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Original poster

Could someone talk to me about air bnb

126 replies

StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 14:03

We are looking to advertise a house on air b n b. I've had a look at the site and it looks really helpful but it would be good to have some real people to chat to and ask silly questions.
Is it easy? Do you get the bookings?

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 15:38

So terrestrial TV is fine? Hmm.

OP posts:
agedknees · 19/01/2019 16:04

Terrestrial tv and freeview might be better. WiFi is a must. Would you allow dog(s)?

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 16:04

Good question. I think probably not.

OP posts:

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Holidays
Singlenotsingle · 19/01/2019 16:58

We did host Airbnb for a while. The first thing guests asked for was the WiFi login. We didn't get a huge amount of business as we're in the countryside, but people we know based in Portsmouth did a roaring trade.

NotANotMan · 19/01/2019 17:00

I rent mine on Airbnb both my spare room and the whole house when I'm not there.

It's super easy on the app, I get lots of bookings. TV and WiFi are essentials.

NoWordForFluffy · 19/01/2019 17:03

Most modern TVs will have the ability to get Freeview on them anyway, so you should have more than 5 channels available.

And I definitely wouldn't book somewhere without WiFi on purpose. I've done it accidentally before and annoyed myself immensely!

wowfudge · 19/01/2019 17:11

Have you stayed in an Airbnb yourselves? Might be worth doing so to see what other hosts do and provide, plus what you like and don't as someone staying there.

I look for free WiFi and a TV, bedroom separate from the living space. I also want a cooker, not just a hotplate and a microwave.

We've always been provided with some basic groceries including tea, coffee and milk, toiletries, sanitary supplies, decent hairdryer, spare towels. It was a pain in one place where there was only a small stove top coffee pot. I now look for things like coffee machines and scour photos to see what is provided. It is also much nicer to have basic matching mugs, glasses, plates, etc rather than what are clearly someone's oddments they no longer use.

Humphriescushion · 19/01/2019 17:11

I am a airbnb host so feel free to ask me anything. My guests always ask for wifi - t.v almost never. I am in france though and most of guests are french. I dont allow children so that probably affects the need for t.v.

I rent out a whole apartment but I am on the site ( it is underneath our house) so never a problem with parties etc.

Autumnchill · 19/01/2019 17:12

We use Air BnB a lot, both in UK and abroad (5 of us going to Lakes next Friday) and WiFi definitely a requirement. Freeview would be good however we've had some good nights with various games (monopoly / scrabble) and a pack of cards. We tend to go as a group so it's more of a communal thing than a hotel so we're chatting and catching up most of the time but I would still like a TV for background noise (they are relatively cheap).

Also love a nice welcome pack, milk, tea, coffee and pack of biscuits.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 17:14

Thank you everyone this is the sort of detail I need. Think we'll sort out WiFi but leave TV for now and reassess.
Good point about matching plates etc, will do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 17:15

We have a TV already which we use with a firestick but no ariel and no licence.
Is it sad I'm looking forward to doing the welcome pack... Once the house is ready that'll be the fun bit for me.

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Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 17:16

We have a cheap kettle and toaster, white plastic. Both work. Woukd that put you off.

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Littlebelina · 19/01/2019 17:25

I'd want a TV (Freeview is the basic now as analogue signal has been switched offbut that's all I expect not sky. If folks want streaming they can use their own accounts). WiFi def esp if you are in non traditional holiday location so might be attracting people on work trips.

Basic applicances (kettle, toaster are fine).

PenguinPandas · 19/01/2019 17:25

Kids insist on wifi otherwise it is a "near death experience" but apparently only old people use TVs. I would only with wifi unless somewhere exceptional like in a rainforest which presumably you are not 😎 TV would expect but wouldn't use. Would also want towels and bed linen and much prefer when some basics are provided like soap.

PenguinPandas · 19/01/2019 17:28

If you've got Netflix Instant Hotel reviews Oz AirBNBs.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 19/01/2019 17:34

I'd want TV, Wi-Fi and something for digital radio. I wouldn't book without TV and Wi-Fi.

A hairdryer would be nice but not an essential, as long as I knew beforehand. Same with toiletries.

Decent kitchen equipment is a must have. Doesn't need all the bells and whistles but what is there needs to work.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 17:38

We have a small digital radio in the kitchen.
Hair dryer, I wouldn't have thought of that.

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NotANotMan · 19/01/2019 17:50

The fire stick is fine. I don't have freeview but I have an apple box with Netflix on it which I state in the listing and nobody has ever complained about it

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 17:53

But they cokdnt use our firestick, they d have to bring their own. Is that normal

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fussychica · 19/01/2019 18:13

We use Aibnb all the time. Fortunately I have only stayed in one bad one and that was dirty and uncomfortable.
We screen out anything without WiFi. Would definitely want a comfortable bed, decent bed linen and towels. Parking would also be an essential for us if in the UK and on some occasions abroad.
Decent kitchen appliances and utensils as we usually cook quite a bit. A dishwasher is lovely but not essential. Sufficient crockery, cutlery and glasses for the number of people the place is meant to accommodate. Same for seating.
I have never used a supplied hairdryer but know lots of folk consider them an essential.
Good luck.

NotANotMan · 19/01/2019 18:14

You'll have to provide some kind of TV entertainment. Why couldn't they use your fire stick?

OlennasWimple · 19/01/2019 18:19

Wifi is essential

The rest depends on the market you are aiming for and the amount you are charging. Cheap kettle (not enough for three decent cups of tea?) and cheap toaster (not big enough for proper bread?) are OK if you are going to get back packers staying one or two nights only. If you want longer lets (which would be more profitable and less work for you than lots of shorter stays) then decent kitchen equipment is a must

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 18:24

Because we'd be using it. And isn't it all account based, so the programmes were watching etc?
Thanks everyone keep them coming...

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Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 19/01/2019 18:25

Kettle is normal size but looks cheap and plastic. Works fine. Same for toaster, a normal slice doesn't quite fit but that has been the case for every toaster we've owned

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MrsAmaretto · 19/01/2019 18:25

It wouldn’t bother me if it’s a cheap white kettle & toaster. It really bothers me if I can’t get a slice of factory bread - hivis/kingsmell etc to fit the toaster! Next time I stay at my mums I’m buying her a new toaster!