The Quick Win Checklist: 10-Minute Tasks That Keep Your 5-Star Reviews Sparkling

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Happy Friday, Fellow Hosts!
Do you have guests checking in for the weekend like I do?

Yesterday, I had something rare in my hosting calendar: an unbooked night. No arrivals, just the sweet sound of silence (well, except for my washer and dryer going non-stop).

I decided to use the opportunity for some deep cleaning tasks I rarely have time for between turnovers: washing pillow protectors, tossing throw pillow covers in the laundry, and freshening up the duvet insert. It felt good. Almost too good. Like the kind of good where you catch yourself sniffing the laundry and smiling like a weirdo.

This morning, my sheets smell like lavender and angel tears.
The fridge is stocked with chilled bottled water.
The kitchen counters are so spotless they could double as a surgeon’s table.

And I’m feeling confident.

Until I remember…

There’s always that one thing a guest will notice that you didn’t.

The Pain of the “One Thing”

If you’ve been hosting for any length of time, you know exactly what I mean:

• The cobweb on the back porch light fixture.
• The speck of dust under the bed (that somehow survived your 3-hour clean).
• The throw pillow facing the wrong direction.

It’s maddening because guests don’t always notice the hundreds of things you did right, and it feels like they will laser in on the one tiny thing you didn’t.

Sometimes, you can’t prevent it. But other times, that one little thing can be avoided by doing a few quick, extra touches before check-in.

Why Quick Wins Matter

When I feel myself getting a little burned out or disheartened, I use a trick: do something extra for the guest, even if it’s small.

It’s counterintuitive, but when I go the extra mile, I actually feel better. It reminds me that hospitality is about connection, not perfection.

And here’s the good news: these “extra” touches don’t have to take hours.

That’s why I created this Quick Win Checklist; each item takes 10 minutes or less but can leave a big impression on your guests.

Because sometimes, the difference between 4 stars and 5 stars isn’t:
Brand-new appliances
A complete bathroom remodel
Spending hundreds on upgrades

It can totally be:
A fresh welcome mat
A working porch light
A personal note left on the counter

The 10-Minute Quick Win Checklist

1. The 3-Minute Fix: Front Door First Impression

• Wipe down the door (yes, even the handle. Guests notice grime).
• Add a new welcome mat.
• Check for burnt-out porch light bulbs.

First impressions matter. A clean, inviting mat says, “We care about your stay.” Bonus points if it’s seasonal or quirky.

2. Instant Guest Comfort Boost

• Extra pillow and blanket in plain sight.
• A charging station on each nightstand (this is my absolute favorite for all the Apple things – AirPods, iWatch, and iPhone all in one).
• Small bottle of water on each bedside table.

In my personal travels, one of the annoying parts of settling in for the night is locating an outlet and finding my cord isn’t long enough to set my phone on the nightstand. Set your guest up with a super easy way to charge their devices.

3. The “Invisible” Clean

• Wipe glassware so it actually shines.
• Disinfect light switches, remote controls, and doorknobs. Dust baseboads.
• Vacuum under couches and chairs (guests will drop their phone down there).

Make sure to deep clean under beds, couches, and chairs AT LEAST once per quarter!

4. Zero-Cost Touches

• Provide a little weather-specific perk (umbrella if rain is coming, sunscreen if sunny).
• Leave a handwritten note with the guest’s name.
• Recommend your favorite local coffee shop, and not just the top Yelp one.

Even just a handwritten “We’re glad you’re here!” goes a long way toward making guests feel valued. And, I personally don’t travel with an umbrella, so it’s great to make a couple available to guests.

5. Guest Communication Wins

• Use emojis for warmth, but sparingly. A little goes a long way.
• Reply within 10 minutes (even if it’s “Thanks for letting me know, I’ll check on that!”).
• Preemptively send tomorrow’s checkout instructions the night before.

Responding quickly to guest’s messages is so important, and it’s an easy way to bump up your general customer service. This is something that I find directly translates into 5 star reviews.

6. Review Magnet

• Write your review promptly. It nudges them to return the favor.
• On the last day, ask: “Was everything as you expected? Anything we can fix before you leave?”
• Leave a quick thank-you text after checkout.

Using Quick Wins to Stay Motivated

Hosting is a long game. You’re juggling turnovers, guest communication, maintenance, marketing… and real life.

It’s easy to get stuck in “robot mode” and just go through the motions. But these little wins? They keep you engaged and remind you why you started hosting in the first place.

The truth is, guests don’t remember everything you did for them. But they will remember how your place made them feel.

And those feelings often come from the smallest details.

A Few Hosting Realities (That Make Us Laugh So We Don’t Cry)

Because if you can’t laugh at hosting, you might cry:

• You could scrub every surface until it shines, but they’ll remember the missing teaspoon.
• Your perfectly folded towels will be used as beach blankets.
• You could have 99 perfect amenities, but the missing hairdryer will haunt you in the reviews.

The Quick Win Checklist won’t prevent all of this, but maybe like me, it will make you feel a little more in control.

Want the Printable Quick Win Checklist?

I’ve turned this list into a free downloadable PDF you can print, laminate, and stick inside your cleaning closet.

It’s my go-to when I have an extra 10 minutes before a check-in, or when I just need a small hosting “win” to boost my mood.

Final Thought

Sometimes, hosting can feel like a never-ending cycle of cleaning, stocking, and answering guest questions at midnight.

But small, intentional touches, done quickly and without stress, can make a big difference in how your guests perceive their stay and how you feel about your role as a host.

So, next time you’re in that “pre-check-in” rush, pick one or two quick wins from the list. You might just get a review that says:

“Everything was perfect!”

And isn’t that the dream?

Happy Weekend, Friends!

– KP