Currently staying in Air BNB Positano ? Expectations

In an apartment yes, room only maybe not. Amenities should have been spelled out in the listing.

Airbnb is not a consistent entity, like Hilton or Red Roof Inn, where you can expect certain things in each one. Each Airbnb listing is independent, and they're all going to be different. That's supposed to be part of the appeal, that they're not "cookie cutter" like a hotel.

Furthermore, what a specific place provides is not a matter of "opinion," so what we on this board think doesn't matter. You have to check with the individual listing. What is supplied should be spelled out, and to avoid complaints and disappointments, most listings I've seen have lots of details.

All that said, it's hard to imagine any rental apartment not having a toaster and kettle. But other specific appliances, utensils, etc. may or may not be there. Again, if it's not spelled out in the listing, e-mail them directly to ask, as they're the ones who would know, and the rest of us are just guessing.

For what it is worth, we stayed in three different air bnb places in Europe on a recent trip and none of them had a toaster or a kettle. All had kitchens.

Beth

If you have the full apartment (not just one room in a shared soace) then usually kitchen basics are provided. Pots, silverware, cups, knife, that kind of thing. I am not sure about kettles, probably in Positano because they would get a lot of British tourists. Not all countries are big on tea so a place with fewer international tourists might not think of it.

If you really need a specific item then ask if it’s there.

No kettle? Boil water in a pot. No toaster? Toast bread in a buttered pan on the stove. Turn once. Guess you never went camping.

Great tips Norma!

So far every Airbnb I've rented in Europe (c. 25?) has had a "hot pot," one of those things that plug in to boil water.

Another reason why Trip Advisor rentals are better than Airbnb - they state exactly what is included, whereas Airbnb is silent as to what you can expect to find in the apartment.

I can’t recall staying anywhere without a kettle. Most places I have stayed in, but not all have had a toaster. Europeans tend to eat pastries, cold meats and cheeses for breakfast rather than toast.

I have heard of one apartment in the Canary Islands where they don’t even provide cups, never mind kettle and toaster! (It’s a cheap block).

I don't think tea or toast are Italian basics, so not surprised those appliances wouldn't be basics, either.
Visiting relatives in Germany and Austria, I noticed how common electric slicers were. Toasters not so much.

Was there a toaster in photos of the kitchen? Was there a kettle visible? Were either listed in the description?

If so, I'd expect the place to have what is shown in the photos, and what is listed as available. Otherwise, not.

Indeed - the only way to know if that Air BnB apartment should have a toaster or a kettle is to see what the listing for that AirBnB apartment says.

Quite a few of our airbnb apartments in Italy have had no toaster or tea kettle, but have been otherwise fully equipped --- we actually assume that these are not standard kitchen equipment. We sometimes go to a hardware store and buy a small kettle and give it to our airbnb host. Or just use a saucepan.

One of the things we enjoy about staying in apartments is how UN-standard they are. That's how we learned about the Italian griller thingie that can be used right on a gas stove burner (or a fire) to toast bread. We bought several at a hardware store and now that's all we ever use at home. Makes much nicer toast, plus can do pita bread, English muffins, toast for bruschetta, etc.

Also, maybe this is obvious, but sometimes a thing you are looking for in an apartment is squirreled away in some place you wouldn't expect. probably not a toaster or tea kettle, though! We have found some items after living in a place for a week.

I understood that kettles were not a common thing in American homes?

I understood that kettles were not a common thing in American homes?

I don’t have one and my family did not have one growing up. They certainly aren’t standard equipment the way they are in the U.K.. While you will often find a coffeemaker in hotel rooms, a kettle is rare in the U.S.

To answer the O.P.’s question, If it is not stated in the description, I would not count on it.

That's what I thought. Ahhh just clicked, think the OP is from Australia, and fellow kettle loving nation!!!

We have a kettle in our Seattle home, and recent home exchange guests put it on the gas stove and melted the bottom. That is how unfamiliar many Americans are with kettles. They did buy us a new one, but still. . ..

And if there's a microwave ... water heats up quickly in a cup.

Lola that is so funny (a tragi-comedy sort of funny)!

Italians are not the toast eaters we Americans, Brits, Aussies, etc., are. A Moka pot would be standard, a tea kettle not so much. Best to give the, feedback, though, as future guests from toast-and-tea-drinking nations will appreciate the amenities.

I like Norma’s tips!