Post by High Priestess on May 29, 2016 5:55:27 GMT
Justine shared on Anecdotes Nov 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-93268
Restrict use of kitchen?
I rent 2 rooms in my home and have always allowed use of the kitchen. Possibly because of where I live (food and wine area) most people do not cook their meals but rather go out, they are after all on vacation! I find myself increasingly annoyed by the people that bring groceries and cook. Taking up room in my refrigerator, being in the kitchen when I want to be in there cooking for myself, making a mess (everyone cleans up after.... but not to my standards, which I'll admit are high). Do you think I'll get less bookings if I don't allow use of the kitchen? Or will people not read the amenities list and use it anyway putting me in an awkward position of having to tell them?
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Nicole
Nicole2 years ago
One of my biggest reasons for choosing airbnb over a hotel when I travel is use of a kitchen. We travel a lot and the use of a kitchen saves me a lot of calories and sometimes money as well. However, some hosts are quite successful not offering use of a kitchen. Maybe if sometime prior to their arrival you could ask if they will be using the kitchen so you can work out the specifics during check in it would help with the annoyance. We have to do this with our shared bathroom. My husband I usually change our schedule to accommodate when the guest will be needing to shower ect. It's not an awkward conversation at all, it's just part of renting a shared home. I find I'm not annoyed altering my schedule because I look at it as the guest has paid me to do so.
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Sheryl
Sheryl 2 years ago
Like me, many hosts renting space in their residences do not offer kitchen use. I do not list the kitchen as an amenity. I do invite guests to store snacks and leftovers and allow them to reheat and eat in. I offer a self-serve breakfast so no one starts the day hungry! But you don't have to do any of that. You've got loads of reservations and great reviews. So, if only a few are seeking kitchen use, I doubt you'll lose much business by not offering it. And you'll be a happier host.
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Christina
Christina2 years ago
If you do change your policy, remind inquirers that kitchen use is not included and remove any pictures of your kitchen.
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Marilyn
Marilyn2 years ago
I'd prefer to cook for them, since I enjoy making meals for guests. But then I'm just getting into this airbnb thing so don't know how I'd feel if I had to feed several extra for a whole month, for example!
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Christina
Christina2 years ago
Some guests have dietary restrictions so I would only cook for a guest who asked. Some guests prefer to cook their own. I stayed with a host in Boston who cooked breakfast for all the guests, even me, even though I brought my own breakfast foods (no cooking). For religious reasons, I couldn't eat but then I felt obligated because I didn't want to insult her. I really didn't like being put in that position. r
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Gordon
Gordon2 years ago
We don't allow kitchen use and have never had anybody mention this. We provide a kettle and Nespresso machine only.
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Justine
Justine2 years ago
Thanks all! I'm not the type of host who cooks for people or even interacts a lot. I like to be very separate from my guests actually. I'm friendly and we chat a bit but that's the extent of it. I find that the people who cook also tend to want to be more personally involved which I don't want.
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Christina
Christina2 years ago
I am the same kind of host, but I let my guests cook. My house is big enough and my schedule so busy that I am not in the kitchen with them while they cook. Mist of my guests don't use the kitchen.
Craig & Mark
Craig & Mark2 years ago
We have an "heat and eat policy" which is clear in our house rules. We like cooking for our guests ( for a minimal up front fee) and it allows us to engage with them. We have had no issues with this and isn't affecting our bookings. Cheers from Australia
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Robert and Stefania
Robert and Stefania2 years ago
We do not offer kitchen to our guests, we used to, but it was too much for us and we needed our privacy back. We didn't have less booking since we don't offer kitchen. I still have guests that ask if they can cook or store food in the fridge. Some guests come with a bag full of grocery at the check in...I like interacting with guests and we do offer dinner to guests we like most but I wouldn't like converting my whole house in an hotel and having guests around all the time.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-93268
Restrict use of kitchen?
I rent 2 rooms in my home and have always allowed use of the kitchen. Possibly because of where I live (food and wine area) most people do not cook their meals but rather go out, they are after all on vacation! I find myself increasingly annoyed by the people that bring groceries and cook. Taking up room in my refrigerator, being in the kitchen when I want to be in there cooking for myself, making a mess (everyone cleans up after.... but not to my standards, which I'll admit are high). Do you think I'll get less bookings if I don't allow use of the kitchen? Or will people not read the amenities list and use it anyway putting me in an awkward position of having to tell them?
9 comments
Follow
Like
Nicole
Nicole2 years ago
One of my biggest reasons for choosing airbnb over a hotel when I travel is use of a kitchen. We travel a lot and the use of a kitchen saves me a lot of calories and sometimes money as well. However, some hosts are quite successful not offering use of a kitchen. Maybe if sometime prior to their arrival you could ask if they will be using the kitchen so you can work out the specifics during check in it would help with the annoyance. We have to do this with our shared bathroom. My husband I usually change our schedule to accommodate when the guest will be needing to shower ect. It's not an awkward conversation at all, it's just part of renting a shared home. I find I'm not annoyed altering my schedule because I look at it as the guest has paid me to do so.
Reply Like 1 like
Sheryl
Sheryl 2 years ago
Like me, many hosts renting space in their residences do not offer kitchen use. I do not list the kitchen as an amenity. I do invite guests to store snacks and leftovers and allow them to reheat and eat in. I offer a self-serve breakfast so no one starts the day hungry! But you don't have to do any of that. You've got loads of reservations and great reviews. So, if only a few are seeking kitchen use, I doubt you'll lose much business by not offering it. And you'll be a happier host.
Reply Like
Christina
Christina2 years ago
If you do change your policy, remind inquirers that kitchen use is not included and remove any pictures of your kitchen.
Reply Like
Marilyn
Marilyn2 years ago
I'd prefer to cook for them, since I enjoy making meals for guests. But then I'm just getting into this airbnb thing so don't know how I'd feel if I had to feed several extra for a whole month, for example!
Reply Like
Christina
Christina2 years ago
Some guests have dietary restrictions so I would only cook for a guest who asked. Some guests prefer to cook their own. I stayed with a host in Boston who cooked breakfast for all the guests, even me, even though I brought my own breakfast foods (no cooking). For religious reasons, I couldn't eat but then I felt obligated because I didn't want to insult her. I really didn't like being put in that position. r
Reply Like
Gordon
Gordon2 years ago
We don't allow kitchen use and have never had anybody mention this. We provide a kettle and Nespresso machine only.
Reply Like
Justine
Justine2 years ago
Thanks all! I'm not the type of host who cooks for people or even interacts a lot. I like to be very separate from my guests actually. I'm friendly and we chat a bit but that's the extent of it. I find that the people who cook also tend to want to be more personally involved which I don't want.
Reply Like 1 reply
Christina
Christina2 years ago
I am the same kind of host, but I let my guests cook. My house is big enough and my schedule so busy that I am not in the kitchen with them while they cook. Mist of my guests don't use the kitchen.
Craig & Mark
Craig & Mark2 years ago
We have an "heat and eat policy" which is clear in our house rules. We like cooking for our guests ( for a minimal up front fee) and it allows us to engage with them. We have had no issues with this and isn't affecting our bookings. Cheers from Australia
Reply Like
Robert and Stefania
Robert and Stefania2 years ago
We do not offer kitchen to our guests, we used to, but it was too much for us and we needed our privacy back. We didn't have less booking since we don't offer kitchen. I still have guests that ask if they can cook or store food in the fridge. Some guests come with a bag full of grocery at the check in...I like interacting with guests and we do offer dinner to guests we like most but I wouldn't like converting my whole house in an hotel and having guests around all the time.