5 Overlooked Inclusions When Setting Up an Airbnb
When setting up an Airbnb, it’s easy to focus on the big purchases: beds, a sofa, a dining table and appliances.
But guests experience your property through the smaller details. Can everyone have breakfast without washing yesterday’s dishes? Is the internet easy to connect to? Is there something to do when a tropical downpour changes their plans?
At Pebble Stays, we believe a thoughtfully prepared property should make the stay feel easy from the moment guests arrive. Here are five inclusions worth considering when setting up an Airbnb in Cairns or Palm Cove.
1. Board Games: An Unexpected Holiday Moment
Board games might seem like a minor extra, but they can give guests something they weren’t expecting: an enjoyable evening together without having to leave the property.
Imagine a family returning from a day on the reef. The children still have energy, the adults want to relax, and nobody feels like organising another activity. A small collection of games gives everyone something to do together.
They’re also a useful addition for rainy afternoons or quieter nights between outings.
You don’t need an extensive collection. Start with a few options that suit different ages:
A pack of playing cards.
A familiar family board game.
A quick game that’s easy to learn.
A simple puzzle or activity for younger guests.
Choose durable games, keep the instructions with them and check for missing pieces between stays. Store everything somewhere guests can easily find it.
The value is in the experience: you’re providing the ingredients for a holiday memory.
2. Electricity and Internet: Get the Essentials Working Before Arrival
Utilities are easy to overlook during the excitement of furnishing a property. They’re also among the first things guests will notice if something isn’t working.
Before your first booking, make sure electricity and internet services are connected, tested and ready to use. Check the air conditioning, hot water, appliances and Wi-Fi throughout the spaces guests will occupy.
For a Cairns Airbnb, think carefully about how guests will use the property. Air conditioning, laundry facilities and pool equipment, where applicable, all need to be factored into your operating budget.
Internet access should be straightforward. Display the network name and password clearly, and test the connection from the bedrooms as well as the living area. A connection that works beside the modem may not work well at the other end of the house.
A useful setup checklist includes:
Electricity connected before photography, cleaning and guest arrival.
An internet plan suited to the property’s intended guest numbers.
Wi-Fi coverage checked throughout the accommodation.
Simple instructions for the television and any streaming access.
Clear guidance on operating the air conditioning.
Guests should be able to settle in without spending their first hour troubleshooting the house.
3. Enough Crockery and Utensils for More Than One Meal
A property that sleeps six needs more than six plates.
With exactly one item per guest, breakfast can leave the kitchen short of clean crockery until someone washes up or runs the dishwasher. That creates an unnecessary chore during a holiday.
Our practical starting point is around two place settings per guest, adjusted for storage space and how the property is likely to be used. For a six-person property, that could mean 12 dinner plates, bowls, glasses and sets of cutlery.
Remember the items that disappear into the dishwasher fastest: mugs, teaspoons and drinking glasses.
Beyond place settings, think through what a guest would need to prepare and serve a straightforward family meal:
Saucepans and frying pans suitable for the guest capacity.
Sharp kitchen knives and chopping boards.
A colander, mixing bowl and serving platter.
Tongs, a spatula and serving spoons.
A can opener and bottle opener.
Food storage containers and basic cleaning supplies.
Try preparing a meal in the kitchen yourself before welcoming guests. It’s a simple way to discover that there’s no vegetable peeler, the only pan is too small or there’s nothing to drain pasta into.
A self-contained property should feel equipped for everyday use, including when some dishes are still in the wash.
4. Décor and Artwork: Give Guests a Reason to Stop Scrolling
Furniture makes a property functional. Décor and artwork help give it an identity.
When guests compare listings, the photographs are an opportunity to communicate how the stay will feel. Bare walls, mismatched furniture and harsh lighting can make an otherwise comfortable property look unfinished.
Our view is that thoughtful styling can make a substantial difference to how appealing a listing looks. It shouldn’t be presented as a guaranteed increase in bookings, but it deserves attention alongside the larger furnishing decisions.
For a Cairns or Palm Cove Airbnb, consider a consistent style that suits the property: natural textures, a restrained colour palette and artwork that reflects the tropical setting without overwhelming it.
Focus on:
Appropriately sized artwork above beds or sofas.
Bedside lamps and warm lighting.
Cushions and throws that bring the rooms together.
An inviting outdoor dining or seating area.
A consistent look from room to room.
Keep surfaces practical and avoid filling the property with fragile ornaments. Guests still need somewhere to put their bags, charge their phones and unpack.
Once the styling is complete, arrange photography that shows it accurately. The aim is to help guests picture themselves enjoying the space, then deliver that experience when they arrive.
5. Local Recommendations: Make It Easy to Enjoy the Area
Guests can search online for restaurants and activities. What you can offer is a useful shortlist that makes choosing easier.
A thoughtful local guide helps answer the questions guests often have after checking in: Where should we go for breakfast? What’s nearby? What can we do with the children? Where should we eat tonight?
This can be a printed welcome booklet, a dedicated webpage or a combination of both. A QR code in the property makes an online guide easy to access and update.
For accommodation in Cairns or Palm Cove, useful categories include:
Nearby coffee and breakfast options.
Casual family meals and special-occasion restaurants.
Local attractions and day-trip ideas.
Rainy-day activities.
Supermarkets, pharmacies and other essentials.
Transport and parking information.
Tailor the recommendations to the property. Guests in a Cairns City apartment may appreciate places they can walk to, while those staying in an Edge Hill house may want neighbourhood recommendations and ideas for exploring by car.
Explain why each place is included. “A relaxed breakfast spot within walking distance” helps guests decide more than a list of business names alone.
Check the guide regularly and link to official websites for current opening hours, bookings and visitor information.
A good welcome guide helps guests spend less time organising their holiday and more time enjoying it.
Set Up for the Stay, Not Just the Listing Photos
The best way to assess your Airbnb setup is to walk through a typical guest’s day.
They wake up, make coffee, prepare breakfast, head out, return for a shower and settle in for the evening. At each stage, ask: is everything they need available, easy to find and simple to use?
These five inclusions serve different purposes. Board games create opportunities for connection. Reliable utilities keep the stay running smoothly. A properly stocked kitchen removes small frustrations. Styling creates a welcoming atmosphere. Local recommendations help guests enjoy the destination.
Together, they help turn a furnished property into a thoughtful place to stay.
Setting Up an Airbnb in Cairns or Palm Cove?
Pebble Stays helps property owners prepare, present and manage short stay accommodation with the guest experience in mind.
Whether you’re furnishing a property for the first time or improving an existing listing, we can help you identify the details that deserve attention.
Talk to Pebble Stays about your property, or explore our Airbnb management services in Cairns and Palm Cove.
