Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about apartment rentals, specifically with Airbnb. You use Airbnb host reviews to settle on a vacation rental, but did you know the hosts also write Airbnb reviews of guests? If you have poor Airbnb guest reviews, it can affect the apartments you are approved to rent. If you travel with kids, you definitely want to have access to good apartments with extra room for the family. We want to give you seven tips for improving your Airbnb rating on your next stay.
#1: Communicate With the Owner
When you’re booking through Airbnb, realize it’s not a huge hotel chain on the other end. It’s usually someone letting you stay in their home. They want to know a bit about the people coming into their house. Make sure you are clearly communicating your schedule to them so they know when to expect you.
A bonus benefit of communicating with the apartment owner is that they are usually locals, and can easily give you advice on what to see and where to eat. They’re usually more than happy to provide directions from the nearest train station or bus stop. We’ve even had some Airbnb owners offer to pick us up at the airport!
If you find something is broken or isn’t working, shoot the host a note letting them know. Don’t put it in your review or rating without first giving them a head’s up so they can fix it for the next guests.
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#2: Be Presentable and Personable at the Key Pickup
Yes, you’re going to be exhausted, especially if you’ve just landed on a redeye across the Atlantic. You don’t need to be dressed in black tie to meet your Airbnb hosts, but try to look presentable. Think about if you were handing over your housekeys to total strangers; would you be nervous the whole time? Of course, being polite and personable will go a long way. Remember, you’re putting them at ease about having you in their home. When it comes time to review you after your stay, this first impression will go a long way towards helping you get a good rating.
#3: Don’t Upset the Neighbors
One of the best ways to bomb your Airbnb rating is to annoy the neighbors. Many neighbors may already be annoyed to have Airbnb guests in the building to begin with, so if you are noisy and keep them up late at night or inconvenience them in any way, they are more likely to call the Airbnb host. Or worse, they may even call the police. If you want to party during your stay, go out for a night on the town. Remember, you’re not in a hotel where everyone is on vacation. These people likely have to get up early and go to work. Likewise, if you have kids with you, be mindful of noise early in the morning.
#4: Leave the Apartment Better Than You Left It
Yes, cleaning on vacation doesn’t sound like much fun. But this is the tradeoff of not staying in a hotel. You won’t have daily housekeeping service, so it’s best to tidy up after yourselves throughout the stay. The condition you leave the apartment in is the last impression you have to make on your Airbnb host. If they come home to a big mess, that will be reflected in your rating. If you take a few minutes to wash the dishes, take out the garbage, and tidy up, they will be super appreciative.
#5: Strip the Beds
Whether the owner is cleaning up, or if they’ve hired a service, stripping the beds is a HUGE help. It takes just a few seconds, but it shows that you took the initiative to help them get ready for their next guests.
#6: Leave a Nice Note
Many Airbnb hosts have a guest book that you can sign. If you see an Airbnb guest book, leave a nice note in it, adding something you loved about your stay. Tell them what you liked and maybe a few things you did nearby. Other guests can read this and get tips on where to eat or what to see. This also helps the hosts make recommendations for future guests.
Also, make sure you review the property you stay at. It won’t affect your Airbnb rating, as it’s a double-blind system, but it’s super helpful to both the host and future guests.
#7: Follow the Rules
This sounds so simple, but you’d be surprised at how many people have trouble following the rules. Your Airbnb listing will provide a list of rules, or they may be printed out and left in the home. Take a few minutes to read them. Make sure you park in the right spot or put the trash out on the correct day. We’ve had several hosts thank us for simply following the rules, which tells us that a lot of guests don’t do this.
How to Cut Costs While You Travel
Apartment rentals are a great way to save money when traveling, but it also gives you a more “local” experience. These tips apply to Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, Couchsurfing, or any home-sharing website. Remember: just treat the home as you would as if you were an invited guest. Having a strong Airbnb rating means you will have a better chance of scoring the perfect vacation rental. For more tips on family travel, check out some of our other blog posts: