Today, I want to share some of my top choices with you.

Airbnb

tips for guests and great ways to ensure you have the best stay possible! Whether you are a first-time Airbnb guest or a seasoned pro, each stay is a chance to experience somewhere and something profoundly different.

The lodgings and places that you can currently discover on
Airbnb
Are remarkable! However, fundamentally, Airbnb focuses on hospitality and linking travelers with experienced hosts across the globe.

Airbnb

I started writing this blog post a few days ago. Then, a day later, I started reading The Airbnb Story by Leigh Gallagher and found it fascinating.

To some extent, I resonate with the narrative, partly due to my enjoyment of hosting. This platform, along with managing vacation rentals, has significantly altered my life and those of countless others. What’s remarkable is the chance this provides
host on Airbnb
There is something for everyone since, apart from offering conventional accommodations, you can also host Airbnb Experiences.

Last night, I was looking for Airbnb experiences in Athens for an upcoming trip. I found a lady who hosts
feline excursions close to the Acropolis
, where you learn about the local cat colonies by their names. It’s amazing what they’ve achieved and the potential future plans for the company!

Therefore, besides being an Airbnb host, (
see my listings here
) but I’m also an Airbnb user. While reading the book, I value the enhanced sense of trust that platforms like Airbnb and other sharing economy communities have fostered.

When we bought our
first condo
Hosting our initial guests was both joyful and poignant. Although I was thrilled with the reservation, I felt a mix of sadness and unease at the thought of opening up my cherished space.
30A condo
With someone who was once just an online acquaintance. Fast-forward a few years, and now we find ourselves managing four condominiums and having hosted well over 1500 stays, but I remain as enthusiastic as when we started. Our joy and prosperity on Airbnb can largely be attributed to our wonderful visitors. Among them were many delightful guests, with only a select few whom we wouldn’t mind welcoming again.

When we started our first Airbnb, I purchased two Rosemary Beach coffee mugs for the guests at $15 apiece. Knowing they might not stick around long-term, I got an additional four and stored them in a closet. However, after hosting several hundred guests since then, those initial two mugs remain untouched in their hiding spot. In contrast, this cannot be said of the wine glasses; inevitably, some get broken over time due to mishaps—such occurrences are simply part of running such a business.

Ways to Become an Excellent Airbnb Visitor

Let’s focus on the topic of Airbnb guest etiquette! I’ve had
hosting
for years and am ready to share some tips for being a great Airbnb guest that I sure bet other Airbnb hosts would agree with. Some of these are common sense, but there may be some you still need to think about. And that’s ok.

If this is your first time being an Airbnb host, putting yourself in a host’s shoes can be challenging. That is why I am excited to share my experiences with you today!

READ:
Airbnb vs Hotel: Making the Right Choice

Who Is Your Airbnb Host, and Why Does That Matter?

Initially, my recommendations along with the Airbnb suggestions featured in this blog entry are primarily relevant when you’re staying at an airbnb property.
individual host
You can easily identify listings managed directly by the owners themselves. Look for their names, profile pictures, and bios to recognize when you’re dealing with the genuine property owner.

For instance, when examining my
Airbnb profile
, you’ll immediately sense that I’m a 40-something mom of two kids, and these belong to me. I really enjoy hosting, and I trust you’ll pick up on my familiarity with the 30A region.

This is different from what a bigger property management firm might do, as they frequently rely on automated messages and shift all communications to their system or via email once booked. Such hosts could lack valuable insights and, frankly, some of them might not have personally visited the rental space you’re thinking about leasing.

For this blog post, I’m assuming you’re lodging at an Airbnb.
vacation rental
Owned and operated by individuals similar to myself. With hosting nearly countless visitors throughout the last half-decade, I’m able to provide genuine perspectives on how things look from behind the application’s interface. Mostly, my experiences with guests have been excellent! Many are welcoming and equally thrilled about their stay here in 30A as I am about accommodating them. Their feedback has consistently been warm and appreciative.
Airbnb reviews
That I am immensely thankful for.

