Essential Tips to Become a Great Airbnb Host: Creating a Welcoming and Comfortable Experience

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The Insider @ Houst
Last updated on
January 25, 2023

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Essential Tips to Become a Great Airbnb Host: Creating a Welcoming and Comfortable Experience

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First things first: What if you are a host? As part of your work, you might go away from home for weeks at a time, staying in Airbnb rentals all over the world. You’ll notice that the hosts who stand out from those who don't are generally those who make you feel welcome and at home during my stay. They're often there to greet you personally when you arrive, they provide extra amenities like snacks or toiletries, and they take every opportunity to make their guests feel appreciated while they're visiting their city or town—whether it's by offering an insider guidebook or introducing them to locals through fun activities like hiking or cooking classes.

Let’s dive right into the 10 easiest hosting tips to become an airbnb superhost!

Table of Contents

1. Make your space feel like home

To make your space feel like home, you'll want to:

  • Clean and tidy. A clean and tidy space makes a comfortable one, so it's important that your guests feel at ease in your living room. If they can see dust on the mantelpiece or hear crumbs shifting underfoot as they walk around, that won't inspire much confidence—and neither will it encourage them to relax when they're at your place. Make sure that your floors are swept clean; all surfaces are clear of clutter; laundry has been put away (or at least hidden); and dishes washed before the guests arrive.
  • Keep the lights low. When hosting an event indoors during daylight hours, keep the lights low for a more intimate atmosphere—this lends itself well both to smaller gatherings or just for those who might not have great night vision! Remember: turning down all but one light source is often preferable when entertaining in groups larger than three people because it helps maintain focus on conversation rather than visual distractions like television screens or brightly coloured décor items situated near them (like potted plants).

2. Offer amenities

Amenities are a great way to make your guests feel at home. Whether you’re hosting a business trip or an out-of-town wedding, it’s always a good idea to offer amenities such as coffee, tea, snacks and other small items. A basket of shampoo and soap in the bathroom is also always appreciated. If your guest is staying in your home for an extended period of time (like those who are having their hair or makeup done), consider providing some extra toiletries such as toothpaste and deodorant.

Amenities can include anything from beach towels to umbrellas to chairs. If you live near the beach, give them access during their stay!

3. Communicate effectively

Communication helps to build trust. When you communicate effectively with your guests, they feel more comfortable and secure in your home.

Before they arrive:

  • Communicate with them via email or text message to schedule the time of their arrival.
  • Send them a house manual containing information about local attractions or restaurants they might enjoy while they stay with you. You can also include any special instructions regarding house rules and etiquette, such as not wearing shoes indoors or keeping voices low after midnight so as not to disturb neighbours (if applicable).

During their stay:

  • Check in on their experience periodically by asking if everything is okay and whether there's anything else you can do for them. If necessary, ask if there's anything that needs fixing (for example, a leaky faucet in the kitchen) before it becomes one big mess that ruins their trip altogether! If possible, offer up something extra like tickets or backstage passes (if they're fans of something specific) so it feels even more special when exploring nearby attractions together.

4. Be flexible with check-in and check-out times

One of the best ways to become a great host is to be flexible with check-in and check-out times. If your guests need to check in early or check out late, be flexible.

If you are not flexible, your guests may not book with you again!

5. Add personal touches to your listing

  • Add a personal touch to your listing. Adding photos of you and your family is a great way to make potential guests feel more comfortable staying at your home. This also shows that you’re proud of the way your house looks and want potential users to see the hard work you’ve put into it.
  • Show off your neighbourhood in photos, too! If there are any landmarks or fun facts about where you live that would make a good addition to an Airbnb description, include them—you never know what kind of information could help seal the deal on renting out rooms in your home.
  • Describe both yourself and your home in detail so that guests know exactly what they’re getting into when they choose one of their listings over another one with similar prices.

6. Be friendly and personable

  • Be friendly and welcoming.
  • Be personable.
  • Be flexible.
  • Be reliable.
  • Be responsive.
  • Be available (if you say you're going to be somewhere, don't flake).
  • Be honest about what you can offer as a host (if this is your first time hosting guests, don't oversell yourself).

7. Be reliable and responsive

  • Be available. If you offer to help your guests with anything, be sure to follow through on it. It’s important that you are reliable, especially during their stay.
  • Respond promptly and thoroughly when asked for information or advice, even if one of your guests can answer the question themselves.

When a problem arises (e.g., your guests need more toilet paper), make sure someone is there to address it immediately so that no one has to suffer in discomfort or embarrassment while waiting for a fix.

