Bedroom essentials
Per bed, per guest stay: fitted sheet, flat sheet (optional but expected in London mid-range and above), duvet cover, and one pillowcase per pillow (standard is 2 pillows per single bed, 4 per double/king). Keep three full sets in rotation per bed.
Quality level: minimum 200 thread count poly-cotton for durability. 300+ thread count cotton percale is the sweet spot for luxury positioning without the wear-out issues of pure cotton at Airbnb turnover rates.
Bathroom essentials
Per guest: one bath towel, one hand towel, one face cloth (or flannel), one bath mat. If the property has more than one bathroom, stock accordingly.
Quality level: minimum 500gsm for bath towels. Anything lighter feels thin and will get flagged in reviews. 600–700gsm is the premium range.
Nice-to-have
Extra pillow per bed (many guests want two; offering three is a low-cost upgrade). One or two spare blankets folded in the wardrobe for cold nights. A bathrobe per guest if the property is positioned as premium.
Tea towels in the kitchen: at least two, one for drying dishes and one for glasses. Cheap to provide, high signal of attention to detail.
What to skip
Decorative throws and cushion covers get used as pillows by guests who don't know better. They stain, they're a pain to wash, and they add nothing measurable to reviews.
Mattress toppers: high wear, hard to wash, usually just a vector for complaints about cleanliness. Use a high-quality fitted mattress protector instead (washable, invisible to guests).