For hours I can surf around on the Airbnb site. To see what kind of apartments are available for rent in New York. Or which houses are in Bali. Just for fun. But I have also really made use of it once. No huge expensive bookings, because that's exactly why that site is so nice. You can stay cheaply and enjoyably. Well, you do have to be lucky. I still remember well that I ended up somewhere with Liesbeth... well, that was really not what we had in mind. Now, London is not the best Airbnb city (little choice) and we were also a bit too late (two days in advance during fashion week) to book an apartment. ‘Oh, we’re just going to sleep there anyway’ , was our idea. You will never hear me say that again. Even if you are on a city trip and you wander around the city all day, you also want to be able to relax in a comfortable space. In the room where we stayed in London, I really couldn't turn around. But the worst part was that we were staying in someone's house. We had also overlooked that information. In a house, I mean really in a house. The toilet was almost always locked because the gentleman had to go quite often in a day. We couldn't just relax on a couch because the couple always had friends over. Of course, it didn't dampen the fun and we laughed a lot about it, but coming back there will not happen.

It's quite a task to be a good Airbnb host. But if you do it right, it can really become a fun sport: you get the highest rating and you ensure returning guests or guests who recommend your place to others.

Tips and tricks for a perfect Airbnb host:

First of all, it is important to put a good, appealing text on the Airbnb site (including the golden triangle: no parties, no drugs, no smoking;)

Moreover, Airbnb offers a free photographer who will come to photograph your house. Make use of that! Then it’s just a bit like you live in a VT Wonen apartment.

– Next step: how expensive is my property? Small apartments are rented for about -70 euros, but then you can expect to get a lot of financially struggling young people or other vague types (remember: the Netherlands remains the land of drugs and the Red Light District)

– Ensure a good price. Not too expensive, but certainly not too cheap, so you don't attract the kind of ‘last-minute drug tourists’.

– Then comes the fun. You want them to find it incredibly nice afterwards that they ended up with you. That you added some value to the trip.

And so you not only clean your house thoroughly, but you also buy tulips that you place around the house. It looks cheerful and welcoming right away. You can also put stroopwafels on the table (traditional Dutch cookies). Or a local beer.

It’s also nice to leave a large map of Amsterdam with all kinds of personal tips. Where they can rent a bike, eat well, the best museum, a fun sight, and just that one nice shopping street near you. Those kinds of things. You just make this once, and if all goes well, the guests will always return it neatly, so you can reuse it.

– Buy a first breakfast (eggs, bread, orange juice for example. It really doesn't have to cost much) and put some fruit in the fruit bowl.

In short: a minimal investment to welcome people. With in mind: what would I like if I were a guest myself?

Send a funny photo to your guests of the waiter holding the keys in his hand.

– The reception. A short friendly reception is the most pleasant. Think again: What would you like? You do that with your own guests too. Briefly explain to the people how everything works in the house and then quickly leave again. But of course, do say that they can always text you if there’s something.

– If you can't make it on time for the reception, you can bring the key to a café around the corner. Send a funny photo to your guests of the waiter holding the keys in his hand. You can also take some photos of your house and send them as well, so they know exactly where to go. And if you really want to make an impression, give the waiter some money for a small welcome drink. Then you will score a lot of points.

If you have some extras to offer - taking people with very large suitcases to the station, or helping them out (coming quickly if they accidentally locked themselves out) then you will naturally receive a high rating. It does take some time and sometimes a little bit of money, but just know that you will enjoy it. And, to be honest, it also pays off: big money baby.