What Guests Notice in an Airbnb Before They Even Unpack

Guests form their opinions very quickly, and in hospitality, first impressions matter a lot.

The truth is, guests often arrive tired, overstimulated, and slightly stressed — especially when traveling in a foreign country or unfamiliar city.

Your job as a host is not to create perfection.
It’s to remove as much unnecessary stress as possible and help guests feel safe, comfortable, welcome, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door.

Long before they:

• open the welcome book
• unpack their suitcase
• read the house rules
• or leave a review

they already notice how the space feels.

And most of the time, it’s not the expensive things that shape that feeling.

It’s the small details.

The lighting.
The smell of the apartment.
The ease of arrival.
The atmosphere of the space.

One of the most important things I’ve learned after years in tourism and hospitality is this:

Perhaps the greatest thing you can offer your guests is the feeling of being cared for.

And in my experience, guests notice these details almost immediately after arrival.

The Smell of the Space

Guests may forget your decor.

They will not forget how the apartment smelled when they walked in.

Many people are extremely sensitive to scent, and if the apartment smells heavy, humid, or unpleasant, it’s difficult to ignore. That’s why this is one of the details truly worth paying attention to.

First of all: never allow smoking inside your accommodation.

The smell settles into furniture, curtains, mattresses, and even walls, and it can be incredibly difficult to remove completely. Many non-smokers specifically search for smoke-free apartments, while smokers usually have no problem using a terrace or outdoor area instead.

Humidity is another important factor, especially in older properties. I know this from experience while hosting a centuries-old stone house in Dalmatia. Once mold issues are treated properly, the most important thing becomes good airflow and regular ventilation. Slightly open windows and fresh air between stays make a huge difference.

And of course, fresh air starts with overall cleanliness.

Regular dusting, fresh fabrics, and seasonal deep cleaning of sofas, mattresses, and upholstered furniture all help the apartment feel fresh and well cared for.

I would also avoid overly strong cleaning products and heavy artificial air fresheners. In most cases, guests simply want the space to smell clean and fresh — not perfumed.

One of my favorite small touches in our stone house was a simple bouquet of dried lavender. It looked authentic to the space, added a warm Mediterranean feeling, and gave the apartment a very light natural scent without ever feeling overpowering.

A fresh, welcoming scent sets the tone for the stay. But lighting is often what shapes the atmosphere next.

The Lighting

Lighting has a huge impact on how a space feels.

It can instantly make an apartment feel calm, cozy, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed — or cold, flat, and uncomfortable.

One of the first things I always recommend is making the most of natural light wherever possible. Remove heavy curtains, choose lighter fabrics, and keep windows clean to let sunlight fill the space naturally.

But good lighting doesn’t stop once the sun goes down.

A few well-placed light sources can completely change the atmosphere of a room. Floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, or bedside lighting all create a softer and more layered feeling than relying only on a single ceiling light.

I remember having an awkward empty corner in our living room in Trogir, between the sofa and the staircase. Adding a beautiful floor lamp there changed the entire atmosphere of the space without making it feel crowded or overdecorated.

Light temperature matters too.

Harsh, bright white lighting can easily make even a beautiful apartment feel cold and uninviting. Warm white bulbs create a much softer and more relaxing atmosphere, especially after a long day of travel.

In our Airbnb bedroom, we used IKEA’s TÄRNABY bedside lamps, which guests loved because they could easily adjust the brightness to their own preference.

And don’t forget outdoor lighting.

A few solar lights, soft balcony lighting, or warm string lights can make guests feel both more relaxed and more secure when arriving in the evening.

The Entry Experience

I don’t want to dramatize it, but arrival is one of the moments that can completely shape a guest’s first impression of a stay.

After hours of travel, guests are often tired, hungry, overstimulated, or simply eager to finally settle in. And in that moment, even small obstacles can feel much bigger than they really are.

This is why smooth arrivals matter so much.

