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Maximize Your Earnings: Tips for Hosting a Successful Luxury Airbnb
Airbnb might have started out when its founders decided to rent out air mattresses in their apartments, but nowadays you can also use the platform for the opposite — to rent out a luxury Airbnb.
In fact, a few years ago, the company launched a category – Airbnb Luxe (short for luxury), specifically for these types of rentals. This new tier offers traveler even more luxurious features and a premium experience at a higher cost, making it a popular alternative to luxury hotels. Airbnb meticulously hand-picks these ‘Luxe’ properties by following their stringent criteria regarding the design and location of the property.
If this is an avenue that you would like to explore, here’s how you can transform your space. From tips to key amenities, continue reading to find out how you can create a unique place that will put you in a different class.
Airbnb Luxe Requirements:
In addition the the standard Airbnb ground rules, hosts who want to become part of Airbnb Luxe have to meet a specific set of requirements. The host will also be expected to maintain this standard and pass an initial and ongoing inspection.
According to the Airbnb site, to be considered you must meet the following requirements:
- Your space must have “a cohesive, elevated design”, “comfortable, inviting interior and exterior spaces”, must have “luxury amenities” and the space must be in “pristine condition”.
- Hosts must have a proven guest experience record, be attentive to “guest commitment and reliability”, and be responsive to guest inquiries and requests.
- Your listing should have “engaging, up-to-date, professional” images, comply with the standards in the Ground Rules for Hosts as well as adhere to the Airbnb Content Policy. It should clearly state what is included in the price and what is available at extra cost.
In other words, you need a detailed and accurate listing, a great repertoire with guests, and a space that oozes luxury and comfort. Remember, you’re competing with luxury hotels with acres of space for a tennis court, gourmet kitchen set-ups, and in-house spa treatments. Obviously, if you can add these sorts of perks, that’s a bonus, but focus on investing in what you have and splurge on practical upgrades like floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the view, or a hot tub for guests to lounge in.
Essential Tips for Creating a High-End Luxury Rental
Curating a high-end luxury Airbnb might seem daunting, even risky, but don’t let the term “luxury” throw you off balance. When you break up the process into small, achievable goals, it becomes a lot more manageable. Plus, you’ll also ensure that you pay attention to all the finer details that will set you apart from just another standard short-term rental.
To help you break it down, here are a few tips (or goals) that you can start working on today to enhance the experience of your guests’ stay at your Airbnb Luxe.
Location, Location, Location
The easiest way to ensure a luxury Airbnb experience is to choose a property that does some of the work for you. Think about where your property is located and consider your add-ons with that in mind. Whether this means a penthouse within walking distance from all the best cultural spots, a beach house with a waterfront deck, or a villa with six bedrooms and sweeping views of the countryside.
Tailor the luxury amenities you add to the type of vacation your guests will be expecting. A vineyard should have a wine cellar and you could offer guided tastings, for example. Guests paying luxury prices what a five-star vacation experience.
Hire the Services of a Professional Photographer
Using professional photos is one of the best ways to market your home on the Airbnb platform. It’s the first impression that potential guests get of your property, and first impressions are hard to change later.
You might have the best smartphone on the market with fantastic picture quality. However, nothing beats the pictures that high-end professional cameras produce.
Not only do professional photos improve the visual appeal of your property, but they also convey quality. Basically, on a subconscious level, high-quality photos indicate a high-quality stay.
Here Are a Few Ways To Make Your Photos Stand Out on Airbnb:
- Before you hire a professional real estate photographer in your area, review their portfolio and examine whether you like their style.
- Clean the house thoroughly before taking pictures and remove any clutter. Also, arrange the furniture in such a way that you create one cohesive image (an interior designer could help with this, more on that in the next tip).
- Purchase a fresh bouquet of flowers and place it on the kitchen counter or coffee table to add a personal touch.
- Focus on the features that make your home unique like a hot tub, infinity pool, terrace, movie theater, or any other luxury amenities.
