What ONE complimentary thing that you must do for guests experience?

[Rosalind41]

Hey SUPERHOSTS!

Seriously, what's the ONE 'complimentary' UNEXPECTED, wow factor thing that you absolutely must do for your guest experience?

Plain and simple:  What is it that you hands-down, without a shadow of a doubt MUST include in each and every one of your listings' stay experiences.

Hard question for some, probably very easy question for other Superhosts.

Grazie and thanks,

Rosalind

[Susan151]

@Rosalind41  Be careful what you wish for! If the cookies are mentioned in the reviews, then your future guests will expect them and then they are not an "added touch." Extra, added touches, to be effective, have to be a surprise.

[Wende2]

Hi all......I can not have guests come an not have my vegan chocolate chip cookies made, some have mentioned the cookies, an others have asked me if I'll have them for them too.  I just made them with carob chips so my guest could share with their dog, my guest mentioned that in the review, an how they really appreciated that.  That will be something I do for every guest who brings a dog.

[Rosalind41]

Hi @Wende2 Homemade cookies would be the bomb, but I have to settle for store-bought.  They are always devoured, but never mentioned in a review.  Guests have mentioned that they love the little 'added touches' that help them feel welcomed.  No one has ever pointed any particular 'thing' out though.  Maybe later reviews will give me more specifics.  To allow dogs would be so nice, especially since we have dogs ourselves.  I just can't afford to keep cleaning carpets for accidents that animals cause.  Once they start urinating, the next pet and then the next pet will attempt to urinate over the areas to establish territories.  It would never end and cause me a nightmare.

PS:  Your cookies sound so delicious!  I know that I'd be grateful as one of your guests!

[Wende2]

@Rosalind41  Hi.....You know a cookie is good when a friend who tries them for the first time says they had to throw the bag in the back seat to stop eating them, if you'd like to make them you can find the recipe at plantize.com, I use 1/2 C for both sugars tho., if someone mentions a special occasion for the visit I'll bake a cake or cupcakes, depending on how many visit.  Some have mentioned the little touches too, it's nice when they include it in a review.

[Rachel0]

@Rosalind41 I would never leave alcohol out for guests as one never knows whether it could cause a problem for them - they might be recovering alcoholics.  

I do make sure that I leave a small vase of fresh flowers on the bedroom window sill and a little bowl of chocolates (no nuts).   I also provide guide books as many of my guests have never visited London before and are worried about our transport system or getting lost!

But I agree with @Susan151 in that the most important thing is to make sure that everything is spotlessly clean and that everything works.  

[Rosalind41]

Hi @Rachel0 I know that as a visitor to London, it would mean so much to me as a guest to have guidebooks offered by my host.  Although where my house is, it is not super tourist destination.  It is a very busy college town for families and alumni to visit.  We did go to the city and university offices for visitors' brochures and materials.  One person thanked me for the map that we left to help him drive.  Cleanliness is our top item that we pay attention to.  Although we have had 98% positive on all areas, one person said she saw cobwebs in one room and gave us a 4 instead of a 5, so our rating is stuck at 4.93.  One little thing can really hurt.

[Wende2]

@Rosalind41  cobwebs, they're back within minutes of cleaning them.  I had a couple come for a triathlon, they found out they had to be here Thurs for check in, the girl booked Thurs, so when I got her "leave a review" I left hers so I'd get 2 out of that visit.  When I seen the guy packing up to leave I stopped to say bye, he mentioned the apt had gnats, suggesting they probably came from the bananas I left out, being an athlete, I had apples an bananas up there.  He left a great review, she gave me 3*'s for cleanliness in hers, I'm sure of the gnats, that's been over a yr ago, I'm at 5 again now. 

[Rosalind41]

Hi, @Rachel0 I know that as a visitor to London, it would mean so much to me as a guest to have guidebooks offered by my host.  Although where my house is, it is not a super tourist destination.  It is a very busy college town for families and alumni to visit.  We did go to the city and university offices for visitors' brochures and materials.  One person thanked me for the map that we left to help him drive.  Cleanliness is the top item that we pay attention to.  Although we have had 98% positive in all areas, one person said she saw cobwebs in one room and gave us a 4 instead of a 5, so our rating is stuck at 4.93.  One little thing can really hurt.

[Gordon0]

All three nighters (my minimum) get a small Lindt 'Thank you' box. Longer-stay guests might get a bottle of wine/cheese straws. The other stuff (squeaky-clean room etc) are the basics. 

[Rosalind41]

Hi @Gordon0 I love that idea!!!  I have yet to have longer than 3 night stays though.  I'm looking forward to those!!!

[Helen3]

There is no single ONE thing @Rosalind41  that hosts MUST include - it depends on the type of listing you have and where it is located.

Try providing a local speciality from your area. 

[Rosalind41]

You got that right @Helen3  but wouldn't it be nice to put together a list of items to consider from this collective group of knowledge?  I'm loving everything others are so kindly sharing here.  

[Helen3]

Personally no, I don't think we need a list of items @Rosalind41  as everything depends on your location, budget and target market.

As others have pointed out here it is not about giving away 'free stuff' but how you prepare your home or listing and the warmth of your hosting approach.

[Rosalind41]

You got that right @Helen3  but wouldn't it be nice to put together a list of items to consider from this collective group of knowledge?  I'm loving everything others are so kindly sharing here.  I appreciate so much your tip of 'providing a local specialty from your area'.  It is food that's for sure.  I'll chat with my house manager and put our brains together to come up with something.  Really good advice!

[Helen427]

@Rosalind41  whilst not a Superhost the best thing a person can give is a smile & friendly enjoyable stay.

It's the person inside that counts.

All the best