@Stan-And-Juris0 Sure, I'm happy to help by sharing some of my questions.
1. Since I do provide a table service breakfast at promptly 8:00am, I ask my potential guests "if they will be having the daily breakfast in the garden so I can plan accordingly to purchase what I need for my set menu?" Its one of my opening questions.
Responses are: Some mornings we will Momi, but other mornings we would like to leave very early to hike to a sunrise. Can we let you know the night before? (I say, of course, just give me 24 hours heads up) Some say yes, we will every morning, but will leave shortly thereafter to see as much as we can.
2. Are you visiting Hawaii for vacation, business or for an event, as I would like to give you heads up about what its like to drive on our island, ....(most guests share this on thier first message) but for those who don't, I ask this question so I know what questions to ask next.
3. If they say vacation, then I offer up my expert concierge services by asking if they would like me to book anything for them prior to their arrival to save them time while on vacation while also mentioning that I can save them 25-30% off most activities because of well established connections I have made with various companies (I take no commission). I do this to show my Aloha Spirit, and if the guests appreciates it, then maybe they leave a tip....if not, their 5 Star review is always appreciated. Most leave a tip and a FABULOUS REVIEW. 🙂
4. I also ask each and every guests if they have read my listing AND PROFILE as its very clear that I work from home and homeschool our daughter. I make it very clear that I want them to have a great time, be comfortable, but to respect that I need to stay focus on my work, teaching my daughter, and texting me on the ABB message board is the best way to reach me during the day while they are out and about. Guests feel comfortable that they come and go, sometimes only saying "hello" for a minute, then leave again. They can see/hear we are busy in our home in a separate room doing homeschool.
5. When I check my lovely guests in, I sit down with them in the garden, introduce them to my sweet dogs, have cold Hawaiian juice waiting for them, sometimes chips and salsa too....or gaucamole, with avocados picked from the tree, and have a wonderful conversation about their plans for their entire stay. Its at that time, that I also invite my guests to join us for one dinner at night with my family, but I can recommend some lovely places nearby thats delicious and inexpensive or they can bring their dinner back to eat in the garden. (this is how I also find out if they have truly read my GuideBook or not, that I spent considerable time on about places and restaurants that I recommend.)
6. During the ongoing chat when they have sent a request to book, I also ask who exactly will be coming, full names, and also request that a photo be sent of the entire couple, or family, etc. Some have even been up front to say that they will be spending some part of the day relaxing in my garden reading while their spouse is on this business trip.
7. I also ask if they would be interested in knowing whats fun to do at 6am, mid day, sunsets, night time etc. This answer tells me alot.
Everyone is happy to reply with details. Some have said that they are early risers and will probably be asleep by 9pm.
8. I have paired up with a friend of mine who rents out his 3 cars, and have posted them on my Airbnb photo gallery and listing, which also tells me that they will be doing alot of driving when I ask them if they would like my help to rent these cars at a special price which can be delivered to the airport for free. My guests ABSOLUTELY love this service. Some say they are going to be driving alot, at which time I recommend another friend who has a Electric car and a Hybrid. This is a great way to have a conversation about their plans. It works everytime.
9. Another question, "while you are here, are you interested in one of my REAL HAWAII private tours?" I don't ask everyone this. Because I already know that some guests just want to be adventurous on their own....while others say, my tour was the highlight of their entire vacation! By the time we come back from an 8 hour tour, they are so tired its shower and bed time. haha - some have even asked me to skip breakfast so they can sleep in after the tour.
I have no problem spending quality time going back and forth with a guests who wants help with their vacation because this is why people book my home because they read the reviews about how much I am willing to do for our guests prior to their arrival and after, but I am very up front and direct that I also need my time with my family. Some guests were so much fun at dinner time, that we actually invite them to another dinner with our family which they always accept. Some even go to the store and bring back 2 bottles of wine for the dinner since I made a lovely meal again.....wine is good.
I have never had a guests complain that my questions were invasive, or nosey, quite the opposite! They appreciate my asking as I can give them so many helpful tips on how to maximize their fun, their schedule, all while saving them money too. Some even ask if I can join them for dinner at a restaurant if my schedule permits it. But I always let them know when we are going to beach if they want to join us for those with no rental car, or if we are going to be gone for our daughters musical shows, friends parties, etc. Some have even gone with us to these BBQs.
I hope this helped you. I am a big believer that there can never be too much communication. Its the ones who don't communicate or answer my questions, that I politely decline but I always thank them for considering our home.
If you feel that me or another host have helped you, feel free to click on the "thumbs up" button at the end of any post. Thank you so much.
Aloha, Momi
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