Hosting

[Tom888]

We recently started our airbnb and have been very successful. However we were talking today to someone who had just booked at another place. They were talking like they didn't like it because there were pictures on the walls of the family and they thought it was going to be more private?!?! They said they were surprised there were personal pictures on the end tables etc. Weren't sure what that meant! If you book a room in your house you obviously live there. What are you supposed to do? 

Julie

[Linda108]

@Tom888   I think most hosts would agree to keep the guest space decor fairly neutral, no personal pictures or religious artifacts.  If the space is shared such as additional sleeping space within a private room set up, then more host stuff is expected.  When listing your space, you do answer whether or not the space is dedicated to guests or contains host stuff so I believe this information is available during the search process.

[Sarah977]

@Tom888  I also don't have anything personal in the guest space- their bedroom or bathroom. It just is set up like a little hotel room. The decor isn't impersonal, art-by-the-pound- there are framed artworks done by friends and family,  quirky little decorations (but I actually dislike knick-knacks, so almost none of that stuff- just more to clean or break) but no personal photos. Of course, in a shared home situation, where the guest has use of common spaces, there will be whatever the host normally lives with.

[Mike-And-Helen0]

@Tom888 you signed yourself Julie?

It sounds like a good thing these folk didn't book with you, I bet they're really pernickety.

In a shared space they should expect those things. In a private space less so, but how does it affect their enjoyment of the space?