#102 When The Alcoholics Came To Stay

I teach people how to monetise their own home! Register for my next FREE webinar here - https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h15hgvyqQYmHk4GFjlaTAg In this episode, Neil explores the ‘people business’ side of hosting by sharing a story of two memorable guests, Pete and Mandy. Despite being functioning alcoholics with several run-ins with the police during their stay, Neil reflects on their time at his property with surprising fondness. He discusses how he navigated the challenges of their addiction, including a theft from his personal liquor cabinet and late-night police visits, while maintaining a five-star hosting experience. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil uses the simple act of offering tea to guests as a way to encourage them to sit down and share their stories, helping him get to know the people staying in his home. When guests give an ‘about’ timeframe for their stay, Neil’s rule of thumb is to double it to manage expectations. When faced with a potential conflict, like theft, it's often more effective to wait for the guest to speak first and investigate the situation before jumping to conclusions or drastic measures. In relationships where addiction is present, the addiction often becomes a third party that ultimately dictates the decisions and outcomes. Being a Superhost is about more than just clean rooms; it’s about the skill of creating a safe and human environment for strangers. BEST MOMENTS "Hosting is a people business, and as such, we have all sorts of issues related to human behaviour to deal with." "I’ve learned to always double whatever they say [about the length of their stay]." "Experience told me to be a detective first, judge second." "Superhosting isn’t just about spotless rooms. It’s about making strangers feel safe enough to be human." "It's not hospitality logistics that is the ultimate key; it's social architecture that is the skill to develop." CONTACT DETAILS Visit Neil's Airbnb https://bit.ly/SuperhostNeil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superhostneil/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperhostNeil TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@superhostneil Email: [e-mail] ABOUT THE HOST Neil has led a fulfilled and unconventional life, navigating an extraordinary journey from the Royal Navy to prop-making in London's West End theatres. Born into a military family, it was a twist of fate which led him to the theatre, where he contributed to iconic productions such as Phantom of the Opera. Eventually, Neil transitioned to Corporate Event Team Building, eventually founding his own venture in 1999. Financial challenges in 2017 are what prompted a strategic shift to Airbnb hosting, proving a reliable backup income. By 2021, Neil and his business partner triumphed over significant debt, fuelled by their resilience and the success of Neil's Airbnb venture. Now, Neil has left the corporate world behind, thriving solely through his flourishing Airbnb endeavours. Disclaimer: The Airbnb Superhost is in no way affiliated with Airbnb. All ideas, thoughts, concepts and data presented in this podcast are entirely Neil’s own and do not represent the views of Airbnb.