What is Airbnb Plus?
Airbnb Plus is Airbnb’s special selection of properties that have been carefully verified for quality and comfort. It’s a program that recognises hosts who go above and beyond to create a delightful experience for their guests. These properties are thoughtfully designed, well-equipped, and maintained with a standard of excellence. They are not just places to stay but spaces that inspire and make guests feel at home.
Getting onto the Plus program is a surefire way to stand out in the crowd, get more bookings, and command better prices.
Most importantly, Airbnb Plus is open to all comers – whether you have a small hotel on Airbnb, a single room that’s rented out only occasionally, or even a hostel. If you’re on Airbnb, you have the chance to get onto Airbnb Plus with the right amount of effort.
This blog will tell you everything you need to know about the program.
What are the benefits of Airbnb Plus?
Being part of Airbnb Plus comes with a plethora of benefits:
- Visibility. Your place as an Airbnb Plus host can be advertised heavily on the platform, giving you the chance to stand out and attract more guests.
- Support. Plus hosts enjoy premium customer support, in-home services, and even expert photography.
- Community. Hotels with Plus status get access to exclusive workshops and events, allowing you to build relationships, grow your skillset, and improve your business based on the expertise of others.
- Revenue. The Plus badge on your listing signals to guests that your property is of high quality, which can justify higher prices and ultimately increase your revenue.
How to join Airbnb Plus
You can’t apply to join Airbnb Plus yourself – you must be invited. All Airbnb Plus listings are selected by Airbnb’s own experts after proving their capability, with many Plus members starting off as Superhosts first. If you want to catch the attention of those experts, you should aim to meet the same high standards expected of incumbent Airbnb Plus members.
Airbnb Plus requirements
- Airbnb exclusivity. You will only be allowed to accept listings through your own site or the Airbnb platform.
- High ratings: Airbnb Plus hosts must have an average rating of 4.8 or higher over the past year. This reflects your commitment to providing excellent guest experiences.
- High quality listing: Your property must be well-maintained, clean, and comfortable. It should be thoughtfully designed, reflecting the unique personality and style of your hotel. Uniqueness goes a long way.
- Consistent commitment: You must have accepted 95% of booking requests over the past year, showing your reliability as a host.
- Detailed listing description: Your listing should provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of your property, including amenities, location, and unique features. This helps guests know what to expect and make informed decisions.
- Commitment to Airbnb policies: You must adhere to Airbnb’s community standards and hosting policies, demonstrating your respect for the platform and its users.
Tips on how to be a successful Airbnb Plus host
If you’re able to secure a spot on Airbnb Plus – congratulations, by the way – you’re in an ideal position to massively increase your revenue! The journey doesn’t end at acceptance into the program – you need to continuously improve and adapt your hosting strategy.
Here are some tips to help you excel as an Airbnb Plus host:
Seek and improve on guest feedback
Always ask for feedback from your guests, and welcome all of it, even if it’s negative. This will help you understand what you’re doing well and where you can improve. Positive changes based on guest feedback can enhance your reputation and increase your bookings. You must remember to keep an average score of 4.8 over the last year to maintain your Plus membership status.
To help out Plus members, Airbnb asks guests for specific Plus reviews after checkout, covering topics like check-in, cleanliness, accuracy, communication, location, and value. Use the responses from these to improve your score for future guests.
Enhance and update your listing
An Airbnb plus badge is great, but it’s not worth a lick if it isn’t attached to a compelling listing. Use high-quality photos (perhaps leaning on the support services offered by Airbnb Plus?), write a detailed description, and highlight unique features of your property.
Don’t forget to go back periodically and update your listing as well. Accuracy of your listing is a big factor in maintaining your position on Plus. Don’t wait for big changes, either – review your guest feedback and update your listing to optimise it.
Remember, your listing is your first impression on potential guests, so make it count.
Maintain a high cleanliness standard
Cleanliness is a top priority for guests. Ensure your property is spotless before each guest arrives. Hiring high quality, professional cleaning services can be a good move. A clean and tidy space not only impresses guests but also contributes to positive reviews and high ratings.
A property management system with a dedicated housekeeping calendar and management module is especially useful for Airbnb Plus members. Little Hotelier software can help you stay on top of your cleaning needs and ensure that your rooms are fresh, clean and ready for your next guests.
Create visually appealing and comfortable spaces
Design your space thoughtfully. It should be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Consider the needs and preferences of your target guests when choosing furniture, decor, and amenities. A well-designed space can significantly enhance the guest experience and attract more bookings.
As an Airbnb Plus member, you’ll get access to the interior design specialists hired by Airbnb to support you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and take advantage of their expertise. Remember to update the look too – even shabby chic can end up more shabby than chic after a year or two of frequent use.
Communicate effectively, continuously and consistently
Good communication is key to successful hosting. Respond to inquiries promptly, provide clear instructions, and be available to assist your guests during their stay. Effective communication builds trust and satisfaction among guests, leading to positive reviews and repeat bookings.
Personalised messages from the owner of the Airbnb always go down a treat with guests, but they also require a lot of time and resources that you might not have. Guest communication automation can take that weight off your shoulders, so consider investing in a hotel management system with that feature like Little Hotelier.
Price competitively with your peers
Pricing your property competitively is crucial. While Airbnb Plus allows you to charge higher rates, you should still consider your competition and market trends. Regular checks and updates of pricing based on seasonality and local events should be a baked-in part of your strategy.
Easily manage Airbnb Plus listings and more with an all-in-one software solution
As a hotel owner, especially one participating in the Airbnb Plus program, you’ll find immense value in our comprehensive hotel management system. With seamless Airbnb integration, managing reservations, guest communication, and other essential tasks becomes a breeze.
Here’s a taste of what you can expect from Little Hotelier:
- Effortless management: Streamline your operations with our easy-to-use platform. From managing reservations (both through Airbnb and via direct booking) to communicating with guests, Little Hotelier simplifies and automates your tasks, saving you time and effort and giving you more space to focus on improving your hotel and maintaining your place as an Airbnb Plus member.
- Guest experience: Staying in the Airbnb Plus space is built on a foundation of fantastic guest experiences. With our platform, you get better insights into who your guests are and what they need from you to help you maintain that high standard of quality required by Airbnb Plus.
- Competitive insights: Airbnb Plus members command better prices, but they’re still in competition with other Plus hosts and hoteliers hosting through other platforms. We provide up-to-date competitor pricing insights so you can make sure you master balancing booking volumes against premiums.
By leveraging Little Hotelier, you can not only enhance your guest experience but also significantly boost your revenue. Join the Little Hotelier community today and take your Airbnb Plus hosting to the next level!
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By Dean Elphick
Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).
