9 Ways to Make Your Air Bnb Irresistible
What makes an Airbnb appeal to weary travellers? Here are 9 things to think about when creating the perfect short-term rental space.
Comfortable Furniture—people want to be comfortable when they are travelling. The place to spend extra money in your rental space is on sofas, chairs, beds, and sheets, (and fancy toiletries from Homegoods). A comfy home will encourage people to give you great ratings and to return next time they are travelling in the area.
2. Great design—Well-designed and decorated spaces are really inviting. Make your layout functional and beautiful for all who are staying there. Add art that provides a sense of place and some splashes of color. Accessorize beautifully. An interior designer can help you with this (call us)!
3. Provide plenty of fun things to do on a rainy (or sunny) day—We love to add popular games to play, pingpong, magnetic darts, jigsaw puzzles, books, and plenty of TV choices! If your space is family-friendly, include kids’ games, toys,and books for all ages. Thrift shops and tag sales are a great place to find these things. Make it even more fun and homey than a hotel—your guests will give you rave reviews!
4. Keep it spotless—Make sure you give it a once-over after you or your cleaning crew are there—check for stray dust or hair and wipe down the cabinets! Make sure it is bug-free as well. Check for odors as well—you may need to wash the drapes, comforters, and throw blankets more often than you think.
5. Have a Guest Book with Activity Ideas—A blank book that YOU start, with local activity ideas provided, is fun for guests to read and add to. You can turn guest on to lesser-known spots off the beaten track. It’s fun and informative to read guest’s comments too!
6. Make the outdoor space really inviting—Don’t skimp on the outdoor amenities if you have the space. They make your home really memorable! Get a bocce set, a comfy hammock, and create zones for outdoor fun. We wrote more about this in detail here:
7. A well-equipped kitchen is essential—for extended stays, people like to eat in for some of their meals. Make it easy for them! Be sure to have good sharp knives with a knife sharpener and all the basic kitchen gadgets—well organized and clean. A good-quality coffee maker makes everyone happy. We like to leave salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegars, and basic spices as well—your guests will thank you.
8. Beautiful Photos—great photos of the space for the website that features all of the above essentials—your photos are the most important thing! It is the best way to sell your rental. So make sure your photos show it in the best light (literally)! Take pix in the early morning when light is shining in and make sure everything is wrinkle-free and immaculate for the photos.
9. Don’t price it too low per night—Especially in high season,you want to price it for the client you hope to attract, as long as your amenities warrant it. By now, you’ve made your space irresistible, so don’t try to compete with other Airbnbs that aren’t as nice. Charge what it is worth and renters will value it more!