Post by High Priestess on Feb 25, 2016 6:10:11 GMT
Amy shared on HOsting 911 2 years ago
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-45660
Public Transportation and Guests
Hi Everyone!!!
We have been hosting since December 2013, so still pretty new to it all, but learning Fast!
Initially, we had a CAR RENTAL ONLY guest rule. Because we didn't want to deal with the issues of pubic transport here on the island of Oahu, which is pretty horrendous. We avoiding explaining to guests, and answering a million emails about "how far is this from there (by bus)?"
So now that we moved closed into the center of town, we decided to accept guests who want to brave Hawaii without a car, BUT - it is becoming a headache.
MY QUESTIONS:
1. Would you screen out guests who say they are not renting a car? I am considering giving priority to car rental guests and declining guests who say they will take buses/shuttle - or should we just go back to our first policy of car rentals only?
2. One guest showed up with a large double decker bus that said AIRPORT SHUTTLE. It came down our very narrow private road. We ask that ALL guests park at top of road and have been very conscientious not to disturb our residential neighborhood with flux of guests. BUt this was just absurd. The guest had tried to take the bus, got lost, and called the airport shuttle bus to drive her here. We had to briskly wisk her into the house so the MEGA BUS would leave! If you instruct guests and they still do things - how do I maintain my sanity?
3. Guests taking public transport give us a window of when they will arrive, but the window keeps getting bigger. I do not want to waste hours of my day on their arrival, but also whenever they cannot figure out how to do bus transfers. I feel like I'm answering my own question - so should we just not accept them anymore?
Help! And thank you!!!!!
A
4 comments
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Alison
Alison2 years ago
Aloha Amy!
Fellow Honolulu host here! It used to be stressful for us because we do not really know the bus system and ended up getting really caught up in guests trying to figure out the whole bus thing. I now tell people that they would be best to have a car to experience what Oahu has to offer. I refer them to "thebus" in Honolulu to figure out what they have to do. I no longer get involved in trying to sort out the best bus routes to take/transfers etc (it would eat up hours at a time) - if they decide to go this route they are on their own to figure it out. I also explain that the bus will not accept people with large suitcases.
I have not turned people away and have had some rather nice guests who can figure out the bus, and there is a benefit in not having someone park in the neighborhood where we live. I also offer alternatives such as the taxi and smaller shuttles which has worked well for some people.
For arrival time I have a lockbox with the key in it so they can access the house whenever they arrive.
Many well seasoned travelers find the bus system in Honolulu difficult to manage and not user friendly (particularly from the airport).
Hope this helps!
Alison
Reply Like 3 replies
Amy
Amy2 years ago
Thank you Alison,
Amy
Amy2 years ago
Ah yes, the lock box. We will get one, but it still doesn't change the fact we want to be there when the guest first arrives because we have a dog and most have not been able to find house in one go. So that makes things a little tricky. But we will start with that., best, A
Alison
Alison2 years ago
We also have a dog, but he is an outside dog. Can you have your dog outside (or in a room) if you are expecting a guest and will not be home? I cannot tell you how freeing it is to not have to be home when guests arrive during the work day. The lockbox will give you some freedom in tight situations. I also understand the issue with "finding" some of the Honolulu houses. We found out from someone around the corner with the same number but different street name that a few people have knocked on their door! I have very explicit directions with obvious landmarks in the reservation details. I also tell everyone to print them up and have them handy for when they are trying to find our house. Most people seem to manage. good luck
Susan
Susan2 years ago
clarify your accommodation logistics in your Listing description.
Reply Like
Wendy
Wendy2 years ago
Problem: Transportation to one's Airbnb
Solution: Googl maps has a bus icon--I tell my guests to use that. Alternately they can take a taxi.
Solution #2 if buses are too difficult, state that prominently in your posting. STATE CLEARLY that your place/location is best accessed by a car--e.g. a taxi or rented car.
Do not create headaches for yourself. Life is short, enjoy it while you can, and try to keep life simple.
Reply Like
Amy
Amy2 years ago
Thank you Alison and Wendy. Going to simplify and make a new "how to get to our house, step by step with pictures!"
