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Top 10 Airbnb Amenities
That Actually Drive
Bookings in Tulum,
Houston & New Orleans
If you're trying to figure out what amenities are actually worth the money, we’ll save you the learning curve. At Virestia, we’ve managed Airbnb properties across three wildly different markets: the beach-heavy jungle of Tulum, the suburban sprawl of Houston, and the culture-packed chaos of New Orleans.
Here are the 10 features that consistently move the needle—and what most “Airbnb managers” still get wrong about them.
*(What we’ve learned managing real listings—not guessing from Google)
1. Fast, Real Wi-Fi (Not Just a Router in the Corner)
Why it matters: In Tulum especially, we see guests cancel mid-stay over weak Wi-Fi. It’s that serious. You want consistent speeds, a mesh system (not a single modem), and ideally a speed test screenshot in the listing.
Insider move: We put the actual Mbps in the listing description. It works.
2. A Desk Guests Actually Want to Sit At
A dedicated workspace doesn’t mean a folding chair and wobbly IKEA table. If you're targeting longer stays, the desk setup needs to look intentional. In Houston, our best-performing unit has a small office nook—it's booked 90% of the month.
3. Private Pools (Not the Shared One You Forgot to Photograph)
Especially in Tulum. If your listing has a pool and you’re not leading with that visually, you’re losing money. We’ve seen 40%+ higher occupancy on private pool units even if they’re slightly out of the tourist zone.
Bonus: Rooftop pools in Aldea Zama? Automatic price bump.
4. Self Check-In That Doesn’t Involve 12 Texts
Keypads or smart locks are non-negotiable. People don’t want to coordinate check-in after a delayed flight. And if you're relying on a human handoff in NOLA or Tulum, expect lower review scores and higher friction.
5. Parking That Doesn’t Suck
In New Orleans, street parking is a gamble. In Houston, no garage = no families. Every time we take over a listing with gated or covered parking, we make it a headline feature—and watch booking rates climb.
6. A Legit Kitchen (Stocked, Not Bare)
The kitchen needs more than a microwave and two forks. Think: decent knives, a full pan set, blender, wine glasses. In Houston and Tulum, this alone can extend bookings by 2–3 nights. We track it.
7. Blackout Curtains Are a 5-Star Review Hack
This is the amenity most owners overlook. In New Orleans and Tulum, where nightlife or sunlight can wreck sleep, blackout shades = better rest = better reviews. Simple.
8. Laundry in the Unit (Not Down the Hall)
Especially for stays over 4 nights. When we audit listings with in-unit laundry, they consistently outperform others by 20% in average booking length.
9. Outdoor Space That’s Actually Useable
Tulum = jungle patios. New Orleans = shaded balconies. Houston = rooftop decks. Don’t just have outdoor space—stage it with lighting, furniture, and photos that sell the vibe.
10. A Good Coffee Setup
People remember small rituals. A Nespresso or Chemex instantly elevates the feel. It’s one of those things that shows you care—and people reward that in the reviews.
Final Word:
Most hosts try to save money on the wrong things. We don’t. That’s part of why our listings outperform the market in every city we operate in.
Want us to audit your unit and show you exactly what’s worth upgrading?
Virestia.com | [email protected]