Unique stays on Airbnb refer to properties or experiences that offer something different and out of the ordinary to guests. These can include everything from treehouses, yurts, and airstreams to boats, tiny homes, and even igloos. Unique stays can also include experiences such as cooking classes, wine tastings, and hot air balloon rides.
Offering unique stays on Airbnb is an excellent opportunity for hosts to differentiate their listings and attract more guests. Unique properties and experiences tend to command higher rental prices, which can result in increased revenue for the host. These properties also often attract more guests, leading to increased occupancy rates and more bookings.
By offering something different, hosts can stand out in a crowded market and create memorable experiences for guests, which can lead to repeat bookings and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Additionally, unique stays can help hosts to create a strong brand and reputation, which can lead to more bookings and higher prices in the future.
Understanding What Makes a Stay Unique
Vacation rentals can be as bland or as exciting as you choose to make them. But what makes a truly unique Airbnb?
We would define a unique Airbnb stay as an experience that goes beyond the traditional expectations of a rental property. A unique stay is one that offers something special, something that sets it apart from other listings and provides guests with an experience they won’t forget.
A unique stay could be defined by the property itself, such as a treehouse, a yurt, a boat, or a converted bus. Or it could be defined by the location, such as a secluded cabin in the woods, a beachfront property, or a property with a breathtaking view.
A unique stay could also be defined by the amenities and services offered, such as a private chef, a personal concierge, or a spa treatment.
But, it’s not just about the physical characteristics of the property or the amenities offered, it’s also about the experience you provide for your guests. A unique stay could include added touches like a welcome note, a complimentary bottle of wine, or a special surprise that makes the guests feel special and valued.
Overall, a unique Airbnb stay is one that offers an experience that is unique, memorable, and exceeds the guests’ expectations. It’s an experience that makes guests want to return and recommend it to others.
The Advantages of Unique Stays
There are several financial benefits of offering unique Airbnb stays as a host. Here are a few examples:
Higher rental prices
Unique properties and experiences tend to command higher rental prices, which can result in increased revenue for the host.
Increased demand
Unique properties and experiences can attract more guests, leading to increased occupancy rates and more bookings.
Greater flexibility in pricing
Unique stays may be in high demand during peak seasons, allowing the host to charge higher prices during these times.
Repeat business
Unique stays often create memorable experiences for guests, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Branding and reputation
Unique stays can help create a strong brand and reputation for the host, which can lead to more bookings and higher prices in the future.
Differentiation
Unique stays help hosts to differentiate themselves from competitors and stand out in a crowded market.
Increased loyalty
Unique stays can create a sense of loyalty among guests, who may be more likely to choose your property over others in the future.
By offering unique Airbnb stays, hosts can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, increase revenue, and create memorable experiences for guests, which can lead to repeat bookings.
Highlighting the Unique Features of Your Property
Consider the unique features of your property and how to best showcase them in your listing and in your communication with guests.
Floor-to-ceiling windows that give a glimpse at the outside and let in a lot of natural light are a big selling point, especially if they frame a great view. Or something like a huge stone fireplace to make the living space of a log cabin feel so much cozier.
Look for architectural features that would normally be mentioned in real estate listings. This could be anything like exposed brick walls, an outdoor shower, french doors… Anything that would make your cool Airbnb feel like the dream house. Once you’ve identified the highlights, work them into your listing’s title and description. Marketing these features is essential.
Here are several tips for Airbnb hosts on how to market their unique stays:
- Great photography: High-quality photographs are essential to showcase the unique features of your property. Make sure the photos are well-lit, well-composed, and professionally edited.
- Compelling descriptions: Use descriptive language to highlight the unique features of your property and the experiences you offer. Focus on the benefits and amenities that make your property special.
- Use keywords effectively: Make sure your listing is optimized for search by using relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags. This will help guests find your property when searching for unique stays.
- Make use of video: Videos are a great way to showcase the unique features of your property, the surrounding area and give a sense of the experience guests can expect.
- Utilize social media: Share your listing on your social media accounts, and create a dedicated Instagram account for your property. Use hashtags and geotags to make it easy for potential guests to find your property.
