If you are an Airbnb host, you already know that providing your guests with a great experience from start to finish is essential. There is an incredible number of Airbnb properties to choose from in most markets, meaning you need to stand out from the competition to stay busy and bring in money. Even something as basic as a smooth check-in process can help you stand out from the crowd. One way savvy hosts are accommodating guests is by offering self check-in. Of course, you’ll want to use a secure lockbox to make this practical and safe.
Learn more about how to set up an Airbnb self check-in process, and consider the PARCELBIN lockbox for a great way to keep keys, papers, and guest luggage secure.
Before we get into the logistics of setting the process up, here are some of the key benefits for both you and your guests:
Imagine this: your guests arrive on an early flight with full bags. They’re excited to explore, but check-in isn’t scheduled until later that afternoon. They don’t have anywhere to put their luggage, so they just resign themselves to waiting until check-in. Rather than forcing your guests to camp out in the airport or local coffee shop for hours, you can improve the experience greatly by offering a check-in lock box on your property.
With a secure lock box, guests can drop off their belongings, confirm details on their stay, and go explore—without getting in your hair. While you’re having the property cleaned or waiting for other guests to leave, your next guests can store their luggage securely and start having a good time. They’ll thank you for it!
Secure guest luggage, packages, keys, and other check-in items with PARCELBIN.
When someone reserves your property for a night or more, they might not know exactly what time they will be on-site to check-in for their stay. Maybe they are driving from hundreds of miles away and don’t know how long the journey will take. Or, maybe they will just be exploring your city and aren’t sure when they will be ready to call it a day. Whatever the case, you don’t want to force them to rush to your place just to check in for their stay.
This is why offering Airbnb self check-in is so valuable. Without having to get to your property by a certain time to get the keys, your guests can be free to enjoy their trip, knowing access to the property will be available at any time. If a traveler is trying to decide between your property and another nearby, self check-in might be the deciding factor.
Without self check-in, you will need to have someone available around the clock to accommodate your guests when they arrive. Needless to say, this can be difficult. If you are the property owner and don’t have a staff, you’ll be stuck waiting up all hours of the night until your guests make their way. Rather than doing what you would like to be doing with your time, you will be stuck waiting to hand over a key.
Self check-in takes this issue out of the equation. Now, your guest will have the freedom to get the key or drop off their belongings whenever they arrive, and you won’t have to worry about being there in person. When viewed from this perspective, this process really seems to work better for all involved.
If you are hoping to serve the traveling business crowd, it’s important to know that Airbnb requires self check-in for “For Work” trips. This is to help ensure the guest experience is optimized for busy travelers. Note that there are other requirements for these kinds of listings as well, which you can review here.
It’s great to set up a self check-in process, but you need to make sure you do it the right way. Here are some key tips:
Here are the instructions from Airbnb:
As an added security measure, Airbnb does not provide the instructions to your guests until three days before their check-in date.
You will want to have the property locked up while it is waiting for your guests to arrive. How are they going to get in? An Airbnb self check-in lockbox is a common solution.
Remember, your guests aren’t going to be talking to you in person using self check-in, so it’s important to find another way to deliver key pieces of information for their stay. Many hosts do this by providing a guide for the property in the lockbox or somewhere just inside the entry.
This booklet can include a personalized message and all of the little things that the guest needs to know to have a great time. The Wi-Fi password is one obvious example, but there are plenty of others. Try to view the property as if you were staying in it as a guest for the first time. What would you need to know?
If you are in need of a reliable, durable and visually appealing lock box to facilitate self check-ins, PARCELBIN is a perfect choice. This is a durable product that will allow you to secure keys and other check-in materials while providing a place for your guests to drop off luggage in the case of early arrivals.
PARCELBIN has been carefully designed in order to provide optimum security and an attractive look that you will be proud to add to your property. It’s also great for keeping your packages and deliveries safe from weather and theft!
Porch piracy is at an all-time high, with 76% of Americans reporting package theft in 2022. Learn more about our package locker options to secure your packages and make online deliveries almost as easy as online shopping.
