How to be a great AirBnb Host (from a serial AirBnb guest's perspective)

If you have reached this post without knowing our blog, you can read about our individual AirBnb stays from the previous posts.

Considering my wife and I have been using AirBnb monthly for the past 15 or so months - I believe we have earned the status of experienced guests.  We have stayed in an array of places from tiny a NYC apartment to multi-room beach houses.  Our only real limits during our searches are price and the pet policy (our dog is also along for the journey).

I don't think we would call ourselves picky, but we have definitely learned what makes life a little easier while on the road for so long.  The list isn't extensive. I'll break everything into three categories. The first of course are the "Must-haves".

This category is simple, if they don't exist it makes life potentially miserable either upon arrival or at some point during the stay.  Remember we are roadies, we don't have a home base so some of these may not matter as much to a short term-er.

• Toilet Paper - have some on the roll and some close by for backup. Sometimes we have some left over from the previous stay and pack it with us, but not always. When you come off a long haul road trip it's nice to know I don't have to completely unpack to use the restroom.
• One medium sized non-stick frying pan- There were a few places where we didn't even attempt to turn on the oven, but usually scrabbled eggs are a morning ritual and if you don't provide at least one good pan, it really puts a damper home cooking. (we actually purchased our own and pack it to every new location)
• Ok we need more than just a frying pan - provide enough kitchen stuff to let us cook most basic meals. We don't need a gourmet supply of pots, pans and utensils, but try to cook a decent breakfast and dinner in your provided kitchen before you rent it out as a test.  
• Coffee Pot - enough said. (I assume I don't have to list microwave.)
• Towels - not just one in the bathroom or hidden away in a closet, have a few and put some in the kitchen too.
• Pest control - no one wants to see bugs of any kind. We were pretty lucky to avoid any major issues thank God! (Bonnie hates to kill spiders for me)
• Wifi - I don't care if you have cable, we cut the cord long ago. I do need to work and occasionally watch Netflix or Hulu so please have at least a 3mb connection with a single throughout the house.

The next category I would call "Over the top". These are the things a host can do that are really above and beyond and sometimes - if you have been in the car for 10 hours with a dog that has occasional panic attacks can really make our day.

• A welcome package - This has been provided on many occasions, it's amazing how much it makes the guest feel comfortable in the rental.  If you want to go way over the top provide some treats or booze, enjoying some wine while I unpack the car is always a pleasure. If you aren't weird, greet the guests. We have only met a couple of hosts, but they were great experiences.
• Coded door locks - keeping track of keys is a nightmare! It is so much easier to remember a code and know you will always be able to get back in without the need to contact someone if you don't have the keys. I know it's not always possible because of property rules, but it's an awesome feature.
• An iron and board - We have a tiny travel iron which is a pain, whenever a house had these items it was a wonderful surprise. Remember on the road, everything gets wrinkled.
• Washer and dryer - when these are in the rental, it really saves the day. Everyone probably understands how fast laundry builds up, and without knowing an area it can be difficult to locate a worthy laundromat. We already have to yelp dry cleaners every month for dress clothes.
• Stuff to do - you know, tell us where the best restaurants are located, what are the must dos only the locals know about, give us some history on the property, whatever, make it an experience.

Luckily we haven't had poor hosts, it's what makes AirBnb so cool, but if there were anything we wouldn't want to happen, they would fall into this final category - "Avoid these".

• Require us to do something for you - We are nice, we will comply. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but do your best to not give us chores (see 'over the top' for ways to keep us happy if you do ask)
• Miss anything on the"Must have" list - Duh.
• Angry neighbors - Are you renting your place on AirBnb and your neighbors hate the idea? Resolve it! 
• Illegally renting your place - Are you breaking building rules, HOA rules, or local laws? Guess what, your guests don't want to be caught in the middle of some battle. Do it right or don't do it at all.

So there you have it. See we aren't high maintenance, but we do know what we like.  Feel free to ask us questions. AirBnb has been great to us and I would suggest you give it a try over a hotel next time you travel. 

