QUICK TIP #1 – I only do Airbnb welcome baskets for guests staying longer than 1 night. This will vary with your location and you could always set your minimum stay to 2-3 nights.
What Are The Best Airbnb Welcome Basket
Since guests rarely break or take the basket, invest in a high-quality one that looks nice and will last for years. Last year we found the brand “Whitmor” that specializes in organization and baskets. The company has been absolutely fantastic and make solid products. Here are our top choices for Whitmor:
1. Whitmor Split Rattique Small Shelf Tote Gray Wash
2. Whitmor Rattique Small Shelf Berry Blue Tote Basket
3. Whitmor Woven Strap Shelf Tote Moonstruck Gray
a. Most of them said they particularly appreciated a small document giving essential information, such as how to get to the local convenience store and its opening hours, A list of local facilities and how to get to them, some suggestions of good places to visit, and details of any local specialties.
b. The wifi password
c. A couple of cold drinks/water, a handful of tea bags and instant coffee sachets, some sugar sachets, and whitener.
d. A couple of bags of chips, grain bars, a pack of cookies.
None of this will cost much to put together, and a small basket containing these items will be very much appreciated by your new guests and help to create a great first impression.
What Is An Airbnb Welcome Basket?
An Airbnb welcome basket is something you leave your guests when they check-in as a welcome gift.
Investing a few dollars into a small welcome pack goes a long way to improving their initial reaction and will improve your listing reviews. This will end up with more bookings
Final Thoughts
The goal is for your guests to remember your Airbnb listing. With an Airbnb welcome basket, your place is more likely to stand out because of that little extra effort. It adds to reviews and your guests will keep you in mind for their next trip
The tips above are great for any vacation rental welcome basket and we hope we’ve answered your questions and been able to improve your listing. If you enjoyed this article, then you might like our “Airbnb kitchen essentials” article next. Take care.