[Festival] 7 things that seem to be 5 star makers

[Clara116]

There are so many aspects to hosting but one that gets so much attention seems to be the never ending drive for that all treasured “5 star review”. Most of us as host have special things that tend to make our Airbnb’s unique and special. But I think it’s some basic things that really help keep those stars flying in our direction.  Guests want to experience that WOW effect in most all their adventures. And staying in an Airbnb can be slightly scary for many first timers (they say) so the quicker they feel comfy and relaxed or at home the better.

1] Chalkboard Greeting -  In our cottage we turned the A/C door into a chalkboard with a personal Welcome, Wi-Fi password and recommendations for eating and my must see things in Pensacola. Seeing their names on the large chalk board appears to be a real delight for almost all guests.  And they know they are special and belong right here! (We just feed those egos a little bit)

2] Keyless Entry - For most of the Pensacola guests going to the beach and having to deal with keys can be rather tricky. Plus who wants to have to make extra keys and be on the alert at any hour to let a guest in your place when they’ve lost the keys – so the keypad code system is a great answer - just 4 numbers - no keys, no hassle, just freedom. Makes for a streamlined super easy check in as well. We keep it secure by changing the codes after each guest. Our Schlage keyless entry holds 15 codes  at one time so we can assign a number and delete it immediately after check out. Many hosts use the last 4 numbers of someones phone. The new guest has their code which is different. Safety first.

3] Mattress Protectors - Recently a friend said she always strips the beds in her Airbnb work travel stays. She said on a recent stay somewhere the mattress had many awful stains so she felt the bed was dirty and really wished she had not seen that. It spoiled how she felt about her stay up to that moment.  Making sure everything is sparkling clean is maybe the most important deal (star) breaker! Some guests think they are doing the hosts a favor by stripping the bed (m friend did) or sometimes there are stained sheets and maybe embarrassment or not? So make sure your mattress is not stained (if it is a zippered protective cover will help). I use 2 mattress protectors at all times – to make certain and protect the mattress which I think is the most important furniture in an overnight stay. We have a fabulous Muse sleep bed that everyone seems to totally adore.

4] Lint Rollers - Did you know that most people typically lose between 50 - 100 hairs a day? Any guest will tell you a stray hair/s on their pillow or bed will spoil things very quickly so my “go to” in managing this challenge is Lint Rollers – I lint roll the bedding before stripping and laundering and then after I make the bed I lint roll once again. Making sure to find every single hair. I buy lint rollers in a 4 or 6 pack because more is definitely more and better!

5] Extra Towels - If you search out really good towels at great lower prices you can be generous with guests and leave extras and most often they are not all used. I’d rather have to wash a couple towels after check out than having to deliver more at any given hour. This seems to work out super.

6] Toiletries - Something most hosts work to balance, is what toiletries to put in the bathroom so we decided large pump bottles of body wash, shampoo and conditioner would be eco-friendly, much cheaper and less hassle. No soap bars for the cottage and less clean up.

7] Extra Pillows - The sleep/play experience is the most critical since a large amount of time is typically spent in the beds we all offer.  So I believe it pays to offer extra pillows for each guest – 2 per person, plus a few décor pillows. It looks terrific and adds a touch of luxury for little expense and work. All pillows are first covered in hypoallergenic protective zippered covers and then we use extra soft cotton pillow cases.

These are a few things that work for us and seem to keep those 5 star reviews coming. 

With over 125 - 5 star reviews in 2 yrs, I totally enjoy hosting in Pensacola Florida and learning from and sharing with others about their hosting experiences. The Community Center has been a real blessing of people, information and advice, a wonderful community we can all celebrate being part of. Please share any of your tips, and life hacks you have found, below.

Happy Hosting and Many Blessings, Clara

[Jennifer1421]

@Clara116 

Can absolutely confirm the chalkboard greeting and the extra towels!

It kind of humbles me how touched people seem over such a small thing like writing their names, but people love it. Maybe it's the personal touch of something handwritten?

