Stay & Savor my Hospitality Journey

14/10/2024

Ending on a good note.
My last review of the year. 😊

13/10/2024

I'm closed until next Spring, so I wanted to share what I reaped this year.

Not all guest leave a review, but I love reading the ones that did leave one. It always assures me that I'm on the right path, and I'm so grateful.

See you in 2025!

06/10/2024

I've found kid's shorts and socks left inside sofas and lots of toys and snacks under the sofas, but this game piece left behind is also pretty interesting. 😆

04/10/2024

After 3 months of hosting, I have been elected as a 'Superhost' on Airbnb! 🤗

26/09/2024

Did you know that many people actually think it is okay to take things from the bnb? Ranging from pillows, spoons, wine opener, mix bowls, replacing nice beddings with cheap ones, wine glasses, coffee mugs, decors, and swimming pool items to name a few... I've heard of intentional theft for television and sofas (big items), but I'm just talking about small items that people think is okay to just take home.

Some guests don't think it is consider stealing for some reason, but most host have ring cameras and most Airbnb profiles have photos and contact information in which many host have reported to Airbnb claim and to the police.

If this is you, consider it stealing unless you know it is meant to be free for you to take, and those things will usually be on the listing, just read the listing information.

20/09/2024

Beware, long testimony. I wasn't planning on it, but it so happened while typing, lol.

I recently had a 7-day booking and the refrigerator broke down midway. Despite feeling stressed, I maintained good customer service and provided a freezer chest until I could replace the old fridge. The guests were understanding and left a 5-star review. While some guests can be pleasant and understanding, the stress of expecting challenging guests continues to haunt me as the new bnb era takes over.

I believe that embracing the new norm of bnb (which runs more like a business vs personal exploration experiences) requires a strong heart and mind to handle unreasonable requests, entitlement, and on top of that, the ever-growing scammers. How am I handling this then? Besides just doing my best, I am just leaving the rest to my omnipresent God. I am grateful for the protection and provision that has been bestowed upon me, but I've resolved in my mind and pray that if He granted me this work, then He shall continue to bless and provide resolutions to all challenges that may arise. If this work is ever taken away, I know that He will bring something even better into my life.

In regards to that last sentence, a business life is a long fluctuating life if you don't have a mentor to help set you up for immediate success. At the same time, the spiritual dependence on God does grow stronger. I truly don't think anyone understand how to maintain humbleness before God until you've really lost so many battles thru your own strength. Many people think my years of different business venture losses is because of my fluctuating marital relationship, and honestly I thought the same, and I built up a lot of resentment against my partner. But I'm not one to go around telling the entire village about my marital issues, just speaking from an angle every married couple can agree and understand that it's a problem and growth of its own because not one single married couple have not at least gone thru hell before. But I personally think it's all God's doing. He's the God that gives and takes away, and looks like He hasn't taken my husband away yet, lol. The point is, now I see that God did that in order to mold my heart in order to have the right kind of relationship with God.

For example, from my observation, it is particularly right after this summer, that sooo many hosts with prestine homes and locations are asking for help because they're hardly getting any bookings (fb group). I've looked at their calendars and in comparison, my humble home have a lot more booking than they do. Perhaps they're in a saturated area, but they have claimed it's particularly just this year that they are struggling the most, and these are long-term Superhosts. It does not feel like a struck of luck either. I can't help but to feel like a child and my Father in Heaven is simply taking care of me. Bigger heights and challenges awaits us in the coming future, but I truly don't think God will provide if I didn't understand how to just be humble and trust Him, and stop relying on my own strength. Easier said than done, but this is probably the Only thing that gives me peace thru this business venture.

16/09/2024

Sharing a sorrowful perspective on short-term rentals (Airbnb) to raise awareness of current issues. I copied this from one of the Airbnb fb group pages, what do you think about this?

