What's something a guest has done that showed they appreciated you?

[Nash-Cottages-LLC0]

We've been thinking about some of our past guests with such fondness and wondered what's something nice a guest has done that showed they appreciated you?

To start, we had a guest leave on the counter a 6-pack of bottled beer from their hometown brewery because they 'wanted to share something from their home because we shared ours'. Cue the awwww's! 

We had another guest go to a local florist the morning before check-out and leave us flowers in a vase ( a new vase, not a glass from the cabinet). 

Who's next? 

[Mark116]

Ah the good old days of getting host gifts.  We haven't gotten any gifts in quite some time, but in years past we have been given a variety of things:  flowers, many thank you notes, wine, live plants, candy from the home country, coasters, small wall hanging, mugs from the home country, calendar from the home country.  I miss those early days.

[Sarah977]

@Mark116  That the days of receiving small gifts is the "olden days" is bygone for you is a pretty clear indication that guest demographics have changed, at least in some locations. 

Seems to have gone from understanding what the word "guest" implies, to acting like they are doing you a favor by offering to book if you'll give a discount, upgrade your Wifi and waive your no pets rule.

[Mark116]

@Sarah977  Yeah.  I'm also sad to say that my fellow Americans are among the absolute worst guests in terms of treating the space like a cheap hotel, etc.  Almost all of the host gifts we've gotten were from non-Americans, but even the Europeans/South Americans/Africans had virtually stopped bringing any gifts at least since 2019.

[Max144]

Have had wonderful guests and gifts such as flowers in pot, several bottles of wine, beer, a book on Bribie Island which they had wrote, money, frog ornaments, Buddha statue, chocolates, fridge magnets from South Africa and Belgium, and a Diplomat who's mother lives on island gave me a monogrammed U.S.A Department of State pen in plush lined case which is a little bit special. 

[Nash-Cottages-LLC0]

@Max144 - Love all of these gifts. And, yeah, that pen is special!

[Helen427]

Aside from artwork, soaps, meals cooked, wine, items similar to those listed by you all @Nash-Cottages-LLC0 @Max144 @Kelly149 @Mark116 and everyone-else, the sweetest thing I've been given as a thank you is a hug before departure as an appreciation of an enjoyable time together in one another's company

[Nash-Cottages-LLC0]

@Helen427 - I never really thought about a goodbye hug being a gift, but you absolutely have me convinced that's exactly what it is!!

Judy

[Laura2592]

@Nash-Cottages-LLC0 we have had a few tips, some beer or treats left for us, but what I always really appreciate is a lovely note. We keep them in our guide book. Over the holidays I had the most beautiful note from a young woman in the military who had booked a stay with her boyfriend over her leave, found out that the BF was cheating but decided to stay anyway. She wrote the most heartfelt thank you note that we put it on our Instagram (with her permission.) 

We always appreciate a truly thoughtful and positive review. Our last guest left one of the nicest ones we have had in some time. She actually acknowledged and appreciated that we trust guests to use our fireplace and firepit. That was like a breath of fresh air (pun somewhat intended.) I can't tell you how many people have demanded an endless supply of wood or firelogs and pouted when we set limits, not followed instructions and done dangerous things. It was nice that she acknowledged this publicly as a privilege of the space and one for which others should understand a great deal of trust is needed. 

[Nash-Cottages-LLC0]

@Laura2592 - Awesome guest indeed! Bummer about the BF but love that she enjoyed her leave with you. 

Judy

[Rebecca]

It's lovely to see you on the Community Center again @Nash-Cottages-LLC0 - how have you been? 

You've got some lovely replies here from some hosts! I usually leave a handmade card that I pick up locally - or a lovely bottle of wine. Although not expected at all by hosts, I want to appreciate them opening their homes for us to feel comfortable whilst travelling - especially as a family of 5, or more if the grandparents, brothers, sisters and cousins come along too! 😊

[Jody141]

@Nash-Cottages-LLC0  I’ve had a guest leave me some really unique wine glasses when they checked out that they had purchased at a local artisan fair and I’ve received cards in the mail after guests check out saying they had such a great stay. 

[David13834]

I’m so confused by this thread and would love clarification.  “Hosts” expect gifts beyond the money guests are already paying them?

 I’m sure we can agree that the language Airbnb uses is misleading/ inaccurate.  A “host”,  by any reasonable definition, does not collect money. When I host my friends for dinner, I don’t charge them at the door.  And for that reason they often do bring wine or a small gift.

Airbnb “hosts” aren’t hosting out of the kindness of their hearts.  They’re making money. 

[Tonia687]

Wow, how very nice of them!  🙂

The best we have had were nice words in reviews, but I'll take it!  Hehe