To gain a reputation as an exceptional host, it doesn’t take grand gestures of flowery handwritten notes or big bouquets of fresh flowers or an open wine cellar. Although those things are all lovely but it is the secret delights and thoughtful touches from the heart is what guests will remember the most.
You don’t have to have the most glamorous house, in the best area, with designer furniture and high end appliances to make an impression.
It is the little things that count, the thoughtful touches, the secret delights that can take an OK cookie cutter stay to an exceptional guest experience.
If a guest feels like you have seen them and thought about what they might need in advance, then they will appreciate you and your listing far more. They will feel welcome and that they belong. This is the essence of exceptional hospitality.
I have met so many hosts in my coaching and also as a traveler and I have learned so much along the way. Here is a list of my favorite little touches and secret delights that have elevated even the most basic house into an exceptional guest experience. You don’t have to spend a ton of money or have a Pinterest worthy photos.
- 3 clocks on the wall in the hallway showing different times: local time, New York Time and the time from the guests home town.
- [Design tip: Chalk paint or mini cute blackboard allows for quick and easy personalisation between guests.]
- Welcome basket including homemade goodies
- Notebook for children to collect stamps at local attractions
- Towel set at the end of each bed for each expected guest with a flower
- Seasonal local treats in the fridge
- Local artisan bread
- Farm eggs at a farm stay
- Children’s dinnerware, portable cot and toys at a family friendly listing
- A fully equipped kitchen utensil drawer (less common than you would imagine)
- Local tourist maps and bus timetables
- Unlimited fast home WiFi
- Pottery tea cups from a local potter
- Shopping bags to take to the supermarket to reduce plastic
- Sunscreen and insect repellant
- Marshmallows and hot chocolate
- Bath salts
- Handmade crochet throw rugs
- Bottle of wine from a local winery
- Origami toilet paper folding challenge (In Japan)
I can’t take credit for all of these ideas but I have incorporated lots of these into my own listings from time to time depending on the season and how much time I have. I switch things up to make sure they feel fresh and authentic too. I love discovering local treats and sharing them with guests. Don’t bombard the guest with all of these but pick a few ideas and see what works for you a host, for your guests in your market, for your local attractions and for the style of your listing.
Of course, you need to make sure you are meeting the basic needs of your target guests as a baseline and then some little added touches from your heart to surprise and delight. You will experience better reviews, more repeat bookings and guests who recommend you to others.
If you are like me, you will love imagining how guests will smile when they arrive and find these surprises and treats. It is even better, when you hear the delight from the guest in the reviews or in the guest book. The satisfaction of knowing that I have made another person smile is one of the immeasurable joys of my hosting life.
Like most hosts, I started hosting as a side hustle for extra money but as time passed, I acknowledged that bringing joy to appreciative guests increased my joy as well. Not every day is sunshine and roses and not every guest appreciates your hard work and attention to their care, but the ones who do, make everything all worthwhile. I will explore the science behind increasing your joy with your income in future blog posts so let me know if this is a subject that you want to hear more about. Plus I will talk about how to identify and avoid the guests who are not going to appreciate you or your listing
For today, however, my advice to you is this:
Do what feels good for you and your listing – hosting with heart is a reward unto itself.
Post a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #secretdelightsTNC to show me how you like to surprise and delight guests. Then check out my hosting instagram, @tokyofamilystays
Remember: It is the little things that count, the thoughtful touches, the secret delights that can take an OK cookie cutter stay to an exceptional guest experience. Want to learn more about how to be a Wholehearted Host? Check out The Wholehearted Host Club.
Welcome to the exclusive opportunity to chat with Tracey Northcott, a seven-figure Airbnb host. Spend an hour bouncing ideas, brainstorming, and picking each other’s brains to help elevate your short-term rental business.
Leave a Reply