"I’m alarmed at the number of quality/lower priced AirBnBs that are closing. When AirBnB first started out, it was a community effort and closer to the ideals of providing comfortable and very reasonably priced rooms for the person/people who wanted local culture and a place to rest. It was a way to see America on a budget or to just have a safe place for the night... a step above hostels. I have a suite, this time, as a gateway for hikers and campers and people who love gardening, and even though I have many guests in this category,I still get the guests who obviously haven’t read the description. I am always full because I only charge $60/night and the property is amazing. However, I too am thinking of shutting down. I don’t charge a cleaning fee. Many of the guests know how to take care of themselves but some are absolutely ridiculous in their demands and expectations. I’m a guest favorite and Superhost, but I’m tired of the few who come through and lump me with all of the capitalists who charge much more (I’ve heard it) and proceed to treat me like a maid or the room/property with such disdain.
I love to travel and used to enjoy meeting other hosts and staying for a quick overnight. I can’t afford it anymore. The mom and pop AirBnBs are going under and so is the charm that goes with them.
I think all AirBnBs are lumped together too often and would like to know if there are people out there who are running their AirBnB closer to that of a hostel or a simple, cozy, overnight stay for the traveler on the go. How are you getting on? There aren’t too many hostels in the US anymore either, leaving out a significant need. Have we become so focused on money that we can no longer have the rich experiences of community and traveling lightly and - shoot, I'm having trouble with words - maybe just locally based adventure? Have people become so used to resort stays that they don't understand how to act in other situations?
Maybe road trips and opportunities to walk and bike across America and the world are just something of the past."

04/09/2024

Embracing the bliss of routine this Labor Day weekend, I find solace in the comfort of home. Grateful for life's changes, that enhance my appreciation for stability and peace. Therefore, I've decided to stay home till my next guest arrives. 💆‍♀️

27/08/2024

I should've taken before and after photos but I've gotten pretty darn good at removing tough stains. 🦸‍♀️

20/08/2024

As I grow and become better at hosting, I'm getting better at naming my lodging too. I think my brand is still in the making so I see it changing again next year when we open for Spring. For now it'll be called:

"French Island Escape"

airbnb.com/h/frenchislandescape

Convenient French Island Escape

20/08/2024

Cheers to my very first Premier Host status! 🎉🥂

Though it didn't take 1 year, but 2 months! It definitely came with hard work in the details. I personally don't think it's even near perfect, but I'll only continue to keep doing my best!

20/08/2024

These were my vrbo guests that stayed 4 days last week for their fishing tournament. They were by far the best guest, cleanest, and gave the most in depth review! It made me feel great that my hard work paid off because they were able to find ease and comfort thru my hospitality. 💆‍♀️

You bet I'm looking forward to hosting them again!

🎉🎊

13/08/2024

My last guest was by far the cleanest and most organized. They went above and beyond my expectation with check out instructions, and they are the first group, though not perfect, that had the cleanest dishes washed. First group that gave me a peace of mind! 😅

I have cleaning items in the home for their own cleanliness during their stay, but the only rules I have for checkout are:

🗑 Take out the trash
🧻 Gather all towels
💡 Turn off all lights
🗝 Lock up

There's a reason why there's a cleaning fee. Plus I usually end up rewashing the dishes, dusting, vacuuming, and I am also picky with laundry too. Overall, it's a vacation experience and they are travelers, so I don't have much checkout expectation, and want everyone to have a stress-free time.

12/08/2024

😅 What can I do to let my guest know that there's a spot for the cutting board and that the pump is where the dish detergent is in? Would having signs for directions all around the house be too much for a guest? 🤔

Maybe they did know there's dish soap in the pump and only used the bottle to hold the cutting board in place, but I do personally know people that don't know about it.

12/08/2024

My last guest left me tips today. 😆😅

03/08/2024

📢 Please note that our vacation home will be closed from mid-November 2024 until early Spring 2025. 🌷 However, we are currently accepting bookings for the remainder of 2025. Please refer to our booking calendar for available dates. 📣

airbnb.com/h/simplefrenchislandhome

29/07/2024

I just realized how much I went thru after I read my posts about my experiences as a new Airbnb Host, and it's only been a month! How crazy that one month flew by and all I did was clean! 😂

The cleaning is becoming a habit, and I take that as a good thing because I'm helping my mil clean more often. I even fold her paper towel roll to look cute like mines at my Airbnb, lol. 😂