Hey everyone,
I hope you're all doing well! I've bee...
Latest reply
Hey everyone,
I hope you're all doing well! I've been thinking about the hosting journey that you take and how it sha...
Latest reply
That's such a lovely comment to receive from guests, @Joe285! ๐ค
I'm sure they truly appreciate your efforts. Also, how long have you been hosting?๐ก
Hi Alex,
What a lovely thread. I love it when my guests tell me how comfortable my apartment is and how they feel at home so easily when they arrive ๐
Lisa
Hello @Lisa10178!
I'm not comfortable with calling things "amazing", so how about I feel grateful, and gratified, when any of my guests appreciate staying with me. It tells me I've done my job well. Beyond that, I love it when they comment on the art (I'm an artist, and this is a sculpture garden), and beyond that............ some of them become friends, real friends. That's the best of all!
I feel amazing when.. My guests tell me itโs the best place that theyโve stayed at in our town - praising the decor, comfort and noticing the small details that I spent many hours on getting โjust rightโ and then telling all their friends!
Returning for another stay is the best compliment ! I am very personal with my Guests(..if they wish to be!!) I like to get to know them.
It helps with return bookings because they feel like they know you and they know what to expect from your property.
Also, cleanliness is the biggest compliment ! A Guest likes to know they are in a clean, safe, well-cared for environment.
It is comforting!
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!"
Oh yeah, always have a guest book, some great stuff in there!
I love it when my guests tell me how comfortable they are in my home. They love my bed linens, towels, and extra amenities, and I have had several couples tell me that staying with me has been their best bnb experience. That makes my day! I love being a host. Making people feel at home and relaxed is at the top of my 'most important things to do' list!
*"I feel amazing when my guests returnโnot just for another stay, but for the memories, the comfort, and the tradition weโve built together. Across 102 guest stays, from all walks of life, one thing remains constantโthe words they leave behind in our house book. Whether grieving, celebrating, working, or simply passing through, they write of feeling 'unique,' 'one of a kind,' 'peaceful,' 'right at home,' and of finding 'new friends.' One couple made Nanaโs Place their anniversary tradition, and when their fifth year came, only one returnedโgrieving, yet choosing this space as the place to honor what they shared. That moment struck me to my core. It reminded me that hosting isnโt just about providing a stay; itโs about creating a place that holds meaning, a space where people feel safe, seen, and at homeโno matter where life takes them. Thatโs when I knewโwe did something right."*
โ
I am a brand new Airbnb host and am not quite sure of everything, such as whether my Airbnb list is on the market or not, how to define the right price to list and adjusting for holidays and lower seasons, and what reaction to expect from guests, etc., but I am doing my best to bring the best service to my guests.
After my heartfelt service, I saw my first booking guests bring their whole family to come by to say goodbye and show their gratitude, which touched and rewarded me from their appreciation for what I did for them.
My second booking guest left her phone on the bed and sent me a message regarding this. I right away went to check and found the phone. I told her I am leaving it on the desk and she could still use the key from the lockbox to get it. I feel so glad that I am living next door to be able to assist situations like this right away.
When I read that my guests left five start reviews, especially on the value of the place, I feel good that people see the value. Of course, you receive what you paid for it. A little bit higher price makes a mile high value difference. I treat my guests needs as my own. Hospitality is the warmest contact between people. Although my house is a brand new build, I am still continuing to improve it by adding a patio for guest use.
When my guests become raving fans coming back annually or in some cases 3-5 times a year and telling others of our places. - Joe
The most memorable moment in my 4 years of Hosting when our Guests came back for the 2nd year for Easter and we were away when they checked out.
I found a note saying thank you for the stay and the extra treats. They also left a copy of an ultrasound of early stages of a baby being formed, with a message. โWe would like to book again next year but we will have an extra little oneโ.