Are you thinking of being an Airbnb host? It’s a great opportunity to make extra money and turn an empty room or second home into a significant source of additional income.
If you think hosting on Airbnb might be right for you, it’s important to know that there are some things you can do to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for your guests.
Here are 25 Airbnb host tips you could consider for leveling up your hosting game.
Note: You do not need to attempt to implement ALL of these. In fact, you should just try to find a handful that fits your listing and your hosting style the best.
Hosting Tip #1. Be Honest with Guests about Your Property – in Your Listing and Beyond
No property is perfect and all homes have what real estate agents would call character. There’s no need to hide this. If there’s something quirky about your home, let guests know upfront. Trying to hide flaws just looks suspicious and chances are whatever it is isn’t a big deal.
Hosting Tip #2. Be Flexible with Check-in and Check-out Times
It’s understandable why you’d want to keep guests on a tight schedule, especially if you are booked with back-to-back guests. But if you can offer some flexibility with check-in and check-out times, you’re going to make guests very happy.
Hosting Tip #3. Be Open to Renting to People Who are New to Airbnb
Just because guests don’t have a lot of reviews doesn’t mean they won’t be great guests. Renting to newcomers to Airbnb helps the platform grow.
Hosting Tip #4. Under Promise and Over Deliver
You’ll get this advice when starting any business. Make sure you don’t promise anything you can’t deliver. It’s always best to promise the minimum of what you can do and then go above and beyond whenever you can.
Hosting Tip #5. Install a Keyless Lock
Keyless entry makes things simpler for everyone. No lost keys and plenty of security.
Hosting Tip #6. Communicate with Guests Often
Make sure you are staying in contact with guests. Send them an email about a week before their stay and then the day before or the day of just to touch base and answer any questions they may have. If you aren’t staying onsite, contact them at least once during their stay, too, to make sure everything is going well.
Hosting Tip #7. Accommodate Food Preferences
Find out if your guests have any food allergies or sensitivities. In some cases, having the wrong food in the house could make a guest very ill. This is also a great way to make sure you’re offering the best and most personalized accommodations possible.
Hosting Tip #8. Leave Instructions in Your Home, Especially for Using Appliances and Electronics
Leaving laminated instructions near things like the TV, the washing machine, and any other appliances in your home helps guests feel comfortable and take control of their stay. It also avoids late-night phone calls with questions.
Hosting Tip #9. Be Available Virtually When They Arrive
Whether you are saying onsite or not, it’s a good idea to be available for your guests to reach out to you when they arrive. This also gives you a chance to speak to them and make sure everything is in working order.
Hosting Tip #10. Give a Quick Tour of the Premises
Since you’re there to greet them in person, you might as well give a quick tour of the property. They’ll explore on their own but showing them around helps them feel comfortable and answers immediate questions like “where is the bathroom,” and “where can I park?”
Hosting Tip #11. Offer Bell Service as You’d Find in a Hotel
If you really want to make an impression on guests as they arrive, carry their luggage to their room or from their car to the house. It’s not necessary but great customer service like this will help you get a great review.
Hosting Tip #12. Provide Information about the Local Area
It’s a good idea to leave pamphlets, menus, and other information about the local area. You might even make a personalized list of your favorite restaurants or activities nearby.
Hosting Tip #13. Offer Refreshments upon Arrival
Have you ever stayed at the hotel chain that welcomes you with warm cookies? It’s a nice touch and one you can incorporate into your Airbnb tips to make for a better stay for guests. Also, consider leaving a bottle of sparkling wine or non-alcoholic wine in guest rooms.
Hosting Tip #14. Stock Your Home with All Supplies they Might Need
In addition to the essentials, think of all the things someone “might” need while traveling. Having plenty of amenities on hand like nice shampoo, laundry detergent, and fluffy clean towels is a nice touch.
Hosting Tip #15. Have Plenty of Snacks on Hand
It’s also a good idea to stock your pantry and fridge with snacks. You don’t have to provide ingredients for a four-course meal but a few sweet and salty snacks can go a long way. Bonus points if the snacks are inspired by local fare.
Hosting Tip #16. Keep Things Clean and Tidy
A professional cleaning service is a must. You want your property as clean as it can possibly be to satisfy even the pickiest guest.
Hosting Tip #17. Decorate for Upcoming Holidays
You don’t need to go overboard but a few seasonal items personalize your space and tend to make things more welcoming.
Hosting Tip #18. Play Quiet Music upon Arrival
It’s a nice touch that makes an otherwise hectic and slightly stressful experience more relaxing. Soothing music is also nice in common areas throughout the day.
Hosting Tip #19. Host an Afternoon Tea or Happy Hour
Not all guests want to socialize during their visit, though some will! Invite them down for a cup of fresh coffee or tea at a certain time during the day. Even if they don’t stick around, it’s a nice touch.
Hosting Tip #20. Invest in Good Lighting
Lighting in a home is a must. It makes the space feel comfortable and welcoming and can also make it safer.
Hosting Tip #21. Consider Hiring a Professional Decorator
If you aren’t sure your decorating skills are up-to-par, consider bringing in a pro to offer suggestions.
Hosting Tip #22. Invite Guests to Join You for a Meal If You Live Onsite
Not all guests will want to dine with you but extending the offer makes their stay more charming.
Hosting Tip #23. Leave a Comment Card after the First Night to Determine If There’s Anything You Missed (or send a “comment email”)
You want comments at the end of the stay but by then it’s too late to correct problems. This lets you take care of things mid-stay.
Hosting Tip #24. Follow-up with Guests after Their Stay
Make sure you check-in for feedback after guests leave, usually within 24 hours.
Hosting Tip #25. Keep Things Simple
As complicated as this list might seem, it doesn’t need to be. The goal is to be a hospitable host and welcome people into your home, whether you live there or not. Find the simplest, most genuine ways to do this and you’ll be making money with Airbnb in no time.
For further reading, check out this list of over 100 Airbnb tips (for investors and hosts) from our friends at BNB Inner Circle.
✔ How to avoid the BIG mistakes that most hosts make
✔ The secret weapon of all Top 1% Hosts
✔ The pricing strategy used by professionals
✔ How to consistently get gleaming 5-Star reviews
✔ How to free up your time without becoming a "robotic host"
This free training is brought to you by James Svetec an Airbnb Expert who has managed over $1M in bookings & Symon He, the founder of LearnBNB, the #1 Airbnb hosting education blog.
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