How do you encourage guests to book again?

[Elisa]

Hello everyone 😊,
I hope you’re having a great week!

One of the best compliments a host can receive is a repeat booking. It means your space made a lasting impression, whether through thoughtful touches, great communication, or a seamless check-in. Encouraging repeat visits not only builds trust but can also reduce your marketing efforts in the long run.

How do you encourage guests to book again?

I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts!

Warm regards,
Elisa 🌻

 

[Guy991]

Hi @Elisa ,

To answer your question, since we opened, I honestly cannot count how many times guests have either returned or extended their stay, choosing our place again over other options. There is no real difference between a guest extending their stay and a guest returning. The difference is purely technical. The meaning is the same.

For example, a while ago we had guests who stayed for a week, then moved to another property. After just 24 hours, they cancelled that stay and rebooked with us.

Right now, we have a guest who has returned or extended for the seventh time in the past three months. They travel to other parts of the country for a few days and then come back. We also hosted a professor doing research who returned to the same suite every month. The list goes on.

Here is what a guest wrote to me yesterday as a thank you note:

[Elisa]

Hi @Guy991 😊, 

Thank you so much for your kind response.

This is a great achievement for you, well done! 😍

Do you have any tips you’d like to share here that make your guests feel so welcome that they extend their stay or book again?

[Tara0]

Hi @Elisa I agree completely that a repeat booking is the best compliment of all. So I think the greatest encouragement is to provide an amazing and perfect guest experience, so that they naturally want to return. I would never offer 'incentives'. I get a fair and increasing number of repeat guests, who are of course my very favourite guests, so it's happiness on both sides! I have a third time guest booked for February after he stayed for two weeks in June, he booked immediately after check-out. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Tara0 😊, 

Thank you for sharing this here!

That’s amazing, congratulations! 😍
Do you know why he’s coming back? What did he tell you about his stay at your listing?

[Tara0]

@Elisa Here's his last review: "Tara’s Cottage in Jericho, just a short walk from downtown Oxford, is an absolute delight. On a quiet street, it puts you within five minutes walk of great restaurants and bars and only a bit longer to the dead center of Oxford. The house is beautifully decorated and very functional. I love it so much because it feels like the charm of Oxford continues after getting home from a busy day. Every time I’ve stayed it has been sparkling clean, the bed and linens are super comfortable, and Tara has anticipated almost every need. This is a particularly excellent spot for visiting academics—a very comfortable desk as well as a nice efficient kitchen for cooking. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the charming walled garden in the rear that gives one access to some fresh air; though better yet, within a couple minutes on a run you can be out in the Oxford countryside by running the canal path to Port Meadows. Tara is a great host. She clearly cares about this property and her guests."

[Elisa]

Hi @Tara0 😊, 

Thank you so much for letting me know!

Wow, this is such a great review, and I now understand why guests love coming back and staying at your property.

Well done on all the hard work you’ve put into it! 😍

[Bernadette466]

Hey there @Elisa !

I totally get it—that's a question every host has asked themselves. Getting guests to come back is the ultimate compliment, and it’s about making them feel truly special.

Here’s what I’ve found works for me to turn a great stay into a repeat booking:

1. Make It Personal

I try to make every guest feel seen and appreciated. It's about showing them you're thinking of them.

I always put together a little welcome basket. It's a simple thing, but I make sure to include some snacks and put a bottle of water for each guest in the fridge. It’s a small detail, but it really makes a difference after a long drive and it shows them that you were thinking of them.

2. Go the Extra Mile with Amenities

Guests don't just remember what they saw; they remember how they felt. I've learned that anticipating their needs is a game-changer.

 I keep a small basket of emergency toiletries in the bathroom things like travel sized toothpaste and a disposable razor. It’s a lifesaver for a guest who forgot something, and it shows you've thought of everything.
I've found that investing in really soft sheets, plush towels, and cozy bathrobes makes guests feel like they're in a luxury hotel. They often mention these little touches in their reviews. It's also why I pay such close attention to the home’s decoration that feeling of a "home away from home" is what makes a stay truly memorable.
My kitchen is always stocked with more than the bare minimum. A variety of nice coffees, teas, and some basic condiments mean guests can truly feel at home.

3. Nurture the Relationship for Future Bookings

The goal is to turn a one-time guest into a regular.

I always thank great guests for their stay and let them know they can reach out to me directly for a return visit. I offer them a return guest discount, and I just let them know that some high-demand dates may be excluded. It's a small way to build loyalty and makes them feel like a VIP.

Ultimately, it sounds like you already have the secret to your success: your guests feel the care you put into the home itself. That's the most powerful way to build loyalty. 

That works recently I had a guest who blocked a year not around for 6K and they just left the home and left a five-star review and say that they want to make it there home away from home and booked for next year already for 8k that's with a small discount. 

I hope this helps let me know if you need have any more questions.

[Elisa]

Hi @Bernadette466 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing these detailed comments here.

How long have you been hosting?

I’m impressed, your tips are really well thought out! 😍