What truly makes a vacation rental experience exceptional? How can vacation rental hosts ensure that their guests leave a 5-star review?

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Whether you’re an Airbnb host or managing dozens of properties, the satisfaction of your guests directly impacts your reviews, repeat bookings, and overall success. Creating an unforgettable guest experience is the key for hosts to stand out from the crowd. 

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A Reddit user recently asked “What annoys you as a guest?” – and the guests did not hold back! We’ve scoured this subreddit and gathered the best advice for hosts.

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Vacation Rental Advice Straight From Guests:

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1. First Impressions Matter

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Guest Insight: "You want guests to show up and be pleasantly surprised. The best guest is one that walks in and thinks ‘Wow, this is much better than I thought it was going to be.’ This is the easy way to get 5 stars." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: Ensure your property is spotless and well-maintained and that the pictures in your listing match up with your space IRL. Greet your guests with a personalized welcome note and a small gift, such as a local treat or a bottle of wine. First impressions set the tone for the entire stay.

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2. Communication is Key

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Guest Insight: "Be responsive. It’s such a pet peeve when there’s an issue or questions and the host never gets back to you." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: Maintain open lines of communication from booking to checkout. Provide detailed instructions for check-in and check-out, and be readily available to address any concerns. Consider using automated messaging tools to ensure timely responses.

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3. Provide Good Quality Coffee (Bonus Points for Locally Sourced Beans)

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Guest Insight: "As a guest, I love when hosts provide nice and not cheap coffee. I don't need oatmeal or granola bars - just a good cup of coffee in the morning. Extra bonus points if it's local."

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Actionable Tip: Ensure your guests start their day right by offering high-quality coffee in your vacation rental. Opt for locally sourced beans to provide a unique and personalized touch that sets your listing apart. And remember to provide a good quality coffee maker or French press to enhance the brewing experience.

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4. A Later Check-Out Time Goes A Long Way

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Guest Insight: "I loathe check-out times before 11 am. Lately, I have had more and more at 10 am." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: For hosts, offering a late checkout time can be a simple way to stand out from your competitors and gain more bookings. In multiple responses on this subreddit thread, guests repeatedly talked about how check-out times after 11 am were preferred, and they look for Airbnb stays with late check-out times. 

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5. Ensure Comfort and Convenience

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Guest Insight: "Don't skimp on the quality or quantity of linens. I'm a host as well, and when I'm a guest it's really annoying to get to a rental and find one threadbare towel per person and microfiber sheets. Your sheets should be 100% cotton, light in color, and decently high thread count." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: Invest in high-quality linens and towels, and stock your property with essential toiletries. Equip the kitchen with all necessary appliances, utensils, and basic pantry items. 

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6. Maintain High Standards of Cleanliness

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Guest Insight: "Cleanliness. This cannot be overstated. Normal home clean and Airbnb clean are not the same thing." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: Hire professional cleaning services to ensure your property meets the highest standards of cleanliness. Pay attention to details like dusting, sanitizing high-touch surfaces, and laundering all linens between guests.

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7. Offer Modern Amenities

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Guest Insight: "USB SOCKETS BY THE BEDS! USB sockets are pretty much universal throughout the world, if you've forgotten a plug adaptor but still have your charging cable then a USB socket can keep you going." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: Ensure your property is equipped with modern amenities like reliable high-speed internet, spaces to charge electronics, and even streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Consider adding smart home devices like smart locks, thermostats, and voice assistants to enhance convenience and security.

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8. Respect Privacy and Space

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Guest Insight: "I don't like having to reply to a bunch of "how are things going? do you need anything?" messages. I promise, if something is wrong, I will let you know." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: While it’s important to be available, avoid being overly intrusive. Clearly communicate your availability and preferred methods of contact. Allow guests to enjoy the property at their own pace, intervening only when necessary.

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9. Provide Local Insights

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Guest Insight: "I appreciate restaurant recommendations, particularly ones that you personally enjoy."

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Actionable Tip: Create a comprehensive guidebook featuring local attractions, dining options, and unique experiences. Include your personal recommendations and any exclusive deals or discounts you can offer through local partnerships.

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10. Avoid a Long List of Rules and/or Checkout Instructions

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Guest Insight:  "I will not rent from anyone who decides to micro-manage my stay." [Reddit user]

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Actionable Tip: Remember that your guests are on vacation, and are not looking for a laundry list of check-out tasks and/or rules for their stay. If you're concerned about guests damaging or mistreating your rental, you can check their reviews from previous hosts. Look for guests who have high ratings and positive feedback from other hosts.

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Creating the best vacation rental guest experience involves attention to detail, proactive communication, and a genuine desire to make your guests feel at home. By incorporating the advice from experienced travelers and implementing these actionable tips, you can elevate your hosting game and ensure your guests have an unforgettable stay. Remember, happy guests lead to glowing reviews, repeat bookings, and a thriving vacation rental business.

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