Our first guests. What a learning curve!

[Angela1030]

Phew! So we listed our cottage a few weeks ago on a Monday and got our first listing that Friday. We were very excited!

The guests were due to check in last week, and they requested to come a day later and leave a day later. Though Airbnb rates were showing it would cost an additional $200 due to smart pricing. I resolved it for them without an additional charge. 

After only two nights at our cottage they emailed to say they had a family emergency and would be leaving three nights early. They had received a 21% discount for a one-week stay, and there is a cleaning fee when you stay fewer than 7 nights. So we worked through that by giving a refund for the nights they didn't stay.

Point is, we worked it all out with our guests, but were still paranoid that our guests either realized the area is very low-key, or they didn't like our place. 😞

They assured us by email they had a great stay, and that the cottage was very comfortable, beautiful, well-equipped and clean. 

Question: Does worry about guests not liking your place go away? We feel like we have accurately represented our place, and have made it comfortable and enjoyable. But worried about bad reviews. How often do you check with guests during their stay to ask if they need anything? Or do you check at all?

[Lisa723]

If they assured you that they enjoyed their stay and liked your place, they most likely did. Yes, the worry does go away as you accumulate positive experiences; this will also help you roll with an occasional unpleasable guest, which also happens. With that in mind, always ask for and be open to opportunities to improve your space, especially with your initial bookings-- there is no listing that doesn't have any.

[Emilia42]

@Angela1030

To be perfectly honest it took me a LONG time to stop worrying. But you will get guests who give you glowing reviews and are so appreciative and this will gave you some piece of mind.

Always check in with your guests. I message the night of their arrival or the next morning and ask if they are settling in okay and if they need anything to please let me know. It is very reassuring to get a message back letting me know how much they like the place. I can usually relax from there. On the morning of checkout I message again thanking them for choosing my airbnb and wish them a safe journey back home.

You have a very cute cottage and it is crucial to communicate with your first dozen or so guests and get as much private feedback as you can. Many will make a lot of suggestions that you have never thought of or didn’t find necessary but these small improvement will make a big different to a traveler.