And interestingly, creating a good arrival experience usually doesn’t require anything extravagant. It’s often a collection of small thoughtful details that help guests feel immediately more relaxed.

Things like:

• how clear your instructions are
• how easy the property is to find
• whether the entrance feels obvious
• whether the outdoor area feels clean and welcoming
• or whether guests are standing outside confused, trying to figure out which gate or key box belongs to them.

Even an overly complicated lockbox can create unnecessary stress before the stay has even properly started.

And then comes the moment guests finally walk through the door.

That first visual impression matters more than many hosts realize.

The entryway should feel calm, uncluttered, and intuitive. Guests should immediately understand where to place their bags, shoes, keys, or jackets without having to think too much about it.

Simple details like:

• hooks for coats
• a bench or chair
• a shoe rack
• a console table
• or a well-placed mirror

can instantly make the apartment feel more welcoming and functional.

I also love adding a few carefully chosen decorative touches near the entrance. A textured rug, soft lighting, or a touch of greenery can completely change the atmosphere without overwhelming the space.

And if you use a welcome book, placing it somewhere visible near the entrance is often a great idea. It naturally helps guests settle in and quickly find important information they may need during their stay.

The Temperature of the Apartment

Temperature is one of those things guests notice immediately — both in summer and in winter.

Never underestimate the feeling of arriving at a pleasantly cool apartment after traveling through summer heat, or stepping into a warm, cozy space during colder months.

During milder months, good ventilation and fresh air are usually enough to keep the space comfortable. But during extreme summer heat or colder winter periods, hosts need to be a bit more thoughtful and proactive.

We rented out our stone house in Dalmatia during the winter season as well, often remotely, which meant we had to arrive early in the morning to turn on the heating in advance. Thick stone walls are beautiful and full of character, but they also take time to warm up properly.

Additional blankets are another small detail that makes a big difference.

I always recommend leaving enough blankets easily available throughout the apartment. Some guests are much more sensitive to cold than others, and it’s nice when they can adjust their comfort level without having to ask.

And honestly, blankets can also become part of the atmosphere itself. A soft throw casually placed on the bed or sofa instantly makes an apartment feel warmer and more inviting.

If extra blankets are stored away inside wardrobes or drawers, it’s also a good idea to mention their location somewhere in your welcome information. Otherwise, you may end up with late-night messages from cold guests asking where they can find them.

(True story. In our case, the message arrived at the agency late in the evening, and we only saw it the next morning. 😄)

During hot Mediterranean summers, we always turned on the air conditioning before guests arrived, and people genuinely appreciated walking into a fresh, pleasantly cool apartment after a long journey. Especially when they also discovered ice cream waiting in the freezer. 😊

Of course, balance matters too. Nobody wants to walk from 35°C heat into an apartment cooled like a supermarket refrigerator.

The goal is simply to help guests feel comfortable from the very beginning of their stay.

The Bed Area

The bedroom is another place where an Airbnb can truly shine.

After a long day of exploring, guests want one thing more than anything else: to rest well.

And the bed is naturally the center of that experience.

An inviting bed setup instantly makes the apartment feel more comfortable and cared for. Soft bedding, fluffy pillows, a cozy throw, and a few decorative cushions can completely transform the atmosphere of a bedroom and give it that warm boutique-stay feeling guests love so much.

And honestly, cleanliness matters here more than almost anywhere else in the apartment.

Guests immediately notice whether the bedding feels fresh and well cared for. Even small details like worn-out pillows, stained mattresses, or old duvet covers can affect how comfortable and clean the entire space feels.

And you know what? In my opinion, it’s almost impossible to have too many decorative pillows. 😄

They’re one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add softness, texture, and personality to a bedroom.

The only important thing is making sure guests have somewhere practical to place them while sleeping. We used a large rattan basket for this purpose, and it worked perfectly while also adding another warm decorative detail to the room itself.

At the end of the day, guests may not remember the exact wall color or bedside table styling.