I’ve hosted numerous guests who left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps it’s due to their brief, monosyllabic replies—or lack thereof—if they respond at all. Sometimes, it feels like answering the same endless stream of questions over again. But what stings the most is receiving complaints about issues long past resolution once the guest has checked out. Let me recount a recent encounter shortly as we reach that part!

9 Tips for Airbnb Visitors

Up next, I will share 9 tips for Airbnb guests who are staying with a host such as myself–a genuine individual! These suggestions aim to guarantee that both you and your host enjoy an outstanding 5-star experience.

#1 Avoid Vanishing From Your Host’s View (Reply to Messages)

This is the most perplexing issue I’ve faced as a host. Out of several guests, some never communicated with me at all—before, during, or even after their stay.

I find this quite strange! After making a reservation, I typically send a
welcome message
When someone asks if it’s their inaugural visit to a region, I offer personalized suggestions and provide these tips within one or two days. Approximately two-to-three days prior to their arrival, I contact them to share check-in details, integrating our house manual into our communications for convenient reference. On the day of their arrival, I send over the entry code, followed by a brief message the subsequent day should I not receive confirmation from them yet. Finally, just before checkout, I resend the departure checklist along with gratitude for their stay.

There are only a few opportunities for contact, and typically guests either send a brief thank-you message or pose questions that I can address swiftly. Consequently, when I fail to receive a reply, I become anxious about whether my messages have reached them, which restricts my capacity to offer the standard of service I aim to deliver.

Therefore, don’t disappear on your host! A prompt, amicable confirmation of receipt makes a significant impact!

#2 Adhere to Airbnb’s Occupancy Restrictions

In 2024, Airbnb’s occupancy restrictions frequently stem from community guidelines, condo regulations, and local fire safety standards; thus, visitors should adhere to these constraints. Hosts may face penalties from their community and neighborhood associations for breaching these occupancy caps. Additionally, hosts might establish these limits themselves based on what they consider comfortable capacity for their property.

For example, in our
30A studio with bunks
In our Airbnb posting, we explicitly restrict reservations to accommodate only 2 adults plus an additional maximum of 2 children, and we implement this policy due to various considerations.

Initially, it requires considerable effort for grown-ups to climb up into that upper bunk.

Second, it’s typical for a smaller household to use one bathroom. Third, many families frequently share suitcases, as these units have restricted storage capacity.

Finally, there are also a couple of adult-oriented items present, like wine glasses. Yesterday, I asked four women to stay at this condominium, likely to cut costs, but I kindly turned down that reservation. Four individuals sharing one compact bathroom along with their personal belongings wouldn’t make for an enjoyable experience here. This setting simply doesn’t offer the luxury expected from a five-star accommodation, which is something I aim to provide with all my bookings.

So, while Airbnb means

Air mattress and breakfast,

Before bringing additional air mattresses and hosting extra guests, make sure to consult with your host first. This ties back to maintaining trust between both parties. Generally, if it’s acceptable, the host will inform you of their agreement, making such additions unproblematic. However, should they disapprove, they’ll deny permission along with providing reasons for their decision. Once, some guests informed me about wanting to fit an inflatable bed inside one of my tiniest studios which simply lacks sufficient room for it at all!

#3 Utilize the Airbnb platform unless they instruct otherwise.

Specifically regarding your host, let me clarify that I’m expressing this opinion solely based on my own experience: please utilize the Airbnb messaging system. I genuinely prefer not to receive calls or texts directly on my cellphone as they might slip past unnoticed. Maintaining a clear line between my private sphere—such as my children’s events, friendships, and familial commitments—and professional matters allows me to establish necessary limits. This approach ensures prompt responses too.

As an Airbnb host, I configured my account to send texts and emails whenever a guest reaches out. This allows me to swiftly check my app and reply promptly. My primary tool for staying connected is my Apple Watch, which filters notifications down to just texts, calls, and alerts from Airbnb. That way, even without having my phone readily accessible, I get instant updates as soon as a guest contacts me.

