Traveling with Airbnb offers an undeniably wide range of hospitality styles. A guest can stay in rooms both large and small, be offered an assortment of breakfasts, both homemade and from a box, and be hosted by a plethora of individuals, from highly involved and outspoken extroverts, to respectfully scarce introverts, to overseas property managers who are absent altogether. We at Bnbcare have worked with all sorts of hosts in Vancouver. Through this array of experiences, we have come to notice a few important details that can boost a host's chances of becoming top-rated. Becoming a well-reputed five-star super host both begins and ends with the small things. This surprising list of amenities is sure to have your guests singing your praises and writing amazing reviews. Who knows, maybe one day you can become a Superhost? 1. Pass the 411 Give your guests all the information they need when they arrive for their stay or even before (in “Host Directions” or by email). This may seem obvious, but it's a detail that's surprisingly easy to overlook. Two items that guests will be thankful to have on hand immediately are keys and the wifi password! It's a great idea to pass these items along in person upon arrival, or to have them featured on a table near the entrance, if you are an absent host. We can definitely recommend Keycafe. But don't stop there! There's a ton of other handy details that could enrich your guests' stay. If they aren't hungry upon arrival, they will be soon. It's a great idea to leave a short list of your favourite local restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops. Add in a little hand-drawn map, or print one off the web. You can take this idea one step further by providing your visitors with a list of local events occurring over the course of their stay, such as live music, or museum exhibitions. Your guests will feel warm and fuzzy to find that you put in this extra effort to add arts and culture opportunities to their vacation. 2. Leave it wide open Open surfaces are invaluable. Guests are sure to come equipped with good amount of luggage and are often grateful for a clear and open landing place. When settling into a new, if temporary, home, it's always nice to be able to sprawl out a little bit. This means having an open table on which to put down your wallet, keys, and earrings, etc. 3. Make it easy to keep tidy It's all about the trash cans. If you keep one of these little guys present in most rooms, guests won't have to hunt around the apartment, or stash their granola bar wrappers in their pockets. This is small detail that can contribute a big way to a guest's relaxation. 4. Clear shower space Guest-friendly showers are important for both shared and private bathrooms! Having space to accommodate your visitor's toiletry selection is a nice touch that will keep your guests from fumbling around with soap in their eyes, or dropping shampoo bottles on their toes – ouch! Consider investing in a shower hanger shelf if you don't have enough built-in shelving available. 5. Plug and cords Ample outlets are appreciated. Most travellers will have a phone to charge, if not a whole array of other electronic devices. If your space is lacking in outlets, consider getting power bars. Extension cords are a nice touch as well, if necessary. And if you're really looking to go above and beyond, consider acquiring a plug extender that is set up with USB slots. We all know that us humans can become a little edgy when our electronics run out of juice. Keep this from happening to your guests, and you won't regret it. 6. Fabulous face towels These little cloth squares are linked to luxury! Give your guests the five-star experience by providing them with freshly laundered face towels. It won't add much laundry to the load, and is a cherry on top for those of your guests who are hygiene enthusiasts! 7. Tons of tissue Cold? Flu? Allergies? Spicy food? Sad movie? Or perhaps one with a happy ending? Everyone appreciates strategically located tissue boxes. There's no need to segregate these little miracles to the bathroom, they'll be well-appreciated in the living room and bedroom as well. 8. Clearing the kitchen If guests are sharing kitchen space with either a host or guests staying in other rooms, it's important to ensure that they have their own personal shelf space, inside both the fridge and cupboards. Make up some funky labels so that a guest's usable space is easily identifiable. This will really help your guests to feel welcome and comfortable using the space and amenities that are clearly set aside just for them! 9. Get hooked Hooks from your local hardware store are probably the best wall decoration out there, as far as a utilitarian is concerned. These are especially important in the bathroom – your guests' towels will have a better opportunity to dry on a hook than hanging in from the shower stall, or over the back of a chair. Don't stop in the bathroom! Even for the non-handy, these little guys are pretty easy to install. A couple of hooks at the front entrance will allow your visitors to take a load off right when they walk in the door. Yes, please! 10. Maybe more mirrors Especially if your rental is in an artsy and cool cosmopolitan city, you'll want to consider the addition of a full-length mirror in your suite. Whether your guests are in town for a business conference or a laid back vacation, there's a good chance they will make use of the opportunity to check themselves out, head-to-toe, before heading out into the world. Remember that even if your suite is lacking in free space, full-length mirrors usually mount easily to the backs of doors. 11. Show you face! It's always an excellent idea to have a recent and friendly picture of your lovely face on your Airbnb profile. Even if you are using an Airbnb management service. This may not seem like a very big deal, but seeing a picture of a real live human will make guests feel more comfortable about their upcoming stay with you. Adding to this idea, the more detail you can add to your profile about your personality and your interests, the better. Sharing information about your interests may strike up captivating conversations and help to narrow the gap between you and the strangers staying in your home. Following these tips will let travellers know that you're a thoughtful and caring host who took the time to fine tune the details. Remember, these tiny touches can make the difference between an average review and a five-star rating. As far as extras go, there's really no limit to how friendly and welcoming you can be. Some guests get invited out to lunch with the host and her friends. Other hosts prefer to hire a short term rental management company. It's ultimately up to each individual host to determine their own style and level of involvement in their guests' stay, so stay true to your personality and do what makes you (and your guests) comfortable! Take care and happy hosting!