Accommodation
What Airbnb guests really want
If you’re an Airbnb host you may be wondering what you could be doing to set your space apart from the many others nearby. We’ve pulled together the six things that travellers want to know when they are about to make a booking, so that you can tailor your information to appeal to the masses.
What is the accommodation near?
Sure you don’t want to give out your street address just yet, but you can give lots of information about exactly where your place is. Proximity to other things is important – for instance can they walk to nearby cafes or is everything a drive away? Is it safe to walk around at night? Do taxis go by or do they need to book one? Are there regular buses on the route? Is it a ten-minute walk to the nearby botanic gardens or is it a half hour cross-country hike?
Is there somewhere to park?
Many guests will arrive by car and they will want to know about parking. Let them know if you have a private space or a visitor’s spot, is it undercover, or is it a lock up garage? Will it fit a people mover or only a hatchback? If the only option is on-street parking, is it metred and easy to come by? The more information the better here, so that you set people’s expectations before they arrive.
Can I expect any strange noises?
There’s no point glossing over the fact that your apartment backs onto the railway line, or that the neighbour’s dog barks for an hour every morning at 7am. Be open and honest about anything that you think guests might end up complaining about. If they know in advance they are less likely to leave you a bad review. You can also advise how you are managing the noise – such as double-glazing for instance.
Is there information about how to use the amenities?
Visitors from overseas or those used to a different setup might need a hand with things like how to work the TV or coffee machine. Otherwise things that might have helped sell them on your property could wind up being useless, as they have no idea how to switch them on (or off). Also, keep things where people would expect to find them. This way the guest won’t get cross about finally tracking down a wine glass or corkscrew in the lounge room when they would expect to find them in the kitchen.
What exactly am I going to find there?
You may have been hosting for years, but for some people it may be a relatively new experience. They want to know exactly what to expect when they show up. So if you say you will leave them some basic foodstuffs in the kitchen – be more specific. They may be arriving with kids and will need to know what sort (and how much) milk you will be leaving for them for instance. They want to know if there’s a hairdryer, or WiFi (and the password please), or that you can’t flush the downstairs toilet. Even if it means having to admit to certain issues with the accommodation, it’s best to be upfront.
How big is the space?
We’ve all been deceived by real estate agent’s wide angle lens, so don’t let that happen to your guests. Don’t make things look bigger or better than they really are, or you set your guests up for disappointment. It can also be helpful to give a layout of the place so that they can get an idea of where things are.
Have you got any tips for being a great Airbnb host? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments.
If you want to learn more about hosting on Airbnb, please click here.
Related links:
The neat Airbnb feature you might not know about
Over60 Airbnb hosts share their advice for being a great host
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