Moreover, I aim to never overlook a message, which is why I’ve configured a specific mode on my iPhone for nighttime hours when only alerts for calls and texts from my close relatives and Airbnb guests can reach me; all other notifications are silenced during these times. This setup ensures that critical communications from visitors will be noticed promptly without being disturbed by constant updates from group chats throughout the night. If someone reaches out via a call, they’ll show up in my inbox first thing in the morning. Additionally, I’ve published a blog article detailing some of my other strategies.
strategies for Airbnb hosting
and maintaining balance.

This reflects my own preferences. When you reserve a place via a property management firm, they might shift most correspondence to emails post-booking. Hence, follow what the host does. Should they initiate texts, responding with messages is perfectly acceptable. However, unless prompted otherwise, stick to communicating within the platform itself. An additional advantage is having documented records for every exchange should any problems occur which necessitate involvement from Airbnb.

#4 Seek Suggestions (Allow Your Host to GUIDE You)

One of my go-to Airbnb tips for guests involves maximizing the potential of your stay. Many people dedicate significant effort to researching activities and dining spots before traveling but overlook valuable assets at hand. When Airbnb’s then-CEO Brian Chesky welcomed the platform’s inaugural guest into his apartment with nothing more than an inflatable bed, he went above and beyond by personally guiding them through the area, pointing out fantastic nearby eateries along the way.

The bond between guests and hosts forms the core of Airbnb, and generally, hosts are thrilled to offer their insights into thelocal area. I truly like crafting
30A
tips and
activities to enjoy along 30A
For my visitors who tailor their trips based on their travel dates, preferences, and the age of their children if they are traveling as a family.

Generally speaking, most hosts ought to have considerable knowledge of the location where they’re hosting. If you’re an inexperienced host reading this, consider spending some time as a guest at your own Airbnb property. Immerse yourself in the local community by staying there regularly.

While Instagram and Yelp can be excellent resources for gathering travel inspiration, don’t forget to seek suggestions from your host as well! This tops the list of things my guests often praise following their stay with me. Don’t hesitate to check them out.
my Airbnb reviews
here!

#5 Review The House Guide

This ought to be straightforward. Kindly spend some time reading through all the information provided in your Airbnb reservation details. Experienced hosts ensure they list every important piece of information for their guests.
house manuals
, and frequently, visitors can address 95% of their queries just by going through all the information provided.

For instance, I often receive inquiries from people seeking advice on what to bring when they’re staying at an Airbnb accommodation, such as whether to include items like hair dryers and clothing irons. A lot of these details are typically covered in the house manual provided with your Airbnb reservation.

Following check-out, a recent guest expressed dissatisfaction with the curtains as they did not completely block out the light; nonetheless, if she had perused the details,
House Manual
that I shared with her, she would’ve been aware that we have a defined set of
travel blackout curtains
(one of my
methods to create a child-friendly Airbnb
Available in the closet for guests who prefer complete darkness.

#6 Manage an Airbnb as If It Were Yours

On numerous occasions, when visitors come for their accommodation stay,
Airbnb
, they forget their etiquette at home. Therefore, let’s add the golden rule: treat others as they would like to be treated.

Here are a few awkward instances that I’ve come across or seen.

In September, we went to one of our vacation homes with the family for just a few days, but each time I passed another unit of mine, tears welled up in my eyes. The reason? Temperatures reached nearly 100 degrees, yet the sliding glass door of our cozy 325 square foot studio apartment stayed wide open throughout the entire weekend.

Initially, I worried about my mini-split air conditioner, likely struggling due to excessive use and nearing the point of icing over, after which professional help would be needed. Additionally, I anticipated an invasion from ants and small creatures. Although I remained silent, as suggesting they shut it made me feel patronized—like a nosy sibling—I couldn’t stop pondering whether such measures were taken back at their place too.