8. Spend time with your guests

Your guests are going to need your help. They'll have questions about the area, or they might ask you for recommendations on restaurants and things to do in town. If you plan ahead of time, you can prepare yourself with answers and suggestions so that when a guest asks, "Where's the best place to get sushi?" or "What's the craziest thing we should do in Edinburgh?"—you won't be caught off guard.

You're also going to want to make sure that your home is always clean and tidy—a dirty house is one of the most common reasons why people don't want to host others! Don't forget: Guests will only stay at a place if it feels welcoming and safe...so go ahead and vacuum up those crumbs from breakfast!

9. Use photos to showcase the space

Photos are a great way to showcase your space and give your guests an accurate idea of what they're going to get upon entering. They allow you to show off different areas at different times of day, in different seasons and weather conditions, as well as with different lighting options. This can be especially helpful if you're renting out parts of your home for short periods of time—for example, if you rent out an extra bedroom when visiting family comes into town or are headed on vacation yourself!

10. Create a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere

The first step to becoming a great host is creating a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere. This isn’t just about the physical space—it extends to all aspects of your home:

  • Clean and tidy: Make sure your space is free of clutter and mess.
  • Well lit: Turn on lights when guests arrive.
  • Quiet: If you live in an apartment building, ask your neighbours not to walk around upstairs or talk loudly outside your door before opening it for guests. Make sure there are no loud noises coming from anywhere else in the house (or even outside).
  • Ventilated: Keep windows open during warm weather if you have access to fresh air; otherwise, use fans or air conditioning as needed."

Being a great host is about more than just picking a place to stay!

To be a great host, you need to be reliable and responsive. You should also spend time with your guests. When they enter the space, make sure it's stocked with all their needs (including coffee).

Make sure that the photos you post on Airbnb or other sites showcase the location, without revealing too much of your personal belongings. If there are other people staying in the home at the same time as yours, make sure anything shared is clean and tidy before guests arrive so that no one feels uncomfortable about sharing space or belongings.

Lastly, create an atmosphere that will leave them feeling comfortable and at home during their stay!

Conclusion

If you're looking to be a great host, the best place to start is at home. Make sure your space is clean and comfortable so that it feels like a good place for visitors. Then, make sure that your guests feel welcome by being friendly and personable when they arrive at their destination. Finally, try to be flexible with check-in times or other requests from guests so that everyone has an enjoyable stay--even if it means extending yourself beyond what would normally be expected!

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider @ Houst

The Insider team at Houst is dedicated to providing up-to-date and relevant information on short-term rentals. If you have hosting inquiries, please write to us at expert@houst.com. For guest inquiries, reach out at guest@houst.com. We are here to help you navigate the world of short lets and look forward to assisting you with your needs.

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David
Account Manager

"I have a philosophy in life called keep it simple. I don't live to work, I work to live. This is the first time I've leased this property on Airbnb. A house allows me to have vision of all the revenue and all the expenses associated with the apartment. They work as a well-oiled machine. They strive very hard to keep both myself and the tenants happy."

Jules
Sales Director

"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

Charlotte
Musician

"Houst has been a game-changer for us, enabling my husband and I to expand our property portfolio effortlessly. Their personalised service lets us be hands-off yet fully in control, making property management seamless while we pursue our careers as musicians."

Ahmed
Software Engineer

"Houst has been a game-changer for my Airbnb rentals, significantly boosting my income. Their user-friendly platform and comprehensive management services, covering everything from cleaning to guest interactions, make property management stress-free."

Jim
Construction

"Finding Houst has been like a godsend for my Airbnb venture. It's made the entire process really easy, from the onboarding to managing guests. Their seamless service has enabled me to host successfully without needing to invest my limited time. If it weren't for Houst, I wouldn't be hosting on Airbnb."

David
Account Manager

"I have a philosophy in life called keep it simple. I don't live to work, I work to live. This is the first time I've leased this property on Airbnb. A house allows me to have vision of all the revenue and all the expenses associated with the apartment. They work as a well-oiled machine. They strive very hard to keep both myself and the tenants happy."

Jules
Professional Landlord

"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

David
Account Manager

"I have a philosophy in life called keep it simple. I don't live to work, I work to live. This is the first time I've leased this property on Airbnb. A house allows me to have vision of all the revenue and all the expenses associated with the apartment. They work as a well-oiled machine. They strive very hard to keep both myself and the tenants happy."

Jules
Sales Director

"Honestly, if I didn't have Houst, I don't think I'd have this house anymore. With Houst's help, I can focus on my busy life while they manage my Airbnb listing. Guests call this place the 'magic cottage', and Houst makes it possible to share its special charm without any stress."

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post!
If you want my team to just manage your Airbnb for you, just book a call.
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