Superhosts share tips for curating magical guest stays

Hosts on Airbnb have found more than just supplemental income by sharing their places, from cultivating meaningful guest connections to discovering newfound passions for design and hospitality. For Hosts who list the home in which they live, there’s even more opportunity to create that magical guest experience rooted in connection and community – during a time when we need it most.

So whether potential Hosts have a guest house that is only used by family for part of the year, or a newly empty teen room, they might have the perfect Airbnb to share with the world. With the recent release of Airbnb Setup, we’ve made it easier than ever for millions of people to ‘Airbnb it‘.

We spoke with Superhosts Diana of the Rockridge Casita in Oakland, Isabelle of the Modern, Serene Studio in Hip East Austin, and Michael & Kimberly of The Tiny A-Frame Home in Atlanta, who shared their hosting tips for offering the ultimate guest stay no matter the size of the space, including fostering connection, prioritizing design and elevating comfort. 

Cultivating connection

With people feeling increasingly isolated and disconnected, Hosts on Airbnb are focusing on providing distinctive guest experiences in both subtle and standout ways. Diana, Isabelle, Michael and Kimberly have all found success by building personal relationships with their guests and their local communities, which has ultimately led to standout stays and long-lasting memories. 

Isabelle writes handwritten notes for each of her guests, guiding them to her favorite local shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, or congratulates them on milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. According to her, “this small gesture has the biggest impact on guests, making them feel considered in a personal, not just transactional way.” As a token of gratitude for the special stay, Isabelle was recently gifted a watercolor painting of her Airbnb lovingly painted by one of her guests. 

One of Diana’s favorite parts about hosting is befriending her neighbors and involving her children in the hosting journey, with her casita affectionately nicknamed “the neighborhood guest house” as she hosts many of the visiting grandparents. According to her, “family and friends in the neighborhood have peace knowing their loved ones have a clean, cozy spot to stay.”

Prioritizing good design 

Diana designed the interior space of her casita to celebrate coastal California, integrating a large photo of the California coastline, providing books about the Bay Area, and decorating with plenty of greenery, all with the goal of “inspiring visitors about where they are.” Her casita is decorated with mostly whites, wood and indigo blue. Her advice is to promote one color in the space to keep it “visually uncrowded and calm.” 

Isabelle uses natural light and fills her accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with live plants, providing the space with touches of greenery and fresh air. She also focuses on creating a unique sense of place, showcasing local art on the walls – even introducing guests to the local artist upon request – for that extra bit of connection.

Michael and Kimberly’s best advice for creating a design-driven listing is to “start with the end in mind.” In their case, the end goal was to create an Alpine, Scandinavian-themed Airbnb so they sourced materials accordingly. They also prioritized proportion, size and scale in their design, with each piece of furniture fitting perfectly into a space to enforce thoughtful planning. 

Elevating guest comfort 

Thoughtful amenities and considerations that make guests feel at home are paramount. From boutique-style shampoo to an assortment of coffees and teas, Isabelle has thoughtfully considered every amenity guests might need so “they are not missing anything from home.” 

Diana’s casita boasts hundreds of five-star reviews due to her focus on maximizing guest comfort. Her listing has heated floors to make each guest’s experience cozy, complete with luxurious, cushy white robes and streaming services to ensure a relaxing stay. To her, the most important amenities are strong wifi, three different ways to make coffee for a variety of coffee connoisseurs, and an assortment of bed pillows stored in the closet.

Lastly, Isabelle recommends providing each guest with a list of local restaurants and menu items to try. To her, aesthetics are nice and are what initially draws people into a specific place, but amenities, communication, and knowledge of the surrounding area keep guests coming back again and again.