As a host, it’s your job to meet Airbnb guest expectations (these may vary from guest to guest), but as a general rule, a typical Airbnb guest will require a clean and comfortable vacation rental property that offers a pleasant stay.
You don’t necessarily have to own a luxury ocean-front apartment to wow your guests. However, you do need to match and exceed Airbnb standards and expectations if you want to become a successful host.
So, what do Airbnb guests want? Check out our list below to find out the top 7 Airbnb guest expectations:
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Cleanliness
Top of the list for many guests is staying at a vacation rental property that’s squeaky clean. Your Airbnb needs to look spotless unless you want your reviews to be filled with photos taken by your unsatisfied guests showcasing your dust or grubby floors!
We can’t list everything you need to do, but as a general rule of thumb, we would suggest dusting all surfaces and vacuuming all rugs and carpets. Pay particular attention to the kitchen. Make sure there are no dirty dishes left in the sink or forgotten food in the fridge (yuck)!
It’s also wise to be thorough in the bathroom – it needs to be fresh and clean. One of the quickest ways to fail to meet those all-important Airbnb guest expectations involves leaving stray hairs everywhere, musty towels, and smudged mirrors for your unimpressed guests to find.
If you lack the necessary skills in the cleaning department, hire a professional cleaning service to ensure your property is spick-and-span. If you do opt for this remember to add a cleaning fee to your pricing. Add enough to pay your cleaning professional a decent amount (enough to motivate them to clean your place to a high standard).
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Honesty & Kindness
Airbnb guest expectations encompass much more than lots of amenities and generous supplies. Guests also value honesty, professionalism and a kind attitude from their hosts. To comply with Airbnb standards and expectations be accurate when describing your property, and never oversell it. Is there anything that could disturb your guest’s stay (e.g. a noisy pub or construction site nearby)? If so, make sure you disclose it in your listing. Otherwise, guests may feel deceived and you could end up with a negative review.
Simple kindness is also deeply appreciated by Airbnb guests, and this can be shown in many ways. First off, always communicate well with your guest, this provides an indication that you care about their well-being and happiness. It’s also a good idea to offer a few extra touches, extra amenities and services to exceed Airbnb guest expectations. Treat your visitors with welcome snacks, leave a card with a personalized message, provide a welcome book featuring recommendations for great restaurants, etc.
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Simple & Easy Check-in
Your Airbnb guest may have a long and exhausting journey and probably can’t wait to flop down on a comfy couch or armchair. They don’t want to hang around on your doorstep for you to show up! If you can’t be there to greet guests in person either make sure someone else is on hand or offer self-check-in.
Surpass Airbnb guest expectations by allowing guests to check in whenever it suits them by installing a key lockbox, electronic or smart lock. Installing an electronic lock will enable you to manage and customize access to your property – you can set a unique passcode for the duration of your guest’s stay. If you’re looking for more innovative keyless options, consider installing a smart lock. Many hosts are already taking advantage of this new alternative to the traditional lock and key – enabling them to control access to properties directly from their smartphone.
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Connectivity
Occasionally guests want a complete break, free from phones, laptops, and tablets. A retreat where they can relax away from the hubbub of the world. However, the majority of guests prefer to stay connected and a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection is high on the list of many Airbnb guest expectations.
Guests need Wi-Fi to stay in touch with their loved ones, download a local map, find the most delicious restaurant nearby or watch the latest episode of their favorite show. Set up a guest network with a strong but simple password. Make sure to highlight the Wi-Fi speed in your listing.
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A Good Night’s Sleep
Want your guests to recommend your accommodation to other Airbnb accommodation seekers? Then get ready to meet Airbnb guest expectations by providing them with a good night’s sleep. Make sure your beds have comfortable mattresses, fresh/clean linen and (as a great bonus), a few different types of pillow to choose from. It’s might also be wise to invest in black-out blinds, or at the very least thick curtains. These can dramatically reduce the amount of light entering the room, so your guests won’t wake up at dawn with the sun!
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Toiletries
Your guests probably already have a lot to pack, so why not make it a little easier for them by providing a few basic toiletry items. A roll or two of toilet paper is a must. Whilst you’re at it offer a few other freebies too, such as hand soap, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and disposable toothbrushes. Some hosts go the extra mile and even provide body lotion, hair shampoo and conditioner, make-up remover, q-tips, and numerous other supplies in a bid to exceed Airbnb guest expectations.
A few select items could really make a difference to a harried traveler. You don’t have to spend too much, but proactively offering things your guests might forget to pack could net you grateful plaudits and reviews.
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Free Parking
Finding a parking spot can be a real challenge for visitors to a new and unfamiliar city. Your guests won’t appreciate making a long journey only to find they can’t find a space anywhere nearby. If you have a driveway or allocated space be sure to advertise it. Ideally, guests like to have a clear view of their vehicle to ensure it’s safe and secure. If you don’t have designated space for a vehicle, aim to exceed Airbnb guest expectations by checking out the local area thoroughly and finding suitable nearby (and ideally free) parking.
Go Beyond Airbnb Guest Expectations
While trying to meet Airbnb guest expectations, put yourself in their shoes and think about what items are the most indispensable and what special touches you can add to wow your visitors. The most modest of accommodation can still impress. Remember guests are usually looking for a home-from-home experience, they expect cleanliness and comfort as standard. As a good host, it’s down to you to provide it.
Set your mind on becoming a pro-active, caring and responsive host, and maybe, if you go that extra mile, you might even boost those bookings and become a Superhost. Good luck on your hosting journey!