Straw poll - do hosts usually show guests around the accommodation or not?

[Michelle161]

The reason I ask is because I often get perplexed looks from guests when I do so I wondered whether it's unusual? Our apartment is self contained so not shared, etc.  I'm as brief as possible because travelling is tiring. TIA.

[Robin4]

@Michelle161

I always show guests around the space. It is part of the theatre of hosting!

There are some things in the listing that guests would not normally expect or receive, so I take great pride in being a show-off and showing them how to make the bed go up and down and how it provides a nice vibration massage...how to record themselves on ultra 4K to take with them, where the cheese plate, the crackers, cashews, almonds and the rest of the stuff all reside.

It sort of proves to me that none of them have actually read the description...it's in the general area they are after, they just look at a few reviews and decide to book. They all seem to show genuine surprise when I make these things happen and yet what is offered is clearly described in the listing description.

I can't say the guests find it an intrusion, at least none of them seem to look bored....or maybe I am not seeing the tell-tale signs.

I would feel I was letting them down if I just allowed a guest to enter without making my presence felt!

Cheers.....Rob

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Michelle161

I think it would depend on guest expectations - if the guests are aware that even if it is a private home listing the host likes to greet guests upon arrival and do a quick check-in tour I doubt there will be any confusion. 

Some people just feel awkward (Henry) so they prefer self check in places with minimal communication and contact with hosts while others (me) like a quick check-in tour to meet the host. We've experienced both as guests and as hosts we always meet and greet our guests in person and do a really quick tour since ours is a private room/shared house listing.

[Kathie21]

Absolutely, because there are things I need to tell them.  We are not on mains drainage so only paper down the toilet, no wipes etc, and no coffee grounds down the sink.  Don't fill your water bottles from the outside taps because it's untreated well water.  If you use any of the extra bedding, leave it out when you go so I know it needs washing.   Don't feed or pick up the chickens, or let them out.  Etc.  Stuff that they would know if they read the house manual, but....

[Alex939]

@Michelle161 

It would depend of the guests and the state they are in. Some guests arrive tired and I don't waiste their time showing where the kitchen, or dining room, or living room is. However I ask all of my guests what kind of help could I provide for them: advice for the city sightseeing, apartment's exploratory tour,  archeology tour, restaurants, transportation etc. I would continue according to their desire and state. Some of them are curious and would ask me to show them how the coffee maker  works, how to put the dryer, aircon or tv on, where the clothlines are etc. The other type doesn't need a lot of explanation so I would leave very soon. 

So this is a two-way dynamic process and I try to read the signs in order to decide how far to go and where to get.

[Michelle-And-Michael0]

Where we can, we like to meet and greet our guests!

Our space is only small and also self contained, but there's a few things that we like to point out..... because some things just aren't obvious to guests for some reason! 

We had a guest once suggest upon leaving a review, that we should have an extra throw for the Queen size bed, as her friend that was in the single bed had one, but she didn't! If she had only looked on the open shelves in the single bedroom, there were 3 more to choose from! Seriously!!!

[Kendall-and-Derek0]

We do like to give a quick tour if we are home. The common areas, the shelf in the fridge where breakfast items are, the spaces to place their own foods.. and upstairs a quick step thru the room onto the balcony..... 

If we are not home then once we meet, I show them around the kitchen... 

and we ask if they have any questions... 

You can tell if people want to just relax or are social.. 

[J-Renato0]

@Michelle161

I offer entire space. Minimum stay, usually 4 four night.

I or some cohost always show the apartment to the guest, but briefly as it can be. If the guest loves talking and asking questions about the city and attractions, it takes more time. 

Few guests appears to be bored. The majority of guests ask questions about many things and usually are interested in what I have to say about the property and about basic advices. Anyway, I say the essential, meaning, based on what I have learned from my experience with lots of previeous guests.

[Ria16]

Yup I do most of the time even if it’s just a five minute whizz through . But I live on site so it’s not hard to coordinate 

[Inna22]

I never show it and feel incredibly awkward if I am still there when guests arrive, like I am intruding on their space and their privacy. But I also would not want to be shown around as guest either. If they have an issue that requires my in person visit I always try to make it when they are not there (but ask if that’s ok in advance). I feel like our lives get busier and busier and time off is such luxury so guests want to get on with their vacation not spend time polite chatting with me. Having said all that, it is totally my personality plus my place is really straight forward and there is absolute validity to doing it differently

[Barry-and-Lera0]

@Michelle161: No we do not. Our guests receive a keycode so they can arrive at any time. We have a "house manual" in the guesthouse that has all the information they would need while staying. I find people would prefer to be left alone when arriving on the property (especially after driving a long distance).  

[Michelle161]

Thanks to everyone for replying, you've reassured me so I think I'll continue to show guests around. People are fickle but as they say in Yorkshire, there's nowt so queer as folk! Have a good day/night everyone.