Ditto the towels - we keep our linen tower in the bathroom, open shelves filled with towels, hand towels and washcloths. Maybe 1 of 10 sets of guests seems to abuse this by using them all (or a crazy amount for a 2 guest, 1 night stay), but I think it goes a long way, psychologically, in making people feel at home. None have disappeared to date *knocks wood*

[Rosa435]

Hello, I am new to the Airbnb community and much appreciate it if given some tips or advise on the following:  I provide white towels for guest, however, lately the guests have been leaving one or two very dirty and stained towels. I use Clorox to wash all towels and linens but sometimes find it hard to remove stains. What kind of review should I give that is honest and fair? Should I start buying cheap dark color towels and dispose of them when left stained and filthy?  I am just surprised at how dirty they leave them when it should only be to dry themselves! In advance thanks for your help.

[Yadira22]

Also as we get a lot of international guests having a USB socket which allows user to just plug in charging cable is very useful, as are having extra adopters (universal ones) stored in the guest bedroom as well are communal areas. 🙂

[Yadira22]

@Clara116

Intracity travelling often varies, for example money is no longer accepted on public transportation in London. You can use an Oyster card ( our equivalent to the metro card, city pass etc) or contactless cards. A gentle reminder of this is very nice beforehand as it can often throw people off if they plan to use public transport, wait and realise their access is denied. Just an idea 🙂

[Denisa33]

Thanks for your tips @Clara116 

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Clara116 Thank you for your very detailed and informative post. We are generally following most of the tips that you have given here, but the lint rollers one is something that we had never thought of. It's possible that our cleaners are already doing this, but I'm going to check with them today, just to make sure--and if they're not using them already, then I'm going to recommend that they do. 

One thing I do have a question about is your keyless lock suggestion. When we were setting up our villa, I also did research into getting one of these systems, as it seemed more logical and easier than having keys--especially, as you pointed out, for people going to the beach or the swimming pool. (We live right across from a pool and not far from a beach.)

The two companies that were most recommended were Schlage, which you mentioned is the system you use, and Yale. However, when I was reading reviews about these on Amazon and some hardware sites, it seemed there were always enough users who had problems with them to give us pause. The biggest complaint I heard was that the batteries didn't last. For every two users who, like you, said that theirs had lasted a long time, there seemed to be another user who claimed that hers or his had expired in a month or so. 

In another case, the user claimed that the code that they had put in, tested before leaving for holiday, and then given to their dog-walker, didn't work! Even though they were using a brand-name keypad, they had to turn around and drive back for six hours in order to open the door manually. 

So, if you don't mind, could you let us know which Schlage unit you use? I'm still open to trying this, but based on what I've read so far, if we do end up going with this, then we will install one that has a combination keypad and key option--just in case something goes wrong.

Thanks.

[Clara116]

@Rich-and-Yan0 Thank you so much for writing and I appreciate all your comments and info as well.

I have the most basic Schlage and it has keys if we need them - so it would work for you. I can not imagine what it would be to let someone in after having to drive 6 hrs. horror story for certain. 

The instructions are very perfectly written out...............and if a person reads it correctly and follows it you are able to put in, delete code or change the battery very easily. 

I can't imagine having to change a battery in a month - but, some people will buy very cheap batteries (at least here in the USA they offer such and expect them to work perfectly and as long as durable batteries. That could be the problem or they are not putting it in with proper contact. They get use but should not enough to wear out in a month......in a fully charged good battery. Here's the one I have in my cottage. I hope this will help.... all the best & send along any questions you have. happy hosting, clara

.Schlage in our cottage - comes with keys if you need that

[Rich-and-Yan0]

@Clara116 Thanks for that. Yeah, this is similar to one of the Schlage models that I was looking at, ones that have both the key and keypad option.

You might be right about the batteries, i.e. about people just buying cheap ones and then wondering why they run out of juice so quickly. But I do recall at least 1 or 2 of these people saying that they had bought Duracells or Energizers. 

Anyway, we have to do a bit more renovation work to do this coming winter, and so I'll do some more research into which model is best, and then we will probably get one. Thanks again for the advice. 

