Prepare your space

A five-star stay starts with attention to detail in your space. A welcoming home can lead to your first great reviews.

Successful Hosts suggest doing these three things to keep your place sparkling:

• Focus on high-traffic areas. Wipe down countertops, clean drains, and refill soap bottles. Double-check there’s no hair left behind.

• Refresh every room. Open windows, dust surfaces, and clean all floors, including under the furniture. Make beds with fresh linens and provide clean towels for every guest.

• Create a turnover checklist. Follow the same routine before every check-in to avoid overlooking anything.

“I set six hours between bookings so that we can do a thorough clean,” says Daniel, a Host Advisory Board member and Superhost in the Canary Islands, Spain. “The space has to be exactly as you have it in your online listing.”

Guests expect your place to have essential amenities. These are:

• Toilet paper
• Soap (for hands and body)
• One towel per guest
• One pillow per guest
• Linens for each guest bed

Help guests feel at home by providing convenient items in each room, such as:

Kitchen

• Table settings for your maximum number of guests
• Coffee maker, tea kettle, pots and pans, and cooking utensils
• Salt, pepper, and cooking oil
• Dish soap, drying rack, and cloth or paper towels

Living room

• Seating for your maximum number of guests
• TV with streaming service
• House manual with instructions on how to use devices

Bathroom

• Hand towels and a bath mat
• Toilet brush and plunger
• Shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryer

Bedroom

• Window coverings and bedside tables with lamps
• Drawers or hangers for clothes, and space for luggage
• Extra blanket and a fan or space heater

Once you’ve set up your place, spend a night in it or ask friends to stay and provide feedback. You’ll quickly learn what’s missing.

Guests appreciate when Hosts pay attention to detail and offer extras to make their stay more comfortable. These can include ear plugs, cotton swabs, board games, power adapters, and anything specific to your location, such as umbrellas or beach towels.

Many experienced Hosts say they like to:

• Provide a welcome gift. Leave a handwritten note, basket of local goodies, or something to celebrate a special occasion.
• Create coziness with decor. Think about what helps you relax when you’re traveling. Wall art, plants, and throw pillows can add comfort and personality.
• Print the house manual. Put the manual where guests will easily find it, like on a countertop.
• Highlight special features. In your listing description, note anything you offer that meets certain needs, like a dedicated workspace or accessibility features.

“I have a pack ’n play, a high chair, and books and toys,” says Elsie, a Host in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you want more tips and haven’t received your first booking, you can get one-to-one guidance from a Superhost. They’re the top-rated and most experienced Hosts on Airbnb.

Information contained in this article may have changed since publication.