How to Wow Your Airbnb Guests (7 Tips)

Airbnb is well known for providing guests with unique places to stay. Each room and listing is different from the next, and in some cases, more of a culture trip than a hotel. That being said, it’s important to make your Airbnb stand out and provide a memorable experience. If want to go above and beyond to create guest memories for life, check out these tips on how to wow your guests.

Keep in mind that accommodation is only one aspect of the stay and service is another. Guests will always remember the service you provided, and how you make them feel about your accommodation.

1. Provide The Unexpected

To wow your guests, provide them with some items that they least expect to enhance their experience. For example, let’s say you are in a city with a must-see attraction which is always hard to get tickets for. You could consider providing tickets to the venue and have them waiting upon your guest’s check-in.

You can determine in pre-arrival messages what might be of interest to your guests and why they are visiting your area. You may even be able to strike a deal with a local establishment to have tickets on hand or voucher’s for discounts for guests who stay at your Airbnb. This can be a pleasant surprise to guests who want to get the most out of their time in your community.

2. Comfortable Sleeping Arrangements

You know the feeling you get when you check into a hotel or Airbnb after a long journey? Unlocking the door to your room, throwing your bags down, and jumping on the bed? Well, that is the feeling which, can really wow your guests. Something as simple as providing a comfortable bed, other luxurious sleeping arrangements, or even a convenient place to set their luggage is an experience they hope for, but don’t always get.

Provide clean and comfortable bedding so your guest raves about the great night’s sleep they had in your place when they leave their review. Your guests often come to rest and get away from the distractions of their life and having a wonderful place to land at the end of a long drive or day of sight-seeing can really be a treat!

3. Local Delights

As an Airbnb host, you will be used to welcoming people from all around the world and from different cultures. Why not start the guest’s journey by providing a local delicacy, or a traditional item from the local market as a gift upon arrival? Not only is it a great idea to wow your guests, but it can also be a talking point. An ice-breaker, if you will.

Consider offering a souvenir that features your local region or a popular sight near your rental. Many creators on sites like Etsy or Zazzle will make custom ornaments, cozies or other gift that can be unique to your Airbnb and won’t break the bank. Special touches like this help your guest feel special and give them a memento of their stay, and a reminder to get in touch when they return to the area!

Sure, it costs a few dollars per booking, but it helps to gain a positive review, resulting in more bookings, and even repeat stays. It doesn’t have to be a luxurious or refined gift to be a great investment!

Strive to have items on hand that will enhance guest’s enjoyment of local sights. If your area is walkable or near outdoor events, consider having conveniences like camping chairs or a collapsible wagon available. Take the time to think about what they might do and need while they are there and they’ll appreciate you for it!

4. Willingness To Help

Going one step further than simply being there for your guests is proactively helping wherever you think they require any.

If your guest is from out of town and you find out they enjoy running at sunset, you can help them by providing directions for a great running trail. Or, if you provide some local delights on arrival and you see they really enjoyed them, recommend places for them to check out and buy more. As soon as you know more about your guest through conversations you can recommend sights, activities, and food outlets before they even have to ask.

In addition to proactively helping, responding to guest queries quickly can leave them with a smile. If you have a guest from overseas, they may not have data roaming, and can only ask you a question when they are on Wi-Fi. Consider having notifications turned on so you can reply as soon as a message comes through so your guest feels respected.

5. Personalization

There is a growing trend in the hospitality industry whereby guests choose to stay in places where they aren’t just looking for a place to rest their heads. They are beginning to spend money on places where they feel welcome and comfortable right from the get-go.

Leave a personalized note for your guest to instantly make them feel at home and bring a smile to their face. This makes each stay unique and it will be reflected in your reviews. Additionally, your communication with them should show enthusiasm for their arrival and their experience. When guests feel good about communicating with you, they won’t hesitate to reach out when they seek a place to stay in the future. Don’t miss this free way to impress your guests!

6. Welcome Basket

A welcome basket could complement your personalization efforts by placing items the guest prefers into a welcome pack with a little note on top. The welcome pack can include things like tea, coffee, fruit, and chocolate.

The basket could also include your house manual (welcome binder) packed with information about local sights and amenities. We make it easier with our Welcome Binder template that has all you need to help your guests enjoy their stay. Provide recommendations for restaurants, cafes, bars, outdoor activities, and public transport. Let them know important information about your Airbnb to make their stay relaxing and comfortable.

Additionally, there is nothing like a personal, face-to-face recommendation to wow a guest, so try and ensure, during your physical interaction with your guest, to pick up on some hints and recommend accordingly.

Reach out to your local tourism board or Chamber of Commerce for brochures for your area events and attractions. Having these on hand will take the guess-work out of finding fun and interesting things to do. These are usually provided free by local agencies.

7. Leave The Space Bright, Breezy, and Smelling Delish

First impressions are everything, so ensure your listing feels warm and bright upon check-in. Of course, it will be sparkling clean, so why not show it off right away! Strategically place your indoor lighting to compliment the natural light so your guests have a positive outlook as soon as they step inside.

In addition to ensuring a bright room, open the windows and allow the breeze to come through to fill your listing with fresh air.

Final Thoughts

There are many things you can do to wow your guests, and some of them are more expensive than others. However, there is nothing like listening and having a conversation with them to learn what will wow them. It may be they enjoy the sights, so you provide access to some tickets for attractions. Or, if they enjoy a particular type of coffee in the morning, you can purchase that coffee and place it on the kitchen table with a personalized note for when they walk in the door.

At the end of the day, being friendly, attentive, and respectful will leave a positive impression for guests. By following one or more of these tips on how to wow your Airbnb guests, you will be on your way to having a very happy guest, a very positive review, and more bookings!

Happy hosting!