Airbnb might have started out when its founders decided to rent out air mattresses in their apartment, but nowadays you can also use the platform for the opposite — to rent out a luxury Airbnb.
In fact, a few years ago, the company launched a category – Airbnb Luxe (short for luxury), specifically for these types of rentals. This new tier offers traveler even more luxurious features and a premium experience at a higher cost, making it a popular alternative to luxury hotels. Airbnb meticulously hand-picks these ‘Luxe’ properties by following their stringent criteria regarding the design and location of the property.
If this is an avenue that you would like to explore, here’s how you can transform your space. From tips to key amenities, continue reading to find out how you can create a unique place that will put you in a different class.
Essential Tips for Creating a High-end Luxury Rental
Curating a high-end luxury Airbnb might seem daunting, even risky, but don’t let the term “luxury” throw you off balance. When you break up the process into small, achievable goals, it becomes a lot more manageable. Plus, you’ll also ensure that you pay attention to all the finer details that will set you apart from just another standard short-term rental.
To help you break it down, here are a few tips (or goals) that you can start working on today to enhance the experience of your guests’ stay at your Airbnb Luxe.
Hire the services of a professional photographer
Using professional photos is one of the best ways to market your home on the Airbnb platform. It’s the first impression that potential guests get of your property, and first impressions are hard to change later.
You might have the best smartphone on the market with fantastic picture quality. However, nothing beats the pictures that high-end professional cameras produce.
Not only do professional photos improve the visual appeal of your property, but they also convey quality. Basically, on a subconscious level, high-quality photos indicate a high-quality stay.
Here are a few ways to make your photos stand out on Airbnb:
- Before you hire a professional real estate photographer in your area, review their portfolio and examine whether you like their style.
- Clean the house thoroughly before taking pictures and remove any clutter. Also, arrange the furniture in such a way that you create one cohesive image (an interior designer could help with this, more on that in the next tip).
- Purchase a fresh bouquet of flowers and place it on the kitchen counter or coffee table to add a personal touch.
- Focus on the features that make your home unique like a hot tub, infinity pool, terrace, movie theater, or any other luxury amenities.
- Utilize natural sunlight to create bright photos. Avoid using harsh artificial lights like a flash or take pictures at nighttime.
- Lightly edit your photos to enhance color and lighting, but be careful not to manipulate the images so that they misrepresent what your property has to offer.
Use an interior designer
Hiring an interior designer might seem over the top, but if you want to cater to high-end guests, you must ensure your space feels as luxurious as possible. These professional designers will help you choose the best materials and furnishings for comfort and a high-quality feel.
For example, a fully equipped kitchen is essential for most Airbnbs, but especially for an Airbnb Luxe. Guests who book these properties often bring their own chefs to cook for them during their holiday. For this reason, modern appliances, like a coffee machine and state-of-the-art fridge, could be a deciding factor.
You can also ask your interior designer to assist you with the overall look and feel of the kitchen. Do you want a more rustic and earthy look? Or, do you prefer a modern and clean chef’s kitchen? All these decisions can quickly become overwhelming and that’s exactly where an interior designer takes the reins.
While the kitchen is the heart of a luxury Airbnb, the rest of the place should match the part. Designers can also help ensure the space’s flow which can impact the atmosphere significantly. Your goal is to create a rental property that’s welcoming and comfortable — a place where they will want to spend time.
Contrary to the job title, interior designers will also help you to create outdoor living areas, whether that entails constructing a beautiful wooden gazebo, choosing the perfect outdoor dining table where they can sip wine, including a fire pit, or perhaps even adding a rooftop patio. Your outdoor space should feel just as luxurious as the inside of your property if you want to offer the complete package.
Buy well-known brands
Ask your interior designer to help you purchase furniture from brands that are known for their quality and comfort. Buying brands that high-end guests are familiar with will make them feel more at ease.
This takes some research and investing on your part, but it will be completely worth the effort to make your guests as comfortable as possible. If you’re acquainted with other Airbnb Luxe hosts, discuss which brands they use and how they make their space feel sophisticated.
