Have you added quiet hours in your listing description?

[Rebecca]

Hello hosts!

I hope you're all having a fantastic day! I wanted to bring up a topic that can really enhance our guests' experience: quiet hours.

Have you added quiet hours in your listing description?

Setting quiet hours can be a thoughtful way to ensure everyone has a peaceful stay, especially for those who may be looking to unwind or catch some much-needed rest. It's a simple yet effective way to show your guests that you care about their comfort.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences! How have you approached this in your listings?

Looking forward to your insights! 😊

[Jonathan2725]

Hi @Rebecca,

The device and app are really easy to set up and use. We only have one unit but the app allows you monitor multiple units on its platform. Since hosting we’ve only had a couple of notifications from guests being loud, but I haven’t felt it was loud enough to get involved. It also monitors cigarette smoke which is very helpful. 

[Amalia190]

Quiet hours have been placed!  There is in house book and settings.

There is a topic for which I need your support! There is a new law charging 8 euros/day/stay on the airbnb and hotels through out Greece.

Booking.com is informing the customer for the additional charging, separating this environmental tax from the daily charge. The tricky issue here is that if is included in the daily price we have the income tax on a tax, because our tax office is taxing us on the gross value of the platform including airbnbfees.

Being individuals and not business units we have to find a way via platform to charge taxes in a separate way not including them in the total amount of charges. For the time being, I'm trying to handle this issue by informing customers in the booking phase about the extra cost (like in Italy) and I'm asking them a separate payment either in cash or via platform by using request money.

The problem is that they don't know about before booking the place with the result to have bookings and a lot of cancellations.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Amalia190 

I suggest starting your own conversation thread as it could attract more insights and questions from fellow hosts. Use the button below 👇

Start a conversation

[Aaron1359]

Yes, I have quiet hours from 11pm - 7am.  I live in an older neighborhood with a lot of retired people, so I don't want to disturb them. I have never had to enforce them though, as my guests have always been very respectful of the rules and generally quiet anyway.  😊

[Rebecca]

That sounds great @Aaron1359! It’s wonderful to hear that your guests have been so respectful. How has your hosting experience been overall? Any memorable moments or challenges you've faced?

[Anne-Marie78]

Yes, I have added quiet hours to both my properties which are in Portrush - a seaside town in Northern Ireland that is lively in the high season. 
One property, although in the centre of town is in a quieter, residential part. It is the middle floor apartment of a 3 storey building with private residents above and below so it is very important to ensure my neighbours are not inconvenienced by excess noise from my guests. 
This also means that I am very careful about the guests that stay. Having been in the sharp end of instant booking with no restrictions when I first started I now have request to book and check through past reviews. Guests know of the environment and I have very little problems. 
My other property is in the middle of bars and restaurants so it is a balancing act to ensure that local residents are not bothered by late night noise from my guests whilst enduring the guests can enjoy Portrush for the night life reason they came! Again - 99% of guests are respectful and there’s rarely an issue.

I think that communicating with guests and neighbours alike is key to making things work 😊

[Rebecca]

That sounds like a great approach to hosting @Anne-Marie78! It's wonderful to hear that you've had mostly respectful guests; it must be a relief when that happens. Living in such a lively area must be exciting, but I can imagine it comes with its challenges too. Have you found any particular strategies that work well for communicating with your guests about the local atmosphere and expectations?

[Bill1723]

My neighbors will definitely enforce quiet hours if necessary.  I don't have to do anything.  Trying to enforce things, or hover in anyway has been a recipe for antagonistic behavior in my experience.  I find it best to communicate as little as possible being responsive to quest.  The more communication, the more possibility for the guest to get irritated.  We are living in a different world and people just want to be left alone.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Bill1723 - It sounds like you've found a solid approach to hosting. I totally get what you mean about keeping communication light... sometimes less really is more! How has your hosting experience been overall?

[Lana1222]

Hello @Rebecca 

OHHHH yes!!

when I researched your 32 modules, I definitely learnes that among other things!

Highly recommend it!

Best

Lana🌻

[Rebecca]

Hi @Lana1222 

That's awesome to hear! I'm glad you found the modules helpful. Which one stood out to you the most?

[Lana1222]

Hi @Rebecca !

I reviewed so many sites, videos and the modules, I can't remember specifically which number/chapter, but the ones general sets of advice to:

1. Have clearly defined, written house rules;
2. To be mindful of always having basic toiletries to have available (especially for me as I live in my home, and the guest uses their room, with a shared bathroom; and finally,
3. The order and detail of cleaning and sanitising after each guest

I quite liked the suggestion of having a welcome basket and my guests have all shown appreciation for that personal touch.

Overall a very learning experience so far!

Cheers!

Lana🌻

[Rob7820]

I have had quiet hours from the beginning of my hosting journey 8 years ago. I think it is a great idea for nearly all hosts, but it was especially important for me because my properties are townhouses in a very small community. I have always wanted to be respectful of the community and do what I can to ensure my guests aren't disruptive. To that end, in my listings I:

- use words such as peaceful, relaxing, and nature watching

- explain that the homes share walls with the neighbors, the back patios touch each other, and the other owners are mainly retirees who value living a quiet life

- explain in the "other details" section that loud groups and parties are not a good fit

- disable the "events allowed" option in house rules, activate the "quiet hours" for 9pm to 9am, and reiterate in the "additional rules" section the importance of the quiet hours and respecting the community's owners' right to quiet enjoyment of their homes

- inform guests that if they bring more people than their reservation is for, I will cancel their stay and they will have to leave with no refund (not precisely quiet hours related, but in a loose way, it could contribute to violations)

To date, I have had very few issues with guests violating the quiet hours and do not think I have had any complain about having them in place. I see quiet hours as beneficial with basically no downside.

[Rebecca]

Hello @Rob7820 

That sounds like a really thoughtful approach to hosting! It’s great to hear that you’ve found success with quiet hours and have managed to maintain a peaceful environment for both your guests and the community. 

I think the wording in your listing must help attract the right kinds of guests too. Have you always worded your description that way, or was it a work in progress?

[Bec3748]

hi Rebecca, I haven't added quiet hours to my listing yet... to date I haven't felt the need to. Perhaps we've been lucky (touch wood)... we seem to be attracting quiet nature enthusiasts/babymoon couples/hikers as we are a short stroll from a major national park. These types seem to come here to enjoy the solitude.  

Or should I get in first?