TL;DR: Secrets of successful Airbnbs
- Exceptional hospitality: Go beyond the greeting with repeatable “delight” plays.
- Obsessive attention to detail: Use checklists for both your physical space and your digital listing.
- Fast, proactive communication: Aim for a 1-hour response time using automation.
- Impeccable cleaning: Treat every turnover like a hotel operation.
- Unique experiences: Use “soft” experiences (guides, partnerships) if you lack high-end amenities.
- Clear house rules: Protect your asset with friendly but firm boundaries.
- Eco-conscious touches: Win over the sustainable traveler segment with quick wins.
- Strong tech stack: Use a channel manager and PMS to automate the heavy lifting.
- Continuous improvement: Review your metrics monthly.
Start here: Pick two of the strategies below to implement this week to see an immediate impact on your guest experience.
If you’re an Airbnb host looking to stand out, earn 5-star reviews, and increase occupancy, you know that the short-term rental market has shifted. With millions of active listings, providing a “nice place to stay” is no longer enough. The most successful listings — from single units to large portfolios — share a set of operational habits that drive revenue and guest loyalty.
Here’s your practical playbook for implementing those habits today.
Exceptional hospitality
The hallmark of a truly successful Airbnb is exceptional hospitality. The most popular Airbnb hosts go above and beyond to make their guests feel welcome, valued, and cared for throughout their stay.
- What it looks like: A warm, personalized welcome; anticipating needs before they arise; and handling issues with empathy.
- Why it matters: It drives the 5-star reviews that push your listing to the top of the search results.
- How to implement this week: Add a welcome note and a mini local guide. Commit to replying to all messages within one hour during the day.
Three hospitality plays to try:
- The welcome play: Leave a small basket with local snacks and a handwritten note.
- The check-in play: Send a mid-stay “How is everything going?” message 24 hours after arrival to catch issues early.
- The departure play: Offer late checkout whenever your calendar allows, especially if you know guests had travel delays.
Attention to detail
Highly rated Airbnbs are characterized by attention to detail. Successful Airbnb hosts carefully curate every aspect of their rental, from the decor and furnishings to the cleanliness and organization of the space.
In the space:
- Bedding: Ensure linens are wrinkle-free and high-quality.
- Kitchen: Stock basics like oil, salt, pepper, and coffee.
- Utility: Label complex light switches and remotes.
- Supplies: Leave spare toiletries and toilet paper easily accessible.
In the listing:
- Visuals: Use 10–20 high-quality, professionally lit photos.
- Accuracy: Keep your amenities list up to date (e.g., wifi speed, coffee maker type).
- Honesty: Include a “what this place is not” note to manage expectations regarding noise or accessibility.
Responsiveness and communication
The top-performing Airbnb hosts are proactive in their communication, reaching out to guests before, during, and after their stay to address any questions or concerns.
Prompt communication is especially vital when it comes to reservations. The speed and intention of your inquiry response signal your level of professionalism and can make or break a booking decision.
Target: Aim to respond to new inquiries within 1 hour during the day and 12 hours overnight.
Templates to swipe:
- Pre-arrival: “Hi [Guest Name], we’re excited to host you on [Dates]. Your check-in is from [Time]. We will send detailed access instructions 24 hours before you arrive. Do you have any special requests we can help with?”
- Post-departure: “Hi [Guest Name], thank you for being a great guest. We hope you had a safe trip home. We’ve just left you a 5-star review and would appreciate it if you could share your experience as well.”
Pro tip: Use your inquiry response to find out more about your guest. This is your chance to find out if they’re travelling for business or pleasure, with kids, or on a romantic getaway. You can use this data to offer customized upsells and enhance both their experience and your earnings.
Stellar cleaning and maintenance
Cleanliness is paramount for Airbnb hosts who want to maintain consistently high ratings and glowing reviews. The best Airbnbs are meticulously clean, well-maintained, and free of any visible wear and tear.
The standard: Treat every changeover as a hotel-level operation. This means fresh linens, spotless bathrooms, no personal clutter, and a 5–10 minute “final walk-through” before every check-in.
