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Post by queenie&ted on Oct 4, 2015 21:46:15 GMT
I'm curious to know what revisions or additions other hosts have made to improve your listing? I have installed a keyless front door lock and now offer small in-room safes for passports and other small valuables.
I highly recommend the Schlage 365 dead bolt. It's relatively inexpensive (under $100US), easy to install, and easy to use. I purchased 2 small Sentry Safes (PC005) for about $13 each.
I'm considering installing a triple unit shampoo, conditioner, body soap dispenser and would love some recommendations.
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Post by High Priestess on Oct 4, 2015 23:44:52 GMT
HI Queenie
Glad to see you got your photo up on your profile! Congratulations! IT's nice to see your smiling face here.
The keyless front door lock sounds like a great idea -- the only issue I have in trying to do that too is that I have a separate keyed entry handle, set so that when you close the door it automatically locks, and have not found one of those that works on the keyless system. I want to make sure that if a guest closes the door and forgets to lock the deadbolt, the other lock is locked anyway.
The in room safes sound like a great idea and it's hard to believe they only cost $13. What a bargain!!
I have done quite a number of improvements, and really, I seek to continually improve, not only the listing itself but my whole house and garden. I do what I have time for....
Before I started hosting I did several landscaping improvements. AFter starting, I added a paved patio area in my backyard for guests to sit outside. I continue to work on the landscaping and look for interesting plants to make the garden areas nicer.
Indoors, I have added art, new appliances or cutlery (I want to add a nicer cutlery set soon), new appliances, additional books to the library, an upgraded wifi and router system.
Additional perks -- I already had one rental bicycle, and I got a 2nd when one of my guests bought a used bike and then sold it to me when he left.
When guests make suggestions on something that would improve the experience, I try to follow their suggestions. FOr instance one suggested a small desk fan in the room -- so I added that. Another suggested a full length mirror, and that is on my list to buy and set up there too. ANother guest suggested giving small shampoo and soap sets to guests, and I will consider that if I can find the right small sets. I think guests's suggestions are really a good way to improve the experience.
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Post by carolyn on Oct 6, 2015 17:58:27 GMT
Hey Queenie, have you seen the 3-unit dispenser by SimpleHuman? It is for sale on Amazon.
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Post by carolyn on Oct 6, 2015 18:00:07 GMT
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Post by queenie&ted on Oct 6, 2015 18:57:38 GMT
Thanks for the quick replies!
Deborah,
We also did some fairly extensive landscaping this year. While our guests do enjoy it, I had never thought of it as improving the guest experience. I will take credit for it though!
Our wifi is pretty strong but we bought an extender for upstairs because it can get unstable the further you are away from the router.
The small safe was actually a recommendation from a guest - one who thought I should also add a television and a printer. Oh well, that's the lovely thing about advice - you can take what's useful and leave the rest!
Carolyn,
what a great product! I put it in my amazon wish list! Next shopping splurge and that baby is mine!
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Post by maria on Oct 7, 2015 12:07:22 GMT
Love the look. Will put in my wish list. I did not buy something similar before because of the way it looked (like a gym locker shower), but this is neat and elegant. Thanks for the info. |
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Post by cottagegirl on Oct 11, 2015 22:24:58 GMT
Deborah, you mention having bike rentals. We've considered renting out our kayaks - for use on our lake only (no need to transport them anywhere). Do you have guests sign any kind of liability release form?
Julie
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Post by High Priestess on Oct 11, 2015 23:14:26 GMT
Hi Julie I dont' have guests sign a liability release form -- though that is a good idea. Actually there is a website for bike rentals that I encourage hosts to look into if you have any concerns about liability. It's www.spinlister.com If you put your bike on there as a listing (it's like the Airbnb for bike rentals) they give you liability and theft insurance for free. So your guest is covered if they rent through Spinlister. I may start doing that actually. I dont think there is a similar deal for kayaks -- I suppose a liability release would be more important with a kayak due to the potential for tipping over, falling out and drowning. |
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Post by cottagegirl on Oct 12, 2015 19:23:28 GMT
"I suppose a liability release would be more important with a kayak due to the potential for tipping over, falling out and drowning."
Exactly! We did let a wonderful, young couple just use our kayaks recently. Since we didn't "rent" to them, I wasn't too worried. Maybe I'll check with our local kayak rental spot.
Back to the original topic, I've started putting a small vase of fresh flowers in the room. Also we started telling our guests what time sunrise is. We see some pretty spectacular sunrises from our property and it makes me smile when I look out and see our guests sitting in chairs watching the sunrise. Doesn't cost a penny and it's pretty memorable.
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Post by janet on Oct 18, 2015 17:04:18 GMT
Hi Queenie,
Our house is a work in progress, but so far we've added,
- Kitchen stuff (we add to the kitchen per guests' suggestions)
- A small shelf in the master bathroom (per guest suggestion)
- Bluetooth speakers in each bedroom
- A full-length mirror, blow dryers, iron/ironing board, and a steamer (guests here for work/weddings really appreciate these amenities)
- Roll-away cot
- We joined a large deck & small back porch to create a wrap-around deck. Almost every guest comments on the deck so it was time/$$ well spent!
Would love to add a keyless door lock but right now, we are making do with a lock box.
~janet
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Post by joyceb on Oct 22, 2015 14:53:20 GMT
I have the Simple Human dispenser linked to above and I love it! Only caveat: Because I installed it in a tiled shower, I didn't want to drill holes into the tile to install it. I put it up using the adhesive provided, and it looked great! After about a month of successful guest use (and appreciation!), it fell off the wall while I had guests in house. Broke one of the dispenser containers and made a mess. The guests were apologetic (not their fault). I was apologetic (they understood) and I had to spring into action and hold my breath while drilling through ceramic tile (with lots of YouTube and hardware store employee advice) to get it properly installed on the day of these guests checking out because I had another set of guests checking in the same day! Stress! But I managed to get it up on the wall, refilled, and looking good in time and the next set of guests were none the wiser that there was ever a problem or an ugly mess on the wall where the adhesive had failed. Fortunately, I have Amazon Prime and was able to order a single dispenser to replace the one container that broke and receive it before the guests who experienced the breakage checked out.
BTW, I used a P-Touch labeler to label each dispenser because the embossed words "shampoo", "conditioner" and "shower gel" are virtually invisible. Other than that, I think it's classy looking and I make sure and top it up between each guest. I fill it with high-end natural products I buy by the gallon through Amazon and have had multiple compliments on it.
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Post by elaine on Oct 26, 2015 14:26:17 GMT
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Post by Rosanne on Oct 26, 2015 15:09:16 GMT
Hi Queenie,
I get top end guest amenities from Amazon..shampoo, conditioner, lotion. I purchased a box of 4 in-a-package "Q-tips", mending kits (great for the business guest) and soaps from Amazon too. People who stay in the pricier hotels and travel a lot sell them. All small sizes.
I haven't had guests recommend anything..I guess I have my bases covered!
I purchased Southwestern art for the walls and knick-knacks for the ambiance...kachinas, Kokopelli's, baskets, etc. I go around to restaurants that are good and others that are popular (not my taste) and get take-out menus. I've had 2 restaurants give me business cards that my guests use (with the listing's name) and can present to get a free dessert. AAA has wonderful travel books for the area and those surrounding it..all free!
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Post by rorobrooklyn on Oct 26, 2015 15:10:15 GMT
Forgot to sign in so you can see who I am!
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Post by elaine on Oct 26, 2015 20:05:30 GMT
What a good idea, we always send our guests to local restaurants. We don't have vast numbers staying , but it can't hurt to try and get a discount or free dessert.
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