What are you looking for in an AirBnB?

[VinoEsmeralda]

In the process of building a 1 bedroom house with small garden and off road parking.

We often use AirBnB and there are a few things I really rate such as off road parking, welcome pint of milk, good instructions and of course a nice bed.

What do you think we could do to make it stand out?

I really dislike blackout curtains, I hated it when we had them in our room when the DCs were babies, so it would be better for me to have separate blackout blinds which I could leave up and curtains. I wouldn't check for this on a listing but would appreciate it.

Yes to all the normal holiday let regulations being met. Also comfy beds and sofas, wifi, clear instructions, storage for food and bits from home in the kitchen, shoe rack and coat pegs in the hall or in a hall cupboard. Iron and ironing board.

Soap by all sinks, invest in best mattress and pillows with goose down duvets. You will reap dividends as people will post about it on reviews. And that's what get bookings. Nespresso coffee machine. Decent WiFi and tv. Log burner?

I just want it to be honest. It doesn’t have to be fancy but if it’s not then be clear about what is and isn’t included.

A floor plan always really helps if have more than 1 generation staying.

A really good shower (preferably over the bath so there's a choice) a log burner, good sized, quality towels, excellent WiFi. Some basic provisions always help, like tea/coffee/milk. If anyone leaves me a cake or some nice biscuits they are getting a five star review.

No goose down for me thank you!

Decent curtains yes. And no one having to sleep on a sofa bed or in the living room.

There's a lot of stuff you don't know till you get there though, like whether there are enough knives and whether the heating is adequate.

Yes definitely having a bath ( shower over bath)
This would be a mark against for me. I’m not a fan of climbing into the bath to shower. Definitely would prefer a walk in shower, and I don’t like a bath. Don’t think you’ll please everyone with this!
I like it simple, clean, good bed, and no expectation I clean at the end. I don’t need a washing machine, but would like a pint of milk and some tea bags/decent coffee (with a cafetière). WiFi definitely.

Nespresso coffee machine
Nooooo! Can’t think of anything worse! Proper coffee and cafetière!
I think this thread proves you can’t please everyone. Just be Clear what is there so people can choose.

CodenameVillanelle sort of, I would like to try AirBnB but will give it 6 months and if its not working rent it out on a 12 month rolling contract.

Wow - loads of good ideas!

• Board games and books
• Black out curtains ( never thought about that)
• of course sharp knives and a tin&bottle opener as they never have these, or rare to have it
• Floor plan and so many more..

DH wanted a sofabed but Im not keen, it is a one bed so 2 people max I think. Also don't want a sleepy smell in the sofa.

Few things we need to mull over such as do we offer bikes and an electric car charger?

Also people seem keen on alcohol but rather would leave breakfast items for the first day or cake and coffee/tea as not everybody drinks.
Would an honesty bar work? Have a little booze shelf where you can help yourself but pay ( at cost plus a little extra towards a charity?) what you drink?

Also will see if I can wrestle the floor plan of DH!

Tea/coffee/milk preferable to alcohol, I wouldn't want breakfast stuff but a pack of biscuits in case of late arrival would be nice.

I'd prefer a shower over a bath to a cubicle shower.

Comfy good quality mattress
Decent pillows
Comfy sofa
Well equipped kitchen for cooking, baking etc
Decent shower
Plenty of towels and linen
Cleaning materials
Soap
Milk
Store cupboard bits like olive oil, spices, tea, coffee etc
WiFi
And clean, very clean!

Clean nicely decorated, honest description of property, comfy bed, shower, black out blinds, decent tv, good quality towels and bed linen, a guest book, folder with appliance instructions, local attractions, restaurant recommendations, nearest supermarket/local shop, taxi numbers etc.

A really comfortable bed and a good powerful shower are what I want. A nice size walk in shower not one over a bath. I hate baths and I don't want to have to climb in and out of one to have a shower.

I don't think you need a washing machine unless you think there is a good chance you will get people staying for a week or longer.

Decent towels and proper bath sheets not silly so called bath towels that you can't even get round you. A bath mat so you don't have to use a towel to stand on or just get the floor wet.

Shower gel, shampoo etc is a nice touch. The same with tea bags, coffee and milk.

I've never stayed in an Airbnb where there was alcohol and I have stayed in loads. I would never expect it.

Personally I want to be able to cook if I choose to so a proper cooker not just a microwave.

I'm another that hates black out curtains. I like the light to wake me.

