Mistakenly walked into my guest's apartment...

[Konstantinos121]

I felt so embarrassed for this terrible mistake!! You have no idea. I am managing six apartments, 3 studios and three 2-bedroom apartments.

Early in the morning, I had an early departing guest. As soon as the guest left the premises, he called me to tell me that he is not sure if he left the iron on or not so I told him not to worry and 10 minutes later, I was at the building. On my rush instead of going to the studio of the departed guest, I went to the studio of an ongoing guest!

I do have a master key (as the manager and host of the apartments) so I entered the wrong studio just to realise that I have enter the wrong apartment with my guest sleeping with his girlfriend to bed and waking them up with the rushing opening of the door…. I have never felt such an embarrassment before! After I said a fast “I am really sorry” I closed gently the door and left banging my head on the wall….

Need your help on how to handle this. I want to apologize for what happen but I need a more professional approach. This never ever happen to me being a host for 6 years.

[Alexandra316]

@Konstantinos121 I would send a formal apology through Airbnb messaging explaining what happened. I would also consider a goodwill gesture, such as bringing them a bottle of wine or a treat. I would try and smooth things over and gauge the guests' feelings about it as soon as possible. If they make a complaint to Airbnb, things could go badly, so I'd try and get on top of it as soon as you can. It sounds like it was an honest mistake, and it's happened to me a couple of times as a hotel guest...not ideal, but it happens. 

For the future, I would get in the habit of always knocking before entering the spaces you host. I've thougt guests have left before, and knocked only to find one guest in a group is still there. It's a good practice to get into. 

[Lorna170]

@Konstantinos121   Mistakes happen.  To make this right with your guest, send an apology in the Airbnb message center.  Do not overdo the apology; too many words will possibly get you in more trouble. If the guest is going to be there for another few days, I would send them to a local restaurant for dinner, where you have paid X dollars for their meal.  

[Sarah977]

@Konstantinos121  None of are perfect people. Don't beat yourself up over it, just follow Alexandra's good advice, which is exactly what I would do if that happened to me.

If the guests are reasonable people, they'll accept your sincere apology and explanation without complaining to Airbnb or in the review. 

[Konstantinos121]

Thank you guys for your advice. As a perfectionist this is unacceptable for me to happen. Of course i would nock if there was a possibility that someone would be inside but the guy that left rented a studio and he call me to notify me that he may forgot the iron on so basically i was sure 100%that i would enter a total empty apartment. In my confusion and rush i have opened the occupied apartment.  I did wrote an apology and already given them a very nice local wine with lots of Cypriot local goodies that made them really happy. They called me and told me that i should not feel bad about it and that the Cy[riot delicacies made their day 🙂 mistakes happen he told me that for them nothing happened and they feel really comfortable to my apartments.
all went alright. Felt really relieved.

[Sarah977]

@Konstantinos121  Glad the guests were understanding people.

Usually when we accidentally do something in life which causes us obvious embarrassment, the other party feels just as embarrassed for us as we do, as everyone can imagine how they'd feel if the situation were reversed.

[Alexandra316]

@Konstantinos121 Excellent! Glad it all worked out. It's so nice when guests are reasonable!