- Utilize natural sunlight to create bright photos. Avoid using harsh artificial lights like a flash or take pictures at nighttime.
- Lightly edit your photos to enhance color and lighting, but be careful not to manipulate the images so that they misrepresent what your property has to offer.
Use an Interior Designer
Hiring an interior designer might seem over the top, but if you want to cater to high-end clientele you must ensure your space feels as luxurious as possible. These professional designers will help you choose the best materials and furnishings for comfort and a high-quality feel.
For example, a fully equipped kitchen is essential for most Airbnbs, but especially for an Airbnb Luxe. Guests who book these properties often bring their own chefs to cook for them during their holiday. For this reason, a chef’s kitchen fully equipped with high-end appliances could be a deciding factor.
You can also ask your interior designer to assist you with the overall look and feel of the house. Do you want a more rustic and earthy look? Or, do you prefer a modern and clean feel? How about a romantic dining room? All these decisions can quickly become overwhelming and that’s exactly where an interior designer takes the reins.
While the kitchen is the heart of the home, the rest of the place should match the part. Designers can also help ensure the space’s flow which can impact the atmosphere significantly. From an elegant dining room to bedrooms and a master bath that will have your visitors swooning. Your goal is to create a rental house that’s welcoming and comfortable — a place where they will want to spend time.
Contrary to the job title, interior designers will also help you to create outdoor living areas, whether that entails constructing a beautiful wooden gazebo, choosing the perfect outdoor dining table where they can sip wine, including a fire pit, or perhaps even adding a rooftop patio. Your outdoor space should feel just as luxurious as the inside of your property if you want to offer the complete package.
Include a Welcome Gift
It might sound so simple, but it’s really one of the best ways to ensure your clients start their holiday on a good note. Leave a little gift for them on the kitchen table and attach a note with a short message, like “Welcome home”. Be sure to let your guests know that the gifts are complimentary and for them to enjoy or take home.
These small gestures can go a long way towards building trust and appreciation towards you as the host. The more personalized you can make these small gifts, the better.
Some Ideas for Welcome Gifts Include:
- Local souvenirs and treats – people love a reminder of their getaways and providing this will show you have really given thought to their vacation experience.
- Snacks and drinks – your guests will probably arrive hungry, especially if they travel far. If you want to leave a champagne bottle, rather add a non-alcoholic option.
- Candles, plants, or other small gifts – leave something your guests can take home with them at the end of their stay for an extra special touch. What about a small collection of shells from the local beach? Or a candle that is scented with the same scent as the villa so they can remember their stay every time they light it?
- Vouchers for local services – Whether it’s for manicures or massage therapists, a voucher for a luxurious treat will never fail to impress.
Along with your welcome gift, you can also add the locations of your favorite local unique experiences (like an art gallery or a quirky restaurant). It might not be a physical gift, but this gesture helps to demonstrate your generosity and can supplement the amenities you can’t provide. You may not have room for a tennis court, but there may be a club nearby that does.
Leave the Cleaning to a Professional Cleaning Company
It doesn’t matter if you have only three bedrooms or six bedrooms, hire a cleaning service to clean your Airbnb before and after every guest. Not only will this keep your house in tip-top shape, but it will also help prevent mold or any other cleanliness issues. Professional cleaners will always clean your Airbnb thoroughly, whereas you might not always have the time or patience to do so.
This service is especially beneficial if you have a large property with multiple areas that are impossible to clean alone in one day. You can also hire a weekly gardener to maintain the outdoor areas of your property.
You can also take it one step further by including a daily cleaning service at the price per night. Alternatively, you can advertise it as an extra paid service.
Be Attentive to Your Guests’ Needs
It’s essential to pay careful attention to the needs and wants of your guests. You must be as accommodating as possible since guests could choose from an ever-expanding list of potential Airbnbs (Luxe or usual).
Check the platform daily for any new messages or inquiries. A quick response time indicates that you are treating your potential guests as a priority and that you’re attentive to their needs.
