Airbnb owners – your guests' quality night's sleep should be your top priority, says Steve Pickering, the ‘unorthodox’ CEO of independent bed retail chain Sussex Beds. So why skimp on the mattresses?
I've stayed in countless Airbnbs with stunning views, Instagram-worthy decor, charming balconies and captivating artwork. Yet so many have truly dreadful mattresses.
Here’s a perfect example. Last year, my friends and I escaped to a gorgeous modern cottage in York, but by trip's end, we were all desperately counting down the hours until we could return to our own beds. That's what we'll remember about an otherwise flawless property.
Yes, I'm probably more mattress-obsessed than most (occupational hazard of being in the industry), but I believe many Airbnb owners lose sight of their fundamental purpose – providing a place where guests can sleep deeply and wake refreshed. The same applies to countless hotels, frankly.
Here's the broader lesson – never lose sight of your core purpose. It's easy to get caught up in aesthetic details and forget what truly matters to your customers.
The real question is, what will your guests remember most about their stay?
That said, York and the surrounding area were fantastic – we had a wonderful time exploring, eating and laughing. We even discovered a charming village that shares my name, Pickering. Clearly, I'm destined to return.
What's your industry's equivalent of 'great decor, terrible mattress'? Where do businesses get distracted by the flashy stuff and miss the fundamentals?
Discover more of Steve’s thoughts here or listen to his podcast, An Unorthodox CEO