I also have another tale to tell about a friend connected through Facebook. During their yearly family vacation at the seaside, this individual shared multiple pictures featuring a large, disorganized feast laid out across attractive blankets. Upon being queried regarding the lovely white and light blue tablecloths visible in the images, she responded that these were actually duvets taken from the rental property they were occupying, adding the laughing-so-hard-I’m-crying emoji to indicate her amusement.

I couldn’t resist wincing for both the host and the cleaning staff who will face greasy and pasta-stained sand-colored linens. Once more, I found myself pondering whether she had removed these from her main bedroom just for this situation.

Simply be kind. Treat another person’s belongings as you would treat your own!

#7 Express Your Issues While You Are Here

Your Airbnb experience won’t always be flawless every single time. After all, perfection doesn’t exist for anyone or anything! What matters most is providing your host an opportunity to address issues. These can range from minor inconveniences like trouble with the television to oversights such as cleaning lapses. For example, I had a situation where a guest waited two full days before mentioning that the Wi-Fi was down. Upon notification, we discovered that their teenager had disconnected the router to plug in a device for charging.
Nintendo Switch
.

Many of the repairs are straightforward, and most hosts welcome the chance to address issues properly. Besides, since it’s their property, you can bet they’d like to be informed if the air conditioning unit isn’t effectively chilling the space or if pests have been spotted in the restroom.

#8 Notify Us About Any Defective Items or Damage

Mishaps occur! Here’s a little insider tip… I’ve always waived charges when items got damaged. Usually, I keep spares stashed away in my storage closet or arrange for new ones to be brought over from Target within just a few hours.

It can be irritating when a visitor doesn’t inform you about a missing or broken item. It’s not enjoyable for visitors to find upon arrival that the
Keurig
It doesn’t function properly. Since it was not reported earlier, the problem now impacts the subsequent guest and necessitates a crisis-mode reaction from you as the host.

Informing your host promptly about missing or broken items is considerate towards both the subsequent guest and the host themselves.

#9 Write an Excellent Feedback

In the realm of Airbnb and short-term rentals, leaving fewer than 5 stars typically signals a negative review for hosts. This contrasts with platforms like Amazon, where giving 3 out of 5 stars might be seen as an average rating; however, this standard does not apply similarly within these vacation rental contexts.

If you enjoyed your time here, share your positive feedback! Mention what stood out to you during your visit—maybe it was the location, the welcoming host, the facilities, or perhaps how comfortable the bedding was.

The Airbnb review area is not meant for criticism. Instead, Airbnb offers a confidential comments section where you can convey further insights directly to your host. These details might be irrelevant for the primary review but still important; they could cover aspects like absent essentials or features of the space you wished were available.

Let me make this clearer for everybody out there. It is

incredibly rude

If you want to post negative feedback on an Airbnb public review, make sure you didn’t overlook raising your concerns with your host during your stay. Should you have brought them up and received no resolution, then absolutely share your experience; however, allow your host the opportunity to resolve any problems first.

Thank You for Exploring My 9 Airbnb Tips for Guests!

That concludes our list! Here are nine simple strategies for being a terrific Airbnb guest that not only enhance your hosting experience but also ensure you have the most enjoyable stay possible. Should you wish to explore more as either an Airbnb host or someone curious about joining this community, feel free to delve into those resources.
The Airbnb portion of my blog can be found here
.

If you’re a traveler, be sure to explore my website.
travel
section!

Further Insights Into Achieving Airbnb Elite Host Status

Have you considered being an Airbnb host? If you’re contemplating buying a short-term vacation rental property and taking up hosting on Airbnb, I can provide some insights.
portion here on my blog
filled with useful suggestions and practical guidance, such as the top choices for linens in Airbnb listings.

This has turned into a significant hobby for me, and I’m thrilled to discuss my experiences with anyone who reads this. Sharing tips and responding to your queries brings me joy, so feel free to either write a comment beneath this article or send me a direct message via one of my Instagram profiles listed below!

Considering hosting on Airbnb?

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!