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Knotty & Nice Cabin: 5 Savvy Airbnb Strategies Every Host Should Try

Plus Airbnb holiday decorating inspiration

Meet the Knotty and Nice Cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma: a stunning, unapologetically indulgent take on the classic A-frame cabin. This place was designed from the outset specifically for couples. There’s a soaking tub in the middle of the room for crying out loud! Which means this Airbnb’s audience was pinned down before the plumbing was ever installed. This level of forethought can be felt throughout the cabin, from the seating areas to the king size bed to the hot tub on the wraparound porch: this place was built for two.

We happened to visit this gorgeous Airbnb at the very beginning of December, trying to sneak in one last kid-free getaway before the year came to a close. The weather for our trip was dreary: dark gray skies, perpetual mist, cutting wind gusts. But inside the cabin, we were in a bright, cozy holiday heaven.

With the lofted ceilings, flickering fireplace, and opulent amenities, we left only to enjoy the outside hot tub or grab the occasional bite to eat. The rest of our time we spent reconnecting over card games and glasses of wine, reveling in the sheer delight of being in such a beautiful space with absolutely nothing we had to do.

There was so much to admire about Kristin’s hosting style, but here were our top 5 favorite strategies that every Airbnb host should steal and add to their own hosting toolkit. Whether you’re an Airbnb host looking for new hosting strategies or just soaking up some interior design inspiration, we hope you enjoy this little peek inside the Knotty and Nice Cabin.

STRATEGY #1

Add Seasonal Decorations

Yes, the weather outside was frightful, but the fire was indeed so delightful. Every little holiday touch throughout the cabin elevated the experience for us: the tree, the wreath, the naughty and nice mugs (talk about on brand!) Seasonal decor anchors your guests in the moment they’re actually visiting, and breathes new life into your otherwise stagnant space. A few seasonal decorations can make a stay surprisingly memorable. “Yes! We visited in December that year because I remember there was a Christmas tree…”

STRATEGY #2

Set the Right Choice by the Wrong One

The secluded hot tub was one of our favorite amenities, but of course, we would need towels every time we got out. This trick was brilliant. The unmistakable pool towels—notice those big bold stripes—were placed directly beside the high-end shower towels which were clearly meant to stay inside. By setting the right choice directly next to the wrong one, guests will intuitively follow your house rules without even realizing they’re doing it.

STRATEGY #3

Tell Guests What to Pack

Speaking of the hot tub, one of the things Kristin did that we have yet to see another host do was remind us what to pack a few days before our trip. The “Don’t forget your swimsuit!” reminder helped us sidestep disappointment and enjoy one of her best amenities every day. What do your guests need to remember to get the most out of your place? Hiking boots? A swimsuit? A heavy winter jacket? Send this text a day or two before guests are set to arrive. It’s the perfect combination of practical, just-in-time information combined with a little reassurance to your guests that you do indeed remember they’re coming.

STRATEGY #4

Name Your Ideal Guests in Your Title

Out of all the luxury cabins in Broken Bow, Oklahoma (and there are more than you could possibly imagine…we’re talking hundreds), we chose this one because Kristin named her ideal guests in her listing’s title: “Knotty & Nice – Modern Luxury Honeymoon Cabin!” From amongst the haystack, the perfect needle jumped right out. “This is the one made for us!” Sure, we weren’t actually on our honeymoon, but we sure wanted to feel like we were. That specificity had us booking just moments later. We were so inspired by this strategy, we wrote an entire post deconstructing this tactic called Your Ideal Airbnb Guests: Name Your Bullseye, so if you want to dive deeper into this concept, click right here!

STRATEGY #5

Welcome Pets (Even as a High-End Airbnb)

Airbnb continues to point hosts to certain amenities that guests are repeatedly searching for: strong wifi, a dedicated workspace, self check-in. And yes, dog-friendly places. This cabin was one of the most extravagant places we’ve visited. But it was also dog friendly. Intentionally welcoming the dog can be one of the smartest ways to stand out from the competition. Remember, there are hundreds of high-end cabins in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. But only a fraction are open to Fido. If you’re a pet lover yourself and you’re looking for a way to compete, consider experimenting with hosting dogs. If a place as luxurious as this can open their doors to canine guests, we’ve got a hunch you might be able to as well.

INSPIRED BY you

This week’s Big Heart Hosting post was inspired by Kristin, an Airbnb Superhost in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, USA. Just click here to explore the full listing.

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You’re an ambitious Airbnb host with a big heart. But on some days, hosting isn’t exactly what you had imagined. Maybe it’s overwhelming. Or isolating. Or just not making the kind of money you had envisioned. At Big Heart Hosting, we’re on a mission to help hosts like you thrive, not just get by. We create step-by-step resources that bring together the best hosting strategies from around the world. We’ll give you the knowledge and community you need to create the joyful, prosperous Airbnb you deserve.