Deciding to set yourself up as an Airbnb host is an exciting step. Once you know what type of accommodations you are going to rent out, the price you want to charge, and you have listed it with photos that show your property at its best angle, you are ready to go. The best way to run a business is to make sure your customers come back and recommend your services to others. Make sure that your Airbnb guests enjoy a comfortable stay. This ensures that you have repeat customers and a steady income. Here is a guide on how to make your guests feel so comfortable they never want to leave, and hopefully give you rave reviews on the internet.
Clean Up
Making sure your property is clean before you let it out is imperative if you want your guests to feel comfortable. Most complaints and bad reviews about Airbnbs mention the standard of cleanliness, so you want to make sure yours is perfect. It is one thing to clean for yourself and quite another to clean for your guests. Make sure that your floors are scrubbed and polished and don’t forget the finer details such as the shower curtains and behind the toilet pipes.
As well as making sure that the property looks clean, make sure that it smells clean too. Make sure that there is no rubbish left in the bins and that they are cleaned thoroughly. Check for signs of dampness or mold, which can get worse if the property is empty for a while, and use a luxury perfume to spray around so that this is the smell that greets your guests’ nostrils as they walk through the door. Byredo has a fantastic range that is available through SSENSE, a high-end e-commerce retailer that specializes in designer and sumptuous brands.
Give Them Space
If all the wardrobe and cupboard space is already taken, your guests will have nowhere to put their things. This can make them feel uncomfortable as they will be unable to unpack, and their luggage may spill out from their suitcases making the space look untidy. Suitcases can be bulky too which means they will take up a lot of living space. Alleviate this problem by having a clear out before they arrive and making sure that there is plenty of room for them to spread out and put their belongings while they are in your property.
Stock Up
The basic necessities are things like toilet paper, soap, towels, and bedding. If you want to make sure that your guests feel comfortable, using a good brand of linens will make them feel pampered during their stay. It is also nice to have extra amenities on hand such as a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and some spare hangers.
If you want to make your guests feel extra special, you could include a welcome basket for them. This can consist of tea, coffee, biscuits, and basic necessities such as washing powder and dishwasher detergent. This means that they don’t have to rush out and buy these products on arrival and they have time to put their feet up and have a hot drink before they need to find a store.
Instructions
Leaving lots of appliances will only make your guests feel comfortable if they know how to use them. Otherwise, they will just feel frustrated. Make sure you leave instructions for any electrical appliances as well as explaining any anomalies in the property such as how to lock the back door if it sticks.
It is a nice touch to create a ring binder full of information for your guests so that they can find everything they need easily. You could put all your instruction manuals in there as well as contact numbers such as the emergency services since the number differs from country to country. Take-out menus are another fantastic addition as your guests may not want to cook too much during their stay. If you have local points of interest close to your home, information about them would also be of interest.
Safety
Safety is something your guests might not think about unless they need it, but you should make any safety equipment easy to see and grab if necessary. Place fire extinguishers in prominent places and make sure that they are in date. Likewise, provide a fully stocked first aid box and put this where it will be seen even if it is not used.
You should check safety equipment such as plugs and smoke alarms regularly to make sure that they work as they should as this will give you peace of mind as well as your guests.
Follow these guidelines to make sure that your Airbnb guests enjoy a comfortable stay and are happy to give you rave reviews on your property.