[Jeffrey319]

This was something I’ve been kinda messing with since day one. Mainly bc I’m a huge tech nerd and have the house almost 100% an e-house from turning lights, thermostat, to even the pool filtration system. But the entry has been the most messed with, and with that said this is my end result. So I’ve only had the keypad not work for me once out of the 3 systems I used but it was for family that made it so much more crappy. Even though I haven’t had another issue like that to prevent one even if that occurred I’ve got my ring doorbell for backup. I use a keypad deadbolt by Kwikset and honestly it’s best one I’ve used for less than $75. Also in the 4 months of having it I’ve only had to change batteries once. But my ring doorbell allows me to not only monitor the traffic of people (House is smack in middle of MLB spring training fields so I get up to groups in 20’s). Since I charge per person if you go over 18 in total. One guests said 8, but 23 stayed over night and without the ring I would’ve been clueless. But I have a hidden key for emergencies and if keypad fails they can click the ring which calls me instantly and I can explain where to find it or if they were just putting in key code incorrectly I can walk them thru. Schlage was too pricey for me honestly and it has a lot of add ons for that brand but it was getting to be too much interference with WiFi also the fact I limit the amount of users allowed to be signed in at once. So eliminating useless WiFi toys helped overall. Hope this helps 

[UgrozaVeka0]

Thanks for sharing!  I believe that if the house is clean and beautifully arranged, it will give a 5-star impression, without any extra stuff

[Jeffrey319]

I used to be an avid renter, and in doing so I had all these ideas in my head of “man I hope it’s like the last house” or “that apt was just god awful and nothing like it states.” So when I became the host, I already had a visual that I loved or hated about peoples places to easily come up with my central idea of what i’d like to bring to the table. Main thing was definitely the clean factor, and best $40 I’ve spent was on this H20 steam cleaner from Walmart. I just hated the constant buying of those swifter things where it was getting out of hand being in Az. Unlike my home state of Wa were there’s rain to clean our streets lol here there is none. So peoples shoes Would be black even if they decided to take a walk around the block or even just a trip to the mall. The steam cleaner has washable cloth add ons for laminate or hard surfaces but the best part of it is the use on carpets or rugs. Honestly it’s saved me so much money bc of how easy it gets the place looking brand new I could never think to have anyone come charge me $2-400 ever again.

I do think Airbnb should honestly make an app for roku/apple tv/firestick etc, that way for people like me who are “internet based EVERYTHING” guests can turn on the tv as they arrive to a welcome message and everything needed during their stay. Right now I’m just using a program that makes all my tvs look like if you checked into a Hilton or what have you. Says a hello message, with WiFi instructions, my info if needed me by phone and rules of house since tons of guests “overlook those.” But if it’s something that can cost them their deposit or what have you I like to always be upfront about it as well as open so they don’t think I’m trying to hide those things in order to gain more money/be sneaky etc. I just started this may and it’s honestly very refreshing to see peoples reactions to the place. To me it’s modest and not yet up to my liking but gotta start someplace. Only if people could quit messing with my pool filtration system/vacuum lol I’d probably have the funds to remodel haha. Anyways the steam mop is my secret touch that’s easier and cheaper than a swifter, I also add lemon For when I do hard surfaces. Hope this novel if read all the way helps anyone out. Thanks for all the tips 

[Charlotte563]

What is the program you are using on your tv?

[Clara116]

@Jeffrey319  Hey thanks for reminding me that I have one in my home...........and should use it in the cottage. Crazy how we can be so blind in some things. I had a recent young guest that wanted to please and said she was cleaning when she knocked the large clock off the wall -?? Anyway, that wasn't nearly as bad as how she cleaned. I had some furniture polish in a basket I keep off really just for me to use and suddenly I was almost falling down on my parquet floors - I found in the bathroom the almost empty can of furniture polish that she had used. OH my - I was scrubbing with vinegar water several times....and didn't remember I have a steam cleaner???? DUH, thank you. Really, Best regards, Clara

[Spring34]

What’s the name of the H20 mop you use? 

Thanks!

[Clara116]

@Spring34  I am just seeing some of these posts- when you have a question its best to put @ and the person's name so we get a notification so we can answer any questions sent. 

The steam mop is Shark brand from Walmart

the regular floor mop is O Cedar - which is also really good stuff

Best regards, Clara