Guesthouse/ BnB Hosting in a nutshell - Part 4 of 4

A quick lookback at what I’ve covered so far:

1. Part 1 – Introduction, Viability & Demand as well as Legalities, check out my post:
   https://steemit.com/guide/@lizelle/guesthouse-bnb-hosting-in-a-nutshell-part-1-of-4
2. Part 2 – Facilities & Marketing, read more about that in:
   https://steemit.com/howto/@lizelle/guesthouse-bnb-hosting-in-a-nutshell-part-2-of-4
3. Part 3 – Reservations & Guest Resources, to be found in:
   https://steemit.com/howto/@lizelle/guesthouse-bnb-hosting-in-a-nutshell-part-3-of-4

GUEST PREPARATION CHECK LIST
Maintenance issues:
• Check all electrical appliances in working order – fans, air-conditioners, kettle, toaster, microwave, lamps, hairdryer, television.
• Check light bulbs and lamps.
• Clean aircon filters – check with your installer how often, this varies from twice a month to every three months.
• Check tv remotes, smoke detectors, wall clocks, gate remotes and change batteries if necessary.
• Check expiry dates of fire extinguishers, pest control.
• Check all taps for dripping.
• Pool gate to be kept locked at all times.

Bedrooms:
• Check clothes hangers – 5 per guest.
• Replace tissues.
• Line waste bins with plastic bin liners.
• Supply Mosquito repellent in bedrooms.
• Roll up towels & leave on bed end – 1 bath towel per guest, 1 hand towel per room.
• Each bedroom needs an emergency lamp in the event of power failures.
• Supply an adapter for cell phone charging in each bedroom.
• Main bedroom to have a hairdryer.

Bathrooms:
• Replace toilet paper & air freshener.
• Replenish toiletries – soap, shampoo, hand wash, hand lotion.
More economical to buy pretty containers and refill hand wash & hand lotion.
• Check First Aid Kit & replenish.
Kitchen:
• Replenish Coffee & Tea supplies – coffee, tea, white & brown sugar, sweeteners, creamer, long-life milk.
• Replace paper towel.
• Replace washing sponge & scourer.
• Replace dishcloths.
• Check cutlery & crockery plus cookware.

General:
• Supply a welcome basket – fruit juice and snacks; and if you’re self-catering, supply a fresh loaf of bread and a couple of individually wrapped butter & cheese. Seasonal snacks are also appreciated eg hot cross buns/ Easter eggs, Christmas chocolates, a rose for Mother’s day, etc. If someone is celebrating a birthday, a bunch of flowers/ small box of chocolates/ birthday cake is a nice touch.
• Keep Guest register, keys & invoice with business card attached ready for guests.
• A bunch of fresh flowers always makes a good impression.
• Updated magazines, tourism brochures & local restaurant or takeaway menus on display in lounge or bedrooms.
• Guestbook on display in reception area or leave in unit the day before departure.
• Supply a couple of sheets of writing paper and a pen.

ADMINISTRATION
• Staff – reliable and trained staff vital for your business – train your staff and build good relations; they will go the extra mile if you treat them fairly. Offer them a surprise bonus when you have had a busy month. Abide by your country’s labour laws.
• Prepare the following templates - Letterhead, Quotations, Invoice, Booking Confirmation, Guest Satisfaction Questionnaire, Guest Register with Indemnity at top of page. Remember there are many online examples.
• Keep tariff list up to date.
• Renew tourism organisations’ membership at least a month before expiry, frame and display copies of certificates (safekeep originals).
• Guest Calendar – keep an online version, unconfirmed bookings in italics. Print a hard copy to carry with wherever you go. Pencil new unconfirmed bookings in immediately and only ink in when confirmed by deposit payment. Update all online booking sites’ calendars as soon as a booking is confirmed or you may be faced with overbooking, which can be a nightmare if you’re a small establishment with no extra units.
• Update online booking sites content – tariffs, seasons & special deals
• Breakfast Menus – Give menu options and ask them to cross out what they do not eat. Give serving times, add a note that this can be changed by prior arrangement.
• Tourism Brochures – obtain updated brochures from various tourism organisations.
• Update website – this is the first picture prospective bookers see, so keep content updated.
• Guest statistics – vital for marketing & planning
• Keep a spreadsheet of expenses & income.

INSURANCE
• Insurance, especially Public Liability vital – speak to a reliable broker who can advise and obtain quotations from insurance companies who offer hotel & leisure insurance. Ensure the policy covers guests anywhere on your property. Remember as far as Public liability cover goes, it may sound like a huge amount of cover, but if international guests injure themselves and have to undergo rehab back home, it can be very costly especially if your country’s currency is weak.
• Disclaimer & warning signage – many online examples of disclaimers for guesthouses. Warning signage vital – slippery surfaces, swimming pool gate kept locked, no children at pool without supervision, no smoking, turn off all appliances when going out.
• Ensure the following are always in order or your claim could be refused in the event of a fire – fire extinguisher & smoke detectors.

That's it, you're all ready to receive your guests!

I hope that this guide has given you the know-how of setting up your home as a guesthouse; and as mentioned in my introductory post:
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@lizelle/hi-steemit-this-is-lizelle-from-laid-back-city-of-durban
we have enjoyed hosting guests from all over the world; the Airbnb experience, thanks to my son @deanoza, has been amazing and taught us a heck of a lot. We managed to reach Airbnb Superhost status, but sadly have been unable to retain that as we now get more bookings from other online booking sites. Airbnb however has been the inspiration for us to spread our wings and set up a business which we run from home. Therefore now, our biggest asset, our home, is working for us, the financial rewards are good, this job is fulfilling on all levels, plus our guests have been absolutely amazing!
Any questions, comments and suggestions are more than welcome!