Post by High Priestess on May 27, 2016 6:59:51 GMT
Sheryl shared on New Hosts Forum Dec 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-100861
Did you ever spend the night in your guest space?
Due to a comically crazy set of circumstances, I spent the night in my guest room. A smoke alarm in the master suite was beeping for a battery. I was too tired to go and get one. So I moved to the guest bedroom for the night leaving the alarm beeping behind a closed door.
While in the guest room, I realized that I need more night lighting (even I felt disoriented when I awakened in the night), easier access to plug in devices (wall socket is behind a floor mirror - - - yikes!) and I think the bed would be even more comfortable with a pillow top mattress cover.
Have you ever spent the night in your guest space? What did you find?
13 comments•9 likes
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Leah
Leaha year ago
Yes, a few times, and when we turned on the pellet stove, discovered it made an annoying sound from a screw. I would have never known. And, I needed more blankets in there.
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Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
YES! And wow did I learn a thing or two. Last year I stayed up there on a lark while my husband was away. A vacation at home! Found that the shower didn't stay hot for long, not enough bathroom shelving, the kitchen fan speed couldn't be adjusted, the ice cube trays wouldn't actually release ice, there wasn't nearly enough light in general, those missing doorsills were crazy tripping hazards (and toe stubbers!) and that it REALLY DID MATTER that there wasn't an end table on the righthand side of the bed. Also found there was nowhere to sit and plug in a laptop because the outlets at both tables weren't grounded. I was so glad I'd stayed up there a couple of nights because I never would have known and no one had yet mentioned any of it.
I also decided to do a reverse noise test: We used to watch movies on our big screen in our living room but refrained whenever we had guests because we were worried the sound would bleed straight up through the ceiling into their living room. Turns out it doesn't at all! Think of all the nice nights at home watching movies that we missed! It was a very happy discovery, indeed.
We addressed all the stuff I found, but we still have to deal with those doorsills.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Rick
Ricka year ago
Yes, yes, yes! Other hosts have also recommending "spending the night" in your rental space & I can only agree! You do see things from a totally different perspective...like night lights & outlets! I've also taken the time after cleaning to lounge in the living room for a bit....turn the tv on...read a magazine...Just sitting there can give you a new view of the place (not to mention that spot under the desk that looks dusty!!)...it's all about fine tuning & making your place the best it can be!
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Lula and Larry
Lula and Larrya year ago
Very interesting post. We are painting the whole house and eventually we will have to stay in our guests' bedroom. Will pay extra attention.
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Glenn
Glenna year ago
This reminds me of a listing I stayed at one time when the oven didn't work. The hosts didn't seem to think it was a problem because none of the former guests mentioned it.
Well I did.
And not having an oven in a listing that advertises a full kitchen is definitely a problem, especially when you find out about it on arrival because there's a sign on the oven reading, "Oven does not work."
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Tanya & Ben
Tanya & Bena year ago
I haven't stayed the night in the room, but i've used the bathroom and just lay in the spare bed while ben has made noise in the other rooms to check soundproofing. Just spending time in there looking at how I would use the room worked for me, without sleeping in it. Definitely worthwhile.
After that I added a shelf to the room and put some more information in the top drawer of the bedside table. We also now shut our hallway doors when we get up early in the morning to avoid disturbing our guests.
Reply Like Delete
Tanya & Ben
Tanya & Bena year ago
Also checking it out at different times of the year was useful, comparing how it fares in summer and winter. For example it is 39 deg C here today in Perth!
Reply Like Delete
Tena
Tenaa year ago
Absolutely! When the house isn't full I will stay in a different room for days at a time if available. Pretend you are the guest... where will you store your luggage? where will you put your dirty clothes? where would you naturally find extra pillows or TP? Fine tune in any little details you can. Think about hangers in the closets, extra coffee cups clean and next to the coffee maker. Simple little touches can make a so-so stay into a 5 star stay!
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
John
Johna year ago
And not only hangers, but what types of hangers! I now have some wood ones with clips so both men/women can use them for things like skirts/shorts, etc. Having a variety of types can help a lot.
Evelyn
Evelyna year ago
Maria - another host actually makes a simple meal (pasta, salad) in each of her listings (she has 13 as of now) and spends the night. BTW - I would also recommend to come in with luggage and figure out where to place all the pretty euro pillows. I don't know where to place mine but I don't want to remove them.
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Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Hmmm. I think baskets are good for putting things in (dirty clothes or extra pillows when not in use) and storing items for use (toilet paper). At least that's what I use around the house.
Reply Like Delete
John
Johna year ago
Back in 2002, when i took over our cottages after my Mom died, had a long time tenant who came in and said: "It's the SAME old beds"...well. DUH...when do you think I did anything to them except clean under them and dismantle/reassemble them when closing/opening for season? I had't sleep on them..had't sat on them...but I knew they were getting old...just didn't know how bad they were...swapped them out a couple of wks later.
Reply Like Delete
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Great ideas, all! As you say, the trick is to do the walk-through or "sleep-in" as if you were a guest. I think the same view applies when child-proofing a house! You are supposed to get down on their level and see what inviting nuisances await.
Reply Like Delete
Leah
Leaha year ago
Once in a blue moon, my husband will be the host in charge of greeting guests. I have had him do a walk through with me to make sure he tells me what I usually tell the guests as the hostess. It helps cause sometimes he isn't as thorough and does more socializing than instructing during those first crucial minutes of arrival attention span.
Reply Like Delete
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-100861
Did you ever spend the night in your guest space?
