Winter is fast approaching, and as the temperature drops, Airbnb has some exciting new features that could make hosting and staying at Airbnb properties more convenient than ever. One such feature is the ability for Airbnb hosts to link compatible smart locks to their accounts, allowing them to generate unique codes for each reservation, making entry and security easier for both hosts and guests. The initial rollout will support smart locks from manufacturers like Schlage, August, and Yale in the US and Canada.
This innovation could address several common pain points experienced by hosts and guests. Firstly, hosts no longer have to worry about unauthorized sharing of entry codes by previous guests, enhancing the security of their properties. Moreover, guests will find it more convenient to access their accommodations, as they can simply input their unique code in the Airbnb app, eliminating the need for a separate lock app.
In addition to the smart lock feature, Airbnb is also implementing a series of changes as part of its winter update. Among them is a curated collection of the platform’s most loved homes, known as Guest Favorites. These homes have received consistently high ratings, with an average score of over 4.9 in areas such as value, check-in process, cleanliness, listing accuracy, host communication, and location. Hosts of Guest Favorites are known for their reliability, and the majority of these listings are from Superhosts.
To make it easier for guests to identify Guest Favorites, a badge will be displayed on the listing page and in search results, and there will be an option to filter search results based on these highly-rated properties. Furthermore, Airbnb is introducing the ability to sort reviews by recency or rating, accompanied by a new chart that provides a visual representation of review distribution on a five-star scale. When leaving a review, guests will be able to provide additional context, such as their place of origin, length of stay, and whether they were traveling with family, a group, or pets.
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Within the past year, Airbnb has also been focused on improving price transparency. As part of this effort, service fees will now be included in the prices set by hosts, giving them a clearer understanding of the total amount guests are paying. Additionally, hosts will have access to new listing tools, including an AI-powered photo tour that can automatically identify and assign photos to different rooms, helping guests get a better understanding of property layouts. Hosts will have the flexibility to edit the photo tour and highlight amenities in each room.
In summary, Airbnb’s new features aim to enhance the overall experience for both hosts and guests. From improving security and convenience through smart lock integration to providing more transparency in pricing and enhancing the way guests discover and review properties, these updates demonstrate the company’s commitment to constantly evolving and improving its platform. With winter just around the corner, these changes are poised to make the upcoming Airbnb stay more enjoyable and stress-free for everyone involved.
