Guide for Guests - How to be a 5 star Guest - Is this needed?

[Sharon1014]

Any suggestions fellow hosts?  I'm thinking a short, sharp dot point guide on how to be a good guest earning 5 star reviews, sent out with the booking confirmation notice?

1.  Arrive and leave at the designated check-in and check-out times, unless pre-arranged.

2.  Read the house manual and the details on the listing before you arrive.  Keep your expectations accurate and realistic.

3.  Message your host immediately if you notice any problems at the property, don't leave it until after check-out.

4.  Don't expect or ask your hosts to provide more than what is stated in the listing.   If you want or need special things, please organise that yourselves.

5.  Don't invite excess people to the property.  Disclose the exact number of people you expect to stay.  Honesty goes a long way.

6.  Don't bring your pet along to a "no pets" listing.  It takes 3 times the amount of cleaning to remove pet fur.  There are properties that do cater for pets so please use them instead. 

7. Tidy up before you leave - hosts appreciate this so much.

8.  Be fair and reasonable in your review.  Hosts will be delighted to also do the same for you.

[Susan1188]

Yes it takes hours and hours!  Signs, messages, youtube videos to send them when they ask question x,y,z; webgraphics to put in your photos...

Every time I have an issue I try to improve the communication and/or streamline the issue.  Like for the hot tub towels - that sounds too complicated for people on vacation - maybe get all white same towels?  And for banging the drawer with the cast iron thing - don't leave the cast iron pot?  Hide it away and replace with something else?

I figure if one guest does it once, that's his bad.  If several guests do it several times, that's my bad.  It takes constant work, tweaking repairing, investment, to get it right.

Have you looked at the telephone-app guidebooks I'm just starting out with one called Touchstay.
I think it might be a great solution, others are called Your Porter or Hostfully, etc..

It's fun, easy to click through, searchable, and you can put photos and videos with explanations.
I'm hoping since it's pretty fun to look at people will read it more it seems to be working.

[Susan1188]

Guests should no longer be allowed to instant book, if they have cancelled a reservation (just like hosts).

[Ocean50]

The amount of hosts think this craps is a good idea boggles my mind. What kind of first world problem is this? Yes please start messaging these so call how to earn 5* craps to your new guests, and see how fast your booking got cancelled. 

If you message me these as a guest, I would report it straight away to airbnb with the reason "this host  is abusing the rating system and make it uncomfortable to stay", easiest fully refund of my life. 

Sure 1 out of 10 guests is bad guest and you guys make it sounds like a big deal. Let starting teaching all guests (normal adults) how to behaved. 

[Kathleen645]

Im not sure if this is the best idea.  I feel like some guests could get offended by this.  I have been hosting for a while and barely have any problems, most guests have common sense and are very respectful of the place.  Also make sure you are honest when reviewing them after, this will help the whole airbnb community.