The Challenges of Airbnb Hosting: The reality of a 24/7 job and how to relieve the pressure
The Reality of 24/7 Hosting
As an Airbnb host, your phone becomes your lifeline. Messages flow in at all hours from guests, potential bookings, cleaners, and maintenance staff. For property managers like myself, each additional property multiplies these communications. Plus, Airbnb factors your response time into your public host profile, adding extra pressure to stay constantly connected.
When I first started hosting, I was completely tethered to my phone. I'd check messages in the middle of the night and respond instantly to every notification. While my dedication served me well, it wasn't sustainable. Over time, I've developed systems and boundaries that allow me to provide excellent service while protecting my time and energy.
Time Management Solutions That Work
1. Build a Support Team Never host alone! Having at least one other person to help monitor messages relieves enormous pressure. Whether it's a trusted family member, friend, Virtual Assistant, or professional co-host, having backup ensures you won't miss important communications while taking necessary breaks.
At Guest House, we employ a dedicated Guest Experience Manager who monitors all guest communications. We maintain high standards - responding to inquiries within an hour and current guest messages within 10 minutes - without putting the entire burden on one person.
2. Use Technology Wisely Your phone's Focus settings are invaluable for creating boundaries. Set up different modes for Work, Personal, and Sleep time. I allow emergency calls through during Sleep mode but otherwise protect my downtime.
3. Prevent Questions Through Better Systems Many guest questions can be eliminated through clear communication and thoughtful setup:
Provide comprehensive listing descriptions
Create detailed digital or physical guidebooks
Keep amenities simple and intuitive
Label important features clearly
Record how-to videos for complex items
4. Automate Scheduling Coordinate with your cleaning and maintenance teams through property management software or Airbnb's Co-Host features. This reduces the time spent on scheduling and ensures smooth turnover between guests. Set up regular maintenance schedules for services like snow removal and garbage collection.
5. Have Clear Emergency Protocols Establish and communicate clear guidelines for what constitutes an emergency and how guests should handle different situations. Provide emergency contact numbers and local resource information upfront.
While being an Airbnb host requires significant time investment, these strategies can help you manage the demands while delivering exceptional guest experiences. In future posts, we'll explore other challenges of hosting and their solutions.
At Guest House, we specialize in helping property owners navigate these time management challenges. Our team of experienced professionals handles everything from guest communication to maintenance coordination, allowing owners to enjoy the benefits of Airbnb hosting without the 24/7 commitment.
We've refined our systems over years of managing multiple properties, developing efficient protocols that maximize both guest satisfaction and owner peace of mind. Whether you're considering becoming a host or looking to step back from day-to-day management, our expertise can help you achieve your hosting goals while maintaining work-life balance.