Beds, mattresses, and sheets especially should be well-known brands. While guests might not spend that much time in the bedroom, the quality of our sleep often determines our mood for the day. Do you want someone who had a bad night’s sleep to bash your whole property and leave a negative review? No.
The same principle applies to every other area of your property. Ensure you use the best quality (and comfortable) materials, furnishings, and appliances in the kitchen, living area, dining room, master bath, etc.
Include a welcome gift
It might sound so simple, but it’s really one of the best ways to ensure your clients start their holiday on a good note. Leave a little gift for them on the kitchen table and attach a note with a short message, like “Welcome home”. Be sure to let your guests know that the gifts are complimentary and for them to enjoy or take home.
These small gestures can go a long way towards building trust and appreciation towards you as the host. The more personalized you can make these small gifts, the better.
Some ideas for welcome gifts include:
- Local souvenirs and treats – if your Airbnb is in an area that gets a lot of tourists (Paris, Hawaii, New York, etc.), this would be an excellent idea.
- Snacks and drinks – your guests will probably arrive hungry, especially if they traveled far. If you want to leave a champagne bottle, rather add a non-alcoholic option.
- Candles or plants – leave something your guests can take home with them at the end of their stay for an extra special touch.
Along with your welcome gift, you can also add the locations of your favorite local unique experiences (like an art gallery or a quirky restaurant). It might not be a physical gift, but this gesture helps to demonstrate your generosity.
Leave the cleaning to a professional cleaning company
It doesn’t matter if you have only three bedrooms or nine bedrooms, hire a cleaning service to clean your Airbnb before and after every guest. Not only will this keep your house in tip-top shape, but it will also help prevent mold or any other cleanliness issues. Professional cleaners will always clean your Airbnb thoroughly, whereas you might not always have the time or patience to do so.
This service is especially beneficial if you have a large property with multiple areas that is impossible to clean alone in one day. You can also hire a weekly gardener to maintain the outdoor areas of your property.
You can also take it one step further by including a daily cleaning service in the price per night. Alternatively, you can advertise it as an extra paid service.
Be attentive to your guests’ needs
It’s essential to pay careful attention to the needs and wants of your guests. You must be as accommodating as possible since guests could choose from an ever-expanding list of potential Airbnbs (Luxe or usual).
Check the platform daily for any new messages or inquiries. A quick response time indicates that you are treating your potential guests as a priority and that you’re attentive to their needs.
Also, be willing to be slightly more flexible than other Airbnbs nearby. This could mean being more lenient regarding guests requesting to move dates or modifying their preferences.
Also, adhere to your guests’ dietary restrictions and/or preferences and keep their interests in mind. For example, if your guests are vegetarian or vegan, be sure to stock the fridge with appropriate food options and suggest local attractions that can accommodate their dietary needs.
Encourage guests to leave reviews
After guests have left your Airbnb, send them a message to thank them for their stay and encourage them to leave a review. Positive reviews can really boost your profile on the platform.
What’s more, reviews support the authenticity of your property. These reviews authenticate to the potential guests that your property is, in fact, real and that other guests have been pleased with their stay.
When you buy a product from Amazon, do you read the reviews? Chances are that you do. If the product has thousands of positive reviews, you’re more inclined to buy the product. On the other hand, if the product has several negative reviews, you’re more likely to search for something else.
The same principle applies to Airbnb reviews. If your property has multiple positive reviews from previous guests detailing their experience, potential guests are more likely to book it.
Reviews also offer a form of feedback to hosts. Guests will comment on what they liked about the property and what they didn’t like. As host, you can pay attention to the dislikes and try to make the experience more enjoyable for the next guest.
While reviews are critical, take care not to annoy your guests by constantly asking them for a review. This could backfire and lead to a negative review. If they do not leave a review after your friendly reminder, accept it and move on to the next client.
Keep accurate track of your expenses and income
Keeping track of your expenses is essential to run any successful Airbnb. It allows you to stay on top of your finances and always have a clear idea of how the business is doing. Considering that it will cost more to furnish a luxury Airbnb, this step becomes even more critical.
