What do you wish you would have known before your first guest?

[Rebecca]

Hello hosts! 👋

I hope you’re all doing well! As you continue to create unforgettable experiences for your guests, I’d love to tap into your wisdom. What do you wish you would have known before welcoming your very first guest?

Whether it’s a little tip, a funny story, or a lesson learned, your insights can be incredibly valuable for those just starting out or looking to enhance their hosting journey.

Please share your thoughts, experiences, or any advice you have! Can't wait to hear your stories! 😊

[Indra149]

I always treat my guests as I would myself and my own family, ensuring the property is clean and comfortable. I personally experience staying in the unit to understand what may be lacking. If possible, I fulfill small but meaningful details at minimal cost, like adding coffee, tea, and decorative plants for a homier feel. Most importantly, quick and responsive communication with guests is key to a great stay.
The hardest part is setting the right price. If it's too high, guests can easily compare and choose other options. Even when we provide extra value that other unit owners don’t, guests can still be very price-sensitive. On the other hand, pricing too low leads to losses—I need enough profit to cover cleaning staff, as I prioritize cleanliness, washing all equipment, and laundry. I want to offer the best experience, but pricing remains a challenge.

[Rebecca]

That sounds like a fantastic approach to hosting @Indra149!

I love the idea of adding small touches like coffee and decorative plants; it really does create a homely atmosphere.

Pricing can definitely be tricky; it’s such a balancing act! Have you considered using any specific strategies or tools to help with pricing?

[Deb5175]

While we spent 6 weeks basically living there repairing small issues, getting some new furniture, etc. I wish I had done a "full clean" start to finish before our first guest. My place is spotless as I do all the cleaning and would not trust anyone to do it as well as I do. I wash every quilt, sham, sheet, towel, pot holders,  etc. between guests. I have spare blankets in every bedroom that are kept in clear, tied hefty bags, so if they are used I will know because the bag has been ripped open. And while I did have it clean for our first guest, I didn't do it all at once so I had no real idea how long it would take me to do it top to bottom after check-out. Stripping and replacing the bedding takes me about 45 minutes! LOL It takes me a good 3 - 4 hours to do a deep "my type" clean. So I wish I had cleaned it all at once to know that before. I am glad I have a 5 hour window to clean!

[Dena240]

@Deb5175   Would you share with me a link to the clear bags you use?  We've tried several, and can't land on ones we like.  I'd be thrilled to have a recommendation.

[Deb5175]

Hi Dena,

They are nothing fancy. Just clear drawstring trash bags I got on Amazon. Here is the link:

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNYT91LQ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_7

Hope they will work for you. I love having the knowledge to know that something was used so I am not washing blankets for nothing. 8 loads per visit is enough as it is! LOL

Deb

[Rebecca]

I love this recommendation @Deb5175!

Have you purchased the bags @Deena61? It's such a great idea so you can check to see if the items have been used. 

I once stayed in a hotel and the towels had a paper 'ribbon' so they could see if the towels had been used. 

[Deena61]

Hi there,

Thanks for your message. I haven't tried those bags yet, but I'm looking into it. Regarding the paper ribbon on towels, I like that idea and might give it a try.

On a separate note, and I'm not sure if this is the right thread for it, I recently had a guest stay for two weeks. He was generally a good guest, but there were some issues with cleanliness. He ate and drank on the bed with white Egyptian cotton  linen, which led to stains that couldn't be removed. This happened daily. I personally clean the room daily, providing fresh towels, making up the bed, washing dishes, sweeping, and mopping. I change the sheets every three days, which my helper does along with a deep clean. Each time we changed the sheets, there were new stains. One day, he felt he was coming down with the flu and placed chopped onions and garlic inside the pillows and on the sheets at his head to help with his symptoms. This left a strong, unpleasant smell in the room for days, which I managed to sort out with linen and room fresheners. The day before he left, I asked him about the stains, and he claimed they were there when he arrived, which wasn't the case.

When reviewing the guest, I didn't give him 5 stars for cleanliness but didn't mention these issues in the written review and gave him a generally positive review. He left me a 5-star review. A week later, he messaged me, expressing dissatisfaction with my review, noting that I referred to him as "he" and not by his name. I understand his concern; it wasn't intentional. I usually write my reviews in Word and then paste them into the review section. I had omitted to copy the first sentence, which included his name. I apologized and contacted Airbnb to see if I could update the review, but they weren't able to assist.

This experience has led me to consider writing my reviews after the guest has written theirs. I think this might help address any concerns that might come up in the guest's review, since we aren't allowed to change reviews once both sides are completed. I'm curious how other hosts feel about using names, pronouns, etc. Do other hosts have strategies they use? Also, I believe we should be allowed to change a review, perhaps upon motivation, which shouldn't be unreasonably denied by Airbnb. I don't think guests should have that option, though. I'm interested in hearing how others feel about this.

[Shelley159]

Hi @Deena61 

I just want to check regarding this comment: This experience has led me to consider writing my reviews after the guest has written theirs. 

Take into account that you'll still only see the guest's review after you've published your review of the guest. So whether you write yours before or after the guest writes theirs, should make no difference.

[Deena61]

Thank you. I was  not aware of that. I thought that a guests review will display even if I don’t review the guest before the two week period. 

[Shelley159]

Yes @Deena61 if you don't review them at all during the 2-week period, their review will be published to your profile after 2 weeks. You won't be able to review them anymore, as the review window has closed. You will be able to leave a public reply to their review, if you choose to. Here's the whole review system:

https://www.airbnb.co.za/help/article/13

[Daniel8307]

1. Guests will consistently ask for more than they paid for (early check in, late check out). Establishing rules and fees for these things and communicating them to guests helps to prevent guests from walking all over you and your rules 

2. Airbnb defaults to taking the side of the guests. The guests is the one paying and is the true customer. Document all rule violations, get cameras and call Airbnb to report issues quickly.

3. Discount seekers are refund seekers. 'if you give a mouse a cookie, they want the whole jar'. Guests that reach out looking for a discount will often be the worst guests you've had. They will nit pick all the smallest details and send you photos of the dirt they tracked in with their shoes to extort for a refund

4. Inspect cleaners. Don't just assume that the cleaner is doing an amazing job. Periodically send someone after the cleaner to make sure they completed 100% of their tasks

[Rebecca]

Thanks for sharing all that @Daniel8307 - loads of solid advice in there, especially about setting clear boundaries and checking up on cleaners. That "mouse and cookie" line definitely made me laugh... 😂

Have you had a specific guest experience lately that made you reflect on all this? Always curious to hear what sparked these kinds of insights.

[Daniel13303]

Ensure that you turn your notifications on so that you get an email or text message directly to your phone whenever your guest send you a message on the Airbnb app. This helps to ensure that you are always in communication with your guests and it maintains your response rate so that you can eventually become a SuperHost. 

[Rebecca]

Hello @Daniel13303 - Great tip! Staying on top of messages really does make a difference!

Do you use the Airbnb app mostly on your phone, or do you manage things from a laptop too? 

[Dr-Marv-Wint0]

I wish there was a checklist available to help guide newbies like me on what’s necessary to be in the home. Also an individual to kinda steer me thru my first couple of bookings.