10 Simple (but genius) Hacks for a Better Airbnb Set Up

Your Airbnb set up is good, but it could be better - both for guest experience and for your day-to-day operations.

A good short term rental set up is a balancing act between guest satisfaction and streamlined operations, and getting things just right can be tricky. So today we’re sharing 10 things - we won’t even really call them mistakes - but 10 things that we’ve seen when onboarding a new client that were a great idea, but could have been even better with just a small tweak.

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Links to products we talked about in this video:

Label ALL the things:

And store it here:

Our favorite dishwasher-safe cutting boards:

Easy-to-fill soap dispensers:

Our go-to smart locks:

Ditch the keys to your supply closet:

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Short term rental hosting tips for beginners | Airbnb set up tips | Airbnb hosting tips and tricks

[cdugral]

As a guest I like essentials offered: coffee, tea, sugar, salt and a bottle of water, tp, dishwashing liquid, a (new) rag or dish sponge. A broom or Hoover. Matching and nice dishes and cutlery. If the kitchen is only equipped with left over dishes from the flea market, chipped and bent… it’s a no no. I have a problem with refillable dispensers. The idea is great but I am always afraid someone could have put something gross inside… there must be enough towels and a spare set of linen. I like to change my bed often. Great if there is a washing machine. If the place is nicely set up the guest will most likely leave it that way

[GovernmentFails]

As a person that has used AirBNB for much of the last year I will say this is great advice. I hate places that don’t have TP, paper towels, etc. AppleTV is really good. Keep bug spray on site and let guests use it.

[msalexxa]

A good idea to label the light/appliances switches.

[mamabar]

Great helpful suggestions! Especially the pillows. We have just accepted we won’t have a comfy pillow 9/10 times so we pack our own. I’ve got one to add to your list: it’s great that you have a broom and dustpan, but it would be even better if you had a vacuum too. I can’t tell you how many properties we have stayed in with no vacuum and one of my kids had spilled something crumbly on the couch or area rug 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m the type of guest who believes in cleaning up after ourselves, and that’s not easy to do on upholstery/carpet without a vacuum. I think the cleaners would appreciate it too that guests have the option to help maintain the tidiness of the space throughout the duration of their stay 😉

[cher]

I clean Airbnb's and do not leave out tons of coffee pods, toilet paper, etc due to ppl taking stuff with them. I estimate how much will be needed per how many guests ate staying and how long!

[jackieffrench]

In the process of building a small cabin in the Northeast that we will use as a STR to help pay our expenses. Your videos have been very helpful as we begin this process. Nervous but hoping to create something that guests (and our family) will love for years to come. Thank You!

[mariebrown]

Wow, these are great things you do for your guests . I would stay at one of your rentals any day. It’s these little things that ( imo) make the difference. I’ve stayed at some great places in Europe and in the USA but also places where it was like a factory churning people in and out. Guests know it is a business and most of us could easily stay in a hotel . Things like more space, a great kitchen, and the comforts of home away are why many of us choose an Air BNB rental. Other hosts should take your suggestions.

[johnmcneill]

ive been a host for several years good observations clear and well explained 😀

[janetvalencia]

I agree with you. It is so cumbersome for guests to have to think about every little thing to bring for their stay. Specially when it is a short one.

[CharlieCoopertv]

Love love looove your videos! I'm about to set up my first airbnb arbitrage property and your videos have been game changers. Thanks so much!!

[jetlaggedchef]

I haven't set up an AirBnB yet, but my home has 4 guest rooms and bathrooms and I have a revolving set of family and friends who visit. These are all EXCELLENT tips for home guest rooms too!

[codyzucker]

New to your channel but you guys have been killing it lately with the videos! I have 4 units currently and your content has been helpful as I've been working to up my game. Thanks!

[Verbsdescribeus]

I am in the process of deciding whether to short term rent my apartment and dealing with guests complaints is my biggest fear, so your experiences solved were really helpful. Thank you!

[bottifulhome]

Such great ideas! I'm not a host, but I sell refillable bottles for all the reasons you mentioned. Love that you included this! I designed an awesome plastic wide mouth bottle for the very reasons you mentioned. It's so much easier for staff and guests to refill and looks much more polished than store bought soap bottles. I also saw you labeled your own shampoo bottles. I offer ones that are screen-printed and ready to use right out of the box. Again, all the same reasons you mentioned. Great minds think alike.

[tammyrussell-rice]

I've had both a Keurig and 12-Cup Brew Station in my VR for years. As a practical and safety matter, I prefer the carafe less type, but I recently have had issues with leakage.

[lovehonesty]

Thank you for this and all the links. I’m not seeing the checklist? Also just funny that I used to label in my own house for kids and husband.

[debel]

Appreciate every one of your videos. I am a newbie STR owner and I am always looking for good, new info. Thanks.

[successwithstacee]

Great tips! My cleaner keeps forgetting to refill the soap, so my next purchase will be a clear soap dispenser. I'll check out your link.

[Pvbeachbum]

I love the Keurig K plus Duo - has a pot/carafe for drip coffee and can also brew pods. one machine that can do both. Have you seen/tried?

[pineyridge]

labeling cabinets makes it feel like an STR. I don't mind if guests put things back wrong, it gives me a chance to check and re-wash things.

"people don't like to handwash dishes" my god I WISH that were we have a dw, and I tell people to run it even half full (that's still more efficient). If I walk into a "clean" kitchen after a 2-3 night stay and I see the dw wasn't used, I'm going to have to check every single item, what a pain. If I'm lucky they put things back wrong, so i can spot what they used.

How did I know they didn't use the dw? haha, i have a system for many things so I know if they were touched. they have to reach down to take out the glass jar containing dw pods, they never put it back the same. The microwave we unplug, so we know if a guest used it. the toaster we turn the knobs to 0. the milk frother has the lid perched on the edge (it's actually designed to do that) etc etc. In my other listing the micro is plugged in f/t but it's weird and you have to press stop/clear to get it back to the clock, and no one does that, so we know if it was used. ofc I still check it but knowing I can just do a quick wipe Vs a full clean saves another minute off turnover (and those add up!)

Americans vs Australians on coffee is so different.

I've never seen that electronic/keypad internal knob, wow. We just keep our housekeeping supplies in a cupboard, no lock, but the bulk of everything is kept in our house (also on the same property) and so far, no one has stolen any floor cleaner, or microfibre cloths, coffee pods etc.

Weirdest things stolen: pillows. People have actually swapped out our pillow, taken them out of the PC and the pillow protector, and then put their crappy one into it, or stolen the pillow protector too. Now I write our farm name on the pillow, so they will realise that I'm going to know (but ofc I know, cos our pillows match, like you we offer one firm pair and one soft pair). Seems petty to mention in a review, so it's just awkward AF when an otherwise great guest has done this.