A gut and redo sorry but there is no way to get that to look good . Too many dated things. IMO if budget is tight youcan do a tub/ shower with acrylic walls for an updated look . If you post pics of the whole space then maybe the counter can be changed very cheaply too and that would be as cheap as possible .

Okay, there's one thing I personally would have a problem with. That's a standard sized toilet and, being tall with serious knee problems, I'd need something to grab onto (rather than the toilet seat) to elevate myself up to standing posture. The sink is a bit far away for that. But then again, you won't find my situation every day.

I don't mind this bathroom. Is it going to inspire my next bathroom? No, but if it's clean, everything works, and there's no carpet, that's what I look for in a rental bathroom. It's not mine, so it doesn't need to be my style.

I would stay with a standard height toilet. I'm slightly shorter than average with even shorter friends and family; getting onto a tall toilet involves a hop and dangling feet. Tall is great for tall people's own homes, but standard is, well, standard, and good for a rental. That being said, I'm not sure if it's the picture, but there's something odd about that toilet. Are the tank and seat the same color? And what color is it? What about the tub? Are they both beige like the sink?

A new shower curtain with some pattern to it that embraces the colors of the bathroom without being overly matchy-matchy or brings in a theme could certainly help. There's nothing wrong with the one you have, but it's not really adding anything either.

What's the other bathroom look like?

Is a new tub surround in white in the budget? If not I would add a deluxe hand held shower head with a curved shower curtain rod and crisp white washable curtain. I would paint the vanity and all the wood including the window and shelf in an off white tone and add crisp white towels. If affordable I would change the vanity top and sink to a one piece unit that also stays easy to clean. I would frame of your mirror if not already, and update the vanity light fixtiure. Clean and light!

Try a rain shower. The kind I have (Kohler) would exactly go in the spot where you have the current shower. No need to change anything. It's a bit of special for a holiday.

Please don't paint the wood. That is my favorite part of the whole bathroom and is in excellent condition ... especially the window.

I've managed vacation properties for 16 years. It would help to see what the other room(s) the guest paid for look like. If they didn't complain about their room then try to upgrade the bath that goes with the room to match it. Personally, I think the green toilet would be a turn off; you can't really tell if it is clean or not, especially if there are permanent stains. You can have the tub resurfaced in white to match a new toilet (standard height) and sink. Use a hotel grade shower curtain in white. Even your liner curtain would look better than the aqua one. When you have the tub resurfaced, ask if they can do anything about the tile. If they have a remedy for that, then ask about the floor (looks to be tile to me.) Upgrade to an adjustable hand held shower head to be more flexible for folks with different strokes. I hope all your towels are hotel quality and white so you can keep them bleached and fresh looking.

Yes, please DO NOT paint the wood! If I were looking online at listings, I'd be drawn to ones with wood (in great shape) over painted surfaces. That window is a feature to be accentuated. As is that ledge. (The wood under the vanity I care less about.)

What have other guests had to say about the bathrooms?

PS about the toilet, I agree for a rental it should definitely remain standard height, but it would be nice to have it closer to the sink or something so that one can pull oneself up if needed. (Perhaps on the other side the tub is closer, that would be fine, as well.) But again, for 95% of potential lookers, this is not something you NEED to provide. Beside if I am renting the place for just myself and one or two friends/family - I'm much more confident about being able to clean up after pushing off from the toilet seat itself with my hands.

For a rental, yes, white towels are essential. Much easier to know they are sanitized.

"I would add a deluxe hand held shower head with a curved shower curtain rod and crisp white washable curtain." - I totally agree with the deluxe hand held shower head with a curved shower curtain rod - I put one of those in my home and I adore it! I am not fond of a white shower curtain - I think in a rental cottage I want some personality, it's not a motel or hospital setting - but definitely make it hot-water washable!

What is your budget and DIY level?

Can you remove the faux tile sheet behind the toilet without damaging the shower? You would need to find a new edging strop though.

I agree with the simple changing the shower curtain, Target has a lot of options under $30

https://www.target.com/p/peacock-print-shower-curtain-opalhouse-8482/-/A-53015109

You could try something like this to lighten the floor tile grout

https://www.younghouselove.com/how-you-like-me-now-grout/

In the picture, the toilet seat looks a different color from the toilet, depending on budget you could either replace just the seat or the whole toilet.

Lowes and Home Depot sell premade lengths of laminate counter. If you’re handy, you could start by replacing the counter, sink and faucet.

We always stay in Airbnb’s when we travel. Personally I don’t like the updated places that look like every house on HGTV. For me, clean is the #1 priority. #2 is No Odors. If you have to use scents to cover up the smell of the room, you need to fix what smells (carpet, dampness, etc). I love a clean, brightly lit bathroom that is completely clutter free. I am bringing my makeup and hair stuff, and need counter/shelf space to put it down. I use a flat iron or curling iron, so please have a surface where I can heat it up and use it without damaging anything. A large mirror with good lighting. LARGE! I am 5’ tall and I know there are also very tall people who stay in Airbnb’s, we all need to be able to see in the mirror without having to tiptoe or stoop. I will also clean up after myself, so a bit of cleaning spray and paper towels should be handy. Clean, bright, a big mirror and space for my stuff, and your bathroom will get 5 stars from me.

I agree with those above - do not paint the wood - a simple update of the aesthetic would work wonders - call me crazy but I'm pretty sure you can paint laminate tile! look at rustoleum tub & tile

I find it odd that a guest would ding you a star due to not having "updated" bathrooms, as presumably they would've viewed your listing photos before making the reservation!

We prefer Airbnb when we travel, both internationally and in the U.S. For us, it's all about the location of the property and its amenities, as we have a specific list of needs that we usually aren't willing to compromise on. That said, I do not expect properties to be "updated", necessarily, but I do expect cleanliness and functionality. I don't expect broken down or shoddy, but from what I can tell by your photos, your bathroom looks to be perfectly pleasant -- if not the newest.

I say this because I want to encourage you not to let that odd rating get you down. (It's like when potential buyers came to look at my previous home, built in 1940, after seeing the listing photos online. We had a couple complaining that countertops and floors were not "updated". Um, hello? You SAW THEM IN THE LISTING PHOTOS, dummies, so why'd you even come to look? ;-)) Keep your place clean and neat, well-stocked with supplies (plenty of fresh, clean, fluffy towels are a must), and don't fret the fact that your bathroom doesn't look like an "after" on HGTV. It doesn't have to.

ETA: What are other rentals like in your area? Just be sure you're priced competitively, particularly if other places tend to have newer features.

Is the toilet beige and the seat and lid are green? It’s hard these days, but can you find a lidded seat that matches the toilet?

The shower head looks like nothing to write home about, kind of basic. Can you find a newer one, maybe a handheld? (Not a rainshower, I think those are too taste-dependent.)

A beige waffle weave shower curtain would be nice. How about one of those shower rods that curves out? I’ve been seeing those in hotels a lot.

Between the beige, green, and wood, it can be very zen. Maybe play that up a bit (is it zen to play something up? Oh well, you know what I mean!)

I also think it's weird that a guest would change their rating for the appearance of the bath. if something was broken, peely, moldy or non-ADA compliant? yes, fix those. appearance? they can shove it. you should update for you, not them.

I can't tell you how many vacation rentals I've been to that had out of date decor. we would usually laugh at how "vintage" they were, but ultimately didn't mind, because we were there for the beach.

I 100% agree with IdaClaire and ILoveMod.

When I rent homes, I want clean. Decor barely registers on me. I'm not moving in, I'm renting the place!

Some people always have to complain about something. If it's just one or two reviews and they are literally only complaining about "outdated" (vs. nonfunctional, dirty, or smelly, etc.) then I wouldn't spend another second worrying about it.

I've owned vacation rentals, you should update for your renters not you, you don't stay there. What matters is, are you fully booked, do you have return renters? What does your competition look like, you want to be a step above them. By doing updates can you increase the rental price or get more bookings? Vacation rentals is a business, consider all the pros and cons to make a good decision.

The bathroom is tired, that's okay if all the adjacent rentals are the same, you are always fully booked, your keep getting repeat customers.

When vacationing, I want my rental house to be nice, I pay for it to enjoy when I return to it.