2026 Airbnb Amenity Trends Guests Love

If you host in 2026, you are not just competing on style and location. You are competing in the filter bar.

Airbnb has been clear about how guests shop: many guests narrow results by amenities, so accurately listing what you offer can directly impact bookings.  And when Airbnb published its “most searched amenities” list (based on 2024 internal search behavior), Pool sat at #1, with Hot tub also in the top 10.

That “filters first” reality is why a handful of amenities are quickly moving from nice-to-have to “why doesn’t this place have it?”

Below are five amenities that I believe are shaping 2026 short-term rental expectations, plus practical ways to add them without creating a maintenance nightmare.

1) EV Chargers: From “Cool perk” to “Book or bounce” feature

EV charging is the easiest trend to justify with real platform demand. Airbnb reported that searches using its EV charger filter grew more than 80% from 2022 to 2023.  Airbnb and ChargePoint even partnered to help US hosts add chargers, including discounts on hardware and installation.

Airbnb also states (based on internal data) that listings with EV chargers are booked for more nights and generate more income on average than those without.

What to install (simple guidance that prevents regrets)

You will hear “EV charger” used loosely. In practice, you are choosing between:

• Level 1: standard 120V outlet charging (slow).

• Level 2: 240V charging (much faster, typically what guests actually want for overnight stays).
  

The US Department of Transportation’s EV basics toolkit explains Level 1 vs Level 2, including the 120V vs 240V distinction and how charging time differs.

If you want to be taken seriously as EV-friendly, Level 2 is the move in most drive-to markets.

Hosting pro tips (these matter as much as the charger)

• Be explicit in the listing: say whether it’s Level 1 or Level 2, where it is (garage, driveway), and whether it’s shared.

• Show it in photos: one clean, well-lit photo of the charger mounted properly, with the parking spot visible.

• Write simple rules: cable management, no extension cords, and what to do if it faults.

• Prioritize safety-certified hardware: ENERGY STAR warns that not all chargers on the market are safety certified and highlights Level 2’s efficiency advantages.
  

  
  

2) Saunas: “Wellness stays” without the hot tub headache

Wellness has expanded beyond hotels and spas. The Associated Press has reported on the rise of dedicated “wellness rooms” in homes, often including home gyms and saunas as people prioritize self-care spaces.

Airbnb’s own 2026 travel predictions also point toward “restorative” travel behavior, and they explicitly reference contrast therapy including sauna sessions and cold plunges in their 2026 trend narrative.

And even if sauna isn’t always a prominent standard filter everywhere, Airbnb clearly curates and supports sauna-driven browsing through pages like “stays/sauna.”

Why saunas work especially well for short-term rentals

• High perceived luxury: guests associate saunas with spa-level stays.

• Lower ongoing mess than water-based amenities: no chlorine balance, no “who left the cover off,” and fewer moving parts than a hot tub.

• Great for photos and storytelling: sauna plus a clean outdoor shower area or cold plunge vibe is marketing gold.
  

How to add a sauna without creating chaos

• Choose the right sauna type for the property

  • Infrared is often simpler for indoor installs and can be more plug-and-play depending on the unit.

  • Traditional electric saunas may require more electrical work.

• Make it idiot-proof: laminated instructions, a timer rule, and a “how to cool down safely” note.

• Think about cleaning: towel policy, wipe-down supplies, and a clear “no oils on benches” rule.
  

3) Mini-pools and plunge pools: Big “pool energy” in small backyards

If you host in a dense neighborhood (Nashville is a perfect example), you already know the constraint: you cannot magically create land.

That is why smaller pools are the play.

Airbnb’s own hosting resource center says the #1 most searched amenity is a pool based on 2024 guest search behavior.  That means any pool-adjacent solution that looks premium in photos has real demand behind it.

Plunge pools are also becoming mainstream. Better Homes & Gardens describes a plunge pool as a smaller version of a traditional pool, noting the compact footprint works well for small yards and can be more affordable.  The National Association of Realtors has also highlighted that smaller plunge pools continue to be popular as part of broader backyard pool downsizing trends.

What “mini-pool” can mean in an STR context

• Plunge pool (small in-ground, designed for dipping and cooling off)

• Cocktail pool / spool (small pool designed for lounging, sometimes with jets or heat)

• Ultra-compact dip pool with premium finishes, lighting, and privacy screening
  

Hosting pro tips that drive ROI

• Design for photos first: clean tile, a feature wall, lighting, and one hero angle.

• Add privacy intentionally: fencing, slatted screens, tall landscaping. In tight Nashville lots, this is often the difference between “cool” and “awkward.”

• Make it feel like a “moment”: robes, towel hooks, a small bench, and a simple outdoor rinse setup.

Safety matters here. Even a “small” pool needs real rules, clear signage, and the right insurance coverage. (This is not the fun part, but it is the grown-up part.)

4) Fitness equipment and mini gyms: Guests expect to keep routines

This is the quietest trend on the list because it rarely gets a single “WOW” photo, but it wins bookings in two ways:

1. It removes friction for longer stays and weekend trips alike.

2. It turns your place into a “my life, but better” stay.
   

The same “wellness rooms” trend mentioned by the AP includes home gyms alongside saunas as a growing part of how people use space.  That mindset carries directly into travel: guests want to feel good while away, not “fall off” their routines.

The best mini gym setups are small and intentional

You do not need a full gym. Start with a “fitness corner” that looks curated, not random.

Low-cost, low-maintenance starter kit

• Yoga mat + yoga blocks

• Resistance bands

• Adjustable dumbbells or a light kettlebell set

• Foam roller

• A small fan and a hook for towels
  

Upgrade path (only if it fits your guest profile)

• Compact treadmill or walking pad

• Stationary bike

• Wall mirror

• A simple bench
  

Hosting pro tips

• Put it somewhere guests will actually use (a bright corner, not a dark garage).

• Add one photo of the setup, staged cleanly.

• Include a short safety note (especially if you add heavier equipment).
  

5) Baby and kid equipment: The family-friendly advantage hosts ignore

Families book differently. They do not want “cute.” They want easy.

Airbnb’s own hosting guidance explicitly recommends kid-friendly items like a high chair, a travel crib, and baby safety gates to welcome more guests with children.

This category also has a huge practical edge: parents often cannot fly with bulky baby gear, and even when they can, they hate it.

The “family pack” that actually moves the needle

If you want to be known as family-friendly, go beyond the bare minimum:

• Travel crib (Pack ‘n Play style) + 2 fitted sheets

• High chair or booster seat

• Baby gate

• Outlet covers (a small bag is fine)

• Blackout curtains in at least one bedroom

• Plastic kid dishes and cups

• Step stool in the bathroom
  

Hosting pro tips

• Store everything in one labeled closet bin so cleaners can check it quickly.

• Mention the exact items in your listing (“travel crib + high chair + baby gate”).

• Photograph the travel crib set up once. Parents trust what they can see.
  

In 2026, the best amenities are not just “extras.” They are search behavior. Guests filter first, compare fast, and book what feels easiest and most aligned with their lifestyle. EV charging meets the new reality of how people drive, saunas and mini pools meet the new demand for wellness and wow-factor, mini gyms meet the expectation of routine, and baby gear meets families where they actually are. The hosts who win next year will be the ones who upgrade with intention, then market those upgrades clearly in photos, descriptions, and amenity checkboxes.