This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet. 

Short-term vacation rentals such as Airbnb and Vrbo offer much that hotels can’t, such as authenticity and uniqueness. Yet these benefits come with some major downsides. Unpredictability and hit-or-miss property management means that travelers never know what to expect before walking in the door.

According to a survey commissioned by Airbnb in 2019, “functionality” (such as a working coffee maker) was more important than “thoughtfulness” (such as a hand-written welcome sign) for most travelers. Yet functionality is exactly where vacation rentals suffer in comparison to hotels.

Need more towels while staying at a resort? Call the front desk. Run out of toilet paper while staying at an Airbnb? Good luck.

From dull knives in the kitchen to crepe-paper-thin pillowcases, vacation rental amenities can be more miss than hit. That’s why packing your own fix-it kit can make all the difference. Here’s what to bring to avoid the worst Airbnb rental headaches.

Plus: This is exactly the best time to book an Airbnb to save money

Despite all the hubbub on social media about hidden cameras in Airbnb properties, this remains a very rare problem. You probably don’t need to sweep your bedroom like a CIA agent.

Yet plenty of other horrors could await you in the bedroom, as seasoned travelers know well.

When flying to a destination, consider bringing:

If you’re driving instead of flying, you might consider also bringing:

Cooking food rather than eating out is a major plus for budget-conscious travelers. Indeed, access to a kitchen was the number one reason for choosing a vacation rental over a traditional hotel choice, according to a 2021 survey from ValuePenguin, a consumer research website.

But travel chefs beware: These kitchens can be true wildcards. The fridge might be completely bare, or it might house four different ketchups. You never know.

Here’s what to bring:

Read: When to buy travel insurance, and when to skip it

Unlike hotels, which offer everything you need and several things you might not, Airbnb bathrooms often include an old bottle of Suave hair conditioner and little else.

Don’t leave home without:

See: Airbnb rolls out new screening tools to stop parties

If packing all this sounds like a lot (and it is), there are other ways to avoid or mitigate some of the problems caused by a poorly stocked rental unit.

Airbnbs and other vacation rental alternatives provide an off-the-beaten-path choice to hotels. But sometimes the path is beaten for a reason. Hotels offer reliable amenities, unlike many vacation rentals.

Packing your own kit of essentials might seem like a burden, but it’s better than checking in and realizing that you need to run to Target for hand soap or a decent pillow. In fact, dedicated digital nomads might consider creating a standard grab-and-go kit to bring to every new vacation rental stay.

Sam Kemmis writes for NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @samsambutdif.