A Return to St. Auggie

“The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscape, but in having new eyes.”                                                                                           -Marcel Proust

We descended upon St. Augustine Beach again, once wasn't enough for us and we needed to get back. In fact, this is my confession: I am addicted to the ocean, this place and the energy that surrounds it; however, no intervention needed, I am fully and painfully aware of it. We had originally planned on spending another five weeks here, but when Sherry let us know that Todd and her were bringing the kids and her folks out in February, well that left us scrambling to extend; how could we not find a way to see them all? Bonus, we got to stay longer and our five weeks became seven weeks, a chaotic last couple of weeks as we transitioned from our first place to an interim hotel and then to our last home here, but nothing a walk along the beach can’t calm and completely worth the pandemonium in the end.

Our first place this visit was up on 13^th Street, when we were here last October we were down on 6^th, and I found myself pining for the lower streets. They have more of a local charm to them and it could be they are closer to that “Golden Mile,” and the beach living is at its finest. Or it could be that I wasn't in love with our place like I was with the little yellow cottage we stayed in last time. This place was updated and had some great conveniences, but was completely lacking in that perfect nostalgic beach home, especially that 50’s-70’s style retro home that makes Saint Augustine Beach so unique.

Like I said, our first place had some great amenities, especially only being a block from the beach, but is a place that had completely been updated and well it lacked in the beach feel. In fact the décor was more like the eighties got frisky with as Asian tchotchke shop and the outcome was our living space for six weeks. Fortunately we are movers and shakers and don’t really spend too much time indoors, and why would we, there is a beach a block away! Being down on the higher streets, put us in a more tourist area, so everything was close. Meaning, we could run across the street to grab dinner from one of the great restaurants on the island and the pier was around the corner, making my Wednesday produce haul from the farmers market much easier to get back home.

Time flew by and our once five weeks, that extended and turned into six, was gone and we found ourselves loading up the Flex again and off to Ponte Vedra Beach to crash at the Sawgrass Marriott. We had one night where we were homeless and in between spaces in Saint Augustine Beach, we needed to be out of the 13^th street home and our next landing space on 5th not ready for one more day. So we leveraged Marriott points and pampered ourselves a bit, and Marriott thought we needed some extra love too and they upgraded us to a Villa. Ah, the perks of being married to a road warrior! And such a welcome surprise after all the stress and chaos of finding another home to rent; although I might have considered sleeping in the car had it meant we got to see our family!

The Sawgrass Marriott is right next door to TPC (Tournament Players Club) Sawgrass.  Home of the PGA headquarters and probably the world’s most famous golf course, how can one forget that notoriously famous 17^th hole. Our villa looked right out on the 14^th fairway and although I found it peaceful and relaxing, Tom might have might have been slightly tortured; being so close to such a famous course, not having his clubs and the $400 fairway fee kind of put the idea of playing a round a tad out of reach for now, but there is always next time. 

View from the patio of our Sawgrass Villa

Fully rested, we got back in the car and made our way back to St. Augustine Beach to unload the car and get moved into our last home here before moving on to our next destination. Our place on 5^th was such a welcome and inviting surprise; we walked into a haven of beach chic. A home swarming with charm and I was ecstatic we got to finish out our visit here in a place that screams St. Auggie!

Image of the 17th hole, borrowed from the TPC Sawgrass web page, not my image :)

The home was idyllic and was the epitome of a true beach cottage. We were one house from the beach and back in the haven of that precious Golden Mile, where surfers run up and down the road and the locals are differentiated from the tourist by those that have shoes on versus those that don’t. The home was clean, a mix of vintage and even had bikes, surfboards and paddleboards for us to use; granted the water was freezing so the latter two weren't really options this stay. We also became cat parents while we were staying there, that's right, this home comes equipped with its very own cat, Donger. In fact the home is his and anyone that stays, are his guests. Donger spent his days at the beach and only made an appearance at night and had his own room off the back of the house; and my allergies only acted up once when I was giving the guy a little too much love for my eyes to handle. And how did Ethel handle the cat, well the old girl is so blind, I don't even think she realized he was there most of the time, besides, I think she was fully aware she would be a on the losing end of an battle with Donger; street cat vs. pampered pooch, the odds wouldn't have been in her favor. 

This being our last week in town and being in a place that cozy, that exemplified beach living was hard to leave, but here she is, our last home in St. Augustine, unless of course I convince Tom to move there! Which by the way, every home we have stayed at in St. Auggie is officially up for sale right now, I must be putting out some crazy, 'I want to move there' energy! 

