Essential Tips for Making Your Airbnb Guest-Ready Beyond Cleaning and Management
- Jun 25
- 6 min read
One of my favorite parts of photographing Airbnbs is getting to see all of the thought, care, and creativity that hosts pour into their properties.
Every home has its own personality, and it's always fun to hear the story behind the renovations, the design choices, and the little details that make the space unique.
Over the years, though, I've noticed something. Many hosts do everything right.
They hire a wonderful management company.
They have an amazing cleaning team.
They invest in beautiful furnishings and thoughtful amenities.
And yet, there are still little things that can slip through the cracks.
Not because anyone is doing a bad job, but because the people caring for the property aren't experiencing it the way a guest does.
Your cleaner is making sure the home is spotless.
Your management company is coordinating arrivals, departures, and maintenance.
But neither of them is making breakfast with your cookware, trying to find a phone charger beside the bed, figuring out the TV after a long day of exploring, or realizing the can opener barely works.
Your guests are.
It made me realize that one of the best things a host can do isn't necessarily spend more money on upgrades.
It's finding a way to experience the property through fresh eyes.
Here are five simple ways to do just that:
1. Stay at Your Own Airbnb
If it's been a while since you've stayed at your own property, I encourage you to block off a night or two.
Don't inspect it. Experience it.
Cook dinner. Make coffee. Take a shower. Watch a movie. Use the grill. Sit by the fire pit. Do a load of laundry.
Sleep in the bed. Open every drawer. Try every appliance.
You'll quickly notice the little things you've walked past dozens of times.
Does the can opener still work? Are the frying pans ready to be replaced? Does the coffee maker take forever to brew? Do the blinds close all the way? Is there enough lighting beside the bed?
These are all things your guests experience, but you may not notice during a quick walkthrough.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking...
"Rachel...that's easier said than done."
Maybe your Airbnb is several hours away. Maybe your calendar is packed with bookings. Or maybe it's just not realistic to spend a weekend there.
If that's the case, don't worry. My next tip might actually be even better.
Looking Beyond the Photo
At first glance, these photos simply look like a relaxing afternoon at an Airbnb.
But they're actually telling a much bigger story.
Photo 1: Can a guest comfortably work or relax outside while staying connected to the Wi-Fi?
Photo 2: We bought a few items from a local grocer that was featured in the property's guidebook. Was it easy to find? Was the recommendation worth sharing with future guests?
Photos 3 & 4: This property is pet-friendly, so we wanted to test one of its best features, the enclosed back deck. Does the gate actually keep dogs safely contained? Can a pet owner truly relax with a cup of coffee or spiked lemonade, lol, while their dog enjoys the outdoors?
These are the kinds of details that don't show up during a walkthrough.
They're only discovered by experiencing the property the way your guests do.
2. Invite Friends or Family to Be Your "Fresh Eyes"
Ask people you trust to spend a weekend at your property.
But before they arrive, let them know they're not just there for a getaway.
They're helping you improve the guest experience. Ask them to live in your Airbnb exactly like a paying guest would.
Cook meals. Do laundry. Watch TV. Use the pool or hot tub. Fire up the grill. Light the fire pit. Sleep in every bed. Use the coffee maker every morning.
Then, before they leave, hand them your Fresh Eyes Checklist.
Tell them you don't want compliments. You want honesty.
You want them to tell you about the things that frustrated them, confused them, or simply didn't work as well as they expected.
Those small observations are incredibly valuable because they give you the opportunity to improve your property before your next guests ever arrive.
3. Guests Remember the Little Things
As hosts, it's natural to focus on the big projects. A renovated kitchen.
A beautiful pool. A new hot tub. Updated furniture. Fresh landscaping.
Those things absolutely matter.
But in my experience, guests often remember the little frustrations just as much.
The dull kitchen knives. The scratched frying pan. The towel that's ready to be replaced.
The tangled blind cords. The empty propane tank. The coffee maker that needs updating.
The first aid kit that's missing supplies. The dryer that takes two cycles to dry towels.
None of these are expensive fixes. But together, they shape the overall guest experience.
Sometimes the difference between a four-star stay and a five-star stay isn't a major renovation.
It's simply making sure everything works the way guests expect it to.
4. Don't Be Afraid to Block Off a Few Nights
I know blocking off your calendar can feel like you're losing income. But I'd encourage you to think about it differently.
Think of it as preventative maintenance.
One weekend with trusted friends or family might uncover issues that would have eventually shown up in guest reviews.
That one weekend could help you avoid:
Guest messages asking where things are.
Maintenance calls during a stay.
Lower reviews.
Refund requests.
Small frustrations that keep guests from booking again.
Sometimes giving up one reservation leads to a better experience for the next fifty.
5. Ask Better Questions
When your friends or family check out, don't simply ask... "Did you have a good time?"
Most people will politely say yes.
Instead, ask questions that encourage them to think like paying guests.
What frustrated you? What felt confusing? What did you expect to find but couldn't?
What would you replace? What would have made your stay even better?
And my favorite question...
If you had paid full price for this stay, what is the very first thing you would change?
That one question often uncovers the things we've stopped noticing because we're so familiar with our own properties.
Download the Fresh Eyes Checklist
To make this process easier, I've created a Fresh Eyes Checklist that you can hand to friends or family before they leave.
It covers every part of the guest experience, including:
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Living Areas
Laundry Room
Grill
Pool & Hot Tub
Fire Pit & Fireplace
Outdoor Spaces
Windows, Blinds & Shades
Safety & Emergency Preparedness
There's also a page for additional notes and suggestions because, in my experience, the best feedback is often something you never thought to ask.
One of the things I love most about photographing Airbnbs is seeing how much heart hosts put into creating a memorable stay. It's never just about a place to sleep.
It's about creating a space where families reconnect, couples celebrate anniversaries, friends gather around a fire pit, and kids make memories they'll talk about for years.
The hosts who create those experiences aren't always the ones with the biggest budgets or the fanciest amenities.
They're the ones who continue looking for ways to make their guests feel cared for.
They replace the worn-out pan before someone complains. They restock the first aid kit.
They make sure the grill is ready for a summer barbecue. They secure the blind cords.
They ask for honest feedback—and they actually listen to it.
So if I could leave you with one piece of advice, it would be this:
See your Airbnb through someone else's eyes.
Whether that's you, a trusted friend, or a family member, fresh eyes can reveal the small details that make a big difference.
Because a five-star stay isn't just about having a beautiful property, it's about creating an experience where everything simply works.
And sometimes, the best investment you can make isn't a new amenity.
It's one honest weekend of feedback.
Before your next guest checks in, challenge yourself to spend one weekend looking at your Airbnb differently.
Not as the owner. Not as the host.
But as the guest.
You may discover that the smallest improvements create the biggest impact.
And if you're getting ready to update your listing, refresh your property, or showcase the experience you've created, I'd love to help. My Airbnb photography sessions are designed to tell the story of your space while highlighting the thoughtful details that make guests want to book—and come back again.
