Super Host Status -- What are your tricks for keeping it?

[Lia---Garry0]

OK, we're now in the evaluation period for the next determination of Super Host status, so it seems a good time to ask: "What have you done to earn or keep your Super Host status?"

Care to share your secrets? (This thread could be like the one on things hosts often forget -- useful and goes on forever!)

I've been hosting for two years (2 - 3 rooms in the home where I live) and been a Super Host for 18 months.  It is hard work to keep those ratings up high ... I'd like to work smarter, not harder.... so all your suggestions are welcome 🙂

Here are two from me to get the ball rolling --

1. Everything has to be spotlessly clean and I keep doing touch ups daily (that's why I feel I work physically hard at this -- LOL)

2. I try to provide lots of little treats -- candy, cookies, breakfast yummies.

OK, fellow hosts world wide, what are some good ideas to make us all better Super Hosts?

[Jana0]

Hi Lia + Garry, sorry for my ignorance, I am relatively new to Airbnb, hosted only 8 guests so far. I have been looking everywhere but not able to find what is the actual advantage of being superhost? There is lots of information how to become one, but not what difference is of  between being one versus not. As it seems you really enjoy being super host and od not want to lose the status, can you please shed some light on this? Much much appreciated.

Jana

[Ed-and-Hugh0]

The benefits are listed at https://www.airbnb.com/help/topic/271/superhost

Lots of other good information in the help area as well.

[Marit-Anne0]

A superhost gets consistently high ratings - for a potential guest this ensures a certain quality level and can boost your bookings. I try to offer what I myself would have liked to have in a holiday rental. 

Here is what I do (others may have a different approach).

1. Keep the place very clean. Wash the sofa covers, the duvets and pillow protectors regularly. 

2. Keep a very high response rate. I have push notifications on my phone and keep it with me day and night.

3. Offer good value for money.

4. Offer flexible check-in and check-out.

5. Leave plenty of staples in the kithchen.

6. Good quality essentials in the bathroom.   

7. Leave guide books and tourist info for the guests.

8. Keep a high communication level, but not over the top.

9. Ensure the description is accurate. What you see is what you get.

[Clare0]

Hi @Lia---Garry0, @Marit-Anne0, @Jana0, Many veteran hosts I know don't get too wrapped up in Super Host status.  I've seen tons of listings where people have 100+ reviews with 4.5-5* but are not Super Hosts.  They are laughing all the way to the bank.  One long time host I know asked a guest if they knew what SH meant.  The answer was that he assumed the SH host just had a lot of bookings.  Consistently good reviews are what most guests look for when deciding to book. 

One of my biggest concerns with SH status (getting it and keeping it) is that it puts hosts in a mind set to become a doormat in order to avoid a bad review and might make a decision that is not in their best business interest to do. For example, approving a guest's reservation when they are not comfortable with the guest. 

The only advantage of being a Super Host I can see is that guests can filter their searches to include only Super Hosts. And, yes, your search placement in general is better if you are a Super Host.  

Getting Super Host status is a nice pat on the back from Airbnb, but if you don't get it don't be overly depressed. Just continue to be a good host and enjoy the ride.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Clare0  You do have a point.  I have probably been superhost all the time but for the fact that I once had to cancel a reservation because I was not comfortable with the guests.  Contact with airbnb on the matter was a horrible experience bordering on threatening (long story), so I promised myself never to contact them again. 

Now that I do have superhost status, I cannot see that it makes much difference.  Bookings are ticking in, but so they did before SH status.

[Clare0]

@Marit-Anne0 exactly right.  If you peruse the contents of this forum you'll see lots of folks stressing out about SH status, including being concerned about the assessment period.  People need to chill out!

[Michelle0]

I would agree here. As a host for years, and founder of Cityami, a home sharing concierge service, I've seen everything. You can't predict how happy a guest will be, and I've watched many hosts wittle away at their profit margins by offering breakfast, daily cleaning and laundry, wine, snacks, etc. only to have a guest *livid* that they found a cockroach outside the door to the building.. resulting in a terrible review as to the cleanliness and safety of the building. What does work is warmly welcoming guests to your home just as you would your own family, making sure you're available (or hiring a service like ours to be available for you), and not hovering over their shoulders. Also, it helps to set expecations in advance by noting any house rules on your listing. This way you and your guest both know what to expect.

Happy hosting!

[Eirena0]

Clare you are so right!!  To maintain superhost status, many hosts become doormats.  Remember this is a business and offering breakfast, flowers, chocolates etc deplete your profits.  (I dont even get that on a date these days but thats for another forum, haha)  The definition of a successful Airbnb business is the profit you walk away with at the end and if you meet terrific people along the way that is a bonus.

[Clare0]

@Eirena0 thanks for the nod.  I fear we are going to get another rash of SH questions as the next assessment date is April 1.  Surprised they haven't started already. 

[Dieneke0]

Just to add to the debate. I have been now a superhost for 3 months and I will most likely continue this as my score is over 80, about 85 at the moment.

I rent out a small room in Stoke Newington, London. Not on the tube, but a bus stop in front of the house. My main problem has  been that people don't know what to compare me with and when to score a 5. So I have to explain that if they feel they got what was in the listing that would be a 5. I do tell them before they book that the room is small and not on the tube.

I still find that it is not easy as the way people score often reflects their mood. My flat is a period flat, so not easy to clean either.

I do breakfasts, but generally nothing else outside of what is in my listing. So for me it is all about managing expectations, and value for money...

My current guests actually searched for superhosts, which is how they found me. 

[Leslie0]

Never cancel a booking. Let guests check themselves in or have someone cover for you if you aren't going to be there. As a corollary, only accept bookings 3 months in advance.  Price your listing reasonably for your area. I keep my place meticulously clean. If you aren't up to doing so, hire a reliable, professional housekeeper. After all the guest pays a housekeeping fee. I also don't have any of my personal items in the space where my guests stay. It's furnished comfortably and stylishly, but not cluttered. I tend toward minimalism.  Finally always try to meet your guests and give them an orientation, then leave them to do whatever they came for without interference. I show my guests how to check themselves out and let them know i'm availavble by text if they need me, and even though I'm right there on the property, they likely won't see me again. Finally, as someone else said earlier in the thread, you don't need to be a superhost to be successful and fully booked on Airbnb, so best not to stress out about it if you are otherwise doing well.

[Ireen0]

Guys... I agree with a lot hosts that this not a beauty contest... it is nice to be elected miss World or Superhost.... but in reality what matters is the amount of bookings and revenue. I found that cleaning up my listing: better pics, clear and factual description of what is offered and what not.... has increased my occupancy levels considerably.

And yep: I work very hard using multiple booking sites to avoid cancellations, my place is clean, spacious and in a great location: Amsterdam city center. Now your guess: what is costing me points? Being in the city center... because: traffic noises and occasionally some noisy toerists coming home late (haha). Can you believe it?! I've decided NOT to worry about the SH status but try to enjoy hosting my guests and help them having a good time out here. It seems to work!

[Jim-and-Caroline0]

Hi, jim here from Sweden - I suggest it is important to manage expectation on your listing. Do not let the expectations exceed the experience.Provide a memorable stay by creating genuine experience and remember to put yourself in the guest shoes. Keep in mind the little thing for example lighting and athmosphere. No clutter and complications. Keep things simple and be respectful as a host and be understanding to others. If you are getting tetchy it´s time you treated yourself and became a guest 🙂