Vacation rental hosts and owners know that achieving Superhost on Airbnb or Premier host on Vrbo is an advantage, but what does it take to get that badge? The sites will tell you it’s dependent on several factors: how many bookings you accept. your number of bookings per year (on their platform), your star rating average, your cancellation rate, and your response rate.
Attracting great guests, getting booked, and earning excellent reviews are probably pretty high on your to-do list, anyway. So how do you make sure that you’re doing everything possible to set yourself apart from the competition?
In this blog post, I’m sharing my best tricks based on years of experience about how to become a Superhost, that is, a person who goes above and beyond booking after booking and has the accolades, income, and return guests to prove it.
Table of Contents
Wanna become a Superhost this year? These things will help you get there.
Perfect your listing and get those bookings.
Your listings are your primary source of advertising, and having listings that result in bookings will make both you and the listing sites happy. Take the time to do a good job writing your description, and think about who will be reading it. The better you know your ideal guest the better your writing will be. Be sure to include trending keywords in your listing, like pet-friendly rental and digital-nomad ready.
Be sure to check all the boxes for the amenities you provide, and schedule time to regularly review and update your listings. The sites are always coming up with new amenities you can promote, and you won’t want to miss out on bragging rights.
Last but certainly not least, include plenty of gorgeous pictures (Here’s my guide to hiring a professional photographer). Make your first five photos your best ones, and think about including supplemental information, like a photo proving your internet speed or a 3D floor plan.
Don’t ignore the importance of design
The way to get those great photos is to start with good design. Most potential guests will flip through your photos before they read a word of your description, and a well-designed vacation rental will make your guests feel comfortable and pampered once they arrive. Not only that, they’ll be much more likely to share photos of themselves in their awesome Airbnb if it looks great.
From a complete guide to vacation rental dining room design to ideas for seasonal decor, you’ll find plenty of free tips on my blog that will help you give your short-term rental a makeover and make sure it looks inviting for potential guests.
And of course, if you’d like professional design help you already know an interior designer (me, naturally) Whether you just need a strategy session, want a done-for-you DIY plan, or full-service design, there’s a package that’s tailored to your needs.
Pay attention to the details
Often it’s the details that will earn you that 5-star review. Stay on top of all those little things that can make or break a vacation. Make sure sheets and towels are in tip-top shape, that there are enough pool towels and pillows, and all the appliances are in working order. Let your guests know what to expect before they even arrive – provide them with detailed directions on how to get to your property and check-in instructions either through the listing sites or better yet, send them an awesome digital guest book. It will help them plan the perfect vacation and will answer a lot of the questions they might have been ready to text you.
Make sure it’s super clean
Having a super clean property is a must for Superhosts! Hire a pro or make sure to vacuum, dust, and mop between each group of guests – it’ll make your place look inviting and well-maintained. Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of high-traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens will also give your guests peace of mind. Schedule time for deep cleaning and maintenance on a regular schedule whether you do the work yourself or hire it out.
Provide outstanding amenities
Spoiled guests leave good reviews, and one of the best ways to make your guests feel special is to provide generous amenities. Stock the kitchen with necessary items like coffee, tea, and plenty of kitchen tools and utensils. Don’t forget about toiletries that create a hotel-like experience, like soaps, shampoos, and lotions. And, of course, having a few extra touches like a welcome basket or complimentary breakfast items can go a long way in making your guests feel welcome. Out of ideas? Check out our comprehensive list of Airbnb amenities that will impress your guests!
Embrace technology
Technology is your friend when it comes to raising your status to Superhost. Invest in new technologies and services such as digital lockboxes, smart thermostats, and automated check-in systems. This will make your guests’ experience more seamless and efficient – they won’t have to worry about keys or figuring out a new-to-them thermostat. Tech will also save you from a lot of repetitive tasks. When you’re researching new technologies, just remember to keep it simple. Look for systems that are the most intuitive to use, because most guests won’t appreciate special features if they have to take the time to learn them.
Add workspace to your vacation rental
Remote workers and digital nomads are becoming a huge target demographic, so make sure you’re ready for them. This could mean extra furniture, lighting, and high-speed internet to create a productive vacation rental workspace, or something as simple as making sure the desk has an attractive background for video calls. You can consider adding to your bottom line by offering an add-on digital creator package with things like ring lights, whiteboards, portable green screens, and monitors available to rent.
Be an expert in your area
One of the best things about staying in a vacation rental is the opportunity to live like a local. Give yourself the delightful assignment of exploring the fun things to do in your area and getting to know your local tour guides, restaurateurs, and shopkeepers. A personal recommendation will help your guests feel in the know and your neighbors will appreciate the referrals.
Connecting with local providers or offering exclusive discounts or promotions will not only make your Superhost status even more super – it’ll also help you improve your marketing by networking with other small businesses in your community.
Focus on delivering excellent customer service
Two of the criteria for Superhost or Premier host are easy to control: your response rate and your history of cancellations. Answer all inquiries, and do so promptly. Not only will a high response rate contribute to the badge, but it’s also more likely to get you booked, and rumor has it that it will help your search rankings. Canceling bookings will pretty much tank your chances for special status on both Airbnb and VRBO, so make sure you aren’t taking bookings if you think there’s a chance that you won’t be able to honor them.
One of the best ways to ensure positive reviews is to develop a relationship with your guests. Always reply promptly and courteously to inquiries and be as helpful as possible. And when things go awry during a guest’s stay make sure your guests know that you are doing your absolute best to fix them.
Listen and learn from the feedback
Whether good or bad, feedback from past guests can be an invaluable resource to help you become a Superhost. If you’ve done a good job of communicating with your guests they’ll be more likely to let you know privately about improvements you could make, rather than publicly complaining in a review. If you hear the same suggestion more than once think about implementing it.
If you do get a critical review, don’t panic. Take a breath, and remember that your response is for all the potential guests that will be reading your reviews in the future, not for the person who criticized you. Keep it professional and positive, and let future guests know how you’re fixing the problem if it’s a valid complaint.
Take advantage of marketing opportunities
You’ve followed all the tips and got your Superhost or Premier host status – congrats! Now it’s time to get the word out. Taking advantage of online marketing opportunities is a great way to spread the word about your rental property and get it in front of potential guests. Be sure to spread the news about your achievement across your social media platforms, and remember that linking back to your listing will put you higher in search results. And if it fits in with your marketing plan and budget, consider investing in paid advertising on your social media accounts to help maximize visibility.
Bonus tip: Be active in the community
Whether it’s connecting with other hosts on social media, joining local groups for vacation rental owners/hosts, or taking part in conversations about trends in the industry – staying connected and active in the vacation rental community will help you stay on top of your Superhost game.
Are you a Superhost? Do you aspire to be one? Comment below and let us know what you’re doing to go above and beyond for your guests.