Donger the Cat

Georgia On My Mind

 “We have a saying: If you go to Atlanta, the first question people ask you is, “What’s your business?” In Macon they ask, “Where do you go to church?” In Augusta they ask your grandmother’s maiden name. But in Savannah the first question peoples ask you is “What would you like to drink?”

----John Berendt, Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil

Savannah is romance, from the way the Spanish moss cast shadows along the pavement to the couples holding hands as they slowly drift through one of the public squares or along the river front; everyone takes the time to stop and smell the fragrant bouquet of flowers lining the sidewalks. Savannah is a true icon of exquisite southern living and I can’t imagine it not bringing out the dreamers heart in anyone that strolls her charming paths.

Fountain in Forsyth Park

Starting with a quote from “Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil,” just seemed necessary to set the stage for this captivating city, and although I call it by name, the natives just refer to it as “The Book.” The residents of Savannah are eccentric, colorful, artistic and know how to show one a good time, so much so that the city doesn't even have open container laws; they want you to feel so welcome, they allow you to walk down her fabled streets with a mint julep in hand. This adds to the magic and puts a whole new spin on “Slow-Vannah,” you have no cares and getting lost is even more freeing when one feels a bit tipsy.

River Front

There is a tranquility about Savannah, and that could have a lot to do with the remaining 22 of the original 24 squares that dot the city landscape. They create these wonderful gathering places of beauty and history, and forces one to just give in to the laid back atmosphere manifested here. When James Oglethorpe founded the city, he was on to something; build a public square and build out from it, creating a city built on a grid system and utopic space for those that live there. For my Utah people, Savannah would be like coming home; Brigham Young most likely based his “Mormon Grid” off the design of Oglethorpe that precedes Salt Lake by over one hundred years.

Tom  wishing I would hurry as I slowly walked Jones Street (deemed the prettiest street in America)

Savannah is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I must attest to the truth in that statement. Never in all my life have I visited a city that has taken my breath away quite the way that Savannah does, well I digress, Venice is superb for the jaw drop. There is a reason film after film is made here; artists and writers flock to the place as a haven for their originality and for inspiration, the place bleeds serenity and beauty. I found myself making excuses to take the thirty or so minute drive that direction on a regular basis, just to get lost on her streets or plop down on a bench in Forsyth Park and just watch the people in their own whimsical worlds while the city transported us all to another time and place.

The Book Lady Bookstore, loved this place

The outskirts of Savannah are home to Wormsloe Plantation and Bonaventure Cemetery, both pet friendly. These places both boast this alluring yet eerie feel to them. Starting with Wormsloe Plantation, once you drive through the gates you are greeted by a mile long drive down and old dirt road, lined by over 400 live oak trees, it’s almost like you've been carried away to a more genteel period in time. The entire scene is so picturesque, you can understand why it has been so photographed and used in so many films. Granted the entire drive the only words popping into my head were, “run Forrest, run!” The rest of the place, not too much to see, the home is privately owned and tours are not given. We did however add to that creepy vibe as we experienced an M. Night Shyamalan moment when we watched the “villagers” dancing and singing in circles; hopefully warding off evil spirits. I know, my smart ass remarks have now ruined the place, but seriously witnessing the live oak canopy is off the charts, and a must visit if in the area.

Wormsloe Plantation

Then there is Bonaventure Cemetery which just exemplifies the words hauntingly beautiful. It is a place that transcends time and has so many stories to tell. I can see why it was a muse and filming location for “The Book,” and although the famous Bird Girl has been moved to a museum, this place still houses many uniquely Gothic memorials. This place is magical, it’s almost like you can feel the energy of those that have been laid to rest there; I can only imagine a full moon on a foggy night and the spirits roaming the little dirt paths. But not in a creepy way, I visualize it as mysteriously romantic, if a cemetery can be such, or maybe I am just drunk on Southern Charm.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Keep driving past Wormsloe and Bonaventure and you will run out of mainland and end up on Tybee Island.  Now to understand the world and the people here, just take the unique and funky personalities of those from Savannah and kick it up a notch with a bohemian beach vibe. Those that live there have the laid back, easy going lifestyle down to a science and I am pretty sure time literally slows down here. Not only is the place beach chic, it boasts a lighthouse and pristine white sand beaches. We spent Christmas Eve here, sand between our toes and sitting back in one of the many bench swings that line the seemingly untouched beaches.