Your turnover checklist:
- Sanitize all high-touch surfaces (remotes, knobs, switches).
- Check floors and carpets for any debris.
- Inspect kitchen appliances (microwave, fridge, oven).
- Verify the thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature.
- Ensure all light bulbs are working.
- Restock consumable supplies.
Unique and memorable experiences
In a competitive market, you must offer something memorable. If you don’t have a hot tub or a pool (“hard features”), differentiate with “soft experiences.”
Soft experience ideas (Low Cost):
- Curated guidebook: A QR code linking to a Google Map of your favorite local spots.
- First morning: A breakfast basket with local bakery items.
- Partnerships: Exclusive discounts with a local tour guide or chef.
- Itinerary: A printed “Perfect 48 Hours in [City]” guide.
Pro tip: Guesty users can create a customized guidebook for every guest with Guest App, with tips, property information, and local experiences folded in.
Thoughtful house rules and guest expectations
Clear rules prevent damage and neighborhood complaints. The key is balancing clarity with warmth.
Example house rules:
“We want you to feel at home. To keep the space comfortable for everyone, please observe the following: No parties or events. No smoking inside. Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Only registered guests are allowed on the property. Please treat the home and our neighbors with the same respect you’d expect in your own community.”
Emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly practices
Sustainability is a growing priority for travelers. Aligning your rental with these values can attract a loyal customer base.
Eco quick wins:
- Switch to LED bulbs.
- Install refillable soap and shampoo dispensers to reduce plastic waste.
- Provide clear recycling and composting instructions.
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
Level up: Promote your property as eco-conscious in your listing description by highlighting features like solar power, EV charging, or high-efficiency appliances.
Utilization of a powerful channel manager
You cannot scale exceptional hospitality manually. The most successful hosts use a comprehensive platform like Guesty®.
A channel manager like Guesty helps you deliver on the “secrets” above by automating the heavy lifting.
- Avoid double bookings: The Guesty Distribution Hub syncs your calendars across Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and direct booking sites in real-time.
- Automate communication: Use workflows to send your pre-arrival and check-out templates automatically, ensuring no guest is ignored.
- Pricing precision: Tools like Guesty PriceOptimizer adjust your rates based on market demand, ensuring you never leave money on the table.
By centralizing your operations, you move from “managing a rental” to running a business.
Continuous improvement and adaptation
Top performers have a proactive mindset. They use data, not just intuition, to make decisions.
Your review cycle:
Monthly: Review your occupancy rates, Average Daily Rate (ADR), and recurring themes in guest reviews.
Quarterly: Select one area for improvement (e.g., upgrading amenities, testing new pricing, refining message templates) and track the impact.
By incorporating these best practices, Airbnb hosts can position their rentals for long-term success and grow their business in an increasingly competitive market. Whether you’re a seasoned Airbnb host or just starting, these strategies can help you attract more potential guests, earn better reviews, and ultimately drive more revenue.
3-step action plan to apply these secrets
- Fix the basics: Deep clean your property, tighten your listing photos and description, and clarify your house rules.
- Upgrade the experience: Add one hospitality touch (like a welcome basket) and refine your guest messaging templates.
- Systemize: Implement a cleaning checklist, set response-time goals, and use a PMS like Guesty to automate repetitive tasks.
Successful Airbnb hosting: FAQs
Success is a combination of high occupancy rates, strong revenue (RevPAL), and consistent 5-star reviews. It’s not just about being booked; it’s about being booked at the right price with happy guests.
If you implement the hospitality and communication plays above, you can see a shift in review sentiment within 3–5 bookings. However, rebuilding a rating after a dip requires consistent excellence over several months.
Yes, but you need the right “engine inside” your business. Using a platform like Guesty allows you to manage guest communication, coordinate cleaners via mobile app, and automate pricing from anywhere in the world.
The most common failures are poor response times, lack of cleanliness, and inaccurate listing descriptions that lead to disappointed guests.