As I have said in for a penny and in for a pound, I have made a commitment to myself that my Airbnb guests will have an enjoyable and memorable stay.
Hospitality for me is promoting our Airbnb to our unknown guests. We try to give more than an experience that they may have had in the past or something new if they are first timers staying in an Airbnb. Our emphases begin with giving our guests a warm welcome when they first arrive.
My intentions are to give our guests more than a place to stay, but a memory to take away with them. I try to give our guests more than I take (monetary) and have made a commitment to myself that all our guests have had a satisfactory stay. My commitment to giving our guests a memorable stay is shared with my long-time husband, mate, friend, and partner. He always introduces himself to our guests as the manservant and if you need anything just ask and we will try to help you out.
My joy of being an Airbnb host has allowed me to welcome guests who want to get away from the daily grind, meeting up with family and friends, a quite romantic weekend, travellers having a break from long distance driving or a family holiday by the beach.
I take pleasure in providing something special for our guests when they arrive by providing them with a hamper full of goodies to get them started with enough food for a light continental breakfast and enough food for a cooked breakfast. If our guests arrive in the afternoon, I always make freshly cooked scones, jam, and cream. If they arrive late, I provide them with a cheese platter and biscuits. This is our extra personal touch to make them feel welcome as most guests have travelled over 200 kms to stay at our Airbnb.
The hamper that I supply for 2 guests staying.
Families staying with children can be a challenge, but we take delight in trying to make their stay comfortable and try to make their stay more enjoyable for all the family members. Making our Airbnb accommodation child friendly and safe we have removed potential hazards, sharp objects and covered low unused power points.
Communication with guests before their arrival can assist with understanding if there are specific needs and preferences for their stay. We offer a Porta Cot and highchair to families and set it up if required with linen and remind them to bring their little oneโs cuddly blanket. Other items supplied are a nappy bin with extra waste bags, baby wipes, night light for the bathroom, Powerpoint covers, extra towels, waterproof protectors for the cot and the beds, suitable plates, and cutlery for children.
Part of the setting up for children, we make up a welcome tub with small toys, games, books suitable for their age. For the younger children make a colouring book with their name on and supply pencils and a small gift. We sometimes buy gifts, or make homemade sailboats, a dilly bag with their name on, or a butterfly brooch.
We have written a helpful information list of family friendly activities and ideas in our local area for the children. We place these in a folder in the information box along with places to eat that are child friendly.
Hosting families with children requires additional attention to details which we have tried to achieve, as we have a genuine interest in making their stay enjoyable. My philosophy is if the child is happy, it makes life easier for parents while on holidays or travelling.
Lastly, a poem by Gpt chat for in for a penny and in for a pound with my What Hospitality Means to Me.
โIn for a booking, host so profound, I'll don my cap, let's astound, In Airbnb's embrace, we're bound, A haven of warmth, we'll expound.
With smiles, we greet, hearts unbound, Guests find solace, safe and sound, A tapestry of cultures, rich and round, In our cozy abode, stories surround.
From check-in to farewell, service crowned, Comfort we serve, like dreams renowned, Hospitality's melody, sweetly profound, In Airbnb's world, memories are found.