I have now been renting AirBnBs since 2016 and while some of them have been absolutely phenomenal, once or twice, I have had to endure or simply check out early because it was not what I expected.
When I am traveling, I like to cook my own meals as much as I can. It keeps me on budget and gives me a chance to feel as much as home as possible. Eating out 2 or 3 times a day plus the occasional coffee or ice cream splurge makes my body overwhelmed by so much overly processed food. Cooking my meals keep me in balance.
Now that I’ve been ‘on the road’ for almost a year, I have often asked myself “What would I do differently to make a guest feel comfortable if I was an AirBnB host?” Well, I have thought long and hard, especially during the last few days because there are variables that come into play. First, it’s my lifestyle – I love coffee, I travel solo (most of the time), I am self-sufficient, a quick learner, I am adaptable and my health is my priority.
In addition, we must consider a few things: the length of the stay; how many people; the size of the unit (house vs. apartment vs. studio). So let’s take a look at what would work for me if I was an AirBnB hostess.
1. Cleanliness
Especially since Covid-19, this is a non-negotiable. I would ensure the property is spotless by deep cleaning between guest visits. This includes clean bedding, towels, floors, bathrooms, and kitchen surfaces. I would remove couch cushions and vacuum in between and under, wipe all mirrors and glass surfaces, sweep under the bed, and install moisture-collecting bags in the bathrooms.
Coming into an unit where it only smells like bleach is not pleasant, so a nice smelling yet subtle scent diffuser is a must. I mention ‘subtle scents’ because of allergies, which can be triggered by such niceties, and we must be mindful of that.
2. Comfortable Bedding and Towels
I need to sleep warm. Full disclosure, I like to sleep with a fan on, even in cold temperatures. So, if I am staying at a hotel, I will most likely turn on the fan feature at the coldest temperature the device allows me to do so, and then cover myself up with a nice blanket or comforter. What I won’t do is turn the air conditioning on, then cover myself up. I don’ t understand my own logic but it works for me.
For my guests, I would provide quality bedding with extra pillows and blankets. I would also supply enough clean, fluffy towels – at least one per guest plus spares that can cover them through an extended time. I would also provide a hamper for dirty clothes to hang out until laundry day.
3. Stocked Essentials
I am very particular with my personal hygiene items. There are brands and products that are specific to my hair, face, skin and body which I prefer. I assume most people bring a travel-sized version of their preferred products as well.
However, I would provide them with hand soap, toilet paper, and a hairdryer for them to use in the bathroom. Also, super-important, I would leave a toilet brush and a pump in the bathroom(s) because **it happens, literally. Those are instrumental.
In the kitchen, I would provide the basics: coffee (regular and decaf), tea, sugar and sugar substitutes, basic spices, and cooking oil. I would also have a water dispenser that provides water at room temperature. In the fridge, I would leave an empty pitcher for them to fill as needed from the dispenser.
Of course, dishwashing liquid, new sponges and wipes, paper towels, and garbage bags would also be provided.
4. High-Speed Wi-Fi Plus…
Need I say more? I am a travel digital nomad. Working remotely is how I earn my wages. Reliable internet is crucial for me and in light of that, it would be available to my guests.
Also, because of my experiences with power outages in places like Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico where the power can be gone for the whole day, I would make sure that there is a back up generator to keep the power going. There is nothing worst than being in the middle of writing a grant or a blog post and boom! No power, the internet is down.
5. Fully-Equipped Kitchen
Here is my Achilles heel and Heaven knows I have endured some kitchens where adaptation has been worthy of a spot at Survivors, the TV Show! I am super picky about kitchen utensils. No, they do not need to be Top Chef quality, but they need to be functional AND clean. It grosses me out when cookware is sticky, grimmy, stained or just feels dirty.
So, I would definitely include basic cookware, utensils, plates, glasses, mugs, and a kettle or coffee maker. I would definitely have a fridge and a microwave, and possibly add a toaster. The stove would be fully functional with an overhead extractor and light, but I would skip the oven and a dishwasher.
I would stay away from crazy mismatched kitchen cookware and utensils. Some places where I’ve been have very thoughtfully designed while I have stayed in others where it seems like they grabbed every utensil they found at an old relative’s estate, or worst, the flea market, and thrown it in the kitchen.
Being thoughtful about designing a kitchen is both welcoming and comforting for many of us who don’t have a permanent home.
6. Comfortable and Functional Furniture
Furniture is one of those things that we have to be careful about. First, it has to be comfortable, but according to whom? Second, it should be stylish. Again, according to whom? Third, it should be functional. Again, how?
When I was in Bali (Indondesia), I had to come to terms that Balinese furniture is hand-carved wood and its beautiful style is part of the culture. The couches had thinner (under 4″) cushions, if they had any at all, because most of them did not have anything to mitigate the stiffness of the wood. This was the same for the beds. The mattress may have been perfectly fine, but the foundation did not make room for movement which made sleeping a little hard.
In Medellin (Colombia), even though the couches looked nice, they were very firm for the most part. I had to adjust and prop with cushions. In Dominican Republic, it was a mix of Ikea beds with frames that fell apart under the mattress and it took everything to put them back together to enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep.
I would invest in cozy seating, a dining area, and a good-quality bed staying away from “ready to assemble” furniture as much as possible.
Also, I would provide ample storage (closets or dressers) and hangers for clothes. Not to contradict what I just mentioned, if there isn’t a closet already built in, there are “ready to assemble” options in the market for storage that can be functional and stylish.
7. Smart Check-In/Out Process
As an introvert, I can appreciate not having to offer more information than needed to a stranger. At the end of the stay, an AirBnB host is still a stranger making a transaction with me and my personal information. I get that in many places, for security reasons, the hosts must request identification and a check-in with a staff member or security. I always comply, but it is uncomfortable, to say the least.
There are countries where the person asks too many questions that have nothing to do with checking-in and, depending on the vibe I get, it’s either unnerving or it may be the beginning of a nice friendship.
For this reason, I would offer a keyless entry system (smart lock or lockbox) with clear, step-by-step check-in and check-out instructions. Then I would offer an option for the guest to meet a staff member to greet them in person. The guest can choose if they want to be welcomed in person, or not.
8. Safety and Security Features
So far, I have not had any type of emergencies – knock on wood! However, I would have working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher in the unit.
In addition, I would install door and window locks, even if the unit is on a higher floor. The other thing I would install are light-blocking window shades and curtains that keep the privacy of the unit. I would stay away from external window shutters because of my own experience with them.
One time, in Dominican Republic, I was staying at an apartment that had electrical window shutters. We closed the shutters to go to sleep one night and woke up without power. For as long as the power was out, we were in the dark. I mean, no power, no TV, no fridge, no computers, no internet, no lights. Lesson learned. Never again.
9. Thoughtful Amenities
Once in a while, I like to turn the computer off and disconnect entirely from social media and work. Entertainment is always a plus, so I would have board games, books, puzzles are a great way to keep guests engaged in other ways. It’s cool to have options, too.
I would also add a “welcome package” with items for them to do an easy recipe. For example: if I know there are two guests coming, I would include two bags of hot cocoa, marshmallows, peppermint candy and two mugs – with instructions. Or, if my unit is near the beach, I would include a bag with travel-size sunblock, snacks, and beach towels. Or I would offer a coupon for pizza from a nearby pizza shop.
In addition, a couple of umbrellas and a first aid kit (in the bathroom).
Consider offering a welcome basket with snacks or a local guidebook.
10. Detailed Welcome Guide
This is a very inexpensive thing to do, especially if there isn’t a concierge or security guard to welcome my guests. I get that most hosts use AirBnB’s user interface (online or on the app) to send all this information, but coming to an apartment or studio and finding a guide is very helfpul.
Inside my guide, my guests would find things like:
- House Rules (quiet hours, pet policy, etc.).
- Wi-Fi details, check-out instructions, and emergency contacts.
- Local Recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and grocery stores.
Other Things to Consider
As you consider that your guest will rate you after their stay, which will impact your star rating on AirBnB, think of the following:
Customer Attention is key – communicate often, but not too often. It makes a traveler to know they’re not just a transaction, even when we are technically a transaction. Three key points to communicate are:
- At check-in or the day after – Ask if they are okay, if they need anything.
- Mid-way through their reservation – Again, ask if everything is okay, if they need anything, and if they are comfortable. You may get some feedback here.
- After they leave –Say thank you. It’s not just about the review you will get. Let them know the unit is welcome and that it’s been great to have them.
I had this host in Santo Domingo who was great at this. She lived right in the same building, but at the end, left ‘the door open’ for us to connect and have some coffee later. She was a sweetheart without being intrusive.
Super-important:
Take care of emergencies immediately! If the toilet clogs, if the kitchen sink backs up, if a water pipe bursts – call a service provider and send someone in right away. The inconvenience may cause your guests to cancel and leave, risking also getting no review or worst, a bad review.
I understand that making these comforts available to the guests will come at a cost to the AirBnB host. I also know that creating an AirBnB experience is not something that happens overnight. It grows gradually over time as more people visit and leave feedback. So, price according to the comforts you are willing to start with as a host, and increase your fee slowly.
In time, it will pay off by having better reviews and guests, like me, who are willing to pay a little more for the right place.