Reply Like 1 like
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-45660
Public Transportation and Guests
Hi Everyone!!!
We have been hosting since December 2013, so still pretty new to it all, but learning Fast!
Initially, we had a CAR RENTAL ONLY guest rule. Because we didn't want to deal with the issues of pubic transport here on the island of Oahu, which is pretty horrendous. We avoiding explaining to guests, and answering a million emails about "how far is this from there (by bus)?"
So now that we moved closed into the center of town, we decided to accept guests who want to brave Hawaii without a car, BUT - it is becoming a headache.
MY QUESTIONS:
1. Would you screen out guests who say they are not renting a car? I am considering giving priority to car rental guests and declining guests who say they will take buses/shuttle - or should we just go back to our first policy of car rentals only?
2. One guest showed up with a large double decker bus that said AIRPORT SHUTTLE. It came down our very narrow private road. We ask that ALL guests park at top of road and have been very conscientious not to disturb our residential neighborhood with flux of guests. BUt this was just absurd. The guest had tried to take the bus, got lost, and called the airport shuttle bus to drive her here. We had to briskly wisk her into the house so the MEGA BUS would leave! If you instruct guests and they still do things - how do I maintain my sanity?
3. Guests taking public transport give us a window of when they will arrive, but the window keeps getting bigger. I do not want to waste hours of my day on their arrival, but also whenever they cannot figure out how to do bus transfers. I feel like I'm answering my own question - so should we just not accept them anymore?
Help! And thank you!!!!!
A
4 comments
Follow
Like
Alison
Alison2 years ago
Aloha Amy!
Fellow Honolulu host here! It used to be stressful for us because we do not really know the bus system and ended up getting really caught up in guests trying to figure out the whole bus thing. I now tell people that they would be best to have a car to experience what Oahu has to offer. I refer them to "thebus" in Honolulu to figure out what they have to do. I no longer get involved in trying to sort out the best bus routes to take/transfers etc (it would eat up hours at a time) - if they decide to go this route they are on their own to figure it out. I also explain that the bus will not accept people with large suitcases.
I have not turned people away and have had some rather nice guests who can figure out the bus, and there is a benefit in not having someone park in the neighborhood where we live. I also offer alternatives such as the taxi and smaller shuttles which has worked well for some people.
For arrival time I have a lockbox with the key in it so they can access the house whenever they arrive.
Many well seasoned travelers find the bus system in Honolulu difficult to manage and not user friendly (particularly from the airport).
Hope this helps!
Alison
Reply Like 3 replies
Amy
Amy2 years ago
Thank you Alison,
Amy
Amy2 years ago
Ah yes, the lock box. We will get one, but it still doesn't change the fact we want to be there when the guest first arrives because we have a dog and most have not been able to find house in one go. So that makes things a little tricky. But we will start with that., best, A
Alison
Alison2 years ago
We also have a dog, but he is an outside dog. Can you have your dog outside (or in a room) if you are expecting a guest and will not be home? I cannot tell you how freeing it is to not have to be home when guests arrive during the work day. The lockbox will give you some freedom in tight situations. I also understand the issue with "finding" some of the Honolulu houses. We found out from someone around the corner with the same number but different street name that a few people have knocked on their door! I have very explicit directions with obvious landmarks in the reservation details. I also tell everyone to print them up and have them handy for when they are trying to find our house. Most people seem to manage. good luck
Susan
Susan2 years ago
clarify your accommodation logistics in your Listing description.
Reply Like
Wendy
Wendy2 years ago
Problem: Transportation to one's Airbnb
Solution: Googl maps has a bus icon--I tell my guests to use that. Alternately they can take a taxi.
Solution #2 if buses are too difficult, state that prominently in your posting. STATE CLEARLY that your place/location is best accessed by a car--e.g. a taxi or rented car.
Do not create headaches for yourself. Life is short, enjoy it while you can, and try to keep life simple.
Reply Like
Amy
Amy2 years ago
Thank you Alison and Wendy. Going to simplify and make a new "how to get to our house, step by step with pictures!"
Reply Like 1 like
Deborah