Successful Melbourne Airbnb designers’ top tips to superhost status
I’ve been hosting my own Airbnb since March 2024. In that time, I have learnt a lot about how to run and manage an Airbnb or short term rental. From what price to charge per night to how much time it takes to clean. So here are a Melbourne Airbnb designers’ top tips to superhost status.
Airbnb design
If you’re wanting to operate your short term rental as a business it’s worth working with an accommodation interior designer or Airbnb designer.
At a glance, you can see the difference a short term rental (or Airbnb) that has been designed by an interior designer, top left, versus the other options on Airbnb for the same area.
With my own Airbnb and my Airbnb design clients we start with the brief stage of the interior design process. During the brief stage we develop an aesthetic vision, interior style goal or an interior design story.
Something that will reflect the host, the neighbourhood, the benefits of the space and that will photograph well.
Having an interior design story for your Airbnb is your point of differentiation which is a key marketing tool for your short term rental business.
Top features for superhost status
Looking through my reviews the word that keeps recurring is ‘comfortable’. While the space needs to look good to give you a competitive edge on third party platform such as Airbnb and Stayz, it needs to be comfortable also.
Comfortable is communicated through practical things like a fully equipped kitchen, quality bedding and soft towels but it’s also a feeling.
I’ve added ‘nice touches’ to my Airbnb (short term rental) that people notice and helps get me 5 star reviews.
Things like leaving a bag of biscuits on the dining table for my guests. Supplying my guests with quality hand wash, body wash and shampoo and conditioner. Some kitchen essentials such as salt and pepper, olive oil, vinegar, tea and coffee station and so on.
I’ve designed and equipped my Airbnb so that people feel at home but more important that they can act and do in my home what they would do in their own home. And I think a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, living, bathroom and bedroom is key.
Guests choose to stay in an Airbnb rather than a hotel or motel because they want the comforts of home, not just a clean bed and towels.
Other qualities that rate well on Airbnb
There are other qualities that are important to your Airbnb guests such as location, communication with you the host, and easy access.
But by far the guests I’ve had have commented on how stylish the place is so a stylish Airbnb is important for superhost status.
I’ve received the following feedback that mentions the word ‘styled’ or ‘stylish’
‘We loved Trish’s comfortable and beautifully styled apartment.’ Yvette, May 2024
‘The apartment is comfortable, clean and stylish, and convenient to all that inner city Melbourne has to offer.’ Nick, July 2024
‘Trish has done a great job in creating a welcoming and stylish space which is well equipped and makes you feel at home.’ Elly, July 2024
Running and cleaning an Airbnb
As a host I work hard to maintain the quality of the property. For me this means personally cleaning the apartment.
I do an end of lease type clean after every stay. This means checking all the surfaces such as walls, doors and cupboards for make up marks, scuff marks and sometimes coffee spills to ensure all surfaces are clean. I don’t think if I outsourced the cleaning the surfaces will be looked at the same way.
The Airbnb platform is easy to operate and I use a combination of scheduled messages and normal messages to communicate with my guests. I use instant book and sometimes the resolution centre for reimbursements for stained sheets and lost keys.
So to some up a successful Melbourne interior designers’ top tips to superhost status include, creating a stylish space, comfortable, clean with the small touches that show your guest you’ve thought of them and welcome and appreciate their booking.