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Airbnb Guests: Naughty or Nice?
Imagine you’re Santa. (Feel free to picture the hat, the red velvet suit, the reindeer. After all, it’s that time of year!) Now, as Santa,
Unlike the speedy one-night stay, guests who have booked a full week with you have seven whole days to settle in and soak up your Airbnb. These are the guests who not only notice all of the thoughtful touches you’ve added to your space, but the guests who actually have the time to enjoy them. Plus, there’s the added bonus of a booked Airbnb that doesn’t require the daily routine of cleaning and greeting. But as perpetual Airbnb guests, we know first-hand that these travelers also arrive with their own set of expectations. Here is the rundown of what makes week-long guests different and how you can set them up for a fabulous stay and spotless review.
The resolve to book the perfect Airbnb goes way up when guests are prepared to shell out money for seven days instead of one. Here’s how to make sure these guests and their scrupulous search find you.
A weekly discount does two things. It gives your Airbnb a competitive edge and it signals to potential guests that you’re psyched and prepared to host week-long stays. One of our absolute favorite Airbnbs offered a 15% discount. From the host’s perspective, 15% isn’t enough to tip the scale into an unprofitable stay, but from the guest’s perspective, the potential savings are large enough to grab our attention. While 5% off might not factor into a booking decision, 15% equates to a free night each week. If your goal is to attract more extended stays, bump up that discount and add a two night minimum stay for your Airbnb.
While 5% off might not factor into a booking decision, 15% equates to a free night each week.
A guest looking for a single night stay might just scan your Airbnb listing before they book. Week-long guests, on the other hand, will be more thorough. Often these guests are on the hunt for a specific type of Airbnb, and your listing should help these guests determine whether your place is the right fit for them. A comprehensive description, amenities list, and photo series will help you attract week-long bookings.
A family vacation: set out some kid-friendly games. A professional conference: spruce up your laptop friendly workspace. A house hunt: an extra sticky note or two in your local guide about your favorite neighborhoods.
When that week-long booking pops up on your phone, take a moment to ask your future guests what brings them to town. This small gesture gets the communication off on the right foot. And if you’re the host that always goes above and beyond, this tidbit of information positions you to tailor the space to their needs. A family vacation: set out some kid-friendly games. A professional conference: spruce up your laptop friendly workspace. A house hunt: an extra sticky note or two in your local guide about your favorite neighborhoods.
Once they arrive, week-long guests don’t just hang up an item or two in the bedroom. They settle into your Airbnb like a home. Here’s how to make a landing spot for all of their belongings.
In addition to making a great first impression, a well-designed entry area will be part of a week-long guest’s daily routine. A few thoughtful touches in the entry area won’t go unnoticed. Some hooks for coats, a bowl for keys, and a mat for shoes will keep guests organized and your space tidy.
Rummaging through a toiletry bag for a week isn’t ideal, especially if it’s teetering on the back of a toilet tank.
Rummaging through a toiletry bag for a week isn’t ideal, especially if it’s teetering on the back of a toilet tank. Create space for your guests to unpack their toiletries, whether that means clearing off some counter space or adding a couple floating shelves to a nearby wall. Go the extra mile and set out a clean mason jar for toothbrushes or a small tray for cosmetics. (If you’re looking for more bathroom tips, check out our complete bathroom essentials checklist here!)
The moment guests walk into your kitchen with their arms filled with groceries, they’ll be so grateful to see you’ve already designated space for their food. A few empty shelves or a couple wire basket will do the trick. We once walked into an Airbnb with an empty fruit basket on the counter. This little gesture seemed to invite us to move on in.
Here’s a simple, but often overlooked aspect of a longer stay: week-long guests use up more stuff. Ensure your guests don’t run out of key amenities mid-stay.
With any amenity you provide, the best rule of thumb is to stock a bit more than your guests will need. This goes for week-long stays too. Dry goods like toilet paper and paper towels are the most common, running-low culprits, but double check that other essentials like soap, shampoo, or dishwasher pods are topped off too.
A few backup towels and an extra set of sheets are more likely to be appreciated by a week-long guest than your typical in-and-out overnight. Especially if your guests have kids, back up linens are a good safety net to have on hand.