Tybee Island Lighthouse

On our official goodbye of Hilton Head, we decided to take the long way around on our journey back to Saint Augustine, yes, we went back. We diverted off of I-95 and stopped to explore the Golden Isles, seeing just a little more of what it is the Georgia has to offer. Our first stop was Brunswick, a small port town, on the Georgia coast; we checked out Old Town: the square, The Ritz Theater and the historic appeal of the town. Like Savannah, it adheres to a grid system built around squares, making it easy to navigate and adding a quaintness to the city. The town felt small, but in a cozy way and we pretty much had the boutique lined streets to ourselves, all making it a perfect scenario to grab a cupcake and eat while we walked.

The Ritz Theater in Brunswick

In St. Simon we found all the people that were missing in Brunswick, the place was packed with those lunching and browsing the fun beach shops, it was almost reminiscent of our time in Cape May. We traveled past the city center and right to the St. Simon lighthouse to explore its history and stroll the streets, taking time to enjoy the unique blend of antebellum homes colliding with beach cottages; quite appealing I must say. The island was unique, eclectic and still held on to that old world beach glamour; something I was hoping Hilton Head Island would have been.

St. Simon Lighthouse

Then finally on to my favorite of our three stops, Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island has this exclusivity about it, it was originally purchased by a group of wealthy families as a retreat and represented one-sixth of the world’s wealth, the one percenters of the one percenters, and then purchased by the state of Georgia when “The Club” closed in 1947. Interesting tidbit, the first intercontinental phone call was made from Jekyll Island in 1915, well a four-way call also including DC, New York and San Francisco.  But the best spot on Jekyll Island and one of the coolest nature made sights I've ever seen, Driftwood Beach! I didn't want to leave, I was enamored with the place! This stunning phenomena has happened over time, as the island recedes and the trees are left fighting to stand, eventually falling and creating a tree graveyard of sorts. Driftwood Beach is about as picturesque as one can imagine, almost bewitching and I am dying to back there at sunrise. If Tom wasn't so determined to get the three of us to St. Augustine to our new abode and unload, we might have stayed, but now, I have a new spot to add to our list.

Jekyll Island:

Horton House Ruins

Tybee Island:

Savannah:

Lafayette Square

Wormsloe Plantation

Our M. Night Shyamalan Experience

Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery

Low Country Living

To say South Carolina wowed me would be an understatement, I was not prepared to fall head over heels in love with this place, but we did. We've spent time in Charleston before and adored it, but Beaufort and the artsy haven of Bluffton, just made my heart skip a beat and I didn't want to leave. I just wanted to linger and meander endlessly down the live oak lined streets, to soak in that southern hospitality and gaze upon its antebellum homes. South Carolina just has this delight about it, an old world feel that collides with nature, creating this environment that wins every ounce of your being over. My heart was taken with this place the exquisite moment that I watched a herd of deer happily bounce through the salt marsh while woodpeckers pecked at the nearby tree. It was all too Snow White like and if I could save time in a bottle, this would be the place and the moment to have done so.

Bikes and books on King Street

Like I said before, we have been to Charleston before, but just couldn't resist the temptation to zip up there again for a weekend. We had such an extraordinary visit the last time we were there and seeing it all decked for the holidays was just an opportunity we couldn't refuse. Southern charm collides with southern Christmas flair, and bam, you have a recipe for perfection!

City Market decked for the holidays

Charleston is this mecca of well-preserved southern charm; from the church steeples that accentuate the skyline to the horse drawn carriages riding past century old mansions, are unforgettable. Getting a couple of days to explore and get lost in the neighborhoods is all it took to remember why it is that we are so drawn to this place. We started with immersing ourselves with locals, visiting the holiday farmers market to shop, to peruse and pick up some holiday gifts for our loved ones. We took our time to visit with the shop owners, see the real Charleston, and give one older gentleman the opportunity to see everything. That’s right, Ethel was in her stroller, being pushed by yours truly and it just made one guys day, in his words “he has now seen it all!”

