I’m not going to lie. I was extremely nervous when we finally put our Blueberry House up on Airbnb. I wondered if we would actually get any bookings.
We had just finished restoring the 1940s bungalow (and kept the original craftsman charm). It was in a great location, within walking distance to downtown Mooresville. And we had looked at competitive Airbnbs in our town to price it slightly below the going rate. So we did the work and put in the research. But would it pay off? Thankfully the answer was yes. We found that receiving bookings wasn’t a hurdle to overcome.
But I full-on panicked once the first few bookings actually came in. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing with the following questions: Will guests enjoy our accommodations? Do we have all the necessary accessories and furnishings for their stay? Will we get ANY five star reviews?
Blueberry House Milestone: In the past three years of hosting, we have actually received 163 five-star reviews! Go Blueberry House! And now I get to share how we did it with you lucky folks.
1. Streamline Host-to-Guest Communication
First, communication is key. Although my husband wasn’t sure, I knew that I should be the main point of contact for guests. My background in sales was clutch, as it was the perfect training ground. Here are my communication tips:
Be timely: Always make sure to respond as quickly as possible to any inquiry or question.
Be courteous: Send friendly and helpful communication in full sentences so the guests don’t have to do any guessing.
Be thoughtful: If the guest says they are coming in for a funeral, don’t write about having a “fabulous trip.” Instead, tell them you are sorry for their loss, but hope they enjoy their stay.
It’s also important to have clear communication about your rules, good-to-knows, and instructions. We utilize a scheduled three-part email strategy:
The Scheduled Welcome Email: Goes out two days prior to arrival with all the house details (check-in time and date, check-out time and date, address, parking, keypad code, wifi, thermostat, things to do, and house rules).
The Post Check-In Email: Sent the evening guests arrive to ensure they found Blueberry House satisfactory. This gives guests a chance to provide feedback prior to delivering a review.
The Scheduled Check-Out Email: Sent on their departure day with closing instructions.
Our last bit of communication involves printing out all of the details in our welcome email and placing them in a clear plastic insert placed at the entry table. That way, guests have a physical reminder at their fingertips of necessary rules, the address, wifi passcodes, and more. We also offer a guidebook with our favorite local spots to make guests feel more welcome to the area.
2. Maintain a Spotless Cleanliness Standard
The second most important factor in receiving five-star reviews is cleanliness. No one wants to stay at a place that feels icky.
Your Airbnb should be thoroughly cleaned between every booking, including all linens and kitchen supplies. Adam and I clean Blueberry House even better than our own house!
But in all honesty, it’s easier to keep it clean without two chaotic boys and two crazy pups touching everything all the time like at our home.
3. Stock Your Listing with Thoughtful Extras
Third, is thoughtful extras. If Adam and I are able to get the cleaning done early, then we offer an early check-in—even if the guest hasn’t asked.
We make sure that our Blueberry House Airbnb is stocked as if our own family is coming to stay.
Our laundry room is filled with non-essentials like:
- Extra toilet paper & laundry detergent
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Feminine products
- Lotion & hairspray
Our kitchen cabinets are also filled with extra garbage bags and dishwasher pods.
Final Thoughts: Handling Airbnb Feedback
That’s it. All of our secrets to getting five-star reviews on Airbnb. Follow these tips and you will see more five-star reviews!
Keep in mind that even if you do everything right, there will always be someone with a negative comment to share. But for the most part, you will find that guests will appreciate your effort to ensure them a pleasant stay.
