Someone Booked My Airbnb, Now What?
Once you’ve received confirmation that someone has booked your Airbnb, it’s time to start planning for their arrival. Aside from sharing basic information like check-in/check-out times, there are a few steps you should take to help your guests get ready for their trip. From the initial introduction to confirming all of the details of their stay, here’s what to do immediately after someone books your Airbnb.
Introduce Yourself
When someone books your Airbnb, it is nice to start the communication right away. This shows that you are involved and will give your guests a sense of confidence in you. Reach out, introduce yourself and thank them for booking your listing. This can be a great opportunity to give a quick overview of the property and any information they may need while preparing for their trip.
Ask Some Important Questions
Asking questions is an easy way to learn more about what type of guests will be staying at your Airbnb. You don’t need to badger them and get every single detail, but a few simple questions will give you a good idea of how to prepare for their stay. Here are a few questions you may want to ask:
- What is the reason for your visit?
- How many people will be staying in the house?
- Are there any specific activities you are looking to do while on your trip?
- Find out if there are any special requests or accommodations that you can help with
Help Guests Make Plans
Most of the time, guests won’t know a ton about the area that they are coming to visit. This is a great opportunity to put on your concierge hat and help them with plans. Where are you located? What might people want to do in your area?
Put together a guide of restaurants and bars that they might enjoy. If you recommend somewhere for dinner that you know gets busy, let them know to make a reservation ahead of time. If there are popular local attractions, suggest some of your favorites and where to get tickets. Although your guests may have an idea of what they plan to do while on their trip, it is a thoughtful gesture as a host to make it as easy as possible to have a great time.
Give A Quick Packing List
Help your guests by giving them a small packing list of some essentials they may need at your Airbnb. If your listing is near a beach, extra towels and sunscreen are an easy suggestion. Should your home be off the beaten path in the mountains, let them know to run to a grocery store on the way in to grab firewood and kitchen basics. Being able to plan ahead of time is key for guests and as the host, you know best what they will need for their stay!
Go Over Your House Rules
House rules are very important for your guest to be aware of before they come to your Airbnb. While you may have a more detailed list of rules posted in the house when they arrive, be sure to make the most important ones known ahead of time. If a guest is booking around a festival season or a holiday such as New Year’s Eve, ask if they have reviewed the house rules to be sure that your policies won’t get in the way of a great trip. If they were planning to visit and have a party, let them cancel for free – help people help you!
Prepare The House
When a guest leaves your Airbnb, set up the house to be immediately rebooked. Schedule your cleaning crew to come and get all of the bath and bed linens ready.
If there is a longer lead time between guests, be sure that you do a walk-through to check everything before the next guest arrives. Look in the fridge to check the expiration dates on condiments and throw away anything that may have been left behind. Open some blinds, make sure one light is on in the house and turn the AC or heat up to a cost-efficient but comfortable temperature. Lastly, if there are any quirks about the house, be sure to let your guests know ahead of time – any small pro tip goes a long way!
In Conclusion
Overall, preparing for guests to stay at your Airbnb can be a bit of work but if you keep these tips in mind it will make the process much easier. From understanding what questions to ask and providing helpful recommendations to making sure house rules are known ahead of time, being prepared is key for having successful stays with guests. By following all these steps, you’ll ensure that every guest who visits has an amazing experience while staying at your Airbnb from the moment they book.
