Let’s face it, the way we work is forever changing and that is a good thing. When I first transitioned to the remote work lifestyle, I was most excited to celebrate my ability to work from anywhere. Both my wife and I have remote jobs that occasionally come with the opportunity to travel. And while COVID has certainly limited our ability to get around, we’ve found that leveraging the AirBnB network is a fantastic way to travel and get work done at the same time.
That said, not all AirBnB's are created equal. So, if you’re a host or maybe you’re just looking for your next work retreat, this article is for you.
Location, Location, Location
Now if you’re a host, you might think this is something you have little control over, but the best hosts I’ve had have seen themselves as a little bit of a tour guide. When traveling for work, one of the things I like to maximize is my ability to get out, see the sights, and experience what it’s like to be a local. Be sure to let your guests know where all the hot spots are and how to find them.
If they plan to be working remotely, having some great places to order some food in is also another positive way to help your guests handle juggling being away from home and working in a remote place. Another benefit some great hosts have is when they share with you the local ways to get around. Sure, we live in a world where we can Uber/Lyft everywhere, but in some cities, it’s even easier to use public transportation.
Everything you can do to share how accessible your property is and what community amenities are available is a surefire way to stand out from other properties.
Home Sweet … Office?
The very first thing I do when planning my remote work travel stops is to assess how happy I’ll be working at the rental. When there are two of us traveling, I’m constantly on the hunt for locations that can support two workstations in two different spaces. One of the biggest issues my wife and I have had is working across the table and having to take calls.
It’s really important to find ways to create multiple spaces where work can be done. I typically look to make sure there is a desk in the bedroom as well as in the living space to ensure we can be far enough away from each other to be productive when working from a rental. If I can’t count two places to work, I immediately look to the next property.
If you’re looking to attract more business travelers, it’s crucial that you make a space for them to set up, plug in, and get stuff done.
Atmosphere and Experience
It’s pretty apparent that design touches make a big difference in people’s experience of a place. From plants to artwork to carefully selected finishes, some rentals really set themselves apart from the rest.
If you’ve ever suffered through a Zoom call before, you might notice the backgrounds on people’s cameras. Being able to set up in a professional and even exciting space is a value add for those of us who work behind our laptop camera. Try to style the background as much as the foreground in workspaces to help your guests maintain their professional look while away from their homes.
For those looking to stand out from the competition, simple touches can really make a difference in creating a flexible environment for work or relaxation. Rental homes aren’t being used for just a night to stay anymore and making room for all the different ways your home could be used opens the doors to more demand.
What do you look for when you’re booking a rental? Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below!