Renting your apartment or a room in your home through Airbnb can bring you some much-needed extra income. However, though this may seem as easy as cleaning the place and simply waiting for people to start pouring in, it’s anything but that. The competition is fierce and what you should aim for are happy customers who’ll gladly leave good online reviews for you. To do this, you need your apartment to stick out, to be different and better than others in your surroundings. Adding a special touch or two to your apartment might just do the trick, as long as you put some thought and effort into it. If you don’t think your ideas are good enough, here are some suggestions on how to make your guests feel welcome in your Airbnb rental and glad they’ve chosen yours over other places.
Start With Your Front Door
Even before your guests enter your apartment or house, they should know that you’re pleased they’ve arrived, so do your best to communicate this information effectively. For instance, hanging a welcome sign on your front door and placing a cute mat for them to wipe their shoes in front of your apartment will surely help. Plus, it’s likely that these people haven’t been to your place before, so they might have trouble recognizing which apartment or house is actually yours. This is particularly important if they’re checking in without you present. You’ll solve this problem and make things much easier on your guests if you put up some sort of sign that they’re in the right place. An Airbnb sticker or a small DIY chalkboard with a writing on it would be smart ways to approach this issue. Your guests will be instantly more relaxed and they’ll know that they haven’t taken a wrong turn or that they might try to unlock your neighbor’s door.
Make the Entry Memorable
A space that catches attention and that makes people happy at first sight is more likely to receive positive reviews, which is why you should make sure that the first thing your guests see when they enter your apartment is something they’ll simply love. Start with keeping the place spotlessly clean. Keep in mind that your guests probably travelled for a long time and are desperate for some rest. If their accommodation isn’t perfectly tidy and they notice dirt, dust or various stains, they’ll be disappointed. Aside from everything being clean, you should perhaps leave some dimmed or ambient lights on, so that they don’t have to wonder in the dark, looking for a light switch. Add to this a few thoughtful details, such as a nice coat rack, an ottoman where they can sit to take off their shoes or a bowl for their keys, and your guests will be more than satisfied with your apartment.
Keep It Comfortable
Although you might find it more affordable to furnish your Airbnb rental with used and cheap furniture, this may not be the best idea. People seek comfort when on vacation and if they don’t find it in your apartment, they’ll look for it elsewhere. First of all, make sure the bed they’ll sleep on is good and that everything in the apartment looks tasteful. Make the décor more cheerful by adding a splash of color to the place. You can paint one or several of the walls in a bright color, hang some colorful art on the walls or even get furniture in vibrant colors. Another way to make the place brighter, cozier and warmer is with some beautiful modern rugs on the floors. Choose them in any color or pattern that complements the space, but always look for the quality ones, made of natural materials like wool, cotton, jute or hemp. That way your guests won’t have a problem walking barefoot and the softness of the rugs will give your apartment a more intimate and inviting vibe that Airbnb guests tend to value greatly.
Go the Extra Mile
In short, anything extra that you provide your guests with will certainly not go unnoticed. For instance, your guests will be thrilled if you offer them some amenities that you didn’t mention in your ad. Some good examples are sun screen and beach towels for seaside apartments or bicycles for them to use for faster and more active sightseeing. Next, a coffee maker with several to-go cups with lids or interesting mugs is also something anybody will be grateful for. Leaving an assortment of books on a shelf or some board games for them to use will make you look like a phenomenal host, too. It’s crucial, however, that you have plenty of outlets, which includes a few USB outlets, so that whoever stays in your rental can charge their devices. This, as well as a strong Wi-Fi connection and good coverage, is something that they might not even acknowledge as an extra, but they will undoubtedly notice if they can’t charge all of their gadgets at the same time or if Wi-Fi is slow, which can reflect on the review they leave for your place.
Personalize It
Showing your guests that you’re a friendly and considerate host can also wow them, so do that through a string of small gestures. A nice welcome basket is one way to go. It can include anything from coffee, tea and maybe a couple of candy bars, to some fruit and a bottle or two of water. Throw in a map and a few booklets or brochures for the most interesting things to see or do in your area, and you’ll get those five stars sooner than you might expect them. Another thing you can do is leave some of the local delicacies for them to try, as a welcome gift. You don’t have to go big here, as it’s not about how much you spend or the amount of what you present them with, but the thought behind it. In fact, leaving a personal message in a letter is sometimes enough to charm any guest, especially if you write the Wi-Fi password in it as well. Finally, if you throw in some recommendations for restaurants, cafés, bars or clubs, but also useful information about things like public transport or the directions to the nearest store, you’ll make their stay more pleasant and they’ll reward you with the reviews you need to attract more guests.