How do you handle directions to your listing?

[Lori138]

Hello,

I am a newby Airbnb host. Just started in October 2017 and things are taking off.  I have a question and also some things that I have tried.  My question is how to efficiently direct my guests to my home from the Interstate.  I am about 10 miles out in the country.  Currently I send it all in a lengthy chat message.  But because my address is difficult for people to find by GPS  (W7445 County Road G) the county road part is tricky in GPS, I like to send them directions as well.     I have put directions up on my Airbnb listing, but most are not downloading the airbnb app and only rely on GPS.

Most people have found it perfectly, but this week I had a young couple from Chicago that did not speak the best of english.  We communicated well, but he kept getting lost because his GPS did not work where I live.  He called me two times asking for my address and directions from the ski hill and then from a restaurant in town.   I'm trying to minimize any issues coming up and be proactive.

One thing I've done is try to add my business name (Pine Grove Hideaway) to google maps, so hopefully it will appear eventually for those using GPS.    I've also printed out maps to leave in the unit to take with them with my place highlighted.

Another option I found that worked very nicely for directions from the ski hill was to use mapquest (I know, older out-dated) but it has a share feature that allows me to text message the directions.  So, I'm using that when needed.   My problem there is I haven't found a way to mapquest from an exit on the interstate.   Google maps does not have a sharing feature like this that I know of.

Any ideas or suggestions of how to simplify this process is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Lori

[Linda108]

You mention using text to communicate, @Lori138 so I would caution that all your communication be on the Air BNB messaging system.  I realize that sometimes the guest does not have access to Air BNB using their device, but be sure to keep a summary of your efforts to assist a guest on the Air BNB messaging system.  It is a good "defensive driving" strategy that you may need later if seeking Air BNB assistance.

With that said, using the Air BNB messaging system, send the instructions in a message confirming the ETA.  Confirm that GPS is not sufficient.  At least you tried , but there are those that will not be helped by anything you do.  Actually, I found that Google maps sent me to the wrong address in a major California city in spite of my entering the correct address.  Finally I called the host because I was so frustrated and he guided me to his place while on the phone.  It can happen to the best of us. 😛

[Lori138]

Hi Linda,

Yes, I do use the AirBnB messaging app as much as possible.  It is only when the guest starts texting me or calling me that I realize they are not using it.  I did put maps on the listing of the two ski hills in the areas and where my unit is (without disclosing the address).  So hopefully, that will help as well.

Thank you for your input.

Lori

[Sarah977]

My place is also difficult to find- out in the boonies down a dirt road with other dirt roads leading off of it. Can't be located through GPS, although I wasted half an hour on the phone with the airbnb rep who just refused to accept that my guests would not be able to find it with GPS co-ordinates. Not to mention that would assume that the guest actually had cell phone reception, which many of mine don't, as I am in Mexico and they have phones from other places that may not be working here.

So, I have a hand drawn map ( if you're not good at that sort of thing, maybe you have an artistic friend who can help), which has all the landmarks, etc. which I attach to an email to my guests. It doesn't have to be all to proper scale, just show them the route from an appropriate place and landmarks, with your house drawn in. All my guests have said it was invaluable, that they certainly would have gotten lost without it. There is no way to attach such a thing to an airbnb message (that would be a nice feature), hence doing it by email. I also do a written explanation in the email.