Host Feedback - What do you provide your guests in terms of snacks, juice, milk, etc??

[Daniela1586]

Hello Fellow Hosts - 

I am relatively new at this and honestly getting a bit exhausted shopping for my guests on a regular basis and thinking about stopping.  Each time a guest checks-in, I provide the following:

English muffins, granola bars, oatmeal, popcorn, coffee, tea, honey, almond milk, yogurt, eggs (only a few), OJ, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and fresh flowers, bottle of wine, or beer.  And the obvious - toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins.   Not only that but I live here so it's a fully stocked kitchen, which some guests totally help themselves.  Some of my reviews mentioned in private notes that they appreciate all that I do but rarely do they mention it in public reviews.   Honestly, this is exhausting to make sure that I have all this ready for them.    

I know the AirBnB's I have stayed at do not provide any of these.  One host provided fresh flowers and nuts, which was very nice.  However, the others - nothing.

Can I get feedback on what some of you provide?  I'm thinking about scaling back so just checking before I do.  

Thank you in advance!

[Sarah977]

@Daniela1586  I think it has a lot to do with the price you are charging. I host a private room/private bath for one guest only in my home where I live. Guests have full kitchen use. My nightly fee is budget priced for the area and I'd like to keep it that way- it attracts lovely guests , most of whom are experienced travelers who understand the concept of home-sharing (I know there's a lot of "low prices bring low quality guests", but that hasn't been my experience at all- I think it very much depends on your location and why people are coming and what type of guests you market towards).

The only thing I provide in the way of food is coffee and tea and all the fixings for that, and salt and pepper and oil for cooking.   If a guest has just come off a long flight or bus ride, I'll ask them if they are hungry, and if so, make them a little snack so they don't have to go shopping right away. None of my guests has ever expected breakfast, or breakfast food, but my guests tend to be the types who actually read through the listing description and are aware of what is offered and what is not.

I do put a small bouquet of fresh flowers or foliage from my garden in their room before they first arrive, and for bathroom gear, I really only provide the basics- soap, towels and toilet paper. Also q-tips, cotton balls and earplugs There's also a basket in the bathroom of products guests leave behind- if they are at least half full, I clean them up with antibacterial wipes and point them out to guests, saying to avail themselves of anything in there if they need it, and I do notice those things get used. Right now there's shampoo, men's shaving foam, sunscreen, bath gel and a couple other things in that basket, but it's an ever revolving selection, depending on what is left behind. 

I did notice that a lot of your guests have mentioned all the food, the wine, etc, you left for them and really appreciated it, so if you decide not to do this anymore, you might have an issue with future guests expecting it- they are more likely to read the reviews than the amenities list :-(( If you change what you provide, I'd also make this clear in the first part of your listing description to avoid guests who assumed they'd get all that was mentioned in the reviews and re-iterate in a message at bookig time so there aren't any misunderstandings.

BTW, the photo of the cat on the kitchen table would be a deal breaker for me- I'm not allergic, and I have a cat myself, but cats on the kitchen counters and tables are a serious turn-off, IMO.

[Emilia42]

@Daniela1586 

That is a lot. I wouldn't do all that because I would feel exhausted too. Honestly, I would take each individual reservation and personalize something just for them. Some examples: if a guest tells you they are celebrating an anniversary, leave a vase of flowers with chocolates and a handwritten welcome/anniversary note. If a family comes with kids, get each kid their own coloring book ($1 from the dollar store) and a plate of cookies with a handwritten welcome note that says there is milk in the fridge. etc. etc. etc.

I think guests really feel the sense of great hospitality when they think you have done something specifically for them, regardless of how simple or inexpensive it is.

[Lisa723]

@Daniela1586 I used to do this, and stopped. It took too much time, and resulted in quite a bit of wasted food; and charging enough to make it cost-effective wasn't feasible. In short, return on investment wasn't there. Now I just supply coffee/tea/etc. and in my pre-check-in message I offer to stock breakfast groceries at cost if the guest sends a list. Very rarely one does, but this way it's clear what they can expect.

[Lawrene0]

@Daniela1586 , the good thing here is that your guests have not mentioned the extras in the public review. That means when you give up giving them the world, no one will point to a previous review and say, "but we should have got popcorn and stuff".

