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Everything you need to know about being a Booking.com host
A great guest experience is one that is seamless, comfortable, and effortless from beginning to end. To help you provide your guests with a 10 out of 10 experience, we’ve outlined some of the basic requirements for hosting on Booking.com.
A great guest experience is one that is seamless, comfortable, and effortless from beginning to end. To help you provide your guests with a 10 out of 10 experience, we’ve outlined some of the basic requirements for hosting on Booking.com.
When it comes to showing off your property to guests, pictures speak louder than words. We’ve found that properties with at least four photos are more likely to receive a booking than those with fewer or no photos. The photos you share also allow you to display the unique aspects of your property – things that make you stand out from the competition.
Before your guests arrive, your property should undergo a deep clean, so everything is spotless for their arrival. There are also a few small things you can do to make your guests’ stay even more memorable.
Dining area: It’s always nice to leave a card, bottle of wine, or another small local gift. This personal touch will make your guests feel valued and provide a great start to their stay.
Kitchen: Make sure some basic items are well stocked, including coffee, tea, fruit, and spices, as well as a bottle opener and corkscrew.
Living area: Add a personal touch to the room with some cosy blankets, pillows, and interesting coffee table books.
Bathroom: Have a selection of fresh towels and toiletries your guests can use.
Your host profile gives you the opportunity to add a personal touch to your property page and introduce yourself to potential guests. In your profile you can add details about yourself along with a photo, share must-see places in your neighbourhood, and highlight key features of your property.
When guests book your property, they are asked to share an estimated arrival time. This time can be found in the Reservations tab in the extranet, along with all other booking details. If your guest doesn’t share their arrival time while they book, you can follow up with them via message or phone call.
We understand that it isn’t always possible for you to greet your guests in person during check-in. In these situations, ensure that you have shared all important details related to the check-in process – such as where they can collect the keys – prior to the check-in date.
You can also use the Key Pickup feature to make your guests’ check-in process even easier.
Try doing something for guests that they would want to include in a review of your property, like providing a customized welcome card of neighbourhood guide tailored for their interests or activities. For more ideas on how to create a great personalized experience for your guests, check out our partner forum.
Easy communication with their host is something guests find very important. With our Pulse app, you can communicate with your guests directly through an instant messaging system or email. Another benefit of Pulse is that messages that are sent through it can more easily be translated into the guests’ language.
During your guests’ stay, be available to answer any questions they have. It doesn’t matter so much whether they have direct communication with a person or a computer, they’re happy as long as their questions are answered. Booking Assistant is a great tool to help ensure basic guest questions are answered quickly.
Compared to the check-in process, the check-out process is much more straightforward. If you’re not going to be there to see them off when they check out, make sure that your guests are aware of the check-out time and where can leave the key.
When your guest has a positive experience during their stay, they’re more likely to give your property a positive review. Guest loyalty is best spread through personal stories, as potential guests love to see personal insights on a property from past guests. It’s also nice if you respond to reviews in a way that is short and personal.
If you do receive a critical review, don’t panic – this can be used as a learning opportunity to improve the experience for future guests. Look for specific things that are mentioned in the review that you could improve. For example, if they mention Wi-Fi that is slow or not working, fix this before your next guest arrives. It’s a good idea to acknowledge the review and mention the steps you’re taking to improve.
A number of governments and municipalities require property owners interested in renting out their place to hold and/or display a special period. In some cases, they can also limit the number of guest occupancy or bookings you can receive during a specific period of time.
We work closely with the municipalities our partners are based in to ensure that our partners are adhering to the local laws and regulations around short-term rentals. For detailed information, as well as updates, on legislation that applies you to, check your local municipalities website.