How Patrick and Evelyne host
Patrick and Evelyne host in Paris to keep their house lively
What was your motivation to start hosting?
After our children left, our house was empty and sad. We wanted to fill it again while keeping it available for our own family. Hosting also allows us to maintain it and make it more comfortable.
Did you have any concerns before you started hosting?
We had already experienced home exchanges and we were very satisfied, except that they were much more complicated to plan than Airbnb.
How do you prepare to make sure guests have a great arrival experience?
We check the house, the linens, and the basic provisions (tea, coffee, spices, toilet paper), and we send the guests a message to confirm their check-in time and itinerary.
What’s the most surprising thing you've experienced as an Airbnb host?
An American family whose daughter lives in Paris asked if she could come to our house to check that our oven was a good size for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey. The oven was big enough—and we shared the turkey. Now they come back every year!
Has hosting changed your lifestyle?
Yes. It takes a lot of time at first, but it's easy to find a rhythm and we can take the opportunity to travel more.
What’s been your proudest moment as a host?
When our guests congratulate us on our warm welcome and tell us how beautiful our home is.