To create a luxurious Airbnb or vacation rental experience, hosts should ask themselves the question, “What makes something ‘luxury?’” In an era of conscious consumerism, luxury is less about a brand and more about the feeling or experience. Travelers, especially those seeking unique, bespoke properties for their getaways, understand that a luxury Airbnb stay equates to the sum of every thoughtful detail.

Unlike corporate hotel managers, vacation rental hosts are able to completely define luxury on their own terms. Regardless of whether the vacation rental property is a studio loft, rural tiny home, or deluxe penthouse suite, it’s the small touches that can create the most delightful experiences. Below are five easy ways to create a luxury Airbnb experience at the most important touchpoints.

Curate the Welcome Package

Handwritten notes, complimentary chocolate, or a thoughtful bottle of bubbles — all these items are tried-and-true methods of making a great first impression on Airbnb guests. For a luxurious first impression, the bar is set slightly higher to achieve an unforgettable welcome experience.

When possible, communicate with your guests prior to their arrival to get a sense of why they are visitng, and allow that to inform the welcome gift. For example, if your guests are looking for a honeymoon getaway, include a congratulatory champagne, small souvenir (such as a local olive oil or handmade trinket), and a handwritten note with all of your suggestions for romantic dinners.

Pro tip: Download and print a welcome card in bulk and use the backside to write a personal note to your guests. That way, they will have all of the information they need in one place.

Provide High-End Amenities

Travelers are bound to forget or misplace a few bath and body essentials along the way. The standard for the majority of vacation rentals is to provide sample-sized shampoos and soaps that hosts swiped from their previous hotel stays — or worse, to provide no amenities at all. This can cause guests to fret over where or how they will get their hands on toiletries, especially in remote or rural destinations.

Remove the added layer of stress from your guests by providing an elevated selection of high-end amenities. From luxurious options such as Hermès to mid-range selections such as R&R Essentials, vacation rental hosts can find a variety of toiletry brands available for bulk purchase online.

An even better (and greener) option is to utilize bulk amenity dispensers that minimize plastic waste and allow vacatoin rental hosts to use whatever products match their property’s brand — no need to find sample sizes of your favorite shampoos and soaps!

Pro tip: Work with a local soapmaker to create a custom, travel-sized bar that can be stamped or branded for your property.

Upgrade The Linens

After a long day of planes, trains, and automobiles, luxury travelers want to luxuriate in soft, pillowy linens and wrap themselves in plush towels. Imagine traveling for hours, hopping into the shower, and reaching for a scratchy, secondhand towel that has clearly seen life in a personal household — no, thank you.

There’s a reason most hotels, luxury or otherwise, opt for white linens. The light color makes it easy to clean on the hottest setting in the washer, using bleach to make those sheets extra bright. White also helps hosts and cleaners identify stains that need spot treatment. The readily-available color can be found at any price point, but for that luxury hotel feel without breaking the bank, go for a few sets of Brooklinen sheets for each room. Brooklinen also offers plush towels and robes, making it a great option for reordering when necessary.

Pro tip: White linens don’t have to be boring. Dress up a space with a colorful knit or wool throw, like this one from Pendelton.

Include Streaming Services

Do you know the password for every streaming service you have? With so many streaming platforms to choose from, that answer is likely “no.” Part of a luxurious Airbnb experience is making the barrier between the traveler and their relaxation as seamless as possible. Nobody wants to reset their Netflix password anytime they travel.

Select a few popular streaming services — Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are fan favorites — and create dedicated accounts for your vacation rental property with multiple profiles for adults, kids, and families. Most modern TVs already have these streaming services installed in the unit so it’s as easy as logging in and resetting the history during turnover.

Pro tip: If you’re worried about the rising costs of streaming services, remember that these fees are tax deductible!

Impart Luxurious Scents

Scent is so intertwined with memory that retailers, hotels, and restaurants employ custom “scent marketing” to create a welcoming atmosphere. While there is no need for Airbnb hosts to utilize a commercial scent company, property owners may opt to establish a friendly aroma to establish an inviting aura.

For liability purposes, it’s best to stay away from any candles or scent warmers to create an aroma. Instead, tuck a reed diffuser, such as the cult classic Volcano by Capri Blue, onto a high shelf near a ceiling fan or vent so that the scent is easily circulated. Additionally, a room spray like Aesop’s Istros scent can keep a vacation rental property feeling fresh and vibrant.

Pro tip: Always remember that some guests have sensitivities to certain scents. Opt for scents that are not overpowering, or choose a natural essential oil spray for easy breathing.

What other ways have you upgraded your vacation rental space without breaking the bank? Leave your comments below!