Due to a comically crazy set of circumstances, I spent the night in my guest room. A smoke alarm in the master suite was beeping for a battery. I was too tired to go and get one. So I moved to the guest bedroom for the night leaving the alarm beeping behind a closed door.
While in the guest room, I realized that I need more night lighting (even I felt disoriented when I awakened in the night), easier access to plug in devices (wall socket is behind a floor mirror - - - yikes!) and I think the bed would be even more comfortable with a pillow top mattress cover.
Have you ever spent the night in your guest space? What did you find?
13 comments•9 likes
Follow
Like
Carolyn
Gill
Bekah and Brian
Tanya & Ben
Deb
+4
more
Delete
Hide
Leah
Leaha year ago
Yes, a few times, and when we turned on the pellet stove, discovered it made an annoying sound from a screw. I would have never known. And, I needed more blankets in there.
Reply Like Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
YES! And wow did I learn a thing or two. Last year I stayed up there on a lark while my husband was away. A vacation at home! Found that the shower didn't stay hot for long, not enough bathroom shelving, the kitchen fan speed couldn't be adjusted, the ice cube trays wouldn't actually release ice, there wasn't nearly enough light in general, those missing doorsills were crazy tripping hazards (and toe stubbers!) and that it REALLY DID MATTER that there wasn't an end table on the righthand side of the bed. Also found there was nowhere to sit and plug in a laptop because the outlets at both tables weren't grounded. I was so glad I'd stayed up there a couple of nights because I never would have known and no one had yet mentioned any of it.
I also decided to do a reverse noise test: We used to watch movies on our big screen in our living room but refrained whenever we had guests because we were worried the sound would bleed straight up through the ceiling into their living room. Turns out it doesn't at all! Think of all the nice nights at home watching movies that we missed! It was a very happy discovery, indeed.
We addressed all the stuff I found, but we still have to deal with those doorsills.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Rick
Ricka year ago
Yes, yes, yes! Other hosts have also recommending "spending the night" in your rental space & I can only agree! You do see things from a totally different perspective...like night lights & outlets! I've also taken the time after cleaning to lounge in the living room for a bit....turn the tv on...read a magazine...Just sitting there can give you a new view of the place (not to mention that spot under the desk that looks dusty!!)...it's all about fine tuning & making your place the best it can be!
Reply Like 3 likes Delete
Lula and Larry
Lula and Larrya year ago
Very interesting post. We are painting the whole house and eventually we will have to stay in our guests' bedroom. Will pay extra attention.
Reply Like Delete
Glenn
Glenna year ago
This reminds me of a listing I stayed at one time when the oven didn't work. The hosts didn't seem to think it was a problem because none of the former guests mentioned it.
Well I did.
And not having an oven in a listing that advertises a full kitchen is definitely a problem, especially when you find out about it on arrival because there's a sign on the oven reading, "Oven does not work."
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Tanya & Ben
Tanya & Bena year ago
I haven't stayed the night in the room, but i've used the bathroom and just lay in the spare bed while ben has made noise in the other rooms to check soundproofing. Just spending time in there looking at how I would use the room worked for me, without sleeping in it. Definitely worthwhile.
After that I added a shelf to the room and put some more information in the top drawer of the bedside table. We also now shut our hallway doors when we get up early in the morning to avoid disturbing our guests.
Reply Like Delete
Tanya & Ben
Tanya & Bena year ago
Also checking it out at different times of the year was useful, comparing how it fares in summer and winter. For example it is 39 deg C here today in Perth!
Reply Like Delete
Tena
Tenaa year ago
Absolutely! When the house isn't full I will stay in a different room for days at a time if available. Pretend you are the guest... where will you store your luggage? where will you put your dirty clothes? where would you naturally find extra pillows or TP? Fine tune in any little details you can. Think about hangers in the closets, extra coffee cups clean and next to the coffee maker. Simple little touches can make a so-so stay into a 5 star stay!
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
John
Johna year ago
And not only hangers, but what types of hangers! I now have some wood ones with clips so both men/women can use them for things like skirts/shorts, etc. Having a variety of types can help a lot.
Evelyn
Evelyna year ago
Maria - another host actually makes a simple meal (pasta, salad) in each of her listings (she has 13 as of now) and spends the night. BTW - I would also recommend to come in with luggage and figure out where to place all the pretty euro pillows. I don't know where to place mine but I don't want to remove them.
Reply Like Delete
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Hmmm. I think baskets are good for putting things in (dirty clothes or extra pillows when not in use) and storing items for use (toilet paper). At least that's what I use around the house.
Reply Like Delete
John
Johna year ago
Back in 2002, when i took over our cottages after my Mom died, had a long time tenant who came in and said: "It's the SAME old beds"...well. DUH...when do you think I did anything to them except clean under them and dismantle/reassemble them when closing/opening for season? I had't sleep on them..had't sat on them...but I knew they were getting old...just didn't know how bad they were...swapped them out a couple of wks later.
Reply Like Delete
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
Great ideas, all! As you say, the trick is to do the walk-through or "sleep-in" as if you were a guest. I think the same view applies when child-proofing a house! You are supposed to get down on their level and see what inviting nuisances await.
Reply Like Delete
Leah
Leaha year ago
Once in a blue moon, my husband will be the host in charge of greeting guests. I have had him do a walk through with me to make sure he tells me what I usually tell the guests as the hostess. It helps cause sometimes he isn't as thorough and does more socializing than instructing during those first crucial minutes of arrival attention span.
Reply Like Delete