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Category: Getting Started
By: Lauren Fischer
Reply by Daniel Kowalski:
Switched to 100% self check-in 2 years ago. Reviews stayed the same, maybe even improved slightly. Here's why: Most guests — especially experienced Airbnb travelers — actually PREFER self check-in. They don't want to coordinate arrival times or make small talk after a long flight. They want to drop their bags and decompress. I replaced the personal greeting with: 1. **Detailed check-in instructions** sent 2 hours before (with photos of the door, lock, etc.) 2. **Welcome message when they arrive** — "Welcome! Everything's ready for you. Let me know if you need anything" 3. **Personal touch left behind** — welcome card with their name, a snack basket, local recommendations The personal touch doesn't require your physical presence. A handwritten welcome note feels more personal than a rushed 5-minute greeting at the door. For the smart lock: I use Schlage Encode Plus. Unique codes per guest, auto-generated by Hospitable (https://hospitable.com). Zero key coordination issues.
Reply by Kevin O'Brien:
I still do personal check-ins for my single property because I enjoy it. But I know that's a luxury — if I had 3+ properties, it wouldn't be feasible. The one benefit of personal check-ins: you can walk guests through any quirks of the property. "This door sticks a little, push harder." "The shower takes 30 seconds to warm up." These small things prevent complaints. But you can achieve the same thing with a 60-second video walkthrough sent via message before arrival. Film yourself walking through the property pointing out the lock, lights, thermostat, etc. Guests appreciate it and watch it.