airbnb host Archives

How to Be the Airbnb Host Guests Can’t Stop Talking About

Posted on 3 November 2023 - 12:03 pm

Engaging with guests from around the world is a thrilling aspect of hosting on Airbnb. However, the same diversity can pose challenges.

As the competition intensifies with more Airbnb hosts and management services stepping up their game, standing out becomes essential for attracting guests and maintaining a steady income stream. How, then, can you excel as an Airbnb host?

Guest feedback about their experience is the ultimate measure of success, and while pleasing everyone is a tall order, it’s not out of reach.

Here’s our insider advice: We’re sharing some strategies that could charm most of your guests in some way.

It’s not mandatory, but the joy of seeing guests’ smiles, receiving heartfelt thanks, and earning positive reviews is a reward in itself.

Embrace these tips:

1. Master the Art of Welcoming

Remember, the first moment guests walk in is super important. You want to make them say ‘wow’ right away. This good start can make them feel happy and excited about their stay from the very beginning.

Consider offering a welcome basket

A welcome basket warmly greets your guests. Start with chocolates for a sweet welcome, add local wine for a celebratory touch, and include plush slippers for weary feet. Boutique toiletries add a luxurious feel. Each item in the basket serves to turn your space into a haven for your guests. Remember, a personal note or a local guide adds a special touch that shows you care.

Customize the basket

When you customize your welcome basket, you show that you’re thinking about who’s staying. Start with who the guests are – maybe a family with kids, a couple, or someone on a work trip. For families, add some snacks and toys that kids will like. If it’s a couple, go for something special like chocolates, a little bubbly, and fancy bath stuff. For someone on business, stick to useful things like quick snacks, quality coffee, and maybe a coupon for a coffee shop.

Picking things that fit why they’re traveling makes guests see you really care. It’s this kind of attention that can make them leave a good review and keep coming back.

Local treats are a hit

Offering a local specialty in your welcome basket does more than satisfy hunger—it’s a first taste of your community’s unique culture. Whether it’s a craft chocolate from a nearby shop or a homemade preserve, these regional delights invite your guests to explore and appreciate the local vibe from the get-go. It’s a thoughtful touch that turns a welcome into an experience.

Be accessible

Make sure guests can reach you easily by placing your contact information in the welcome basket, ideally on a stylish card that suits the aesthetic of your place. Accompany it with a friendly note, complete with your phone numbers and email, to show your readiness to assist at any time. Such measures ensure guests feel both safe and supported, a key to successful Airbnb hosting.

Provide a local guide

Help your guests discover the neighborhood with a simple map marked with your favorite spots. For example, point out the best coffee shop, a peaceful park, and where to find the tastiest local food. Share a few insider tips—like the best time to visit a spot or what to order. Your map will make their visit feel special and easy.

Go the extra mile

In the realm of Airbnb hosting, it’s smart to give your guests more than they expect. Give them bus or train passes to make getting around easy, or tickets to cool local spots and events. This kind move makes their trip special and one to remember. It could be a pass to a neat museum, a ticket to a popular play, or a way into a cool local event. Little gifts like these change a regular trip into an awesome experience and show that you’re a host who really cares.

2. Maintain Impeccable Standards

Keep the hospitality going throughout their stay.

Prioritize cleanliness

A clean home is a must for travelers looking for rest. A tidy and fresh space shows them they’ve made a good choice. Making sure every part of your place is clean and inviting is key. It tells guests you care about their stay and helps them relax right away. It’s about making them feel at home, with everything neat and ready for them to enjoy their time.

Stock up on snacks and drinks

Providing a selection of snacks and drinks is a considerate detail that guests tend to appreciate. For example, envision your guests, weary from travel, discovering an array of treats and beverages that let them unwind instantly. This is particularly thoughtful for late arrivals when shops are likely closed. Include both savory and sweet options, as well as bottled water, juice, or soda, to accommodate various tastes and offer a warm welcome.

Equip the kitchen

For Airbnb hosting, equipping the kitchen can make all the difference. Having a well-stocked kitchen is a game-changer for guests who prefer to cook. Provide cooking basics such as salt, pepper, cooking oil, and a few spices. This means guests can easily make a meal without the hassle of shopping for these staples right away. It’s a thoughtful touch that can make guests feel at home, giving them the freedom to dine in and enjoy the coziness of your Airbnb.

Ensure fresh linens and towels are available

Offering fresh linens and fluffy towels can significantly enhance your guests’ comfort, echoing the luxurious feel of a high-end hotel. Guests not only appreciate the cleanliness but also the convenience of not having to pack these bulky items. Make sure to have a supply of extra pillows, blankets, and towels at their disposal. This attention to detail in providing crisp, clean bedding and towels not only meets a basic need but also adds a sense of pampering to their stay, making it memorable and more satisfying.

Add homey touches

Make your place feel like home. For instance, use fresh flowers to add color, and decor that shows off your style or local culture. Next, stack some books, throw a cozy blanket on the sofa, and hang unique art. Small details like these make your space comfy and show you care. They turn a simple stay into a memorable one that guests will treasure.

Offer reading material and entertainment

Keep a variety of books and magazines on hand for guests who enjoy reading. Also, add toys and puzzles for children to play with. These thoughtful touches create a great spot for relaxation and show you care about your guests’ comfort. Small extras like these often get a special mention in happy reviews.

In conclusion, when it comes to Airbnb hosting, it’s the little things that count. Integrating these considerate and cost-effective details can greatly improve a guest’s experience, ensuring their stay is both seamless and unforgettable. Indeed, even the smallest acts of kindness can leave a substantial impact. We’re confident that these gestures will convey a genuine sense of care to your guests.

There are many other smaller details that should be taken on board to enhance guest experience, so if you would like to learn more, contact us at Keey today.

6 Pricing Strategies Every Airbnb Host Should Know

Posted on 3 October 2023 - 10:08 am

Let’s talk about Airbnb hosting – it’s not easy to figure out how to set the right price for your place. Many hosts, and we’ve all been there, struggle with this because it’s tricky to get it right. There are a lot of things to think about, like what other hosts are charging and when people want to book a place like yours. Sometimes, hosts just go with their gut feeling when deciding their prices because the other stuff can be a bit too much to think about all the time.

Seeing this struggle made us want to help out. So, we made a detailed list of pricing tips that any Airbnb host can use, whether you’re brand new or have been doing this for a while. Starting out, it’s key to do a little homework. Look at what prices other hosts are setting and think about when and why people are traveling to your area. Check out what guests want, too, like certain amenities. A quick look at this basic info will give you a solid base, helping you to set a smart price for your Airbnb listing.

1. Embarking on Airbnb Pricing for Hosting Novices:

Don’t raise your price too soon. It’s important to set your home’s price a bit lower than the average market price to attract those first, important bookings. Trying to compete with older listings that have lots of reviews right away isn’t a good idea; building up your own set of reviews should be a slow and steady process.

Tip: Starting with a lower price helps you build trust and avoids quick rejections. Plus, by having a lower price while still giving excellent service, you can sneakily beat the competition. To put it simply: Lower pricing is often a great way to attract Airbnb guests!

2. Gradually Escalate Your Listing Price:

After you’ve gathered a good number of reviews, it’s a good time to think about raising your price. Keeping a low price for too long might accidentally cause you to lose out on making more money.

Something Important to Remember: Just because your place is booked a lot doesn’t always mean you’re making as much money as you could be. If people are always picking your place because it’s cheap, they might have been willing to pay more, and you could be missing out on extra earnings. Moving on to the next point:

3. Immerse Yourself in Research:

Try to learn how other hosts, who have similar properties to yours in terms of size, number of bedrooms, style, amenities, and so on, especially those nearby, set their prices.

Tip: Notice how both old properties (ones with a lot of reviews) and new listings (ones with few or no reviews) set their prices. Hosts with more experience and reviews usually charge the full market price.

4. Deepen Your Research Efforts:

Don’t cut corners. Spend time and effort to really understand how to smartly set your Airbnb property’s price and find out its true worth, judged by how the market reacts. By getting to know similar properties around you, you also get to know who you’re competing against. It’s super important to know your competitors. Also, look into some of the most loved properties on Airbnb and figure out what cool things they’re doing to wow their guests. Do the same things.

Tip: Figure out and do what guests love, and they will likely love you back.

A Helpful Hint: If you like to offer extra stuff to your guests, feel free to charge more for that. A lot of Airbnb hosts do this to make their service worth more, and usually, guests really like these extra touches.

5. Timing is Paramount:

Always keep an eye on changing seasons, shifts in when tourists like to travel, and even the differences in prices between weekdays and weekends.

Weekdays VS Weekends: There’s a clear reason why hotel prices go up on the weekends and jump even higher on long weekends – that’s when more people travel. In short: demand goes up on weekends.

Tip: If you’re charging the same prices for both weekdays and weekends, you might want to think about changing your approach.

6. Stay Abreast of Local Happenings:

Being aware of big events happening in your city that can attract lots of people — either for fun or work activities (like relaxed events such as concerts, musicals, local festivals, big international events like F1 races, the Olympics; or work-related events like conferences, seminars, or exhibits) — is also really important.

Conclusion:

We get it; finding the perfect price for your Airbnb property can be a tough journey. It really does take a lot of time and work — something every successful Airbnb host must go through.

But there’s some good news:

There are Airbnb and property management service companies, like Keey, that are here to help take away the stress and hassle from your hosting duties, making your earnings journey smoother and easier. Take a look at what they offer and see how they can help you with your pricing troubles.

Tag: airbnb host