This is part of the CC Festival of hospitality, original topic created in the Spanish speaking Community Center, by @Antonio Luis1 and translated below.
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A beachfront location is a great advantage when renting a property in Airbnb. Surely this is the reason why many guests have chosen our listing and it is our obligation as hosts to offer them all the comforts we can afford and the best information possible.
In my experience managing a beachfront apartment for two in Malaga, southern Spain, these are some of the points I would advise you to keep in mind for your hosts.
Accessories and tips for the beach
Even before we ask our guests what kind of trip they expect, we already know something about them; they want to go to the beach. If they weren't interested in the beach, they could have chosen another property for a lower price. That's our chance to make sure that this part of their experience, spending the day at the beach, is excellent.
As locals, we know the beach well and are able to give you all the information, such as what are the best parts? What are our favourite restaurants and what do we usually ask for? Do we have to reserve a table? Is there a better time than another to visit? Is there any safety information? Are there sun loungers for rent? Are there water activities? All of our experience can be condensed into a few very valuable tips.
Nor can we forget all the accessories that can make your visit to the beach more comfortable, fun and enjoyable. I leave these compliments at the disposal of the guests:
- Beach towels: Beach towels take up quite a lot. If we make our guests bring theirs, they will lose space in the suitcase. What's worse, if we don't provide them with beach towels, they might use the house towels.
- Beach chairs: Hammocks can be rented on many beaches, but they have an additional cost. Having your own beach chairs will save guests money and they will be able to place them wherever they want.
- Umbrella: The shade of a parasol is much appreciated in the hours of intense sunshine. A good umbrella with UV protection will not cost us too much and will suppose a clear improvement.
- Snorkel kit: Most guests will not be divers, but they will undoubtedly have a good time with goggles and a tube watching fish. In addition, there are diving masks that cover the entire face and are comfortable and easy to use.
- Beach Games: If a sport is being played on your beach, it will make your guests feel like they play the same game as the locals. In my case, I'll leave them some bats, a frisbee, petanque and other throwing games.
- Picnic Set: Preparing something to eat for the day at the beach is a great option, and to make it easier it's a good idea to leave them the same thing you would use for a picnic at the beach or in the park: a tablecloth, the right cutlery and plates, airtight food containers or a refrigerated bag to keep drinks cold.
Air conditioning and electricity consumption
Good air conditioning is important for a good stay. If with fans you can get a pleasant air temperature, perfect! But you will likely need the support of an air conditioning system. Unfortunately, some guests are not too aware of the high electricity consumption that these appliances can have and the effect it has on the electricity bill. The following has worked well for me:
- Install an exclusive electricity meter for air conditioning. This will provide information on how much air conditioning is used. We use this data when establishing our prices and pass on the cost.
- That the machine is energy efficient and has a high rating as A++.
- Ask them to use it responsibly. I tell them to use it as long as they need it, but turn it off when they leave home and make sure their windows are closed.
If the electricity consumption is still disproportionate, there are some systems to disconnect the machine when no presence is detected in the space or the door of the house opens and prevents them from leaving it connected when leaving.
Cleaning and insects
Sand
It is normal for guests to bring sand from the beach. Leaving them the necessary cleaning items will make them more comfortable and it will take us less time to make the space perfect for our next guest. Usually, a broom, a dustpan and a mop will be enough; but if you have the necessary space and the rates allow it, leaving them a robot vacuum cleaner is a perfect solution.
In any case, it is essential that in the cleaning period between guests we check that everything is perfect and without a grain of sand. In order to make the task easier for you and to ensure that the state of the space is as good as possible, it is advisable to have hard and resistant floors that do not deteriorate with water or sand.
Tanning stains
It's also normal for guests to stain your sheets, towels, sofas, cushions or bedspreads with uncomfortable oily sunscreen stains. You'll have to assume it’s part of the job, and have spares for all the textile pieces such as cushions or sofa covers.
Insects
Hot and humid climates are wonderful for insects and can be very annoying for travelers. Each destination will have its own: here we have ants and mosquitoes. In another place they will be cockroaches, spiders or snakes. It is important to take all necessary measures to prevent insects from being a negative point in the experience:
- Checking entry points, such as cracks, and maintaining good cleanliness is essential. It is very convenient to warn guests of this and ask them not to leave food traces that may attract insects, as well as to warn them to use mosquito nets or mosquito repellents if they are not available.
- It is necessary to be very careful with the use of pest control, as much for the risks to health as well as for the environmental impact, and for that reason it’s always necessary to use products for domestic use and to respect the times of when you apply it. If the problem gets out of hand, it will be necessary to call a professional pest control company.
- Even if some of these nuisances may take place outside our property, it is also advisable to inform guests. For example, in 2018 there were many jellyfish in Malaga and it was necessary to warn them to be attentive and how to act if they were stung by one.
Climate expectations. Ready for bad weather
At the beach destinations our guests expect a good climate. It is normal that expectations are met and that all guests are satisfied. However, it can also happen that some of them have bad luck and the weather is horrible, so you have to be well prepared and have alternatives to offer them if they are going to spend more time at home.
Here's what I do:
- Leave them books, travel guides, board games like chess, cards, dice or dominoes.
- Have a big enough TV with Smart-TV and international channels.
- Have on hand interesting plans to make when it rains and send these recommendations to your guests if you see that the weather forecast is bad.
For example suggest museums, exhibitions, cinemas in original version, live music shows, restaurants or guided tours. Sometimes, these days when the guest’s plans to visit the more touristic options of the city are broken they can connect much more with the culture of the area.
Special events: informing in advance
As locals of the city we know which are the most important dates in which the functioning of the city changes. This is usually the case in summer, with local festivals or popular verbenas.
If the reservation of our guests coincides with one of these dates, it will be very useful that we let them know what is going to happen and when. Giving them this information ahead of time will help them plan their trip better. For example, if we know that on certain dates there will be many streets cut off, it will be better not to rent a car and use public transport.
Informing them about holidays will also help. If the usual supermarket is closed on the day of our guests' arrival because it is a holiday, we can recommend a convenience store that is open. Likewise, if we know that they have an idea to visit museums, it will be convenient for us to find out which ones are closed.
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