This week let’s meet Lampros😊
Lampros Lamprinakis was born in Chania, Greece, the same place where his vacation rental properties are located in. Lampros started hosting in the summer of 2018. He has listed his properties in 6 online travel agencies and he also has his own direct booking website. He is local and ready to provide every piece of information needed to make his guest’s stay at Chania unforgettable.
Let’s hear his story! 🔊
So Lampros, tell us, how long have you been hosting for? How and why did you start? How many properties do you manage?
Are you an owner or a manager? Is this a part-time or full-time occupation for you?
Given the fact it is a small property, I do everything, apart from the housekeeping. It is a part-time occupation.
What is the best thing about hosting, and what are the biggest problems you face?
The extra income is the main reason to rent a property to guests. On the other hand, I live in a place that a lot of people visit, and a lot of locals work in the tourist industry. When I see that my guests are happy and satisfied by the services provided (not only by me), I feel proud and satisfied, because I believe I contribute to the local community’s prosperity.
What is one thing you wish you knew when you started hosting?
There is nothing that important, I wish I knew when I started since I had understood that all my efforts should aim to happy guests. I believe that this is the key to successful hosting. Apart from that, there are a lot of tiny things that you learn from other hosts and by experience.
What is the most important advice/tip you would give someone interested in becoming a short-term rental host?
I have already revealed my secret: Aim to happy guests and you shall be a successful host. And to give an example: Tell your guests that you are willing to help them if they have any questions or even a problem during their stay. Trust me they want to hear it and no matter if they need your assistance or not, they are happier.
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?
As I already mentioned it is a small property rental and minimal equipment is used: Switches on the doors and windows that shut the a/c units off, when the doors/windows are open, remote control of a/c, switches that switch the mains power off when the keys are taken outside the room and remote internet control.
Which channels do you list on? How much has your revenue increased since listing on multiple channels?
I use Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia mainly. I have also listings in Agoda, Trip Advisor, and VRBO, but with very few bookings.
Besides listing on multiple channels, what other things can a host do to increase his/her bookings and revenue?
I really don’t know 🙂
Airbnb
Vrbo
Tripadvisor
Booking.com
Expedia
Agoda
Here are some photos to give you a better vision of Lampros’s property (click for larger versions) 🧐
