(But Don’t Know How to Share)

Most Airbnb hosts have a mental list.

It’s not written anywhere, and it rarely shows up in the official guidebook – but it exists. It’s that personal stash of local spots they’ve come to rely on: the noodle place with no obvious sign, the tiny wine bar that’s never full, the park that’s always shaded just right. Places they wish more guests knew about – but don’t always know how to communicate.

Obviously, good hosts want to help guests have a great stay. Not just inside the four walls of their listing, but out in the city too. They know that experience doesn’t stop at the front door. What guests do – where they eat, how they move around, what they discover – shapes how they feel about the trip as a whole.

The problem is: there’s no easy way to share that kind of insight.

Airbnb has definitely tried streamlining the process with their “neighborhood guide” feature. But it’s limited. Guestbooks get ignored. And many hosts don’t have the time (or writing confidence) to build a personalized local guide that explains not just where to go, but why it’s worth going.

So they stick with what’s safe.

TripAdvisor regulars. Instagram darlings. Cafes with good reviews and English menus. The spots that feel reliable, even if they’re nowhere near the most interesting.

And that’s where something gets lost.

Because what hosts really want to recommend is often a bit more personal: the late-night curry stall that only opens after nine, the bookshop with a cafe nook tucked behind the travel section, the neighborhood bar where the bartender remembers regulars by drink and local musicians open mic. Not tourist traps – just thoughtful, local experiences. The kind that makes a place feel real.

Guests want this too.

More than ever, travelers are looking for moments of connection. Not mass-market sightseeing, but small discoveries that feel intentional. And when a host nails that – when they give a tip that actually lands – it elevates everything. The stay feels curated. The city feels more accessible. And that elusive five-star review becomes a lot more likely.

Great hospitality starts with a quiet recommendation and a bit of local confidence. Most hosts already know what they want to share. They just need better ways to say it.