One of the positive comments we get fairly often is appreciation for the labels and instructions we provide in our home. I label nearly everything!
I once stayed at a vacation rental where they had a single washer/dryer appliance with no instructions. I couldn't figure out how to use it. I also didn't know that you had to insert a card in a slot by the door to turn on the lights. The owner was used to these things and I assume didn't realize international visitors might not know how to use them. This was my guiding experience when setting up our Airbnb space.
I tried to look at the space from the perspective of someone coming into the house for the first time, and possibly from a different country. Which switch turns on the ceiling fans vs the lights? Would they know how to control the mini-split AC/heater? What about the fact that when the washer panel says the wash will take 45 minutes, it's quite inaccurate and will be much longer? How do the appliances work? And on, and on...
I used a labelmaker and labeled all switches, identifying what they each control. I labeled cabinets, stating what's inside. I labeled instructions on the window blinds, which are cordless. I created a Welcome Book that contains the instructions for all appliances--some copied from the appliance manual and some written myself. I don't know if things we take for granted in the U.S. are the same in the homes of other countries, so I document their use, just in case.
Guests love this. It makes their stay easier and more relaxing. They don't have to figure out or fight with the space. Having experienced the frustration of dealing with an unfamiliar space, I wanted to spare our guests that stress.
So, I encourage you, or a friend, to walk into your vacation rental with the eyes of a first-time visitor from another country and consider if there are ways you might make their stay even more relaxing and stress-free.
