The Ultimate 5-Star Review Strategy for Your Airbnb

[@nozzymac8541]

I’m at 14 5* reviews in three months. I’m pretty happy with that. I clean myself so I can make sure it’s done right, and live on the property as well, so am available for questions, etc. I have had amazing guests so far. So far, so good.

[@kristenandmichael]

That is awesome & congrats to you! Cleaning is a beast, we get that for real but it sounds like you've got things under control!! We often wish we were closer so we could do the full hospitality thing because we do enjoy it so much... maybe next time. :)

[@heatherjones4232]

Excellent information on how to achieve 5 ⭐ s. Have 3 STRs all in the same town we live in. More than one STR can definitely turn into a full time job keeping them at top notch level. Our cleaners are great, but we still do all the laundry, staging, double check after cleaners, all maintenance, hot tub cleaning, etc. All 3 properties earned all 5 star reviews over the last year. We left our previous listing Host in August to take it on ourselves. It was tough giving up 150+ all 5 ⭐ reviews between the 3 properties. So far we've continued to earn 5 star reviews.

[@janetvalencia597]

My system is almost identical to yours! Our cleaner goes by right before the guests arrive if she setup the condo days before. Dust the night tables, spray the beds with linen spray and spray the condo with a soft scent. Nothing like getting to a place that smells amazingly good. 😊

[@ceanieparks8110]

So I. also have airbnb's.. actually 3. For me, it's really important to be prepared and well stocked. For each bed, we have 3 full sets of all linens...sheets, blankets, mattress covers, matlesses, duvets and throws. This is important. That's 1 set on the bed, one being cleaned and 1 just in case. The same is true with shower curtains, towels, plates, silver, glasses. I've found that upper end linens are worth the price and ours are monogrammed because people don't accidentally take monogrammed linens. Luckily for us, our initials are apg....a perfect guest or aag....an awesome guest. Our houses are exterminated on a regular basis. Our cleaners also do a check in when a longer than normal span between guest occurs. ...great idea! Our cleaners are also paid to turn lights on as guest arrive. We have a back up in place in the event that something happens. Our cleaners are trained at the Greenbrier, the world's oldest resort, they are single Mom's and we take great care of them as they do the same for us!!! We use no cameras....at all. It's just me, but I find them invasive and since we have back up protection in place it's not necessary...or hasn't been at this time. Lastly, there are tax incentives for short term rentals of which you may not be aware. Enjoy your journey....I've enjoyed watching you!!!

[@jonhelgason6218]

Tax incentives for short terms? In the US? Can you please explain for an Icelander how that works? Thnx

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

CONGRATS Guys !!!! I just celebrated hosting my 2,000 th guest last week ! it took me 2 months shy of 5 years to reach that many folks. . I am at 110 reviews and have 105 , 5 STARS ... Four, 4 stars ( early on when first starting out ) and One "stinker" 3 stars from a problem guest , 3, 1/2 years ago. . Whoopie !!!!!! My listing is large and I do groups in Puerto Vallarta , Mexico.

[@maraoz]

We're only at 1 (of 1) 5-star review, aiming for the 100! Thanks for the tips :)

[@kristenandmichael]

Nice work! You got this!

[@mjdawes2980]

I truly appreciate your sharing! Your content is very helpful. We acquired our STR in late March and began hosting in mid August. We are learning a lot and we strive to provide all of our guests with a five star stay. Thanks again for sharing your experiences!

[@kristenandmichael]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck to you guys on your STR adventure... it can get tough, don't get us wrong... but it will be so worth it :)

[@kristenandmichael]

What additional strategies do you employ to encourage more 5-star reviews?

[@YAMASHIROily]

Hi 👋 congratulations on such an achievement! Im not aure how much you can answer but i had a few questions. 1. How did you find your cleaners? 2. How can you ask them to do more things without them quiting. I feel i ask for a lot but i also feel when they clean in 2 hours there is some things that they missed. I have cleaned our house multiple times ans it usually takes me 3 to 4 hours depending on detail. We do 130 for our cleaner. 3.should we switch for hourly pay vs one big payment to our cleaner? It is hard to show our cleaners every time on how we would like yhings done because we are in different state. Sadly our cleaners have cost us a few bad reviews 😞

[@leahmccarthy6769]

Amazing content

[@entnous53]

I love the music in your videos, it’s so perfect and soothing. It fits your attitude on life, I think.

[@kristenandmichael]

Thank you! We love lofi, calm and vibey music so we really try to implement that as our sound here on YT! Appreciate that so much

[@bridgebechtelt219]

Congrats, guys! Always willing to learn and do better means a lot!

[@kristenandmichael]

Always! That's what life is about! :)

[@aperazamac]

Keep up the good work! You’re cleaning crew for sure is vital for those five star reviews!

[@kristenandmichael]

Thank you! Yes, we are so grateful to our cleaner and we let her know that she's the real MVP! :)

[@trinitywave]

So worthy of all those reviews. You're all stars. Thank you for these videos. They are so inspirational for me. Love and Light!