Ethel and I strolling the Battery

Once we left the farmers market we let ourselves become immersed in Charleston, we walked captivated by the homes and the lush magnolia filled gardens, just engrossed in the ambiance of what is probably one of the South’s greatest cities. Eventually we day-dreamily found our way to the battery, stopped for a bit on a park bench and let the critter out for her own strut through the park. For us, having no agenda and no map, but allowing ourselves to wander is sometimes the best travel plan one can make; we tend to experience so much more of life this way.

Tom taking in the grounds at Magnolia Plantation

Charleston is also home to some astounding plantations. Last time we were here we had the opportunity to visit Middleton Plantation, this time we opted to go just a little further down the road and check out Magnolia Plantation and a big bonus, it was dog friendly. The gardens were simply amazing, especially considering that they are the oldest public gardens in America. And winner, winner, they have a hedge maze, talk about taking an opportunity to get lost, how could we not partake! Downfall, the azaleas don’t boom until spring, but hey, I can always use this as an excuse to go back. If you’re traveling with kids, they have a train and a petting zoo on property as well; great experience for everyone all around.

Magnolia Plantation

Wrapping up our time in Charleston, was spent in full holiday spirit, taking time to enjoy the holiday lights and we even drove out to “Nights of Lights” to add a little extra enthusiasm to the Christmas season. Downfall the line was long, an hour wait, but completely worth it; next time we will know to get there right as they open and to dress a little warmer so that we want to park and get out and explore the Christmas village. Overall though, it was a great trip to Charleston and a wonderful reminder of how much we enjoyed this city, and I already can’t wait to go back.

Grounds at Magnolia Plantation

Charleston isn't the only city making up the South Carolina Low Country. Ten minutes from our place was the eclectic town of Bluffton. The historic district is a quaint and charming area, lined with great little art boutiques, one of a kind shops and historic churches. I became quite the regular to the Thursday farmers market, the main street is shut down and vendors set up shop, and one can just drift from one booth to the next under the moss shaded streets. Bluffton just exudes this artsy charisma, which is completely welcoming, nothing bourgeois about it, and the city does a great job at luring residents and tourists alike to visit Historic Bluffton by the droves. One of our favorite events we partook of while there was the Art Walk, spending an evening admiring the creativity of the residents and giggling as many of the locals just zip around with their critters via golf cart. Such a great energy and feel to a little city and one that shouldn't be overlooked.

Art Walk in Historic Bluffton

Then there is Beaufort, probably one of the wealthiest towns of its size in the country and it is oozes sophisticated charm. We took a day to just linger, gaze upon its antebellum homes and soak in a little sunshine along the waterfront. Beaufort is true southern hospitality at its finest, one of my favorite memories was this older home owner, I should clarify here, mansion owner of one of the most amazing properties I have ever seen, just walking out of his home and across the grounds to the Intracoastal to shoot the breeze with a kayaking crew and to wish them a wonderful day. Or another gentlemen walking out of his esteemed home as we walked by, making a point to come and say hi and meet Miss Ethel.  Things are different in the south and maybe it is just the difference between new and old money, or just that hospitality that gets ingrained in one from growing up southern, but is charming and captivating - and I love these people!

Antebellum Home in Beaufort

Hilton Head itself caters to tourists and other than picnics and strolls along the beach we really didn't spend too much time here. Unless of course it was to eat, they have some amazing restaurants’ on the island. The beaches are pristine and made a great place to throw down a blanket, eat some lunch and then take a little walk with our feet in the ocean while our food digested.

Hilton Head Light House

The Low Country captivated us, even that pungent smell of the salt water as the tide recedes from the marsh soil won me over. The ever changing landscape of the marshes as the tides would come in and out; the place is beautiful and absorbing it all was too much, we must go back soon! Plus there are just too many golf courses for one month, Tom has a bucket list to fulfill. 

Images from Magnolia Plantation:

Hedge Maze

Images from Beaufort:

Old Sheldon Ruins

Old Sheldon Ruins

Ivy covered steps

Antebellum home, fall foliage and Spanish moss

Tree stuffed with bricks at Old Sheldon Ruins

View of the Intracoastal from Beaufort