As a short-term rental host, providing exceptional guest experiences is key to standing out in the competitive hospitality market. One creative and practical way to elevate your listing and attract more bookings is by offering Airbnb grocery delivery services.
Whether it’s making things more convenient for traveling families or adding a touch of luxury for vacationers, Airbnb grocery delivery is a simple yet effective way to provide added value. Here’s how you can incorporate this feature into your rental business and even turn it into a profitable upsell or part of your concierge service.
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Why Offer Grocery Delivery?
Travelers today are looking for more than just a place to stay – they seek convenience and personalized experiences. Many guests arrive tired after long trips and appreciate not having to deal with errands like grocery shopping. By providing this option, you cater to their needs, making their stay more enjoyable and stress-free. This service is particularly appealing for families, large groups, or long-term guests who prefer preparing meals in your rental.
Beyond convenience, offering grocery delivery also sets your property apart from competitors. It demonstrates thoughtfulness, enhances guest satisfaction, and encourages positive reviews, which could lead to increased bookings.
Ways to Offer Airbnb Grocery Delivery
Depending on your time and resources, there are several approaches to implementing grocery delivery for your guests:
1. Personalized grocery concierge service
You can act as a personal grocery concierge by shopping for guests’ requested items before or during their stay. With this approach, you can add a custom fee for your time or work it into your cleaning or service fees. To streamline the process, ask guests to provide a grocery list before their arrival, ensuring their requested items are ready when they check in.
2. Collaborate with local grocery delivery services
Partnering with third-party delivery services like Instacart, DoorDash, or Shipt is an excellent hands-off option. You can coordinate with the service to ensure groceries arrive before guests check in or provide recommendations for guests to order directly. Some vacation rental owners include helpful instructions or even promo codes for specific apps in their guest welcome guides.
3. Offer pre-stocked groceries
For a fixed fee, we provide pre-stocked grocery packages tailored to meet the needs of different guests. You could offer packages such as “Breakfast Essentials,” “Family Snack Bundle,” or “Romantic Dinner Kit.”
Some popular items to have on hand to add to your shopping list:
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Bell peppers
- Hot dogs
- Olive oil
- Bread for sandwiches
- Milk
- Apples
- Coffee
- Butter
- Salad materials for an easy lunch
- Beer and wine (for an added fee)
- Pastries
- A few frozen food options or refrigerated items
- Other basic supplies like salt and pepper
- Extra paper towels, toilet paper, and trash bags
Highlighting these options in your property website or pre-arrival communication allows guests to choose what works best for them. This approach not only saves time but also increases your bottom line through upsell opportunities. Some guests love to plan ahead with their meals!
How to Market Your Airbnb Grocery Delivery Service
Promoting your grocery delivery service is crucial to getting guests to take advantage of it. Here are a few strategies:
- Update Your Listing Description: Clearly outline the grocery delivery service in your Airbnb listing description to make it a key feature of your property.
- Use Professional Photos: Showcase pre-stocked grocery packages or a beautifully organized fridge to entice potential guests.
- Communicate Early: Mention the service in your pre-arrival messages and provide a comprehensive list of grocery options to encourage sales.
Turning Grocery Delivery into an Upsell Opportunity
By charging a reasonable markup on grocery store items or service fees for shopping and delivery coordination, you can add a steady stream of additional income. Guests are often willing to pay an extra premium for convenience, especially if it elevates their overall experience.
Consider offering bundled packages or discounts for guests who stay for an extended period. For example, allow guests staying a week or more to receive a discounted grocery delivery for multiple days of food supplies.
Final Thoughts
Implementing an Airbnb grocery delivery service differentiates your short-term rental from others in the area. Whether you prefer to handle everything personally or partner with a local service, this added convenience is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests. Plus, the opportunity to upsell and improve your revenue makes it a win-win for both you and your guests. Start exploring grocery delivery options today and take your hosting game to the next level!
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
