How We Picked
We started with Airbnb's own Help Center list of search filters (checked September 2026), because a filter is a direct signal of what guests look for. From that list we chose amenities that make sense for rentals in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont, and added the practical and safety notes an owner needs before installing them, drawn from state agencies and federal guidance where they apply.
We have not claimed a booking or revenue increase for any amenity. Nobody can promise that an item will lift bookings by a set percentage, and published figures rarely match a specific house. What an amenity does do is get your listing into more filtered searches. For a way to weigh the cost of each one, see our amenity ROI guide.
1. Fast, Tested Wi-Fi and a Dedicated Workspace
Wifi and "Dedicated workspace" are both Airbnb filters. Airbnb also lets hosts run a speed test from the app and show the result on the listing, and says listings testing at 50 Mbps or above are highlighted as having fast wifi. In rural New England, that proof matters, because guests who work remotely will ask.
Good to know: Put the router in a central spot, test in the bedrooms as well as the kitchen, and add a proper desk and chair if you tick "Dedicated workspace."
2. Hot Tub
Hot tub is one of Airbnb's filters, and in a region with cold evenings for much of the year it fits almost every season. It is also one of the amenities that needs the most care. The CDC recommends checking hot tub water with test strips for disinfectant level and pH, and poorly maintained water is linked to problems like hot tub rash.
Good to know: Build water testing and cover checks into every turnover, and keep a locking cover on it.
3. Fire Pit
Fire pit is an Airbnb filter, and an evening around the fire is a big part of a lake or mountain stay. In New Hampshire, the Division of Forests and Lands requires a fire permit for outdoor fires, including campfires, whenever the ground is not covered in snow. Permits are available online or from the town's Forest Fire Warden.
Good to know: Tell guests how permits work at your address, and supply a screen, a bucket and a clear place to put out the fire. In Massachusetts and Vermont, check the town's rules.
4. Indoor Fireplace or Wood Stove
"Indoor fireplace" is an Airbnb filter. If you let guests use it, Vermont's Division of Fire Safety requires short-term rental owners to provide clear usage instructions and a metal ash bin with a lid for a wood-fired fireplace or stove. The EPA's Burn Wise program has guidance on certified stoves and better burning practices.
Good to know: Keep dry firewood stocked and stored, and have the chimney serviced on the schedule your state requires.
5. Sauna
Sauna is a separate Airbnb filter, so a home with one shows up in a search that most homes cannot match. New England Host Co manages a 4-bedroom home with a sauna in Manchester, NH.
Good to know: Post simple use instructions and a time limit, and check the heater and timer during every inspection.
6. EV Charger
EV charger is an Airbnb filter. The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center says Level 2 equipment, which runs on 240-volt service, can charge a typical EV battery overnight and is what EV owners commonly install for home charging. It also notes that most EV owners do most of their charging at home, so an overnight charger at your rental removes a real worry for drivers.
Good to know: Level 2 units need a dedicated circuit, so use a licensed electrician, and state the connector type (J1772 or J3400) and charging level in your listing.
7. Self Check-In with a Smart Lock
"Self check-in" is an Airbnb booking filter. A smart lock with a unique code for each guest makes late arrivals after a long drive easier and removes the lost-key problem. Our list of the best smart locks for Airbnb hosts compares options, and our smart home access page explains how we set it up.
Good to know: Keep a backup entry method in case a battery dies or Wi-Fi drops.
8. Washer and Dryer
Washer and Dryer are both Airbnb filters. Longer stays, ski trips with wet gear and lake weekends with damp towels all make laundry a practical must.
Good to know: Leave detergent and a short note on which settings to use.
9. Air Conditioning
Air conditioning appears in the popular section of Airbnb's filter list. Summer is peak season for lake stays, and a hot July week is when guests notice its absence.
Good to know: Ductless mini-splits can handle both heating and cooling. Whatever you install, list it accurately so guests are not surprised.
10. Lake Gear: Kayaks and Lake Access
Airbnb lets guests filter for Kayak, Lake access and Waterfront. If your home is on or near the water, these are the filters that get it seen.
Good to know: Supply life jackets in several sizes, write simple water rules, and check with your insurer before adding boats or watercraft.
11. A Clear Pet Policy
"Allows pets" is an Airbnb booking filter. If you accept pets, say which ones and how many, and plan the extra cleaning time into your turnover schedule.
Good to know: Put any pet fee and pet house rules on the listing, and supply a few basics like bowls and a towel by the door.
12. Step-Free Access and Single-Level Living
Airbnb has filters for a single level home and a step-free guest entrance, among other accessibility features. Only list the features you actually have, measured to Airbnb's definitions.
Good to know: Clear, well-lit photos of the entrance, bedroom and bathroom help guests decide.
Safety Basics That Go with Every Amenity
Airbnb lists carbon monoxide alarm, smoke alarm, fire extinguisher and first aid kit under home safety. Vermont's Division of Fire Safety sets specific requirements for short-term rentals, including smoke alarms in and near sleeping rooms and carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every occupied level. Check your state's rules before your first booking, and add any winter-specific checks from our winter rental management page.
How New England Host Co Helps
Adding an amenity only helps if the listing shows it well. New England Host Co's full-service management includes listing creation and optimization, photography and copywriting, and housekeeping and maintenance coordination, with an inspection after every stay. See our listing optimization service, or compare options in our list of the best Airbnb co-hosting services in New England.
FAQ
Which Amenity Should I Add First?
Start with the basics that appear in Airbnb's popular filters, like Wi-Fi, a washer and air conditioning, then add a feature that fits your market, such as a hot tub in a ski town or kayaks on a lake.
Will a Hot Tub Always Bring More Bookings?
No amenity can promise that. A hot tub gets your home into more filtered searches, but it also adds maintenance and safety work at every turnover.
Do I Need a Permit for a Fire Pit in New Hampshire?
For outdoor fires when the ground is not covered in snow, yes. New Hampshire's Division of Forests and Lands requires a fire permit, which you can get online or from the town's Forest Fire Warden.
How Do I Show My Wi-Fi Speed on Airbnb?
Run Airbnb's speed test from the host app while connected to the home's network, then add the result to your listing.
Sources
- Airbnb Help Center: Search filters on Airbnb
- Airbnb Help Center: Testing your wifi speed
- CDC: What you can do to stay healthy in hot tubs
- NH Division of Forests and Lands: Fire Permits
- Vermont Division of Fire Safety: Short-Term Rental / Transient Lodging
- EPA: Burn Wise
- U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations