BNB STORIES #2

Hi, this is Semeli again this time with a brand new episode on BNB STORIES series! 

As every good 5-star host knows, treat your guests as you would like to be treated and you’ll guarantee a happy stay. To explore ways that you can add more value to your listings to provide the best possible experience for your guests, dive into our BNB STORIES series. Last week, we walked through the seven fundamental amenities that every host should be offering their guests.  

This week, we explore easy ways you can go above and beyond for your guests, to take their stay to the next level and improve the overall customer experience. Whether your listing is on Airbnb, Expedia, Homeaway, or any other vacation rental website – here are some tips and tricks to help you give your guests the best stay. From small additions of elegance and style to providing personal touches that guests could not find in hotels, there are some simple things you can do to provide a truly five-star stay for your Airbnb guests.

So let’s start!

Syncee’s guide on how to impress your Airbnb guests:

1. Make an awesome first impression

As with any human relationship, the first impression will likely set the tone for the rest of the relationship. To start off on the right foot, remember that the Airbnb customer experience starts long before your guest steps foot into the apartment. To help make the entire experience an enjoyable one, you can add in touches of convenience for the guest before they arrive. For example, if you know their time of arrival and departure, you can offer them an airport pickup or dropoff if you are in town. A gesture like this shows your guests that you will be there for them all throughout their stay. 

And if it’s too far or too expensive to offer your guests a free lift, you can recommend a transport service that will provide a better and safer experience than a normal taxi. Many cities offer services like Welcome Pickups that provide an exceptional experience or some detailed public transportation directions.

2.  Remember that a little comfort goes a long way

Maintaining the overall feel of comfort and relaxation on your property is a must when it comes to good hosting. There are many ways to add in small extensions that will easily increase the comfort and relaxation level of your guest’s stay.

Here are some of the best ways we’ve seen great hosts add that simple touch of comfort:

• Providing a complimentary welcome basket filled with local food and beverages
• Setting up a relaxing atmosphere by lighting some candles
• Leaving some lights on to make guests feel welcome the moment they arrive
• Giving guests a small local gift to take home as a souvenir to remember their stay
• Or anything else you can think of – you can get creative to craft the perfect guest experience for your property!

At the end of the day, the touch you add can really be anything – it is the simple act of generosity and offer of something local that will help your guests remember your great hospitality.

3. Add in some easy “extras” to create a great stay

A good rule of thumb to follow is to provide your guests with the appliances and services that they would want in their own home so that they don’t need to turn to outside sources or services. Additionally, you can add a slight upgrade to each of the basic amenities provided, to improve the overall guest experience. For example, in-house laundry and dry cleaning services, high thread count bedding, soft towels, and washcloths may not be mandatory, but they will easily boost the basic amenities to make the guest picture finesse without requiring much additional expense or effort on your part…

Another extra we’ve seen our best hosts offer are some snacks and basic kitchen ingredients, just in case your guest wants to cook a little something during their stay. And for the living room, you may consider adding some in-house entertainment such as TV, speakers, Netflix, books, magazines, board games, maybe even a guitar. These are the magic extensions that will win your guests over!

4. Share local tips and resources for navigating and enjoying the city

Apart from your property, guests want to feel welcome in their visit to your city. Although it is not a requirement, imagine making their stay that much more enjoyable by simply providing a list of must-visit local landmarks close to the apartment. You can even add in some recommendations for guided tours, menus to local restaurants, nearby parking, and perhaps some tickets to popular events in the area.

By giving your guests local insider tips and knowledge they’ll need to best enjoy your city, you also give them a great reason to choose you as a host and recommend you to their friends!

5. Get to know your guests before they arrive

Another easy way to add a wow factor to your host profile is to know your guests before they arrive. Spend 5-10 minutes to chat with them online or on the phone, to better understand why they are visiting and what their interests are. They might be traveling for work, embarking on their first solo trip, or celebrating a special occasion (anniversary, birthday, honeymoon). You’ll want to know why and how they are traveling, so you can provide them with more personalized tips! For example, if they are celebrating a special occasion, you can decorate the property accordingly to make the trip that much more special.

This is your chance to beat the competition!

When crafting the perfect stay for your guests, always keep in mind that they are just like you – people traveling in search of a great experience and stay. Getting to better understand your guests will enable you to create a package of experiences, services, and prices that will be most compelling to your guests from a personalized, human perspective. Above all, don’t forget to follow the five-star golden rule of hosting: treat your guests as you would like to be treated and you’ll guarantee a happy stay.  

Any host can just fulfill a checklist of the basic property amenities. It is up to you whether you want to be an average host, or easily give your guests the Airbnb experience of a lifetime.

Stand Out from the Competition with More Hosting Tips

As a vacation rental owner and manager, you’re always on the lookout for ways to add more value to your listings and offer the best possible guest experience. We get it. That’s why we’ve created some resources just for you. To get more tips and secrets that will help you create the best guest experience without emptying your bank, catch up on the full BNB Stories series and stay tuned for more. To be the first to know when we have more tips to share, sign up for our newsletter (look in our footer for the form).

#BEEXTRAORDINARY