Very new to hosting and need to double check about contact details

[Joanne137]

First guest is booked in and coming. I got their phone number through Air B&B, but dies the guest get mine, and if not is it wise to give it to them.  They are booked, confirmed and Air B&B say they have paid. I just wanted to check first what to do. 

[Linda108]

What a lovely flat, @Joanne137!  When a reservation is confirmed, the host receives the phone number of the guest and the guest receives the phone number of the host.  The email is through Air BNB system and you should keep all communication through that system, however, sometimes there will be calls or text if cell phone.  Best to summarize that communication through Air BNB in order to have a record of it and should you need Air BNB assistance, they can read the messages.

When I get a confirmed reservation, I send a welcome message and begin the process of connecting with the guest.  I ask about why they are coming if I don't know that and often I have some suggestion to offer to enhance their experience.  I always ask the names of all the guests in the party.  Do you plan to greet and orient the guests?  If you can, that is best especially in the beginning.  You can gage how the guest will react to your place and what they expect.  You have a lot of beautiful plants which will require attention, so if you get a guest that is there over a week, you might want to make arrangements for the plants to be taken care of.

Also, I think your security deposit is a bit low for an entire place.  Since the guest only pays the deposit if there is a claim, it shouldn't be a problem.  Air BNB reserves the right to charge but does not collect in advance.

Good luck with your new business and keep reading this forum along with the Help Center articles.  Lots of good information in both.

[Joanne137]

Thanks so much! That is so helpful. I will do that and follow your advice in future. I did email but am a little rabbit in the headlights. But I am going to meet the guests when they arrive. Thanks again. Jo

[Kate157]

@Joanne137 I always try to greet guests if possible when they arrive. I believe it is a nice touch, but I also believe the review will be better if there is that human contact.

[Quincy]

Hello @Joanne137 and welcome to the Community Centre!

It's great to hear that you're receiving your first Airbnb guests! I can remember when I had my first Airbnb guests over for the first - I was nervous and didn't know what to expect.

Always greet your guests and regularly ask them if everything is ok (Don't be too pushy though). Give your guests their space make sure everything you've stated in your listing is accessible for them.

In the end, everything went well, and I have held a great Airbnb experience out of it!

[Joanne137]

Thanks so much for the tips. I am within an hour of greeting the first guest. Feeling like Rocky when he ran up the steps in the film. Taken a while to get to this point but now I am here. Made it - just.  Jo