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Hey there, Superhost!

The ugly truth is, that there are a lot of not-so-good hosts out there in this biz. As with any business, to ensure you not only survive but THRIVE in your market, you have to be consistently great! So what changes can you make to ensure that your short-term rental is standing head and shoulders above the competition?

In this blog, 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 is totally going to have people booking again and again...

PS. If you're intrigued and want to read more about how to add those special touches of luxury, I have lots more ideas on this blog right here!

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5 Ways to Impress Your Airbnb Guests... (That Most Hosts Are Forgetting)

1. Ensure your guests an excellent night's of sleep

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. <--- Psst... this link will give you a special discount, which will be applied at checkout :)

For all the best designer-picked beds, head to this post. And for my best tips on layering the bedding in your rental, check out this post 🤗.

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2. Give your rental A trial run

On the subject of a good night's sleep... If your rental is solely an investment property and not somewhere you 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. It's amazing what you'll miss if you only pop in during the day!

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. 

Blunt knives are the WORST! Have you ever tried to cut a loaf of bread with a worthless dull bread knife?! You don't have to spend a fortune supplying the kitchen but promise me that if you splurge on 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.)

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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: A few granola bars in a basket on the table as you walk in, maybe a bar of special chocolate or a bottle of 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!

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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