Here are some things to keep in mind when booking a room on Airbnb.

Kimanzi has traveled to 84 countries around the world. He started booking accommodations on Airbnb in 2014 and discovered eight common mistakes hosts make when renting out their properties. He shared this on Insider hoping that hosts will recognize and improve their practices, helping guests have a more perfect vacation.

Through numerous stays, he learned what makes for a great Airbnb experience. Kimanzi learned to carefully examine all the photos, read previous guest reviews, and ask the host questions. Additionally, he was willing to pay more if the room offered something special. Unfortunately, he experienced many things that didn't meet his expectations.

First, many places don't provide basic cooking utensils for guests to prepare meals. That was the first thing that disappointed Kimanzi. The lack of cooking equipment forces guests to eat out more often, increasing costs and making meals less healthy than home-cooked meals. "I think that equipping a basic cooking set is a small investment, but it makes a huge difference for guests," he said. His advice in this case is that before renting a room, guests should ask clearly what items are included in the kitchen to get a clear understanding.

Secondly, very few hosts provide cooking spices and oil in the kitchen for guests renting rooms. According to Kimanzi, places that do have these are truly impressive and will receive more positive feedback. "I once stayed in an Airbnb in Tokyo where there wasn't even salt or pepper. That's an inconvenience that renders most kitchens useless." He also said that without spices, guests have to buy them themselves. This is both time-consuming and wasteful because those items have to be thrown away after the stay.

Many rental rooms don't have pillows. According to Kimanzi, one of the most challenging aspects for nomadic travelers is having to give up the comfort of their spacious beds and soft pillows at home. For this reason, he often appreciates places that provide pillows. "I once stayed in a house in Cape Town, South Africa, with chilled memory foam pillows. I had the best sleep of my life there, and I always book a room there when I return to Cape Town," he says.

The bed and mattress are also factors that influence whether Kimanzi writes a good review for a place he rents. He will only book rooms where previous guests have praised the cleanliness and comfort of the beds and mattresses. "If they complain about the sleeping arrangements, I'll skip it immediately." He also suggests that the host provide extra bed linens, blankets, and towels so that guests like him can easily access them without worrying about washing a whole set.

Next, he appreciated the fact that the host provided a coffee maker or simply a small packet of instant coffee. "I like to drink coffee as a daily beverage. I'm in Colombia and I really appreciate how the host here provides guests with locally sourced coffee. Colombia is famous for its coffee and the host provided coffee from their family's coffee farm. I really loved this place." He said this was a small highlight among the countless other Airbnb accommodations that don't offer this type of beverage. Kimanzi drinks coffee every day and likes to brew it at home to drink as soon as he wakes up. He really liked the list of items that came with the coffee maker and would appreciate even a small packet of coffee when he arrives.

"Landlords often ask me to help clean the house before check-out. But they don't provide the cleaning supplies. I'm happy to clean the room if I have the necessary supplies. Of course, they shouldn't charge us extra for cleaning services when we've already requested it," is what he wanted to say to the next landlord. According to him, landlords should provide all the necessary supplies or eliminate the cleaning fee entirely.

Slow Wi-Fi speeds are also a concern for landlords, according to a male American tourist. "Places that don't prioritize fast, free Wi-Fi will lose many guests. I once stayed in a room in New York, USA, where the Wi-Fi was lightning fast and the connection was strong everywhere in the house. I always return to that same place when I go to New York," he said.

And finally, the male traveler hopes that Airbnb hosts will provide clear instructions for guests: rules, check-in instructions, how to find the correct address, etc. These simple things are incredibly helpful, highly appreciated, and extremely satisfying for renters.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao