5 Easy Ways to Impress Your Airbnb Guests ... (that most hosts are forgetting)
Apr 21, 2023
image above: Alison Giese Interiors
Hey there, Superhost!
Listen, I know that bookings are down and that the Airbnb/STR game is changing a lot right now... Don't panic! You're not alone in this and there are things that you can do to future-proof your short-term rental business.
I've been reviewing Airbnb properties lately with Stacey St. John for our weekly YouTube show, Better Your BNB, and I've noticed some things that are consistently left out of interiors which I talk about in this blog post. But in addition to getting the interiors just right, there are a myriad of other things that as hosts we must consider to keep our bookings up and our reviews high.
I have lots of ideas on how to add those competition-busting luxury touches but today, I'm going to share with you just 5 easy, achievable ways to impress your Airbnb guests. These are things that I've learned as an Airbnb host, guest, and designer/consultant and are my personal must-haves for a 5-star Airbnb that are totally going to have people booking again and again...
image above: Peak House, Caledon
5 Ways to Impress Your Airbnb Guests... (That Most Hosts Are Forgetting)
1. Ensure an Excellent Night of Sleep Every Time
Do not underestimate a good night's sleep. We stayed in a rental recently with polyester content in the sheets. NO! 100% cotton all the way. For all my hot sleepers out there, let's unite on this front... It has to be cotton. Or linen for a lux place. But no polyester in the sheets!
Polyester fabric doesn't breathe, so it makes the sleeper hot, especially in the middle of the night. I know it can make the sheets soft, and also wrinkle-free so if you insist on some polyester in your sheets, make it a low %. If you want to try out the sheets I sleep on myself, use in projects, and recommend the most, check out Fix Linens. Enter code Quilldecor for 30% off
For my best tips on layering a bed, check out this post right here.
image above: Pottery Barn
2. Give Your Rental A Trial Run
On the subject of a good night's sleep... Sleep in your place at least once to see where the quirks are! If your rental is solely an investment property and not somewhere you yourself vacation, it's a good idea to stay in your property overnight to understand where the quirks are and what issues may need to be addressed.
Do you want to recommend earplugs (or even provide them) to your guests? Do you need to invest in stronger blackout curtains to ensure your guests can sleep in if they desire? (I highly recommend you check out this blog for more on curtains!) When your guests have a good night's sleep, everything is just BETTER and they will automatically be more impressed with your home.
3. Sharp Knives. Have Them.
Sharp knives... Blunt knives are the WORST! Have you ever tried to cut a loaf of bread with a rubbish bread knife?! You don't have to spend a fortune kitting out the kitchen but promise me that if you push the boat out for one item in your Airbnb's kitchen, you will make it a decent set of knives!
(For a full list of what I recommend to stock the kitchen, download my amenities list here: Quill Decor's Kitchen Amenities List.)
image above: remodelista
4. A Simple Post-check In Follow-up
Send a simple follow-up message 12-24 hours after check-in. It can be automated but try to make it feel personal. Guests will appreciate you taking the time to make sure they're ok and it's a good opportunity to nip any issues in the bud.
That's the kind of personal, caring touch that you don't get when staying in a hotel and that's what this short-term rental business is all about!
5. Leave A Little Surprise...
Leave a little something as a welcome gift. By a little something, I mean just that. It can be anything from a few granola bars in a basket on the table as you walk in. Maybe a bar of special chocolate or a bottle of affordable wine. It doesn't so much matter the cost, it's the thought that goes into it that goes a long way to make your guests feel special and welcome. Bonus points for a handwritten note to go with it!
image above: William Waldron
To read more about some specific ideas you can incorporate into your rental to go above and beyond and impress the socks off of each guest, head to this blog: How to Create a LUXURY Airbnb and get 5 Star Reviews (within a Reasonable Budget)
And to learn more about how to design a scroll-stopping short-term rental listing with ease, check out the link below for my free on-demand Masterclass: Designed For Profit.
Happy hosting! XOXO