[@kristenandmichael]

Thank you for being here! Sending love & light your way as well :)

[@zzuiden]

Guests sometimes feel they need to "warn" others, if something bothers them. My cabin is on a gravel road, there will be dust. There is nothing I can do about it, even though the road is sprayed, there will be dust.

[@kristenandmichael]

Turning the potential 'negative' into a positive by having that in your description on your page might help combat any concerns from guests! You'll find our home down a scenic gravel road - it will take you back in time to... (time period it was made?) ... or something like that! :)

[@kylestricklin3081]

Congrats! Been following along for nearly a year now. My wife and I started our STR journey in November 2022. We are at 49 5 stars on Airbnb and 10 on VRBO. Maybe in 1 year or less we will join you guys at 100!

[@kristenandmichael]

Amazing! First, thank you for being here on our journey with us and second, congrats to you guys on yours! It sounds like you're all doing an awesome job and we will virtually celebrate when you guys get to 100 too!

[@dustinkoop]

I appreciate the great value you have provided. I am about to put my first property up on Air BNB here in Austin TX in the next few days. Keep up the great content.

[@kristenandmichael]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck to you on your STR journey :)

[@kinch04]

this is so relatable. I am 1 year in, 35 perfect 5 star reviews with a second property just launched. Had to laugh at the Airbnb push notification when on do not disturb. Congratz!

[@kristenandmichael]

Always on call haha and random hours of the night! IYKYK! Congrats to you on those 5 stars and another property?? Sounds like things are going great! Keep up the good work.

[@nyakarimaking20]

Great tips guys. You are awesome. Love from Kenya 🇰🇪🤩

[@Myhappyplace65]

Awesome! As expected. You are an inspiration to us starting on this journey :) Thank you for doing this

[@kristenandmichael]

You're so welcome!! Happy to help. Thanks for watching. Best of luck on your journey

[@canod95]

Hey guys! Just wanted to let y'all know that the audio is mirrored! Michael is being heard on the right and Kristen is being heard on the left! Don't know if you know this already but just wanted to help y'all out! Keep up the great work!

[@kristenandmichael]

Thanks for that! We will note for future

[@maggielapido548]

We have all 5 🌟 reviews with the exception of a guest that rated us 5 stars in all categories but a 4 overall. 😮 No reason mentioned just that they had a great time.

[@kristenandmichael]

So odd - it would be nice if they would elaborate but alas we are subject to whatever they see fit. Sometimes we wish guests had to leave a private review as well so we could know what to do to make it a 5-star stay!

[@SterlingSansing]

I charge for everything including early check in/out, damaged linens, overly messy guests, etc. But our properties are in major cities which are more prone to bad guests. It's always the guests who have had "trips" but no reviews. I even had to write a house rule that states that you agree to cancel your reservation if you instant book without prior positive host reviews because Airbnb allows these guests to slip through the instant book cracks. Our rating is 4.98 of 84 reviews. Had 2 guests actually say everything was 10/10 and rate 4 stars like it's a hotel style rating system.

[@kristenandmichael]

You know, after the s*storm we went through this last weekend (coming soon to the channel), with guests -- we may be changing our tune QUICK.

[@SterlingSansing]

@@kristenandmichael I just checked your listing and I see exactly what you are talking about. 😔. I know the pain because it's not justified and the first one always hurts. Try not to let it affect your operations and don't take it out on future guests by implementing crazy new rules. Also know that it can go back to 5 stars and no one booking will avoid your place because it's 4.99 lol. It's likely still better than the competition. ✌️

[@jonhelgason6218]

how do you charge for overly messy guests if I may ask?

[@SterlingSansing]

@@jonhelgason6218 usually the cleaners charge extra and I forward this invoice to Airbnb resolutions.

[@SterlingSansing]

Also include lots of details and photo evidence

[@entnous53]

What do you do if a guest gives you a fantastic written review, but then gives 4 stars because they think 4 is a good review? They don’t quite understand Airbnb reviews are different than reviewing a restaurant or movie.

[@kristenandmichael]

Oh wow! That's a tough one. Could you ask what lead to them only giving you a 4 star in a polite way?

[@entnous53]

They heard road noise from outside!

[@kristenandmichael]

@@entnous53 Oh wow, that's a crappy reason to leave a 4 star. Do you say in your description that you are close to a road? Might deter future guests from complaining because it says it when they book.

[@social_euge5896]

Great update and congrats on your 100+ 5s. The creepy comment struck home for me when we were booking at JT back in spring this year and many of the hosts said that they are obliged to have cameras pointing towards the pool area. In two of the properties they both said that this is non negotiable #creepy. One are I would encourage you to reconsider is the book vs QR code. Why not both? I for one actually spend all year on my phone and when at a STR I actually look forward to see how the hosts but their binder together to give me a break from the phone. Both options may be a consideration to be conscious of all generations as I can assure you not everyone wants to be sitting on their phone all the time.

[@lauriedawes6003]

Congratulations on your achievement! You attract like- minded guests! A couple of questions: How do you handle refund requests? Also, do you get many bookings from your Utube viewers?

[@isagoldenjewels]

Bnb became more expensive than hotels