Velour and Vellum

The Airbnb Host Checklist: 15 Small Touches That Earn 5-Star Reviews

Guests rarely remember the furniture. They remember the small touches. A room-by-room checklist for hosts, and how to scent several rentals without overspending.

Five-star reviews come from small things guests didn't expect. None of these touches are expensive, and together they make a stay feel looked after. Use this as a checklist before every guest.

Entrance

  1. A light left on so guests never arrive to a dark room.
  2. A fresh, welcoming scent at the door. The first breath tells guests whether the place is clean. A reed diffuser on the entry table works all day with no switches.
  3. A handwritten welcome card with their name and the Wi-Fi password.

Bedroom

  1. Crisp, white bedding and two pillow types (firm and soft).
  2. Blackout curtains or an eye mask.
  3. A phone charger by the bed.

Bathroom

  1. Fluffy towels, more than they need.
  2. Full-size toiletries rather than tiny bottles.
  3. A small diffuser on the shelf. Bathrooms are where guests notice scent most.

Kitchen

  1. Good coffee and tea, with milk in the fridge on arrival.
  2. Basics stocked: oil, salt, pepper, a sharp knife.
  3. A local treat from a nearby bakery.

The extras guests write about

  1. A short local guide with your favourite café, walk and dinner spot.
  2. A check-in message on day one asking if everything is working.
  3. The same scent in every room, so the whole place feels like one well-kept home.

Scenting several units on a budget

If you host more than one place, or turn rooms over often, you don't need to buy a new diffuser for every unit every time.

See also How to Get More 5-Star Reviews as an Airbnb Host and Make Your Airbnb Smell Like a Hotel.

Quick answers

What amenities get the most 5-star Airbnb reviews? Spotless bedding and towels, good coffee, a welcoming note, a local guide, and a place that smells fresh when guests walk in.

How do I make my rental smell good for every guest? Air it out, then keep a light reed diffuser in the entry and bathroom and flip the reeds on changeover day.

How can I scent several rentals affordably? Make your own diffusers with a making kit and top them up with refills and fresh reeds instead of buying new ones each time.

Which scent suits a rental best? A light, clean scent such as white tea suits almost every guest.

Our signature scent: Thé Blanc, white tea, ginger and soft musk. It is the scent most guests ask about first, and the one we suggest when you are not sure where to begin.

Explore: the Scaldera Arch · Shop the collection · Take the Scent Quiz · Membership · Refill subscription

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