- Create a website: Having a website dedicated to your property can help you to showcase the unique features of your property, and provide guests with more information about your property and the area.
- Utilize local events and festivals: Take advantage of local events and festivals that may be happening in the area to promote your property.
- Partner with local businesses: Partner with local businesses to offer unique experiences and package deals to your guests.
By following these tips, hosts can effectively market their unique stays, showcase their property’s unique features and amenities, and attract more guests looking for an extraordinary experience.
Creating a Unique Experience for Guests
Creating a unique Airbnb experience for different types of travelers like solo, families, or groups can be done by considering their specific needs and preferences. Here are a few ways to create unique experiences for different types of travelers:
- Solo travelers: Offer amenities that cater to the needs of solo travelers such as a private room or bathroom, a comfortable work area, and good Wi-Fi. Provide information about local restaurants, cafes, and bars that cater to solo diners. Consider offering an additional service such as a private chef or cooking class.
- Families: Offer family-friendly amenities such as a playground, swimming pool, and game room. Provide information about local family-friendly activities such as theme parks, zoos, and museums. Consider offering additional services such as babysitting or children’s activities.
- Groups: Offer amenities that cater to groups such as large common areas, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Provide information about local group activities such as hiking trails, team-building activities, and local events. Consider offering additional services such as group transportation or meal planning.
In general, it’s important to make sure that your listing includes all the necessary information, that you provide a welcoming environment, and that you are available to answer guests’ questions and concerns. Additionally, hosts can consider offering additional services and adding unique touches to their properties to make the experience more memorable and enjoyable for guests.
Creating a unique experience for guests is all about going above and beyond to make their stay memorable and enjoyable. Here are a few suggestions on how to create a unique experience for guests:
Provide local recommendations
Share your local knowledge with your guests by providing them with recommendations on where to eat, drink, and explore. Create a guidebook or brochures with information about your favorite local spots, or even better, create a personalized map with your favorite recommendations marked.
Offer unique amenities
Consider offering unique amenities that will make your guests’ stay more comfortable and memorable. Examples include a private hot tub, sauna, or even a movie theater.
Host special events
Hosting special events such as a dinner party, wine tasting, or guided tour can add a unique and memorable touch to your guests’ stay. It’s a great way to create a sense of community and give guests an opportunity to interact with you and other guests.
Personalized touches
Add personalized touches such as a welcome basket with local treats, a personalized note, and small gifts. This will make guests feel special and appreciated.
Provide additional services
Offer additional services such as airport transportation, laundry, or housekeeping. These services will make guests’ stay more comfortable and take the burden off them.
By offering unique amenities, providing local recommendations, and hosting special events, hosts can create a memorable and enjoyable experience for their guests, and improve the chances of repeat bookings and positive reviews.
Case Studies
Let’s look at a few real-life examples of unique Airbnbs that have had success in attracting guests.
The first standout we can draw from is a floating tiki suite in Key West. In essence, it is a floating house. You may enjoy all the advantages of being on a boat while avoiding the hassle of having to drive it yourself. It’s made up of one bedroom with a king bed.
The suite is more of a camping experience, but the three French doors in the bedroom that open to the water make waking up a delight (which has a King-size bed). The private patio doubles as a private dock where you will be able to see dolphins, stingrays, and manatees.
The building was constructed with a high vaulted ceiling and thatched top to facilitate salty breezes and is self-ventilating. The roto-molded cooler also maintains the temperature for up to nine days, although you’ll still want to carry ice with you to chill your drinks.
This Hobbit-Esque residence located on a cliff overlooks a man-made waterfall that plunges into an old quarry pond. It has one bedroom with a queen bed and is one of three cottages on private land used as a wedding venue.
In addition to the breathtaking views from the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in all the natural light, you can also enjoy the spacious deck with a fire pit. This turf-roofed home has a Keurig and an air fryer among other modern conveniences, as well as a soaking tub and an outdoor spa. A room with high ceilings, enormous round windows, primarily white decor, and lavender-colored furnishings is made to feel light and airy.
Recognize that this is a place to detach and unplug. Although there is no Wi-Fi, you can use the outdoor tub to take in your surroundings.
