How to Make Your Airbnb Feel Like Mom’s House (So Guests Never Want to Leave)

May 11, 2025·By Andrés Romero

🟦 A Stay That Feels Like Home

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating more than just moms — we’re celebrating comfort, care, and warmth.
Because when guests stay in your Airbnb, they’re not just booking a room. They’re looking for something that feels familiar, safe, and cared for — kind of like mom’s house.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create that kind of unforgettable experience, here are the exact details that make guests fall in love with a place (and come back again).

A cozy, naturally lit living room featuring a gray sofa with soft pillows, a knit blanket, a wooden coffee table with a vase of daisies and an open book, and warm ambient lighting — evoking a comforting, homey atmosphere ideal for guest relaxation.

🪴 1. Create a Sense of Warmth (Visually & Energetically)

When guests walk in, they shouldn’t feel like they’re entering a showroom — they should feel like they’re being welcomed.

✅ Use soft lighting, not just ceiling LEDs
✅ Add throw blankets, cozy textures, and layered rugs
✅ Include warm-toned decor and personal touches (plants, books, soft curtains)

Tip: A diffuser with a soft vanilla or lavender scent creates an instant “home” effect.

A sun-drenched living room with a neutral-toned sofa, terracotta pillows, warm lighting, and lush plants arranged near an arched window — creating a space that radiates comfort, care, and emotional warmth.

🍽️ 2. Equip the Kitchen Like a Mom Would

No guest wants to walk into a kitchen with one pan and no oil.
You don’t need to overdo it — but a few thoughtful items go a long way.

✅ Olive oil, salt & pepper, basic seasonings
✅ Full cutlery set and quality mugs
✅ A handwritten card that says: “Make yourself at home”

Want to go the extra mile? Add a small welcome basket with coffee, tea, and a snack. $10 investment. Lifelong memory.

A modern kitchen with sleek gray cabinets, white subway tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances. On the counter, an olive oil bottle and two ceramic mugs sit on a tray below a framed sign that reads

🛏️ 3. Make the Bedroom Inviting — Not Just Functional

Clean is expected. But feeling cared for is different.

✅ Use plush pillows and layered bedding
✅ Add bedside tables with warm lamps and outlets
✅ Place a folded towel with a personal note on the bed

Bonus: Leave a lavender sachet or herbal tea sachets in the room. It's the kind of small thing guests write reviews about.

A bright and welcoming bedroom with a queen-size bed dressed in white linens, a lavender throw, and a mustard accent pillow. The space features warm wooden nightstands, fresh flowers, soft lighting, and a large window with beige curtains, creating a peaceful and comforting guest experience.

📕 4. Create a Guest Guide That Feels Like Family Advice

nstead of a corporate-style PDF or cold Airbnb auto-messages…
Try a printed or digital guide written in your voice.

✅ “Best place to get pastries like my mom used to make”
✅ “Where I take my family when they visit”
✅ “If you forget anything, text me — I got you”

Hospitality is about anticipation. Think like a mom: What would they need before they even ask?

An open guest guidebook rests on a granite countertop beside a white ceramic mug and a vase with pale pink roses, offering house information and local favorites in a warm, welcoming format perfect for Airbnb guests.

🛎️ 5. You Don’t Need to Be There to Make Them Feel It

Even if you’re a remote host or use self check-in, your energy and care can still be felt.

✅ Automate check-in with a warm tone
✅ Send a mid-stay message: “Hope everything feels just right. Anything I can improve?”
✅ Follow up after checkout with a personal “Thank you”

🛎️ 5. You Don’t Need to Be There to Make Them Feel It

💡 People Don’t Remember Listings — They Remember How They Felt

This Mother’s Day, take a moment to think:
Does your Airbnb feel like someone actually wants you there?

If not — it’s time to add the kind of care your guests will never forget.

🚀 Want a Property That Guests Fall in Love With?

At W.A.R. Strategy Consulting, we help you turn your short-term rental into a five-star hospitality business — not just a transaction.

📅 Book your free 45-minute strategy call here and let’s design a guest experience they’ll never want to leave.