So last week I gave a free upgrade to a guest and his wife who booked a week long stay over a year ago. Instead of the 480 square foot studio, they got a 1580 square foot Cottage with ocean view deck and loft. And what happens? I get a long email telling me how amazing and fantastic the place is, what great hosts we are (this was NOT through Airbnb, but VRBO, by the way); BUT, they can hear us talking at times when they are in the hall near the door to the breezeway that connects the Cottage to our residence. Nobody has mentioned this is an issue, ever, after over 150 stays. The email was written in such a way where I could tell he was hoping for a discount. It was rather disheartening, truth be told.
I wrote back and let him know how sad I was to hear that his free upgrade was resulting in his feeling that he was having a less than stellar stay and that I regretted that he and his wife were inconvenienced. by being given the entire Cottage. My solution? I told him that I would put a sound masker at the door that goes into the breezeway and I hoped the sound masker would not bother them overly much.
He wrote back real quick telling me that it was nothing to worry about at all, no problem, and I never heard from him again. They also left the Cottage in great shape when they checked out today, which I appreciated (e.g., no retaliatory behavior).
I admit, I did not turn on the magical, twinkling lights that wrap around the Cottage at night during their stay after getting this email. Just didn't feel like doing 'the extras' beyond the 'extras' I already give.
Yet another lesson in why not to over-give to guests. Most often it is not appreciated or even acknowledged, and can even set a host up to be further taken advantage of.
Good post, @Letti0, thanks!