Just received first booking....

[Irene531]

Hi, I just received my first booking and am curious what everyone feels are best practices. Do I send a welcome email with where the lockbox with the key will be..and key code? Keep that info until the day of check in? Is this a good time to tell them where coffee places are and details about the home? 

Any and all advice will be appreciated. 

[Roberta2]

Hi @Irene531

I usualy send an email about 2 weeks before they arrive, giving instructions on how to get to the flat.

I also ask for their aproximate time of arrival / flight  / train details, so I can get an idea (and see if the flight is delayed, for example)

I hand people keys, but if you are sending key coddes, I assume you can send it to them a couple of days earlier, but you just set it on the morning that they are supposed to arrive.

Just in case...

[Sarah977]

@Irene531   You might be interested in reading through this thread : https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Hosting/Do-you-send-a-thanks-for-booking-message/m-p/933021#M232...

[Emilia42]

 @Irene, this is also a great thread:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Airbnb-Updates/Tips-for-messaging-guests-Save-time-amp-set-expec...

When a guest books I would always send them a "Thanks for booking/you are confirmed message." Let them know you are available to answer any questions leading up to their stay. It is also best to confirm the dates and # of people. 3-7 days before they arrive you should send the check in instructions/directions and any other helpful info that you think they may need. 

It will be a learning curve at first and it's always best to get constructive feedback from the guests to make the process seamless.