Follow these tips to be the kind of guest AirBnb & VRBO hosts welcome back time and again!
Read the entire listing.
No, really. The entire thing! Sure the pictures are important to see if the rental fits your needs, but the meat of the listing is in the description. AirBnB (also VRBO and other sites) have an abbreviated description of 150 ish words or so. This is prime real estate for hosts. It's basically the key selling points, the elevator pitch, that highlights all the benefits of our property. We just can't fit EVERYTHING in there.
But you'll see a "read more" under that. Click this. Always. Most hosts include a LOT of great information in here.
Yet, most guests overlook it. This can lead to you missing out on much-needed info such as specifics on amenities like TV, WiFi, bed sizes, travel tips, what you may or may not have access to, and considerations for those with mobility issues.
Some guests may not realize that our listing is on the third floor with no elevator access unless they click through and read the whole listing. If you book a listing like this but have someone in your party with mobility issues, you may be out some money depending on the booking/cancellation policies if you decide you must cancel.
Below the description, you'll find a list of amenities - read them all! If you really want a place with a private pool or fireplace, this is where you need to look. Under that, you'll find the calendar, the reviews, and a map that shows you where your rental is located. If you want to be close to a specific attraction, look at that map!
Don't ghost your host
Two-way communication is important to make sure we're all on the same page about your stay. It's in both the guest's and host's best interest to be timely and responsive. If there's any change to your schedule, let your host know. If you have a question about anything, please ask! No question is a dumb question. Seriously. We know you're new to this area and/or property, and we're ready to help.
Here is a partial list of things that hosts want to know before and during your stay:
Are you bringing extra guests? This will ensure we leave you enough supplies.
Do you want to check in early or check out late? Often, our cleaning schedules are very tight, but we can sometimes make exceptions, so always ask first!
Is anything dirty, damaged, missing, or broken? Please let us know while you're there. We want your stay to be cozy and comfortable and usually have backup supplies or maintenance staff we can utilize if necessary.
Not sure where to eat, shop, or what local attractions are worth a visit? Ask your host. We usually know the best local stores, eats, and attractions or can help you find them.
House rules - follow them!
Every property is different. Some allow pets, some don't. Some need specific quiet hours. Some hosts want you to take off all the bed linens, some don't.
In this age of COVID, it's also important to follow any rules related to that. Please wear a mask if you'll be in contact with your host or any of the neighbors. For instance, in our condo, you'll likely come in contact with neighbors in the outside hallways and stairwells. Keep your mask on when you're in these areas.
It should go without saying, if you or anyone in your party is sick or have tested positive for COVID, please stay home. If you're already past your cancellation deadline, contact your host. We may be able to refund all or part of your fees. It's worth it to ask.
Other things to note: Most properties don't allow smoking indoors. Don't try to sneak smoke. We can tell. If there's any lingering smoke, you may be charged an extra cleaning fee. Don't try to sneak in pets if no pets are allowed. Some hosts or their guests may have allergies, and some HOAs (like our condo association) don't allow them, even for owners.
NO parties, NO exceptions!
Parties are a big NO NO! AirBnB has cracked down on house parties in the last couple of years. These incidents have led to several cities banning short term rentals altogether. Don't be the reason that hosts have to go out of business.
A little birthday gathering with some cake and punch and board games is one thing. Having a knock-down, drunken, crazy party with your friends is another. It's disrespectful to both the property owners and the neighbors.
AirBnb is capping listings at 16 people max, even in large properties. Some exceptions may be made for properties that are specifically designed for events and other larger gatherings. For the majority of rentals, however, the party ban is here to stay.
Respect the property and everything in it
Most AirBnb hosts have invested a lot in their properties. Many of them actually live there, at least part of the year, if not permanently. We stay at our property several weeks out of the year with our family. So, we want to take care of it the best we can.
The best mindset a guest can have is to treat the space even better than your own home. Accidents and spills happen. Just do your best to clean up after yourselves. Don't mess with the electronics, ESPECIALLY THE SECURITY DEVICES!
These things are there for YOUR safety. So leave them be. If you have any issues with them (a fire alarm beeping, etc.) or questions about how they work, contact your host!
Our favorite guests are those that give our housekeeper an easy job. They leave the linens on the unmade bed, take out the trash, put the towels in the tub, and wash all the dishes before they leave. If they break something, they're honest about it and offer to replace it.
The worst kind of guests do none of this and leave trash (and worse things like vomit) all over the place. Don't be that guest!
Leave a review!
After your stay, please leave your host a review. Be honest and mention anything that other guests might find important, like how easy the property is to find, the distance from local attractions, noise levels, weather, etc.
We read all reviews, and these help us learn how to improve our places and listings for future guests. We'll also leave a review for YOU. If you follow all these tips, you'll be a 5-Star guest any host will welcome back!
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