First Time Guest

[Lizzie23]

Hey all. Can anyone give some advice on how to manage a first time guests' expectations? I spent a lot of time creating a thorough guidebook about our local area but he constantly asks questions about where to go for food or what to do in his spare time. I'm trying to be as accommodating as possible but I'm worried that I'm not meeting his expectations about what an Airbnb host should be providing.

Thanks,

Lizzie

[Steve143]

Hello @Lizzie23,

One way to be helpful is to point out where guests can find out more information for themselves.

I leave a selection of brochures and flyers from the tourist office in the room.

Things like the main sights, bus & train timetables, adventures like cycling & kayaking tours etc., restaurant lists, walking tours.

Another source of brochures in a nearby hotel's reception display.

When they arrive I ask them to bring down the tourist map of the city that's in their room and I spend five minutes pointing out the main sights and local restaurants and I say that a good thing to do is just walk around and explore for themselves as they can discover unexpected things that way. This pushes them a little to be independent.

The idea for me is to be helpful but to have it that most of it is done soon after arrival by pointing to sources of information, the teach a guy to fish outlook rather than giving him a fish every day.

If they decide on something and ask my opinion as a local then no problem, I'll give them a local's perspective.

I then say to make sure to bring the key when they go out as I'll be coming and going at irregular times. This is to help give them the idea that I won't be around always, even if I am.

If someone gets a bit too clingy I reiterate that a good way to see a place is to just walk around as everone's experience of a city is different and I can't say what they might prefer. I suggest a visit to the tourist office.

Steve.

[Lyndsey2]

In general, I just deal with the fact that this is the personality of some guests. If it gets really bad, sometimes politely delaying your answer and pointing out other resources can nudge them in the right direction. i.e. "Sorry, stuck in a meeting outside and can't really see my screen. Hopefully the guide I left you can be of help for now and I will get back to you as soon as I am able."

After the stay, you might mention something in your review to the effect of, "X was very eager to get lots of local recommendations throughout his stay." Or put in the private note that while you enjoyed helping him to learn about your city, other hosts may not be as hands-on and he might be interested to know that there is a section on each listing where the host can specify how much interaction they want with the guests. He could utilize that to find hosts who best fit his style.

[Ali40]

I leave a pretty extensive pribted guide in the apartment for guests, along with a local weekly newspaper that is filled with events, restaurants etc in the area. I'm renting guests a place to stay and I'm not a tour guide or a hotel concierge. I also assume that guests who book the apartment are coming to the area for a specific purpose, so have a plan in place.  

[Todd-and-Reese0]

Hahaha. This never ends. Get used to it. I have done everything everyone else mentioned and more. Is it a room in your home or an entire place? Ours is a room in our home. We jump through hoops to make sure I can be here to greet the guests personally and give them a quick tour of our home and answer any questions and give recommendations right there. Then we usually have peace the rest of their stay. But seriously, the vast majority of guests do not read anything in the listing! It's so sad. Many hosts spend so much time curating an awesome listing full of all the info and we just repeat ourselves like broken records.

[Lizzie23]

@Todd-and-Reese0 it's a room in our home so I think that's why I'm finding it hard to deal with. And I did exactly that, spend hours creating what I thought was a kick ass guidebook to have him completely ignore it. I'm clearly too naive! Thanks for the tips

[David126]

Not sure where in Lond you are @Lizzie23 but that seems very odd and I seriously doubt has much to do with not being able to find anywhere to eat or visit.

Probably lonely.

[Ali40]

I rent out the terrace level 1 bedroom apartment in my house. I live in the space above and everything is completely separated. Most of the time I never meet the guests in person unless I run in to them outside in the driveway. But guests have their own parking area and entrance on the opposite side of the house. I get mostly young couples looking for a romantic getaway in wine country, so meeting me is not a priority for them. 

[Maritza-and-Ernesto0]

Go to the local chamber and pick up list of restaurants. Depending on the location, some chambers have better literature. Let the guest explore, don't have to feed them with every bit of information!