Happy guests leave great reviews—and great reviews drive bookings. Here are five high-impact, low-drama tactics you can implement this week to improve satisfaction and increase your Airbnb reviews.
1) Set crystal-clear expectations before arrival
Surprises create friction. Remove them with concise, friendly pre-arrival communication that answers the obvious questions.
- Send a “What to Expect” note 3–5 days prior with parking, door code timing, and how to reach you.
- Share a single-page digital guide (PDF or link) with house rules and quick-start info (Wi-Fi, streaming, thermostat).
- Confirm guest count and special requests in one message to avoid day-of confusion.
2) Make the first 10 minutes effortless
First impressions anchor the entire stay. If arrival is smooth, small hiccups later feel minor.
- Lighting: leave key lamps on and entry path lit for evening arrivals.
- Access: share a time-bound code and a 3-step entry checklist with photos.
- Wayfinding: place a neat, printed card at entry with Wi-Fi, QR to house guide, and support contact.
3) Standardize the “comfort fundamentals”
Guests remember how they slept, how clean it felt, and how easy it was to use the space. Nail the fundamentals, every stay.
- Sleep: quality mattress, layered bedding, blackout capability, and a quiet fan.
- Cleanliness: crisp surfaces, fresh linens, and consistent checklists—no clutter.
- Function: stocked kitchen basics, sharp knives, and clearly labeled switches.
4) Be proactively available (without hovering)
Most guests won’t report small issues until review time. A light, proactive touch surfaces fixable items during the stay.
- +1 hour message: “All set with entry and Wi-Fi? Anything I can clarify?”
- Mid-stay pulse: “Hope the stay’s going smoothly—one thing I can improve before you head out?”
- Fast resolutions: give guests a simple way to flag little things (loose handle, light bulb) and close the loop quickly.
5) Ask for the review the right way
Guests are busy. A gracious, specific nudge increases review volume and quality.
- Night before checkout: share a friendly departure checklist and thank them for choosing your place.
- Checkout morning: short reminder about the platform’s review prompt and that feedback helps future guests.
- 24 hours post-stay: a final thanks and one-line request: “If we earned 5⭐️, would you mind sharing a quick review?”
Simple “More Reviews” Playbook
- Automate timing (pre-arrival, after check-in, mid-stay, checkout, +24h) via your PMS or templates.
- Respond to every review with gratitude and specifics—future guests read owner responses.
- Track themes (sleep, cleanliness, ease-of-use) and address patterns in your next turnover.
Note: Messaging above avoids gimmicks and focuses on clarity, comfort, and function—exactly what drives great reviews.
