How to Get Your First Reviews as a New Host (Without Feeling Awkward About It)

Start with a Stellar Guest Experience

This one may sound obvious, but it’s worth saying up front: you cannot “review-hack” your way to success if the stay isn’t excellent.

Before you ask for a review, ask yourself:

• Did the guest have everything they needed?
• Was the space clean and accurately reflective of your listing photos and description?
• Was communication clear and timely?

Guests are much more likely to leave a review — especially a 5-star one — when the experience felt easy and thoughtful from start to finish.

In my experience, the number 1 thing guests expect is cleanliness. Your space does not have to be luxury, have the latest tech gear or elaborate welcome basket. If the space is clean, you are well on your way to earning those 5 star reviews.

If you haven’t already, build systems for consistency:

• Use a cleaner you trust and walk the property between stays at first
• Check that amenities like WiFi and heating/cooling are working
• Create saved messages in Airbnb for check-in and check-out that set the tone

Your first guests are the foundation of your reputation, and your future bookings.

Use an Automated Message After Checkout

This one makes a big difference: follow up. A guest might love their stay, but forget to leave a review. Life happens.

I use a saved message in Airbnb that I send a few hours after the guest checks out. Here’s a version you can tweak and make your own:

Hi [Guest First Name],

Thank you again for staying with us! We hope you had a relaxing and comfortable stay at [Property Name]. If you enjoyed your stay, we would be so grateful if you’d leave us a review. It really helps us grow and welcome more wonderful guests like you.

We wish you safe travels and hope to host you again!

Warmly,
KP

You can even automate this using Airbnb’s messaging tools or third-party platforms like Hospitable or Hostaway. The key is timing. Send it while the stay is still fresh in their mind, but not so soon that they haven’t even unpacked. Aim for the evening of the check out day.

Should You Directly Ask for a “5-Star” Review?

Here’s where it gets tricky…and personal. Some hosts go the direct route with language like:

“If you were happy with your stay, please leave a 5-star review.”

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of being that specific:

Pros:

• Sets expectations: Not everyone realizes how impactful a 4-star review can be (Airbnb essentially considers anything under 4.8 as “less than ideal”)
• Encourages guests to be generous if they had a good experience
• Some guests are simply unsure what qualifies as “5-star,” so it’s helpful to frame it

Cons:

• Can feel pushy or transactional if worded awkwardly
• Risks annoying guests who felt something minor wasn’t quite right
• If overused, it might come across as inauthentic or desperate

My advice? If you want to reference star ratings, do so with care. Instead of outright asking for “5 stars,” you could say:

“If everything was to your liking, a 5-star review would mean the world to us and helps small hosts like me continue to thrive.”

This keeps the tone warm and human, and gently educates guests on how reviews work.

Respond Thoughtfully to Every Review

Airbnb and VRBO allow hosts to publicly respond to reviews. This is more than a thank-you note: it’s a chance to show future guests who you are.

Here’s how I like to approach review responses:

For Positive Reviews:

• Keep it genuine and specific
• Mention the guest by name
• Reinforce your appreciation and hospitality vibe, don’t be defensive

Example:

Thank you so much, Emily! We’re so glad you enjoyed the peaceful backyard and appreciated the welcome snacks. You were a wonderful guest, and we will welcome you back any time!

For Neutral or Critical Reviews:

• Stay calm, professional, and brief
• Acknowledge feedback without getting defensive
• Emphasize how you’re improving

Example:

Thank you for your feedback, Daniel. We’re sorry to hear the check-in instructions were unclear and have since updated our guide to make things easier for future guests. We appreciate your stay and insights!

Pro Tip: Remember that your response is more for future guests than the person who left the review. You’re showing how you handle issues with grace and care.

Consider a “Soft Launch” with Friends or Family

If you’re really struggling to get those first few bookings, one strategy is to host people you trust (friends, family, co-workers) who are willing to leave an honest review.

You can offer them a discounted rate, or even host them for free for a night, and ask them to go through the real booking platform so it’s legit. Just make sure they actually stay and experience the space. Fake reviews don’t hold up long term.

Final Thoughts: Reviews Are the New Word-of-Mouth

In this business, reviews are everything. They help build your reputation, boost your visibility, and get your calendar filled. The first few are the hardest to get, and once they start rolling in, everything gets easier.

Stay consistent. Stay professional. Stay friendly.

In my experience, instances of receiving less than 5 stars was due to “accuracy,” “value,” and “location.” While not much can be done about the subjective nature and guest’s perception of “good value” or “good location,” I had to take a look at the accuracy of my listing. A lesson I learned here is to periodically review my listing as a potential guest sees it. First I noticed that I had replaced the fabric on the couch, and instead of being cream colored as shown in the photos, it was now dark gray. Secondly, occasionally I was using a back-up duvet cover that is a little worn and not a clean and crisp white as shown in photos. Lastly, I added information to the listing that describes the living area as it is: low ceiling height. It may not be the most comfortable for folks who consider themselves taller than average. We once had a guest enter the Airbnb and immediately cancel their reservation, citing the ceiling. That’s an awful feeling for both the guest, me, and the bank account!

Although the couch fabric and duvet cover seem minor, these small changes add up over time and make your photos less and less accurately representative of your listing. In fact, since then, I have replaced a few light fixtures, too. Check your listing information periodically and update photos as needed to ensure alignment with the guest’s expectations.

You’ve got this, host friend! And if you want more real-life tips, saved message templates, and behind-the-scenes looks at life as a short-term rental owner, I’d love to have you follow along on Facebook or check out more blog posts here on KP_BNB.