But they will absolutely remember whether the bed felt inviting, comfortable, and relaxing after a long day away from home.

Visible Clutter and Visual Noise

When people go on holiday, most of them are looking for the exact opposite of everyday stress and overstimulation.

They want a space that feels calm, comfortable, easy to navigate, and mentally relaxing from the moment they arrive.

And interestingly, this feeling often has very little to do with luxury or expensive furniture.

A thoughtfully organized apartment with a simple, cohesive design and a few warm touches usually feels far more inviting than a space filled with too many decorative items, signs, or furniture pieces competing for attention.

This is why reducing visual clutter matters so much.

Try removing decor that doesn’t truly contribute to the atmosphere or functionality of the space. Keeping only a few carefully chosen pieces often makes an Airbnb feel more intentional, elegant, and relaxing.

And as a bonus? Cleaning becomes much easier too. 😄

The same goes for signs and guest information.

One or two thoughtfully designed wall signs can absolutely add both function and character to an apartment. But when every wall and corner is covered with instructions and reminders, the space can quickly start feeling overwhelming instead of welcoming. I have been there as a guest before, and it is not fun at all.

I personally prefer using only a few curated, aesthetic Airbnb signs for the most important information, while keeping the rest organized inside a clear and well-structured welcome book.

Not every empty corner needs to be filled either. In fact, giving a room a little breathing space often makes it feel larger, calmer, and more comfortable.

And when a space does need something extra, lighter pieces usually work beautifully — things like a floor lamp, a woven basket, or a natural rattan element that adds warmth without visual heaviness.

The goal is not minimalism for the sake of minimalism.

The goal is to create a space where guests can easily unpack, stay organized, relax, and feel at home without being surrounded by unnecessary visual noise.

Small Thoughtful Touches

Some of the details guests appreciate most are often the simplest ones.

Whenever I think about improving a guest experience, I try to ask myself one question:

“What would make my own stay easier, more comfortable, or more relaxing?”

And usually, the answers are surprisingly practical.

Things like:

• easily accessible WiFi information
• phone chargers
• hooks in the entryway or bathroom
• a luggage rack
• extra blankets
• or simply knowing important information without having to ask for it.

These details may seem small individually, but together they create a much smoother and more comfortable stay.

And honestly, guests notice when these things are missing too.

Just recently, one of the guests at our agency had to contact customer service because they couldn’t find the WiFi information in a luxury villa they had booked. It sounds like such a tiny thing, but after traveling, nobody wants to spend time searching for a password or sending unnecessary messages just to get connected.

Thoughtful touches don’t always have to be practical either.

A small welcome treat, a handwritten note, board games for families with children, cold water or ice cream in the fridge during summer, or a soft blanket neatly placed on the sofa can completely change the emotional feeling of a stay.

These are the moments that transform an apartment from simply “nice” into an experience that feels warm, personal, and memorable.

Because in the end, guests rarely remember every piece of furniture or decoration.

But they do remember how your place made them feel.

Conclusion

Most guests are not arriving at your Airbnb looking for perfection.

They are not analyzing your apartment like interior designers or carefully inspecting every decorative detail.

In most cases, they are simply reacting to how the space makes them feel after a long day of traveling.

Do they feel comfortable?
Welcome?
Relaxed?
Able to settle in easily?

Very often, the details guests remember most are not the expensive renovations or perfectly styled shelves.

It’s the fresh-smelling apartment after a long journey.
The soft lighting in the evening.
The smooth, stress-free arrival.
The cozy bed after a tiring travel day.
The extra blanket they found exactly when they needed it.
The feeling that somebody genuinely thought about their comfort before they arrived.

And in my experience, that is usually what creates the difference between:
“a place to stay”
and
“a stay guests genuinely remember.”

Because at the end of the day, great hospitality is rarely about perfection.

More often, it’s about helping people feel cared for, comfortable, and at home — even when they are far away from it.