As an obsessive traveler, I’ve always been fascinated by the world of hospitality.
Throughout my career in public relations, I was fortunate to work for some of the world’s best hotel brands, which gave me a behind-the-scenes look into what it takes to provide an exceptional guest experience.
Now, I’m an Airbnb Superhost with dozens of five-star reviews and high standards that I strive to uphold daily at my rentals across upstate New York.
Airbnb is a marketplace, so your rental options (and the people who host them) will vary. However, many hosts, like me, are dedicated to providing an exceptional experience for guests.
Here’s what I wish people knew before staying at my properties.
It’s really helpful when you tell me why you’re coming
Booking a rental home can feel like going on a first date, just with a place. You might wonder: Will it look like the photos? Were certain features overexaggerated? Will it satisfy my needs?
As a host, I feel similarly, though my perspective is more of a protective parent: Will you take care of my baby and return her on time?
When you send me a message to introduce yourself and explain why you’re visiting, I get a glimpse of your personality and can feel more at ease about welcoming you. You become a real person, not just a face on a screen.
Plus, learning more about you, your guests, and the purpose of your trip helps me to provide you with better recommendations.
I spend a lot of time curating local recommendations
Speaking of recommendations — I have a lot of them. I’ve explored every corner of the areas where my rentals are based, visiting local restaurants, hiking trails, shops, and more.
It’s been fun, but it’s also research. Part of the reason I did this is because I want to be able to share personal recommendations with guests. Anyone can Google, but as a host, I want to suggest local places, dishes, and travel tips that a quick search won’t uncover.
When I know who’s staying at my Airbnb and what they’re looking to get out of their trip, I’m better able to curate my recommendations.
The first few minutes of a stay are crucial, and I hold my breath for your check-in
I used to work for a boutique hotel brand that commissioned some proprietary research about the guest experience.
One finding from it has stuck with me: The first 10 minutes of a guest’s arrival set the tone for their entire stay.
For my rentals, that translates to a series of questions. Did I provide clear enough directions, or did you drive past the house a few times before finding it? If you’re arriving at night, did my motion-sensor light illuminate the driveway and stay on long enough for you to unpack your car?
Did the personalized key code work on the first try? Did my home look spotless when you walked in? A smooth and seamless arrival is key — it sets the stage for you to instantly feel at home.
My rentals are a point of pride that I’ve spent months perfecting and testing
Before committing to any paid stays, I made sure each of my rentals had several thorough trial runs.
I have spent many weeks hosting family and friends, demanding their most nitpicking, detailed feedback.
I’ve also stayed with my own family at each place during every season, making real-time improvements to increase functionality or add missing amenities.
Not every host does this, but I find this has been the best way to get thorough, realistic feedback about each property.
Give me a 5-star review or no review at all
Think about your last Google search: How often do you venture past the first page of results?
Just as first impressions matter on search engines, they’re equally crucial on Airbnb, where listings with higher review scores generally rank higher in the algorithm.
Though four stars may seem commendable elsewhere — even the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “of a superior degree of excellence”— it doesn’t quite cut it on Airbnb (or on a lot of review-fueled marketplaces).
In many ways, the success of my business hinges on achieving five-star reviews. I’d rather guests not leave a review than give me anything less than a perfect score.
This story was originally published on August 5, 2024, and most recently updated on August 28, 2026.
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