Open Letter to All Airbnb Owners
If You’re a Host, This is For You (Read On!)
Dear Airbnb Hosts,
First of all, can I just give you a round of applause? Seriously, stand up and take a bow.
You open your homes, your hearts, and occasionally bring us fresh figs from your fig trees, and for that, we’re eternally grateful.
But we need to talk about how you can go from good to great, from a boring “it was a nice stay” to an “I’ll tell all my friends about it” experience.
A Local Point of Contact
When we book your place, we’re not just looking for a bed to crash on. We’re after an experience, an adventure, and a story to tell at our next dinner party.
You’re the gatekeeper of hidden gems, the curator of cozy corners, and the unofficial mayor of your neighborhood (to us, anyway!) You set the tone for our entire trip — and, no pressure — but we’re counting on you to help make it amazing.
What We Expect (and secretly hope for!)
We’re not high-maintenance — well, some of us aren’t — but we do have a few expectations that, if met, can turn our stay from “meh” to “OMG, you have to stay here!”
Cleanliness
Let’s be real, nobody wants to find the cleaning team’s pizza box under the kitchen sink (but I definitely have — eewww.) A sparkling clean space is non-negotiable. If we can eat off your floor, you’re doing it right.
Accuracy
If your listing says “spacious and sunny,” we don’t want to find ourselves in a windowless broom closet type of place. Honesty is the best! Show me the good, the bad, and the ugly — but preferably more of the good — in your listing.
Tip — when your opening photo on your listing is of a local attraction instead of your home, I’m not clicking any further. Show me the home!
Communication
Ghosting may be for teenagers, but not for Airbnb. Quick, friendly responses make us feel welcome and valued. We need to know we can contact you when we need something or have a question, before, during and after our stay.
Negotiate the Price
When it’s a few days before the stay and you don’t have any bookings, be open to people like me who contact you and ask for a 50% discount in exchange for filling your open dates or recommending your home to my social media audience.
If you snooze, you loose, because one way or another, I’m booking a spot, so don’t miss the money because you have just THAT one price in mind. Some money is better than NO money, right? Very few people book last minute, so when my offer comes, say yes! (Or make a counter-offer.)
Local Insights
We’re here for the inside scoop. Where’s the best place to get coffee? Which tour guide has the best insight into local history? What’s that one secret vineyard only locals know about? When you let us in on those gems, we’ll use them, then we’ll tell others that it was YOU who led us there!
How to Be a Better Host
Here are some tips to make us fall head over heels for your Airbnb.
- Personal Touches
- Thoughtful Amenities
- Comfort
- Responsive Human
- Local Experiences
- Clear House Rules
- Emergency Plan
Think of us as your distant friends visiting from out of town. A handwritten welcome note, a basket of fresh fruit, or even some locally made snacks can make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
We’re not asking for a 5-star hotel experience, but a little extra effort goes a long way. Sharp cooking knives (because who can chop with a butter knife?), cutting boards, a pair of oven mitts, air fresheners in the bathrooms (please!), dry wood ready for the fireplace, and a decent coffee maker can make a world of difference.
We want to sink into your space and feel immediately at home. Invest in good quality bedding, plump up those pillows, and throw in a few cozy blankets. Add a basket of fun toys for the kids or a stash of family board games. Trust me, we’ll notice!
Be there when needed, but never intrusive. We appreciate knowing you’re just a message away if we need anything, but we also value our privacy. If you send a “how’s everything?” message a few hours after we check in, we feel so grateful. It’s just good to know you’ve got our backs, even if everything is fine.
Partner with local businesses or offer unique experiences. A wine tasting tour, a cooking class with a local chef, or a discount at a nearby restaurant can make our stay unforgettable.
Tell us what we can and cannot do, but do it nicely. Clear, visible house rules help prevent any awkward misunderstandings. We want to be good guests, seriously!
We want to have an emergency plan, just in case. Provide a list of emergency contacts, the nearest hospital, and clear instructions on what to do if things go sideways. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself laying awake at night in an Airbnb thinking, “Where is the fire extinguisher or first-aid kit hiding in here, anyway?”
Here are some extras that will make us swoon!
- Welcome Gift
- Bathroom Essentials
- Tech Ready
- Guest Guidebook
- Kitchen Love
A small token of appreciation goes a long way. Fresh cookies (especially gluten free ones!), a bottle of locally sourced lemonade for the kids, or a selection of teas and coffees can make our day. By the way, when our kids are delighted, we are already writing that post-stay review in our minds.
Tip: Delight the kids, get the five stars.
Stock up on toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We might have forgotten ours in the rush to catch our flight. When you’ve got that covered, it saves us the stress of going out to find it late at night.
Decent Wi-Fi is a must, but consider throwing in some charging stations and universal adapters.
Tip: We come with gadgets and we need them to work. When we can’t, we get cranky.
A printed guidebook with your favorite spots, emergency contacts, and house instructions.
Equip the kitchen with more than just the basics. Sharp knives, cutting boards, spices, and maybe even a few local recipes can turn a simple meal into an experience.
You, dear Airbnb host, have the power to transform our travels.
Your home is the backdrop of our adventures, the cozy nest we return to after a day of exploring. Your efforts, big and small, make all the difference. So, thank you for being awesome, for opening your doors to us, and for making our travels unforgettable.
Keep being amazing. We can’t wait to stay with you.
Warmest regards,
A Traveling Mom
(I’ve done 200+ Airbnb stays across 45 countries while traveling full time with 4 kids and my husband, so this letter comes with some experience!)
