Hosting Goodness: Pay attention! This is your competition!

When I first started hosting almost 14 years ago, Airbnb was just about 5 years old; we were still in the days of the enthusiastic "early adopters." Both hosts and guests had a sense of adventure. Hosts were more inclined to be offering a spare room or home, and guests were happy to try anything other than complacent hotels whose standards had lowered because their only competition was each other.

That has all changed, especially post-pandemic.

The guests expectations are MUCH higher, hosts have become more specialized, and hotels have upped their game. The focus is on the experience and the pressues on me as a host today are more intense. Guests are now inclined to expect the amenities and conveniences of a hotel making it more challenging for hosts who are off the beaten path. This has been, by far, my most challenging year for reviews even though my pricing has barely budged and my places have greatly increased in amenities and attention to detail to provide the best experience possible.

That being said, every business is dynamic, and I am more motivated to rise to the challenge rather than shrink at the hurdles.

For many years, I have exclusively stayed at Airbnb's. I found the cleanliness and overall experience to be much more to my standard. However, with the STR competition, hotels have been raising their standards so I like to occasionally reserve a hotel on my travels to stay up to date with what that industry is doing.

And they are doing better!

I recently stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Richland, WA. I WAS IMPRESSED. I am a VERY PARTICULAR (ahem, picky) person so for me to be impressed is quite the accomplishment.

As far as meeting the Hosting Goodness experience standards, the Homewood Suites in Richland scored high!

Beautiful Outside

Bright, clean, and inviting lobby

Welcoming sitting area just off the entry

Clean, bright lobby with fully stocked 24 hour coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Small store area with snacks and travel amenities. Friendly and courteous people at the desk for a smooth check in.

Clean and well-lit hallways. I really like this dynamic design in this carpet.

Lighted mirror with bathroom amenities.

Care and attention are obvious in the folding and placement of these towels. A sign of a crew that is well trained and cares about their job.

Breakfast area that was clean. Very attentive personnel kept the food options stocked and the counters wiped down.

Office space...with a library! Very nice.

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MOST IMPORTANTLY: THE STAFF

The staff at this hotel, from check in to check out, for every person we met either intentionally or in passing, they looked us in the eye and genuinely greeted us. They were all so nice that my husband and I were very suspicious as this type of hospitality anywhere is hard to find.

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Well done, Richland Homewood Suites, well done.

Hosting Goodness rating of 5-stars all around.