9 Proven Strategies for Earning Five-Star Reviews on Vacation Rentals

Introduction

One of the best ways to skyrocket your vacation rental’s success is to consistently get five-star reviews on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other popular booking sites. Five-star guest reviews help your home show up in more searches, increase bookings, and put more income in your pocket. Our data shows owners can earn 70% more in their first 12 months when their first review is five stars rather than one. On the flip side, even the most successful vacation rentals can fall from the ranks quickly if bad reviews become a reputation. On sites like Airbnb, homes with low ratings are deprioritized in search and run the risk of being removed entirely.

The bottom line: reviews matter. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to creating stays worthy of five-star feedback.

1. Set Honest Expectations

When guests arrive, they should see your property exactly as it was advertised online. Make sure your listing is always up-to-date with accurate amenities, professional photography that paints an honest picture, and clear policies.

You set your guests up for a better experience — and yourself for better reviews — when you tell travelers what they can expect and you follow through. For more on creating honest and appealing listings, visit Airbnb's Host Resource Center.

2. Have a Guest-Ready Home

Your home will not get five-star reviews on Airbnb and other vacation rental sites if it’s not thoroughly cleaned and fully functional for every guest. Do your due diligence pre- and post-stay to make sure each space is spotless and guest-ready when travelers arrive.

Double-check that everything from lightbulbs and appliances to outdoor features is in working order. Broken or missing items are frequently mentioned in negative reviews. For a comprehensive cleaning checklist, see Vrbo's Cleaning Guidelines.

3. Make a Great First Impression

Start your guests off with an extraordinary experience right away, because the first thing they see is often the last thing they’ll remember. Opt for keyless entry to make getting through the door hassle-free. Once inside, a personalized note or welcome gift can make tired travelers feel special and well cared for. Providing a welcome book helps excited explorers get acquainted with the property and local hotspots. Get creative; ask the guest ahead of time what their favorite food or dessert is and have it ready for them upon arrival.

These thoughtful touches give guests the sense that they are top priority — and that’s an easy way to get five-star reviews.

4. Offer Comfort

When furnishing your vacation rental, be mindful of varying tastes and preferences. Choose neutral pieces of furniture and art that create a cohesive and intentional design. Avoid decor that might make the space feel more like a second home (think family photos, used couches, or mismatched plates). You want it to feel fresh, warm, and inviting — not necessarily lived in — so that it’s eye-catching for all the right reasons.

5. Communicate Quickly

Whether it’s an interested traveler wanting more info before booking or a current guest raising a question about the property, helpful, service-minded communication from you or a designated guest contact is key to great hospitality. Routinely check your inbox and phone for new notifications, and consider developing a list of commonly asked questions to make quick responses easier to fire off efficiently. Managing communications with a booked calendar requires constant attention, but it’s huge for guest satisfaction.

6. Add Amenities Guests Love

Must-haves for a vacation rental include appliances like a coffee maker and microwave, but you’ll get brownie points from guests for making bigger-ticket upgrades. Add an entertainment system or game room for next-level fun, or splurge on high-speed internet so guests can get online (whether for leisure or work). Consider a grill, fire pit, or hot tub for your outdoor living space, too. These are some of the amenities we see travelers look for the most, so it can be a great way to get five-star reviews and more bookings.

7. Make Life Easy for All

Many vacationers are eager to find a spot to bring their families — kids and pets included. To grab their bookings and more great reviews, make sure your home meets their needs. Supply family-friendly essentials like plastic utensils and high chairs so little ones can join for mealtimes. Add a few movies for kids to your media collection, and provide a pack-n-play or chest of toys. The less parents have to bring with them on vacation, the more likely they are to sing your praises online.

To get your home pet-ready, stock treats and toys for pups and felines, and leave (clean!) bowls out for food and water. Be clear about your cleaning and pet waste policies to uphold five-star standards for every guest.

8. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

If you’ve completed routine cleaning and maintenance checks and kept the lines of communication open, it’s likely your guests will have the pleasant and drama-free experience they’re looking for. Still, sometimes the unexpected happens. A circuit breaker trips, or an overnight snowfall makes walkways icy and dangerous.

No matter the scenario, you should be prepared to handle anything. Designate an on-call contact who can arrive at your vacation rental within 30 minutes for emergencies. Have a list of local service providers (like plumbers or HVAC experts) who can address sudden needs or guest requests that fall outside of standard maintenance. Remain patient, positive, and helpful when communicating with guests about unexpected issues. Being friendly and informative in how you respond to a problem is a great way to get five-star reviews from guests once it’s resolved.

9. Ask for Reviews

Setting yourself up for stellar reviews is crucial, but making sure great guest experiences go on record is a step you never want to miss. Even the happiest travelers might not think to follow up and give you a five-star review on Airbnb, Vrbo, or other booking sites without some encouragement. A day or two after a guest’s departure, take the initiative to reach out, thank them again for their stay, and kindly request that they leave any helpful feedback. Make the process even easier by sending them a direct link to where they can leave their review (instead of expecting them to go looking for it). To help encourage mutual reputation-building, you can also take a few minutes to leave them a positive review.

Great guest reviews are the backbone of a successful vacation rental, helping you earn more and meet your vacation rental goals. To learn more about maximizing your passive income, please schedule a time to chat with me below!