How to Make a Welcome Basket for your Airbnb for under $5 a Booking

Providing extra amenities will really make a difference in your vacation rental reviews. Nothing is better after a long day of travel, than to find a basket of snacks and goodies! This does not have to cost very much per booking if you think ahead and buy a little in bulk you can do it for just $5 a booking. If a guest is paying $100 a night this is not much of an expense for higher ratings and repeat bookings. It helps during high season to have these items ready in bulk, so you aren’t always running out to the store to buy things last-minute.

What kind of basket to use

I bought my basket from Ikea, but any metal basket will do, you just want it to be wipeable and long-lasting. Here are a few ideas for your own basket: Copper, Modern, and White wire

What kind of Snacks to provide

You want a combination that has something for everyone. Ideally follow this model: Salty, sweet, crunchy, vegan and gluten-free. Think high-end quality over quantity & provide healthy options over empty calories.

1. KIND Bars, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Gluten Free $14 for 12 bars
2. Larabar Gluten Free Bar, Cashew Cookie $16.50 for 16 bars
3. Popchips Potato Chips Variety Pack $20 for 24 bags
4. Better Oats Oat Revolution Steel Cut  Apples and Cinnamon, $24 for 60 pouches
5. Blue Diamond Whole Natural Raw Almonds  $15 for 32 pouches

Where to Purchase your Snacks

I usually buy in bulk from Amazon or I use the grocery pick-up service from Walmart if I need less quantity (Here’s a $10 off coupon to try that!)

Do Guests always eat the snacks?

No, and that’s the best part! You provide a great impression with your welcome basket. I find most guests maybe have a couple of snacks (or touch nothing at all) Whatever they don’t take you have for the next guest.

Going the extra mile

Consider having a mini fridge , microwave and a pod coffee maker if you don’t have a full kitchen. I stock the mini fridge with a few yogurts, a bowl of oranges, a liter of milk, juice and bottled water. You can then claim ‘breakfast included’ in your listing. Simply having a few extra amenities like this will set your Airbnb apart from others. Providing all the breakfast items costs about an extra $5 for a 2 person booking of 2 nights. In the summer we leave a couple of ice cream bars in the mini freezer. If it’s an anniversary we leave a bottle of white wine.

Guest Welcome Book

Beside your basket make sure you have a well written and clear ‘Welcome Book’ to help guests settle into your Airbnb and relax with all the information they need about your property.

Here is my Guest Welcome Book Template, It is 100% customizable in Word & you simply edit it with your own information (and it makes your life easier!) It comes with all the freebies you see below!