What is the best breakfast for short term rental guests?

We’ve been experimenting with dozens of different types of snacks and breakfast items with our Airbnb guests. There are some that stand out from others so we decided to make a helpful list of the best breakfast items for guests.

First things first, we’ve mentioned before in the blog that we follow the 5% rule for snacks and goodies for guests. The 5% rule means you can spend up to 5% of the nightly rate on guest goodies and snacks (perishable goods) For example if you charge $100 per night you should provide up to $5 in snacks and treats for the guest to consume during their stay.

It’s important to set up some ground rules like this one for yourself if you’re managing a short term rental. As long as you have basic rules like this, hosting is much easier. Rules can be modified but without them, it’s easy to lose track of what’s being earned and spent. When it comes to “breakfast,” its a bit of a broad term. You do NOT need to offer a continental breakfast with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and toast but you will need to provide some basic morning snacks for guests.

These are the best morning snacks (aka breakfast) for short term rental guests that can be purchased in bulk to achieve your 5% rule:

Belvita 30 Count Pack – It’s one box that contains 30 packages of cookies. Each package has 4 cookies in it. 230 Calories per package. Our favorite!
COST: $22

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Variety 58 Pack – Includes 58 individually wrapped granola bars. Features 22 chocolate chip, 22 peanut butter chocolate chip, and 14 oatmeal raisin bars. Packed with 8 grams of 100% whole grains per bar. No high-fructose corn syrup with only 100 calories or less per bar.
COST: $12

Kellogs Nutri-Grain Soft Baked Breakfast Bars 48 Pack – 62.4-ounce box of 48 individually-wrapped cereal bars. Made with wheat flour and whole-grain oat. Bars have either apple or strawberry filling and provide nine essential vitamins and minerals. They are low fat and great for guests on the run!
COST: $24

Nature Valley 36 Pack – The sweet and salty granola bars are made with roasted cashews, 100% whole grain oats and cashew butter. They are a perfect balance for a morning snack and are very well known to travelers worldwide.
COST: $27

So far we have had the best luck with the Belvita breakfast cookies. They have somewhat become the standard with Airbnb’s everywhere and we’ve seen them at other Airbnb’s we’ve stayed at while traveling. Between the blueberry and cinnamon breakfast biscuits, guests have been really happy and included them in private reviews on our listing.

Given they are sold in bulk now with 30 packs (4 cookies per pack) you can get each pack of 4 breakfast cookies at below $1 each giving you plenty of wiggle room for additional snacks.

*As a bonus* we’ve found if guests are staying for longer than 4-5 days we bring them fresh towels, waters, and additional snacks. This is a nice touch to make sure they are comfortable for a long-term stay. Remember you are operating your own little hotel so you are in full control of the guest’s experience. Unlike large hotel chains, you have the ability to fully customize a guest’s experience and make their stay MUCH more comfortable through small details.

Happy hosting!

Love,
Scooch and Steve