While someone in town for just one night might not worry about taking out the trash, week-long guests will likely want to discard their trash and recycling during their stay. A quick note about these locations in your house manual will keep guests from wandering aimlessly around your yard. Don’t forget to leave a roll of extra trash bags where they’re easy to find.
While the one-night guest admires your Airbnb kitchen from afar, the week-long folks almost always roll up their sleeves and start cooking. Here are the kitchen tweaks we’re most grateful to find in an Airbnb kitchen.
Dull knives plague Airbnb kitchens, and they immediately suck the fun out of cooking. Before your guests arrive, sharpen those puppies up! Remember, knives are actually safer when they cut like they’re expected to. Preserve their sharpness by keeping your knives in a universal knife block or pick up a set like this that comes with individualized sheathes.
If they’re anything like us, most guests won’t realize they’re in a spiceless kitchen until the pan is hot and the vegetables are chopped. Save your guests from flavorless meals, and round out the salt and pepper with a few regional spices or your personal favorites. A comprehensive spice set like this actually costs less than you might think.
If they’re anything like us, most guests won’t realize they’re in a spiceless kitchen until the pan is hot and the vegetables are chopped.
More often than not, the kitchen is a notch or two less clean than the rest of the Airbnb. Whether it’s due to infrequent use or the vast number of small items that may have slipped through the cleaning cracks, we often discover the grime factor when we start cooking. Avoid this by adding a few extra steps to your cleaning checklist: give the inside of the fridge a thorough wipe down; thumb through the dishes to make sure their clean to the touch; check that the appliances are ready to use. (We once opened up a coffee maker to find old grounds starting to mold. Not the most appetizing way to start breakfast!)
Longer stays often include downtime that overnight guests just don’t have. Set your week-long guests up to enjoy their nights in as much as they enjoy their nights out.
Perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike, movie nights are always a hit. Set out a big bowl with a few bags of popcorn, a cozy blanket for the couch, and some of your favorite films or access to their Netflix account. A few board games on a nearby shelf can round out the night.
One of the most surprising and enjoyable patterns we’ve discovered from Airbnb to Airbnb is the wide range of books our hosts have left out for us. We’ve kicked back with all sorts of entertaining stuff, from a guide to the best London pubs to a book filled with stunning graffiti. Infuse the space with a bit of your personality and leave your guests to enjoy your favorite reads.
The longer the stay, the more an outdoor area gets used. If you’ve got the space, create a special spot for your guests to enjoy. This impressive Airbnb created a serene backyard corner just for us, complete with a stand-alone hammock, horseshoes, and the host’s own graffiti art. Needless to say, it became part of our daily routine.
With a full week in your neck of the wood, guests will venture out and explore. A five star location review can be as easy as these two tricks.
Help your guests strike gold each time they venture out of your Airbnb. Create a local guide and include all your favorites: restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, grocery stores, shopping districts, tourist attractions, parks. This guide will fill their week with only the best of the best, and leave your guests with the illusion that your neighborhood is practically perfect.
Give your guests the inside scoop on how to get the most out of your neighborhood on foot. Highlight the most enjoyable walks your guests can find out your front door. We’ve even seen a ridiculously thoughtful host print out a little map that literally outlined the walks we might enjoy. For the pet-friendly Airbnb, this is particularly appreciated by the guests trying to keep their pooches nice and tuckered out.
Think about it. When’s the last time you lived in your Airbnb for a full week? Your guests are now brimming with knowledge!
After a full week, your guests now know your space inside and out…Don’t let this insight go to waste!
After a full week, your guests now know your space inside and out. Which light bulbs are burned out, which appliance makes a funny noise, where curtains should be installed. Don’t let this insight go to waste! A quick, genuine text acknowledging their expertise and inquiring about what can be improved won’t just help you prepare for the next guests who walk in your door; it will demonstrate your own dedication to your space and the Airbnb community, sending your guests on their way with a top-notch impression of you.
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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.
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Imagine you’re Santa. (Feel free to picture the hat, the red velvet suit, the reindeer. After all, it’s that time of year!) Now, as Santa,
From tattered barn to exquisite Airbnb, here is an incredible renovation that will inspire hosts and guests alike. After years of vacationing in Maine, Peggy
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.
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