Also, be willing to be slightly more flexible than other Airbnbs nearby. This could mean being more lenient regarding guests requesting to move dates or modifying their preferences.
Also, adhere to your guests’ dietary restrictions and/or preferences and keep their interests in mind. For example, if your guests are vegetarian or vegan, be sure to stock the fridge with appropriate food options and suggest local attractions that can accommodate their dietary needs.
Encourage Guests To Leave Reviews
After guests have left your Airbnb, send them a message to thank them for their stay and encourage them to leave a review. Positive reviews can really boost your profile on the platform.
What’s more, reviews support the authenticity of your property. These reviews authenticate to the potential guests that your property is, in fact, real and that other guests have been pleased with their stay.
When you buy a product from Amazon, do you read the reviews? Chances are that you do. If the product has thousands of positive reviews, you’re more inclined to buy the product. On the other hand, if the product has several negative reviews, you’re more likely to search for something else.
The same principle applies to Airbnb reviews. If your property has multiple positive reviews from previous guests detailing their experience, potential guests are more likely to book it.
Reviews also offer a form of feedback to hosts. Guests will comment on what they liked about the property and what they didn’t like. As a host, you can pay attention to the dislikes and try to make the experience more enjoyable for the next guest.
Finally, a history of positive reviews is a requirement for you to be considered as an Airbnb Luxe host.
While reviews are critical, take care not to annoy your guests by constantly asking them for a review. This could backfire and lead to a negative review. If they do not leave a review after your friendly reminder, accept it and move on to the next client.
Which Amenities Should You Include in Your Luxury Airbnb?
While an Airbnb property is more than the sum of its amenities, here are a few amenities that can make your property feel more luxurious instantly.
A Home Gym
Having a home gym on your property can be very impressive and might be a deciding factor for guests who want to keep up with their fitness habits while on vacation. Invest in quality equipment and keep the room comfortable for guests by providing towels and water bottles. Also, if possible, ensure a bathroom is adjacent to the home gym.
Air Conditioning
If your property doesn’t have air conditioning units already, seriously consider installing them. This allows guests to control the temperature of their environment, which feels luxurious.
Regularly maintain the units and conduct repairs as soon as possible, if needed. The last thing you want is to advertise an amenity only for it to be out of service.
If you’re worried about energy costs, you can invest in energy-efficient units and ask your guests to turn the units off when leaving the property.
Entertainment
Make sure that all the TVs on your properties are smart TVs with satellite TV and all the major streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) available. At the same time, check that you have the best internet access and coverage at the property.
On a side note, if you have room for a movie theater, definitely add this feature to your luxury Airbnb. Include a popcorn machine, comfortable reclining chairs, and mood lighting in this room. Alternatively, you can use this space to create a game room where guests can play games. If this sounds more like your style, you can, for example, add a pool table.
On the topic of mood lighting, the brightness and color of the lights in your house influence the ambiance of your property. Install bright lights in areas like the kitchen or dining area, but dimmer lights will be better in the living area and bedrooms. You could also invest in lights that have dimming and color options, allowing the guests to choose the brightness (and color) they prefer.
Swimming Pool or Hot Tub
If your property is in a perfect spot with a spectacular view or outdoor space, consider installing a hot tub (for colder climates) or a swimming pool (for warmer climates). Few things are more relaxing than watching the picturesque scenery from the comfort of a swimming pool or hot tub. You don’t need a fancy pool with a swim-up bar or anything. A nice clear pool and an outdoor dining table can elevate the experience just fine.
Wrapping Things Up
Hosting a successful luxury Airbnb requires a hands-on approach. Pay attention to the finer details, invest in high-quality amenities and furnishing, offer a unique experience, and keep track of everything.
In short, always place the needs of your guests first provide the best possible experience for them, and make the cost per night worth it. If you manage to do this, it will pay off in more ways than one.
You can also amp up the luxury by making sure that all of your essential hosting tasks are covered with property management software from iGMS.
