First impressions are made in the first five minutes after a guest arrives. A clean home, clear instructions and a well-prepared welcome often weigh more in reviews than careful decor. Here's the checklist to follow before every arrival.
48 hours before arrival
- Confirm exact timing with the guest via messaging — estimated arrival time, mode of transport, whether an in-person welcome is needed.
- Send practical information in advance: the precise address (with visual landmarks if the street is hard to find), access code or key handover details, a contact number for issues.
- Check the weather and flag anything relevant (spare umbrella available, air conditioning turned on ahead of a hot day).
Cleaning: the non-negotiable basics
Beyond obvious cleanliness, a few points are especially scrutinised in negative reviews:
- Bathroom: clean grout, streak-free mirror, fresh folded towels.
- Sheets and pillows: always changed, no lingering odours — air out the bedroom the day before if possible.
- Kitchen: clean, put-away dishes and utensils, an empty clean fridge, emptied bins.
- Floors and corners: under the bed, behind furniture — often what gives away a rushed cleaning job.
Essentials you should never forget
- Wifi: password clearly displayed inside the home, not just sent by message (easy to lose track of).
- Drinking water: a few bottles on hand are always appreciated, especially for a late arrival.
- Toilet paper and soap: always keep a starter supply, even for a short stay.
- Appliance instructions: air conditioning, water heater, hob — a simple guide avoids panicked messages on the first evening.
The welcome, in person or remote
Whether you greet guests in person or through a self check-in (lockbox, code), a warm welcome message on arrival always makes a difference: a few local recommendations (the best spot for a first meal, a nearby corner shop) give a real sense of hospitality, well beyond the purely transactional.
A host who sends a personalised welcome message, even a short one, statistically gets better reviews than a perfectly silent host — even with an identical property.
During the stay
A discreet message the day after arrival ("did everything go well? let me know if you need anything") lets you solve a small issue before it turns into a negative review — without being intrusive.
Manage all your bookings and message your guests directly from your host dashboard.
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