Tips For The Urban Airbnb

If you are located in an urban area you might get a lot of travelers who are there to explore the sights and sounds of the city. They might stay at an Airbnb because they want to save some money compared to a hotel. They might just like the friendly nature of a home or it might be that the location is close to where they want to be. Whatever the reason, if you are catering to urban travelers, here are some tips to make sure they are well taken care of. Having an Airbnb in an urban area is its own challenge. Thankfully here are some tips that we’ve picked up.

Safety:

In a city, safety is of prime concern because of the generally higher rate of crime than a suburban or vacation area. Make sure all safety precautions are followed. For example, the windows and fire exits should not be blocked, fire extinguishers should be well equipped, etc. If you have an exposed brick wall inside your property, make sure it is treaded with sealant. To keep your guests feeling secured, get a smart lock. You can read more about the right kind of lock to get from our blog here. City travelers may generally be tech-savvy and will love this addition to your property. A smart lock lets you control who enters the apartment by handing out digital keys. It lets you track the open/closed status of all the locks in your property. You can read about the most important safety essentials to get here.

August Smart Lock: This one is very popular and is well supported. It is even supported by Airbnb as a recommended smart lock. It has automated guest management and remote property management features. You can read about all the features here.

Pollution:

You have to be wary of pollution in the city and how it affects your guests. This includes both air and noise pollution due to constant vehicle activity. Even bright lights can be a distraction if you are on a higher floor and there are neon signs looking out your apartment’s windows. It can get worse. For example, you could have a construction site next to your property. Your situation might have some other specific problems. It is a good idea to think of all the ways the guest might be inconvenienced and find some inexpensive solution to that.

NICETOWN Insulated Noise Reducing Performance Drapes: Heavy curtains like these are a must-have to block out noise and light from around the property. They come in many sizes and provide excellent sound and light insulation.

Get an air conditioner or at least an air purifier. Make sure they are working properly if you already have them. You can even consider an essential oil diffuser that releases pleasant aromas from essential oils in the air. Aromatherapy is a great way to unwind from the busy environment of the city. Your guests will love it.

Amenities:

Most people you get maybe there for work. Consider providing work-related amenities like desks and high-speed internet. You can get away with a small kitchen but be sure to at least have a microwave and a mini-fridge if you can’t have a fridge. You can consider giving them smart devices to make the experience more high tech.

AmazonBasics Microwave: This one has all the features you need. It is the perfect size for an individual to warm up some food after a long day. You can read more about which microwaves to get here.

Danby Compact Refrigerator: This one is power efficient and has enough space for a single or a couple’s needs. It is also not very expensive and should fit most cozy rooms. Read more about mini-fridges for your Airbnb here.

Writing Desk: This sturdy and simple desk should be adequate for working professionals to get work done away from the office. It can be folded and is portable. Read more about the perfect desk for your Airbnb here.

TCL 40 Inch TV: This TV should be a great option for a media center. Working professionals are not taking a vacation when they travel. So they might still like to catch up with their favorite TV shows. You can give them a streaming service to spend their free time at night. You can read more about streaming services here.

Travel Services:

As an Airbnb host, you can join the city host program to give your guests two guided experiences. This can be an urban walking tour or an activity around the city. Take a look at the services that are already offered on the Airbnb website. You can come up with an activity that matches your skillset. You can figure out historical or sites of interest around your property by researching what tourists like to see in your city. 

Keep fliers for things to do around the city. Have a list of public transport timetables like bus routes and timings handy so the guest can plan their time around the city. 

If possible, sign up with local service providers to get your guests a special discount.

Precautions to take:

If a lot of your guests are traveling for work, you can consider joining Airbnb’s Work collection. It may lead to an increase in booking but you’ll have to make some exceptions on cancellation policies.

Cities are great places to socialize. Depending on the guests and their purpose, drinking and partying maybe a problem. There maybe extra guests coming over for the night. Have a strict policy about what is allowed and what is not.

If you are hosting in the city and if you provide a good experience, you can get away with charging a premium. Make sure to have great pictures of your property and describe all the features in the listing.

Check your city’s policies on short term renting/Airbnb hosting as it might change arbitrarily. There are many cases of cities disallowing Airbnbs. Be up to date with local laws. Check how renting out your property may affect the taxes on it.

Join an Airbnb hosts union if it aligns with your personal political views and if you have one in your city. 

Love,
Scooch and Steve