Hosting with Airbnb

As many of you already know, Patrick and I have been hosts on Airbnb for a few years now. We first listed our flat in Notting Hill a few years ago and haven’t looked back since -- it’s been such a success for us. We have had so many wonderful guests visit, even Queer Eye’s, Bobby Berk, who voted it one of the top Airbnb’s in the world for Conde Nast Traveler.

We then added our house in Menorca, which post full renovation, has had a wonderful first season this year. This blog post is to share some of my hosting tips, for those considering listing your home, or part of it, on Airbnb. If hosting is something you are considering, then click on this link to find out more.

Tip 01 - Use interesting décor & welcoming touches

I always aim to create a space that is inspiring and uplifting for guests. In London, it was a fairly compact lower-ground flat, so making the most of the light and the space was vital. I kept the interiors fresh and minimal to a point, designing a dining area with a banquette to save space, choosing calm colours throughout and adding interest and fun with the artwork and accessories.

In Menorca, I wanted to create a fun, beach-house vibe – think Slim Aarons in Palm Springs and Jonathan Adler, so I chose colourful tiles, pops of pink and again funky artwork. I also always try to accessorize with interesting books, fun ceramics, lovely candles, and such.

Tip 02 - Include a touch of luxury

To make your property stand out more, try to include luxurious items where possible. The most important thing in this category is the bedding and towels. Always buy the best you can afford, ideally Egyptian Cotton and keep all the sets matching and fresh. It’s also important to make sure they are well laundered and ironed and that whoever makes the bed does it really well. Think hotel quality when it comes to beds and bedding, as that’s a sure way to impress and ensure that guests want to return. The same goes for towels – make sure they are all the same colour and good quality cotton. Finally, we add in other touches like shampoo, conditioner and shower gel – all from a known brand and we always leave full size bottles that are topped up from a large dispenser for each new arrival.

Tip 03 - Surprise your guests

Finally, try to surprise your guests by leaving a few things that they won’t be expecting – a generous welcome pack showcasing local produce or a full range of coffee capsules. All these things make a big difference when it comes to first impressions. In Menorca, we leave the fridge in the pool bar area fully stocked -- still and sparkling water, tonic, etc. We also have an honesty bar – we simply ask that guests replace any bottle that they finish up so that the same selection is there for the next guests. We also leave toys and games for children, things that really make it feel like a home away from home.

If you are interested in becoming a host then I can’t recommend it enough – we have had such lovely guests stay in our properties, many who are now friends, and we can’t wait to launch our cottage as well, once finished in the spring!

Laura x

This post is sponsored by Airbnb.