I have ticked that I provide breakfast, and I do. It is exactly what I can handle, however, nothing more. Like you, I have found very few "treats" at the places I have stayed as a guest, and that's perfectly fine. I didn't book to get granola bars. 

[Sarah977]

Of the 28 reviews @Daniela1586 has, I counted 8 that do specifically mention the food that was provided, and the wine. So people are noticing and appreciative and if future guests read those reviews, they might expect the same, which is why I suggested she make it really clear if she decides to scale back. I do agree, there's no need to provide that much, and it can lead guests to expect that level of amenities in future Airbnbs and be less than satisfied if they don't get it.

[Lawrene0]

Ah, I didn't do the extra research, @Sarah977 . Took rarely to mean once or twice. So yes, @Daniela1586 , when there is a big change in offerings, and it has been mentioned in the reviews, you will have to be clear about it. 

In my case, I offer a waffles-and-fruit breakfast if I am home. It is heat-it-yourself instant oatmeal otherwise. I have to be clear, because I do have a string of reviews that rave about the waffles, and I am away a lot these days. So far so good. No one has demanded their right to a waffle. 

[Stephen-and-Adam0]

@Daniela1586 

You really are making great effort as a host but I think you could scale back somewhat as guests don't tend to appreciate it as much as you expect. 

We have experimented with various additions in the past including wine, crisps (chips) and chocolate but the most appreciated items have been some breakfast basics (bread, eggs, ham, cheese, butter and milk) in the fridge along with plenty of tea and coffee supplies.  We receive many early morning arrivals from overnight trans-Atlantic flights and this amenity always goes down well. 

I would suggest you scale back to just one concept - either some breakfast basics or an arrival surprise of a bottle of wine and some nuts or cheese.  This will be more than enough.

If you wish to address the issue of previous reviews mentioning all the extras (and that unfair negative review in February plus your lengthy response),  you may consider closing the existing listing and opening a fresh one.  I would also agree with @Sarah977  to drop the cat photo as it will put off more people than attract. 

But, overall,  welome to the wonderful world of hosting, you have the right energy and drive to hit Superhost in no time 🙂  

[Linda-And-Richard0]

@Daniela1586  Our Airbnb property is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with a large, well equipped kitchen.  A grocery store is less than one mile from the property.   The listing states we do not provide meals.  We do provide bottled water,  coffee, tea, cream & sugar and mix for hot chocolate.  Also a bottle of wine, chocolates, microwave popcorn and granola bars.  I always place fresh flowers on the kitchen table.   If guests are arriving late in the evening, a plate of fruit and cheese will be in the fridge.   Each bathroom has a fresh bar of bath soap, hand soap, make up remover wipes and assorted shampoo and conditioner.   Guests seems to like and appreciate the unexpected extras.

[Daniela1586]

@Linda-And-Richard0 You provide your guests with quite a bit as well, which is a lot of work.  Thank you for the update.  

[Linda-And-Richard0]

We provide the items that we would like to have made available to us when we were booking the place.  Better to understate and then surprise your guest by over delivering.   We have the advantage of living next door to our Airbnb listing so I just keep a supply of these items on hand.

[Helen3]

How much are you spending on these items @Daniela1586  and how is that affecting your profit margins (taking into account the time it takes you to purchase these items).

So for example if you charge £200 per night and say £100 of that is gross profit, but then you spend £30 on food items £3 on petrol and £20 on your time then your net profit is actually £47 a night.  Would that then be worth it for a one night stay.

[Daniela1586]

@Helen3   Honestly, spending too much especially during the slow season when my prices don't demand a higher rate.  So yes, it does affect my overall profit margin.  During peak times, it's not that big of a hit.  You bring up a valid point.  I've made the decision to scale back but not completely.  I will scale back slowly and try to personalize where I can.  The Dollar Store has become my best friend for what I can purchase there.  Thank you.

[Helen3]

Unless you have an incredibly high end property @Daniela1586  some flowers from the garden, basic starter provisions such as milk, tea and coffee, sugar, oil, salt and pepper and something made locally is all you need. Get rid of all the rest. If you did so, how much would that save you?