Best Response Ideas to Common Airbnb Guest Questions

If I went back to 2010 and told you, “The future’s biggest hotel company won’t own any hotel buildings,” you’d think that I’m a lunatic and quickly dismiss the idea. Yet, around 2016, Airbnb became the biggest hotel company, far outstripping its conventional hotel rivals. 

Airbnb

Airbnb is a community-based hotelier company that utilizes an online platform to place bookings and list accommodations. Anyone can rent out their spare room or house to Airbnb and invite a guest to stay, as long as the room is up to Airbnb’s standards. With this approach, homeowners can earn extra cash for renting their property, while travelers have an extreme amount of properties to rent from – Win-win!

Responses to Common Guest Questions

With guests coming and going from various properties, there are bound to be common questions. We have compiled a list of common Airbnb guest questions and the best response to those questions. 

Where’s the Key?

There are times when you can’t physically attend to your guest’s check-in process, and it’s completely okay. Guests love self-check in!

As a homeowner, you want to keep your house safe by hiding the key somewhere unseen. However, your guests are sometimes too exhausted, hungry, or jet-lagged to follow your vague scavenger hunt regarding the key’s location. Consider purchasing a lock box for the guest key, so the home can remain secure and guests can have easy access.

Another option is a keyless entry door handle that can be programmed to easily add and delete guest entry codes for your convenience. Be sure to send clear instructions for how to access the rental with either the lock-box or keyless entry door handle, especially if they will be arriving after dark.

If you don’t have either of these options and must keep a key outside, a good example of a descriptive location could be: “The key is under the small yellow pot located to the right of the front door.” This description includes all the necessary details without requiring the guest to solve a mystery before starting their vacation.

Can I Get a Discount?

Your guest may like to get bargains, or they may have experienced an issue with the property. Regardless of the reason for them asking for a discount, you make the ultimate decision as the homeowner. Do listen to your guests as you make your discount judgment call. 

Pre-emptively, you may choose to provide a discount if a guest stays more than five days, or if they choose a no-cancellation option. Discounts may also be helpful to your bottom line if you have difficulty booking weekday stays. If you find your calendar with holes during weekdays, consider offering a discount for those days to help fill these dates. It’s better to have discounted stays rather than no stays at all.

Do be flexible if there was an issue with the guests’ stay. For example, if the garage door would not open for them to park their car and that is a listed amenity, you may be willing to provide a discount for the inconvenience of parking on the road. 

Can I Host a Party?

Guests travel for many different reasons, and one reason may be to celebrate. As the property owner, you can state in your house rules specific stipulations that your guests must follow. If you have sensitive neighbors or are concerned about property damage, you may want to axe parties or large celebrations.

If you are okay with guests celebrating, ensure, your property is party-proof! You may include a party package with drinkware, clean-up kits, and games. Or you may only allow parties to take place outside in the backyard with a limit of 10 people. No matter what you decide, make sure the details are included in your rental contract and ensure that your guests have agreed to follow the house rules. 

If parties are allowed at your rental, be sure your insurance is up to date and covers damages for events. This will protect your property in the event that coverage offered by the rental platform doesn’t come through or the guest is unwilling to compensate you for damages.

How Fast is the Internet?

The internet has become a necessity, even on vacation. It’s only natural for your guests to ask if the wi-fi is dependable and fast. The best way to answer your guests is to provide them with your internet speeds. For example, “Our property is equipped with XXXMbps. You can have up to 8 devices connected at the same time.” You may also wish to provide a picture in your listing of a speed test result.

Guests may also want access to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. One option is to have a dedicated guest account for your Airbnb property. Internet access is vital for business professionals and online learners alike; offering the best internet possible is sure to make a guest appreciate your place even more. 

What is the Parking Situation?

Some guests travel by car, truck, motorcycle, or even RV. They need to store their vehicle somewhere safe. So, always state the parking information on your Airbnb listing. 

Do you have a garage? That’s great! Make sure to inform your guests regarding how many vehicles can fit in the garage. Maybe you don’t have any parking, that’s fine too! Simply say “No Parking” on your listing and mention the closest parking space from your place. You can also recommend a parking app for your guests, such as ParkStash, Parker, or Spot.

It may also be helpful to your guests to know what transportation methods are available for your listing. Can they hail a cab, Uber or Lyft at your location? Is there access to public transportation? These options may make parking limitations less challenging for them.

Conclusion

Guests want to know that their temporary home away from home is going to be enjoyable and comfortable. Travel can be stressful, so guests will ask a lot of questions. By being prepared for common Airbnb guest questions, you can have quick responses available, which can result in good communication ratings.