Self check in vs with a co-host

Answered!
Olivia685
Level 2
Brussels, Belgium

Self check in vs with a co-host

Hi everyone ! 

 

I am considering to buy/instal a self check in for my Airbnb townhouse. I live abroad so it's either a co-host or my father who are helping my guests check in. 

Airbnb is regularly suggesting to ad self checkin as an additional advantage I could offer to my potential hosts.  

Do you have any thoughts on the advantages of self checkin vs in person ? For the guests as well as for the host? 

Is it really going to increase my bookings or guests' satisfaction ? 

 

And if you have a good lockbox please share 😉 so I could order a good one ! 

 

Thanks a lot in advance for your precious help !  

Top Answer
Kia272
Level 10
Takoma Park, MD

@Olivia685 the other poster's comment is something to be considered, but isn't directly related to your question. The ability for a guest to do self check-in is an advantage, but it doesn't mean that you can't also have a co-host and have someone greet guests when you feel like it. It's a win-win. It also precludes trouble, as they know there's someone close by who can monitor the house. 

 

I live onsite at my property, and I have self check-in. I'm usually onsite when guests arrive, but it gives me the ability to be out and about and still let them check in. I can really be anywhere. I also had guests arrive pretty late last week due to getting stuck in traffic, and self check-in was great, because I get cranky at night and didn't want to stay up that late, lol. 

 

I don't recommend the lock I use, because the "bridge" that allows it to be connected to the Internet doesn't work well, so that wouldn't work for you operating it remotely. However, there are better locks that perform that function, and I highly recommend one of those over a lockbox. Search the community center for locks, and you'll find many conversations and recommendations. 

 

I also have cameras and can monitor guest activity as well, but as an onsite host, I rarely have problems. 

 

Good luck. Kia 

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6 Replies 6

I would recommend a ring doorbell if your doing self check in my guest used my house as a pop up brothel and it’s happening a lot on Airbnb self check in 

Oh really that is really something I want to avoid. Ok maybe not something for me then . Thanks !

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

No need to not consider self check in @Olivia685 when you should have CCTV or camera's anyway as you are hosting remotely to ensure only those who have booked use your property. 

Kia272
Level 10
Takoma Park, MD

@Olivia685 the other poster's comment is something to be considered, but isn't directly related to your question. The ability for a guest to do self check-in is an advantage, but it doesn't mean that you can't also have a co-host and have someone greet guests when you feel like it. It's a win-win. It also precludes trouble, as they know there's someone close by who can monitor the house. 

 

I live onsite at my property, and I have self check-in. I'm usually onsite when guests arrive, but it gives me the ability to be out and about and still let them check in. I can really be anywhere. I also had guests arrive pretty late last week due to getting stuck in traffic, and self check-in was great, because I get cranky at night and didn't want to stay up that late, lol. 

 

I don't recommend the lock I use, because the "bridge" that allows it to be connected to the Internet doesn't work well, so that wouldn't work for you operating it remotely. However, there are better locks that perform that function, and I highly recommend one of those over a lockbox. Search the community center for locks, and you'll find many conversations and recommendations. 

 

I also have cameras and can monitor guest activity as well, but as an onsite host, I rarely have problems. 

 

Good luck. Kia 

Thank you so much @Kia272  for your detailed answer . Especially since I was thinking of doing something hybrid too (use both methods and the self check in just to facilitate things for late arrival etc and make my co-hosts life easier 😉 ) .  Have a lovely day ! 

Will search the platform for locks 

 

Andrea6232
Level 10
Bergamo, Italy

Ciao @Olivia685 , I have self-check in with a safebox but I prefer when my co-host can welcome my guests, I see that my guests  appreciate more the human touch  😀

 

Andrea

https://airbnb.com/h/la-casa-sul-canale-con-piscina-jacuzzi-in-giardino