Then this dome in the desert in Joshua Tree sleeps four. This sought-after Airbnb Plus listing, is a dome house only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Palm Springs and less than three hours from Los Angeles, making it the ideal weekend getaway location for city dwellers.
Living here is simple but comfortable, with open living areas accentuated by flashes of marigold and whitewashed brick, hidden in the desert among a group of scrub trees.
The dome has a wood-burning fire, space heaters, and air conditioning, making it suitable for all seasons. King beds with memory foam mattresses are in the bedrooms, and the windows open up so you can completely take in the desert scenery. It’s a peaceful way to begin and end each day.
This summit prairie home is poised 40 feet in the air and is based on the Fire Lookout Towers constructed by the US Forest Service in the early 1900s. Wild species like deer, elk, bears, cougars, coyotes, and bobcats freely wander the 160 acres of private land that make up the property, which is located deep within the Umpqua National Forest.
There are two rocking seats to take in the spectacular views from, a full kitchen with loads of natural light, and comfortable beds in the cupola inside.
A large deck, two Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, a wood-fired and spring-fed hot tub, a vegetable garden, and a hammock are all present.
Cross a 70-foot suspension bridge to get to this floating tree house in central Utah straight out of a fairy tale.
Go up all the way to the crow’s nest, which has a deck 30 feet above the ground and a table and two seats, or climb the staircase to the bedroom on the second storey of the tree house. Sit back and take in the breathtaking view from the treetops, or climb up there at night to observe the stars.
The wood paneling and enormous tree trunk that protrudes from the floor to the ceiling give the inside the feel of a rustic cottage. At the base of the suspension bridge leading up to the tree house, there is a private bathroom, one queen bed, two sofa beds, one additional mattress, etc. After a long day of touring, take advantage of the BBQ grill, pavilion with gas fire pit table, and private hot tub.
Hosting Best Practices for a Unique Stay
Regardless of how different your listing is, hosting best practice is still applicable.
Clearly Communicate House Rules
Make sure your guests are aware of your expectations and house rules regarding things like check-in and check-out times, noise levels, smoking, and pets.
Provide Basic Amenities
Provide your guests with basic amenities such as clean bedding, towels, toiletries, and a fully-stocked kitchen. This will help guests feel comfortable and make them more likely to recommend your property.
Keep your property clean
Ensure that your property is cleaned and well-maintained between guests. This includes regular cleaning, laundry, and restocking of supplies.
Create a Guestbook
Provide guests with a guestbook that they can sign and leave comments in. This will give you valuable feedback and help you improve your hosting skills.
Be Available
Be available to your guests, and respond to their inquiries and messages promptly. This will help guests feel more comfortable and create a better guest experience.
Be Prepared
Be prepared for any eventualities that may arise during a guest’s stay. This could include providing an emergency contact number, a first-aid kit, and fire extinguishers.
Offer Extra Amenities
Offer extra amenities such as a welcome basket, complimentary breakfast, and free Wi-Fi to make guests feel special and create a memorable experience.
Be Respectful of Guest’s Privacy
Be respectful of your guests’ privacy and make sure they have the necessary information about how to use the property and its features.
Following these best practices, hosts can create a comfortable and welcoming environment for their guests, which will increase the chances of repeat bookings and positive reviews.
Conclusion
These informative and actionable should provide valuable insights and tips into how you can make your property stand out on Airbnb and attract more guests.
Want to attract even more guests? Start automating the management of your rental and use the time you save to brainstorm. iGMS can remove the hassle from short-term rental management and help hosts to streamline their vacation rental business. It can help you to automate many of the day-to-day operations that you will need to complete. These include:
- Managing multiple accounts and listings on the top vacation rental platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com
- Synchronizing reservations across multiple platforms to eliminate the risk of getting a double-booking
- Receiving payouts and creating invoices by connecting your Stripe account to iGMS
- Using the unified inbox to organize your messages into a single feed and ensure prompt replies
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- Using automated templates and triggered messaging to improve guest communication
- Automating the process of guest review send-outs
- Managing direct bookings using a direct booking management toolkit
- Creating essential reports on your business results within minutes.