Make sure there is enough loo roll, Also I appreciate some cleaning items as I like to keep the place clean as I go along and give a clean before I go. Even when a cleaning fee is included I clean

Fast reliable Wi-fi

King size or super king bed with comfy mattress (and the right tog duvet for the season ie don’t leave a thick heavy 13.5 tog on in the middle of summer!)

Definitely off road parking

Very clean (including things like the kitchen cabinet fronts and handles )

Decent blackout blinds as well as curtains in the bedroom

Milk in the fridge

As an Airbnb host I would say KEEP IT SIMPLE
The more you have in the property the more you have to clean, to top up and to faff with. Unless you are going for top end luxury pricing then electric car chargers and honesty bars are way more than you need.
Invest in comfortable bed and sofa, stylish but simple furniture, nothing valuable but nothing too cheap or it will break easily. Matching or colour matched bedding so you can have several sets and it always goes rather than hunting for your pillow cases to go with the duvet cover.

If you’re after ‘nice touch’ ideas, I can provide 😀:

Coffee, tea, sugar and a pint of milk

Packet of biscuits, nothing fancy necessary

Carton of long life juice (thinking of kids here), or maybe a few of those lunchbox size cartons with straws

Breakfast wise, Two pints of milk and an 8 pack of Kellogg’s variety would be so nice and relatively cheap

Small box of chocolates, again, nothing fancy necessary - a £1 box of maltesers would be what I mean. Or a loaf cake?

Couple of cans of gin and tonic or mixed cocktails

It’s all basically great to have after a drive to get there and basics for breakfast in the morning

your idea of an honesty bar is lovely but I think some would take advantage so I wouldn’t do it

I'm posting this from an air bnb - from what I've experienced, a clean warm environment, good quality furniture (not the cheapest ikea range), bedding & towels. Also, sufficient cleaning products to include dishwasher tablets.

Easy to use appliances, labelled sockets for cooker etc. No krypton factor knowledge to get microwave to work.

I think an honesty bar will cause you issues with some taking advantage. For the opposite reason an honesty bar would stress me out...I wouldn't know what the acceptable rate is so I'd probably panic and steer clear or overpay.

Yes if you're putting a dishwasher in, then leave dishwasher tabs - not a whole box as they'll get nicked!

What I pay for, basically. If we want ‘ luxury’ we don’t mind paying a few quid more, if it’s cheaper then we expect a bit more basic.

I’d say no goose down duvets or pillows first they are really bad for many allergy sufferers and secondly they are not washable. So anti allergy stuff is much better.

Clean kitchen, a wine bottle opener, a radio is nice, obviously WiFi and tv. For me the most important is good mattresses, I don’t care about a bath or luxury bathroom as long as everything works well and is spotless.

Decent and honest photos of the property. I want to see how big the rooms are, what facilities there are, what the building looks like from the outside, what the garden and any views are like.
I don't particularly want to see endless closeups of sunlit flowers, toiletries and little plates of cakes.
I don't mind a place being a little scuffed and lived in, as long as it's clean, cosy and comfy. I'll scroll past any with bare walls, harsh overhead lights, ugly furniture and no character. Some places it's so obvious that the owner has scrimped and filled the place with cast offs and cheap shoddy stuff which makes me feel depressed just looking at the photos! I'd rather pay a bit more for somewhere that's had attention and care put into making the place comfortable and a bit special, otherwise why bother going away?
I think you'll never suit everyone's taste, so best to be honest about what you do have to offer. Some people like baths, others prefer showers, you won't please everyone. The worst thing is to be misleading.

Cleanliness is number 1. Location number 2. Flexible check in number 3.

Electric blanket in winter
Mattress topper
Cosy bedding
Cosy comfy sofa
Milk
Bread
Butter
Jam
Coffee/tea
Recycling information

Things I think make a difference: good garden furniture, parasols and seating areas outside, lots of places for everyone to sit comfortably inside, bedside lights, plenty of plug sockets, enough pots and pans to cook a family meal. Good heating or a fireplace in winter.

Immaculately clean, uncluttered. Safety! I stayed in one with very loose carpets on the stairs and I almost dropped my baby down the stairs I was fuming!!! Clear instructions e.g how to use the shower. Stayed in one where I couldn't for the life of me work out how to run a bath. A manual is helpful. Another host left us lovely tea and coffee and a packet of gorgeous biscuits which was really welcoming after a long drive. I second what a pp poster has said about milk. Black out blinds. Stayed in one with no curtains over one window and woke up very early. Not ideal when you're on holiday!