Airbnb’s have become so popular over the years, and with the South African economy in a bit of a slump at the moment, it makes great sense to consider AIR BNB’ing one’s home/guest house or holiday home to bring in that much needed extra income.
Hirsch’s have a fantastic variety of products for the discerning AIR BNB host and we have given you a super selection here.
We spoke to Hirsch customers who Air BnB’s their homes regularly over the holiday period and this is what they had to say:
- The best thing about setting up your home – or part of it – as guest accommodation is that you have to make sure everything is in order. Knowing that you have people coming to stay helps you to clear out clutter and tidy up your patch.
- You get to meet interesting people from around the world – most people who are regular guests have interesting stories about their travels.
- You need to think HOTEL STANDARDS. Look at your property with objective eyes and see the flaws. Sleep in one of your spare beds (for instance) to make sure that the mattress isn’t lumpy or it doesn’t creak. (Hirsch’s have a fabulous range of beds for all tastes)
- Lock up your valuable items (your good crystal) and make sure you have a good supply of durable alternatives.
We were also interested to find out what the experts have to say about Air BnBing and got some great advice from Air BnB’s Chip Conley who says that the best hosts around the world are usually very organised, welcoming and empathetic. For instant impact he encourages potential hosts to take outstanding photos of their properties. “Listings with higher quality photos generally stand out in search results and get booked more often.” He says. Good lighting is important and you need to shoot from different corners of each room to create a full picture. Remember to include photos of things to do in the area to make the whole package more appealing. Also, be very diplomatic with reviews so they don’t come back to haunt you, he says.