Airbnb Packing List

Bright modern living room with gray sofa, TV, dining table, and large windows

Short-term stays in homes and apartments are perfect when you’re looking for a home away from home experience – the ability to cook meals in a real kitchen, do laundry, hang out as a group, and still have the luxury of personal space.

While many short-term rentals on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo provide the bare essentials, packing for a short-term stay requires more thought than a traditional hotel stay.  Don’t worry! This guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to pack like a pro for your next short-term stay adventure.


The Basics

  • Accommodation Check
    Dive deep into your short-term listing. Does it provide towels, linens, and toiletries? How about cleaning supplies?
  • Seasonality Savvy
    Does the unit have air conditioning in the summer and special options like a fireplace for cozy winter nights?
  • Kitchen Confidential
    While some Airbnbs boast fully equipped kitchens, others offer minimal cooking facilities. If you’re road-tripping, you may want to bring a favorite pan and knife, a tea kettle, or even basic spices and cooking oil. Make sure to note the nearest grocery store to pick up the essentials when you arrive.


Beyond the Essentials

  • Tech Traveler
    Chargers, adapters, headphones, and portable power banks are lifesavers, especially for international trips. Don't forget entertainment like books, magazines, or a tablet loaded with movies. Packing a surge protector power strip means you’ll never have to worry about having enough outlets during your stay.
  • Creature Comforts
    Pack your favorite travel pillow, blanket, or even essential oils for a touch of homey comfort. If you’re traveling with kids, you may want to pack a travel-size white noise machine or binder clips to keep curtains closed in a pinch.
  • First-Aid Essentials
    Pack a basic first-aid kit with bandaids, pain relievers, and any personal medications you need. It's always better to be safe than driving around in the middle of the night looking for an open drugstore.


Bonus Tips

  • Local Love
    Check out local online news sites to learn about festivals and events during your stay. Research pharmacies and convenience stores near your Airbnb. Knowing where to restock essentials can be a lifesaver.
  • Eco-Conscious Packing
    Pack some refillable water bottles and reusable shopping bags that you can take on your adventures, whether you’re enjoying the outdoors, hitting a farmer’s market, or shopping at local stores.
     


Dreaming of a short-term stay in the Berkshires? Our East Rock Inn Two-Bedroom apartment comes with everything you’d need, from a fully stocked kitchen to a gas-burning fireplace, an in-unit washer/dryer, and direct access to our sprawling backyard at the foot of East Rock Mountain. Plus, professional housecleaning on-demand for a nominal fee.



Let us take the guesswork out of your next short-term stay and book directly on our website or email us at info@eastrockinn.com


Skiers on the learners' slope at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
By Corey Podolsky • October 10, 2026
Skiing Ski Butternut three minutes from Great Barrington: 22 trails, when to book lessons, which weeks get busy, and what to pack for your first day.
Autumn trees in a mountain valley beneath a cloudy sky, with colorful hills in the distance
By Corey Podolsky • September 29, 2026
When peak fall foliage hits the Berkshires, where the color turns first, and the best drives and lookouts near Great Barrington. Updated for the 2026 season.
Holiday light sculptures of deer glowing in a park at night in the Berkshires
By Rebecca Levey • September 13, 2026
Tree lightings, markets, concerts and shop-local nights across Great Barrington and the southern Berkshires, with dates and where each one takes place.
Flight of craft beers at a Great Barrington brewery in the Berkshires
By Corey Podolsky • September 13, 2026
Breweries, wineries and distilleries across the Berkshires, from Great Barrington taprooms to hillside vineyards, with what to order and where to find each one.
Dog on the grounds at East Rock Inn in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
By Corey Podolsky • September 1, 2026
Traveling to the Berkshires with a dog: pet-friendly studios at East Rock Inn, trails across the road, and the patios and shops that welcome dogs in town.
Brunch plate at a Berkshires restaurant near Great Barrington
By Corey Podolsky • May 13, 2026
Where to eat breakfast and brunch in the Berkshires, from Great Barrington and Lenox to Stockbridge: diners, bakeries and long-table brunches worth the drive.
Daffodils in bloom in the gardens at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
By Rebecca Levey • March 16, 2026
Daffodils and tulips take over the gardens at Naumkeag in Stockbridge each spring. When to go, what is in bloom, and what else to see nearby that week.
Portrait of Herman Melville, who wrote Moby-Dick at Arrowhead in the Berkshires
By Corey Podolsky • March 1, 2026
Edith Wharton, Herman Melville and W.E.B. Du Bois all wrote here. A literary route through the Berkshires, from The Mount to Arrowhead to Great Barrington.