What things do you look for as a guest?

[Stephanie]

Hey there everyone,

When we prepare our home for our guests, we try to think of even the smallest detail to ensure everything is perfect. We want our guests to feel comfortable and enjoy listing! So, what happens when the roles reverse and hosts become guests? We also want our trip to be a special and unforgettable experience and where we stay plays a big part.

What are the things that you look for in a listing, when you become a guest?

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Loretta2]

Location, Location, Location........

[Helen427]

@Stephanie @everyone-else

A friendly welcoming Host with a sense of humor & pets & garden with flowers, good location near to where I wish to visit places on my agenda/ itinerary on a good public transport system..

Preferably close to a supermarket as a Girl's got to eat & drink!

Clean, cosy & carefree!

Central To All Home & Location just like my current abode!

[Heather58]

As a guest I have at times found the hosts information can be vague.. as in the cost for eg $100 a night with no extra costs .. then later finding that the cost was just for one so with a second person we had to pay.. ABNB didn’t take our side on this & took the hosts side .. the listen info needs to be clearer. I am a host as well. 

[Carlma-And-John0]

We are Superhosts in New Zealand and for the first time, have just returned from the UK, mostly staying in AirBnB homes.  We soon learned what we required and top of our list was our own bathroom.  Any listings with shared bathrooms was disgarded straight away.  We also looked for one providing breakfast.  We are retired and the extra cost of having to buy breakfast, on a strict budget, was too much.  Another thing was to look for parking on the premises.  We didn't want to have to park in a side street blocks away and then have to walk to the BnB in all weathers.  Lastly, we looked for somewhere that didn't have stairs.  Unfortunately, this was the hardest requirement to achieve and it became harder all the time to have to drag our bags upstairs almost every night.  When we found a room on ground level, we were more than happy!  We did have to settle for a couple of places who didn't provide breakfast but one didn't even provide a refreshment tray where we could make ourselves a cup of coffee after driving all day. They did give us two small bottles of water.  This room was seperate from the house and we had no access so although the room was nice I mentioned to the host in the review that I thought a refreshment tray at the very least, would have been welcomed. Most of the places we stayed in a three week period, were very nice and the hosts were lovely.  There were a couple that I wouldn't return to and then there were also a few that I would, if I ever return to England and Ireland. Of cause, location was a big requirement but mostly we were very happy to stay out of the city/towns.  Our own BnB is in the country so it was lovely to experience that while overseas as well.  All in all, we were very happy with our BnB stays and would do it all again if and when we next travel. It makes all the difference to be able to meet the local people and have a chat, learn what are the attractions of their area, if we hadn't already researched that, and quite often they wanted to ask us about our own country, New Zealand, which we are always happy to talk about!  I hope we will see some of them as our guests in the future. 

[Lisa1196]

Honesty and transparency. I recently stayed at a place that listed 3 flights of stairs when actually it was a really old building with very steep flights totally 51 steps. It was not a standard 3 flights and was exhausting and nearly impossible with luggage. A photo of the stairs should have been included In the listing.

[Elizabeth-Otha0]

Prior to becoming a host, I read several reviews and picked up some pointers from that.  One guest was extremely agitated because there was not a hair dryer where he stayed; so, I have a hair dryer in each bathroom.  I also installed toiletry dispensers in each bathroom which I think is clinically better and is certainly more economical for me.  I provide bottled water in the fridge and a basket of snacks since many of my guests are coming in from off the road and may be famished upon arrival.  In the two years I have been hosting I have learned a lot and now also provide a disposable plastic shower cap in each bathroom. 

[Anne-Marie99]

I look for breakfast if in a private home. I always provide a generous home cooked breakfast, and guests appreciate that. I realize that not everyone can do this if they go out to work. I am retired, so I can do it easily. At the very least, the makings for a continental breakfast can be provided. Also - no instant coffee or flavoured coffees for me, thank you.

I appreciate a pleasant outdoor space in good weather, and also a private bathroom is a plus.

I also look for little touches that I could incorporate in my own hosting experience. I have gotten some good ideas from hosts I've stayed with. I also try to share with them what works best for me.

[Stephanie6]

When I travel, I want a big bed (cal king), extra pillows, and a way to boil water (for coffee/tea).  I recently upgraded my towels to bath sheets.

[Clyde2]

What do you do to be a level ten? I am a level two?

[Ana1136]

@Clyde2 that just measures your activity on this forum, nothing important and nothing that affects you actual listing or Airbnb profile. 

[Steven-And-Paige0]

Most important features to us when traveling are location/ proximity to places we want to explore,  comfortable room and surroundings,  clean goes without saying,  responsive hosts. Anything beyond this is plus, plus. 

[Clyde2]

I look for a place on the water. We stayed a a great place on Saluda lake and canoed in South Carolina. We also stayed at a great place on the beach in Cancun. Both are great 

[Scott-and-Sarah2]

We started hosting in January.. so much fun preparing!.. I appreciate our guests suggestions to improve..and, would love for a superhost to come check out our place and offer suggestions! 

[Connie94]

Hi Scott & Sarah,

When I was a newish host I had a superhost couple stay with me and they gave me very good advice. They suggested having some brochures for local attractions (get them at the airport or local hotels/car rental agencies) and a suitcase rack, which I got very inexpensively at Bed Bath & Beyond. Good quality linens are also appreciated.

[Sherri61]

To be a happy AirBnB Or hotel guest I must get 

1. Absolute Cleanliness

2. Wifi

3. A Great bed and good quality WHITE bedding.

4. Coffee and tea in room

I often chose Airbnb over hotels because of the honest ratings, the unique touches, and the friendly hosts. I have never had a bad Airbnb experience. I have had some really nasty surprises in hotels.