Having an up-to-date financial record also makes life much easier when tax season comes around. It’s better to have all your ducks in a row than having to sift through months of financial records. After all, many, if not most, of your expenses will be tax deductible and you’ll want to use this benefit to your advantage.
Here are some easy ways to stay on top of your finances:
- Keep all invoices and receipts related to the Airbnb property. This includes expenses relating to maintenance, cleaning services, toiletries, etc.
- Document every expense related to the property on a spreadsheet. Include the date, total price, and description of the expense.
- If you feel that the financial side seems overwhelming, hire a bookkeeper to keep track of your expenses and income generated.
Invest in the right vacation rental insurance
Airbnb offers various host insurance packages, like the Host Damage Protection package, which will cover you if guests have caused damage to your home, furniture, or valuables. That being said, the insurance package from Airbnb won’t be sufficient, especially if you have an Airbnb Luxe.
High-value furniture and amenities mean high-cost replacements in the case of damage. As such, it’s a good idea to find and invest in vacation rental insurance. These insurance packages are more comprehensive and are more likely to cover all your costs in the case of damage, theft, or any other unforeseen circ*mstance.
Don’t see insurance as a wasted expense. Rather view it as reassurance that you can (financially) survive any disaster that might come your way.
Which Amenities Should You Include in Your Luxury Airbnb?
While an Airbnb property is more than the sum of its amenities, here are a few amenities that can make your property feel more luxurious instantly.
A home gym
Having a home gym on your property can be very impressive and might be a deciding factor for guests who want to keep up with their fitness habits while on vacation. Invest in quality equipment and keep the room comfortable for guests by providing towels and water bottles. Also, if possible, ensure a bathroom is adjacent to the home gym.
Air conditioning
If your property doesn’t have air conditioning units already, seriously consider installing them. This allows guests to control the temperature of their environment, which feels luxurious.
Regularly maintain the units and conduct repairs as soon as possible, if needed. The last thing you want is to advertise an amenity only for it to be out of service.
If you’re worried about energy costs, you can invest in energy-efficient units and ask your guests to turn the units off when leaving the property.
Entertainment
Make sure that all the TVs on your properties are smart TVs with satellite TV and all the major streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) available. At the same time, check that you have the best internet coverage at the property.
On a side note, if you have room for a movie theater, definitely add this feature to your Airbnb Luxe. Include a popcorn machine, comfortable reclining chairs, and mood lighting in this room. Alternatively, you can use this space to create a game room where guests can play games. If this sounds more like your style, you can, for example, add a pool table.
On the topic of mood lighting, the brightness and color of the lights in your house influence the ambiance of your property. Install bright lights in areas like the kitchen or dining area, but dimmer lights will be better in the living area and bedrooms. You could also invest in lights that have dimming and color options, allowing the guests to choose the brightness (and color) they prefer.
A hot tub/swimming pool
If your property is in a perfect spot with a spectacular view or outdoor space, consider installing a hot tub (for colder climates) or an infinity pool (for warmer climates). Few things are more relaxing than watching the picturesque scenery from the comfort of a swimming pool.
On the other hand, if your property doesn’t boast stunning views, consider adding a sauna shower. This could potentially be adjacent to the home gym for easy access. Saunas are also synonymous with luxury and will definitely boost the quality of guests’ stay.
Wrapping Things Up
Hosting a successful luxury Airbnb requires a hands-on approach. Pay attention to the finer details, invest in high-quality amenities and furnishing, offer a unique experience, and keep track of everything.
In short, always place the needs of your guests first and provide the best possible experience for them. If you manage to do this, it will pay off in more ways than one.
You can also amp up the luxury by making sure that all of your essential hosting tasks are covered with property management software from iGMS. With it you can:
- Synchronize reservations across multiple platforms to eliminate double bookings.
- Automate templates and trigger messaging to improve communication.
- Create your own website in minutes.
- Automate the process of guest review send-outs.
- Create and coordinate cleaning tasks with live tracking to completion.
- Manage direct bookings using a direct booking management toolkit.
- Securely process payments via integration with Stripe.
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