A (probably daft) question about Airbnb.

[SandunesAndRainclouds]

We are staying in a gîte during the school holidays in France. It was a new listing so we could be their first guests, not sure.

The host has been very responsive to messages. Very quickly after the booking was made, she messaged to welcome us and check if we needed any assistance with directions etc.

She has been very patient with my poor attempts to write back in french, and has generally been pleasant and helpful. Obviously I’m hoping this is the case when we get there too!

Anyway, I was thinking of taking over a Christmas tin of biscuits from M&S and leaving them on our departure if all is well.

Is that OTT or a nice gesture? I think it’s nice, DH thinks unnecessary as we’ve paid enough to stay there in the first place.

What do you think?

I think it's OTT. If all is well then a great review/feedback comments will be far more valuable to them if they're a new letting.

I wouldn’t.

It’ll be a pain in the arse to carry over in your luggage and what if it’s shit, do you take it back with you?

I use air b&b a lot and I think the hosts would rather just you cleaned up properly after yourself.

Also most of the places I’ve been have been managed by someone so I never met the actual host anyway.

Leave the place as you found it and write them a lovely review.

I'm an Airbnb host and it sounds like your host is very nice. You don't need to leave a gift but I'm sure she would be very pleased if you did. I have had some gifts from guests including from a French couple who gave us some sweets from Normandy. We were very touched by the gesture. Have a lovely time

Not necessary at all, you are paying your stay, but I'm sure they will be very well recieved anyway! Up to you.

I have stayed at a couple of airbnbs in the south of france and all have been very friendly, we haven't left gifts as there is no need, they have lots of customers.

Might be worth asking if there is any tourist tax or anything you need to pay though, one of ours didn't tell us about that until we turned up!! We were not impressed.

Damn, DH will be pleased!

This is the first time we’ve used Airbnb, I would always leave it clean and tidy (I’m the type to make the bed in a hotel) and leave a good review.

I'm an airbnb host. My guests often bring me presents from their home countries. It's usually French and German and Dutch people who bring gifts and it is lovely and I am always very chuffed. Some leave flowers or wine to say thanks. Your hosts will be thrilled.

It’s a nice gesture, although not 100%
necessary.
Leave a nice review and hopefully she leaves a good one for you.

Ok so not completely don’t do it..

If we can fit the tin in (likely) I’ll take them. I can happily eat the biscuits myself

I'm curious, why do you make a bed when you leave? That makes more work for the staff. I leave the bed folded down to make it easier for the bed to be stripped.

I just like to leave it tidy, I guess.

I think it would be very nice, sometimes they do them with a London/English scene on the lid.

Hope you have a good time.

I would too, I think it's a lovely idea.

Don't make the bed, although it feels like a nice gesture it makes it harder for staff.

You don't need to do anything with it but (if you have time) stripping it is always really appreciated.