I feel best when guests tell me, "You can tell this house is filled with love."
I never set out for people to use the "L" word; however, I get that response a lot.
I think it's because I am not a minimalist when it comes to decorating. Big things on big walls.
Carefully crafted bathroom amenity baskets in the bathroom, a full coffee bar where we provide coffee, sugar and cream.
I try to get something local for guests too, chocolate alligators (bet you know where I live), ocean suckers for the kids.
We've always stated our personal strength is anticipating guest needs. We always have baby and toddler stuff, no charge. If I can get you in early and let you leave late, no charge (unless they leave after noon). You want to have some people over for Mom's birthday? You should!! This is a great house for a birthday gathering. Have an extra person, as long as it under the max, that's fine. You want towels, you got them.
We don't skimp on really anything, ok I did run out of Kleenex, lol! With this, there are lots of hosts that state, "the more you give, the more they will use!" So what? They are on vacation. We sleep 9 max and I have 30 towels upstairs, 8 downstairs and 8 in the outside shower. 30 Pool and beach towels. I would say 90% wash all towels, bath, beach and pool.
I always leave a hand-written smiley face card that they see as soon as they walk in the kitchen.
We "ruled" this way, and I can truly say, no one goes through all the towels. No one goes through all the coffee, creamer or sugar. When they see how much detergent I leave, no reason they can't wash them too. That's one of my things, "Take out garbage, we appreciate you washing towels although it is now way expected, lock the doors."
Jumbo shampoo, conditioner and body wash along with a basket of a first-aid kit, face scrubs (I put a sign up in bathroom to please use them vs my towels), deo, shaving cream, razors, Q-Tip's, toothbrushes, lint roller. NEVER is it emptied (maybe once, those dang cruise people).
Because I am a stickler with cleaning, clean has never been an issue. I'm not saying mine are spotless all the time, but they are clean! After 9 years I can say with confidence, if the place is clean and everything works. It doesn't matter; you will get an amazing response.
IE: I had a shower handle fall off and dang if I can't get one for a week. Told my guests ahead of time, they're good. Well, he did shower and pulled it off and water was spewing at him. I felt so bad, I asked if I could get them a pizza while they wait, they were so cool, no worries.
I recently sold a duplex I had for 6 years and made the top selling price. The appraiser stated, "you guys really take care of your homes." You gotta take care of your home, luggage hits walls, people put things under couches, I get that but that's what we do!
We are walking away as we are chronologically gifted and want to spend time with our family. I wrote the CEO because the "reasons for leaving," read things like, "not enough business," "not what I thought this would be," "guests are bad." Like 5 options. I asked Mr Chesky, "How come there isn't a button for, I did amazing, I'm now going to retire early in an expansive home and we will have a beach home to share with family and friends." That's what we're doing.
Hmmm, now that I put this in writing, maybe that's why I get the comment, "filled with love!"
