Host for the most
Set up your Airbnb for maximum return, writes Bea Taylor.
All it takes is one scroll down the pages of Airbnb listings to realise there is no shortage. To stand out from the rest and get those rave reviews, you’ll want to make your guests feel at home.
Make it eye-catching
David Jack Oliver owns two Airbnbs and his top tip is, ‘‘grab attention by giving your place a theme’’.
‘‘All the listings on the site are the same,’’ he says, ‘‘a themed Airbnb will always have people clicking and remembering.’’
His two apartments are flight themed and Cirque du Soleil themed.
Oliver, a flight attendant, decked out his flight themed Airbnb with airplane seats, vintage flight posters and baggage claim signs to boot. The Cirque du Soleil was a little trickier to go full out themed, ‘‘I can’t have a trapeze hanging from the
apartment
ceiling,’’ so instead, bright Cirque du Soleil prints adorn the walls and colour is abundant.
High resolution photos with correct lighting will also help to get clicks he says.
Monica Johns, another Airbnb owner, agrees good images are a must. But instead of a themed place, she swears by a well furnished, stylish setup.
She owns two apartments. The first she set-up was a learning curve. ‘‘I dressed it the way I would want an apartment to be for me,’’ she says. ‘‘And I spent way too much.’’
You’ve got to think about who will be staying there, she says, ‘‘it’s not going to be you, and people treat things differently. So a $3000 table isn’t very practical.’’
It needs to be basic, cost effective but stylish, Johns insists. ‘‘Keep it minimal, most apartments don’t have much room anyway so you don’t want it to be cluttered.’’ Johns says the most important thing is to have a comfy bed, ‘‘this is one thing you shouldn’t skimp on’’.
A bad night’s sleep may result in some unfavourable opinions of the place.
Oliver says he makes sure there are a range of pillow options so guests can find the right one for them; feather, memory foam or polyester (plump, squishy or adjustable).
Other essentials include internet, extra blankets and a smart TV.
Both Johns and Oliver suggest a smart TV is a good idea, Oliver even has Apple TV in his apartments.
‘‘Almost everyone has an Apple ID, this means they can connect to the TV and all their data will be there, videos, music, photos – it acts as a TV and a sound system.’’
Another area to take heed of? Shampoo, conditioner and soaps. Oliver and Johns say use stylish bottles and refill with product as it’s more appealing and eco-friendly.
A kitchen filled with essentials such as salt, pepper, oil, condiments as well as basic cutlery, plates, bowls and cooking utensils is also a must.