Please note this is a general Airbnb image, not Huma 🙂
Hello everyone,
After hearing the lovely feedback around how much you enjoy the Community Spotlights, I thought it also might be nice to look at having another community topic here in the CC (don't worry the Community Spotlight will still continue and the next will be later this month).
Here in the Community Center, many of you spend a lot of time speaking with each other, sharing your experiences as hosts and regularly give great tips and support to others. In reality though, each of your lives as a host are slightly different, with you own routines and so the thought behind this series is to take a bit more of a sneak peak into the lives of hosts here in the CC and learn more about what a typical day looks like for different hosts. Perhaps yours is similar? 🙂
A day in the life of –
Huma
London, United Kingdom
Community Center Profile
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How does you day usually start? (ie. what time do you usually wake up...)
I’ve always been a bit of a night owl, so I don’t get up very early unless I really must. The first thing I do is feed the cats whilst making coffee and checking both my work emails and Airbnb messages. Multi-tasking is key!
Can you give us a brief overview of what your day looks like?
My job as a magazine editor is so varied. On any given day I could be working on a photo shoot, interviewing a celebrity, attending a fashion show or film screening or even travelling to international events. That all sounds very glamorous, but a lot of my time is spent in front of the laptop responding to emails, editing and proof reading and organising other people. Luckily, I can do most of this from home, so I can juggle it with hosting, otherwise I don’t think I would be able to manage. As I have three very popular Airbnb rooms in my house, I have guests checking in and out several days a week. Ideally, I like to say goodbye to them if I can. Once they’ve checked out, I’ll get cracking with cleaning and preparing for the next guest. I don’t have a written pre-check-in list. I’ve done it so many times now, I just go on auto-pilot.
Preparing and cleaning your listing. Where do you start and what key areas do you focus on?
I have a big house and can’t clean it top to bottom every day, so it’s important to prioritise. As the bedroom absolutely MUST be ready on time, that’s where I start, followed by the bathrooms and the kitchen. These must be sparkling, and I’m obsessed with streak free shower screens. I have a cleaner come once a week to do the communal areas, but I always do the guest bedrooms myself as I want them ‘just so’. The bed is the most important feature in the room, so I try to make it look as inviting as possible with nice (ironed) linens, throws and cushions. Every surface will get dusted/polished and the floors vacuumed and mopped, including under the bed and any other furniture. When I have a bit of extra time, I’ll add in jobs like cleaning the windows, skirting or insides of cupboards. The finishing touches are important like customising the ‘welcome’ chalkboard with the guest’s name, updating the magazines and tourist leaflets and leaving a carafe of fresh water with some glasses.
Do you have a top cleaning/hosting tip?
Always clean under the bed (and other furniture) every time, otherwise you don’t know what you might miss. One used ear bud or pair of dirty knickers is enough to make a very bad impression!
When do you have lunch? What's on the menu? 🙂
I’m afraid I often skip lunch, but if I have time, I’ll have something quick and nutritious, like avocado toast. I like Nigella Lawson’s ‘recipe’ where you mash up the avocado with chilli, ginger, lime juice, seasoning and fresh dill.
What time do your guests usually check-in? How do you welcome your guests and make them feel at home?
My check in time is between 3 and 9pm, but the most popular time is between 3 and 4pm. I get guests to set down their bags and start with the kitchen/diner so that I can offer them a drink. They often meet at least one of my three cats at this point, which is always an ice breaker as my kitties are very guest friendly. I try to give guests a detailed tour, so they know where to find everything they need. It’s important to play it by ear though. Some guests are in a rush and others will arrive exhausted and jet-lagged, so then I’ll do a quicker version.
What is the favourite and hardest part of your day?
Knowing the new arrival is really delighted is always a high but, just finishing the guest room is also very satisfying. I love it when I look around, know everything looks perfect, and can close the door until the guest arrives. The hard part is when guests go AWOL, not showing up at the agreed time and not answering messages. It happens more often than it should. I’m a busy person, so waiting around for someone for hours is painful. I feel my life ebbing away!
How do you relax at the end of a busy day?
My cats are called Pinot, Grigio and Merlot, so that might give you an idea of how much I like a glass of wine! I often pour one to mark the end of the working day. If I can do this catching up with some friends, even better. I’m always working on my house and making improvements and the evenings are often the only time I can fit this in. Although it doesn’t sound that relaxing, painting furniture or pottering around the garden can be very therapeutic. I could never spend my whole evening in front of the television.
A huge thank you to Huma, for being the first person to be part of a Day in the life. It is wonderful to hear about all the different things you have to juggle with being a host and your day job – I don't know how you fit everything in.
I'm sure Huma would be love to hear your comments and questions, so please do share you thoughts below. Plus, if you are keen on having more Day in the life of host topics, it would be great to hear from you.
Thanks,
Lizzie
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Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.
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