This week let’s meet Georgia 
😊
Georgia and her partner, are two architects, who own and manage an apartment in the center of Athens across from the Acropolis Museum. Georgia and Marios began hosting in 2019 and named their penthouse “Peripatos” (“Stroll” in Ancient Greek), as someone can reach most of Athens sightseeing within walking distance.
“Peripatos” is a newly renovated two-bedroom, fully equipped, penthouse apartment right across the New Acropolis Museum with a unique view of the Parthenon. The penthouse features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower.
Let’s hear her story! 🔊
So, Georgia, tell us, how long have you been hosting for? How and why did you start? How many properties do you manage?
We have been hosting for 2 years, since 2019. We owned this apartment that is located right across from the Acropolis Museum. We are a couple of architects and liked the idea of putting some time and effort into upgrading the apartment and adapting it to the needs of future guests. This is the only property that we manage.
Are you an owner or a manager? Is this a part-time or full-time occupation for you?
We are owners. This is a part-time occupation for both of us.
What is the best thing about hosting, and what are the biggest problems you face?
Philoxenia is part of the Greek DNA! One of the best things about hosting is that we get to meet people from all over the world. But certainly, the best thing is to read their reviews and comments afterward. All this love and gratitude about the care they enjoy, the responsiveness, the fact that they feel at home… This is a feeling that we truly appreciate and cherish!
There have been no major problems. Sometimes it is a little hectic to manage a check-in, cleaning sanitation, and check-out the same day. But with the Covid-19 measures underway, we keep the apartment empty for at least 24 hours in-between rentals, so there is no such pressure.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you started hosting?
We were quite nervous about this whole operation. We did a lot of reading and research over the internet, on various forums, and on hosting platforms. After we had our first 4 or 5 reservations, we realized this is a very fulfilling experience! We wish we had made the decision to become guests many years ago!
What is the most important advice/tip you would give someone interested in becoming a short-term rental host?
Don’t do this if you are not a communicative person. Be responsive, be kind, always greet your guests with a smile, this is what they really expect from you. And try to be helpful, to step into their shoes. You might be the only person they can rely on while being in a foreign country, with a different culture, different rules, and different language.
Besides Hosthub, are there any tools, devices, or software (eg. Remote keylocks, cameras, local guide apps, power meters, etc) you use? What is your experience with them?
We use a lockbox for self-check-in and check-out. We use an extender to provide steady and reliable wi-fi to all areas of the apartment. And we have assembled our own guestbook with suggestions/QR codes/URLs about places of interest, restaurants, and bars.
Which channels do you list on? How much has your revenue increased since listing on multiple channels?
We list on Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo and this is certainly a safe way to get more bookings. We registered to Hosthub right from the start so we wouldn’t have to worry about double bookings. Turned out this was a wise decision.
Besides listing on multiple channels, what other things can a host do to increase his/her bookings and revenue?
Be kind. Be helpful. Be professional. Other than that, a personal site might also be a game-changer and bring in even more bookings.
You can find out more about Georgia’s properties here:
Airbnb
Booking.com
Vrbo
Here are some photos to give you a better vision of Georgia’s apartments (click for larger versions) 🧐
