How do you determine the guest capacity for your listing?

[Rebecca]

Hi hosts! 👋

I noticed from conversations on the Community Center, that a key aspect of hosting is figuring out how many guests can comfortably enjoy your space. Whether you're an experienced host or just starting out, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

How do you determine the guest capacity for your listing?

Feel free to share your tips, strategies, or even the fun stories that helped you arrive at that perfect number! 

Looking forward to your insights! 😊

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Rebecca we always went with number of bedrooms times 2. Any additional numbers just cause places to get bad reviews.

[Rebecca]

Thank you for sharing @Mike-And-Jane0. Would you ever consider an additional sleeping space, for example, a sofa bed or similar? 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Rebecca we did have a sofa bed in one bedroom where people didn't want to share the bed (Abba revival group springs to mind) but other than that - NO. People are very happy to find a cheap place for a large number of people but will then mark it down as too crowded!

[Rebecca]

Thanks for sharing @Mike-And-Jane0! - nothing worse than staying somewhere and not having enough space. 

As a guest, what do you think would be the tell tale signs that a property was maxed out, or over capacity?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Rebecca classic signs of overcrowding are not enough dining table spaces or sofa spaces for the number of guests.

[Christopher2212]

Hi Rebecca, 

In order to determine the guest capacity we need first to confirm the number of bedrooms and beds you offer, as well as sofa bed or air mattress. 

For example if you have 2 bedrooms and each of them has 2 beds, it can definitely accommodate 4 guests and if you offer a sofa bed on the living room that can be configured on your settings as well as an additional bed meaning you will be able to accomodate 5 people in total on your listing. 

Please let me know if this example helps you or I can definitely find a better way to assist you. 

[Peakpulse0]

@Rebecca 

To determine the guest capacity for your Airbnb listing, consider the following factors:

Number of Bedrooms and Beds: The number of bedrooms and available beds directly impacts how many guests your property can comfortably accommodate. A general rule of thumb is one bed per guest, but this can vary based on the size and type of beds (e.g., sofa beds or bunk beds).

Living Space: Ensure there's enough space for guests to comfortably move around. If your space is small, you may want to limit the number of guests to ensure a comfortable experience.

Amenities: Consider the number of bathrooms, seating areas, and dining space. If these amenities are limited, it may be wise to reduce your guest capacity to ensure all guests have access to necessary facilities.

Local Regulations: Some regions have specific rules and regulations about the maximum number of guests allowed in a vacation rental. Make sure you're aware of any local ordinances or building codes that apply.

Safety Considerations: You should also factor in safety—such as emergency exits and fire regulations—when determining the maximum number of guests. It's crucial that all guests can be safely accommodated in case of an emergency.

Comfort and Experience: The overall experience matters. Limiting the number of guests can help create a more enjoyable and less crowded environment, leading to better reviews and repeat bookings.

Once you've considered these factors, set a capacity that ensures comfort, safety, and compliance with local laws. You can adjust this capacity as needed based on feedback from previous guests or changes in your listing.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Peakpulse0, 

Thanks for sharing those helpful tips about determining guest capacity for an Airbnb listing. It's so important to create a comfortable and safe experience for everyone, right? 

Do you have any local regulations that limit the number of people in your listing? 

[Peakpulse0]

Thanks for your thoughtful message!

As a property manager with over five years of experience overseeing multiple short-term rentals, I absolutely agree—comfort and safety are non-negotiables when determining guest capacity. Even though I don't currently own a listing myself, I’ve worked with various property owners and learned that the right balance between maximizing space and ensuring a positive guest experience is key.

In many cases, we also factor in local zoning and occupancy laws to stay compliant. It’s all about protecting the property, the guests, and the long-term success of the listing.

I’m actually working toward launching my own property soon—so insights like yours are always valuable!

[Rebecca]

That's great to hear @Peakpulse0 - thank you so much! 

Will your property be in Nigeria and are the properties that you manage also in Nigeria? 

[Peakpulse0]

My property will be in Nigeria as a host I'm planning to be and I don't manage property in Nigeria as of the moment but the properties that I am managing is in US and Canada.

[Fiona256]

By the number and type of beds. Simple, really.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Fiona256 - thank you so much for sharing your insight. 

Would you include sofa beds in living spaces in that, or just beds in bedrooms? 

[Fiona256]

No sofa beds. I don't like cramming in additional people. More guests mean more mess and wear and tear, plus less space and amenity for the correct number.