Confessions of an Airbnb host
Plus: The news of the week — Uptown braces for massive weekend crowds; Asian markets feel tariff pressure; Elevation Church expands; Secrets to getting a speedy REAL ID
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Today’s Ledger is sponsored by Via Health Partners. VIA Health Partners delivers compassionate and comprehensive care to patients with serious illnesses. As the Carolinas' largest independent non-profit hospice and palliative care provider, we serve over 5,000 patients daily, spanning 38 counties.
From marshmallow mishaps to midnight karaoke, one cabin owner has seen it all. Here's how to be the kind of guest who gets a glowing review.
Once, a hot tub sat where this outdoor seating and fire table is today. It had to go once the host learned guests used it for snorkeling and rinsing off after hikes. (Colleen Brannan photo)
By Colleen Brannan
Since 2021, my husband and I have hosted hikers, honeymooners, golfers, Highland Games warriors — and once, a family of raccoons squatting rent-free in the attic — at Grin and Bear It, our cozy Airbnb cabin tucked in the North Carolina mountains, just two hours from Charlotte. The name was inspired by the black bears that occasionally wander past the porch, but after a few seasons of hosting, it now feels like a mantra for handling guest behavior.
Squirrel Control, Marshmallow Mishaps & Camera Conspiracies
I remember our first guest like it was yesterday—they complained about hostile squirrels hurling acorns at the tin roof and ruining their sleep. (To the squirrels we have on retainer: nicely done.)
Then came the marshmallow enthusiast who treated our indoor gas fireplace like a summer camp bonfire.
And the couple who were deeply suspicious of the outdoor security cameras—even though they’re clearly noted in the listing and posted on every door. Their concern made me wonder: what exactly were they planning to do out there?
RIP, Hot Tub
We once had a beautiful bubbling hot tub under the stars. Then came the snorkels. Guests treated it like a kiddie pool, left children unattended, and used it for post-hike rinse-offs (and told us as much!). Add in some adult beverages, a few slippery exits, and one too many broken wine glasses, and our relaxing soak turned into a liability nightmare.
We made the tough call to replace it with outdoor seating and a fire table. Now, the only thing bubbling on the deck is prosecco.
Hosting Has Changed Me
Before we started hosting, I was the kind of traveler who thought check-out instructions were optional. I figured, “I paid good money — why should I do chores?”
Now, I strip the beds, take out the trash, start the dishwasher, and leave a note in the guest book. Hosting has given me a whole new appreciation for what goes into making a place feel special.
Rules Are for a Reason
No pets or smoking—not because we’re anti-fun, but because some guests (and hosts) are allergic. And yes, that includes parakeets and class gerbils.
Max capacity means just that. Our plumbing was built for four to six people, not 10. How do we know? Let’s just say … experience.
We also have outdoor cameras (clearly disclosed) and helpful neighbors who text us when things look more like a party than a peaceful retreat.
Quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. — not a suggestion, but a community ordinance. Break it, and you’ll meet the polite but punctual local police. Midnight karaoke, even on your birthday, doesn’t fly.
Booking outside the app? Still a no. Yes, Airbnb takes a cut, but going off-platform voids all protections. Friends and acquaintances still ask, “Can I just Venmo you?” We still say no.
Know the cancellation policy. Ours is “firm” — cancel within 24 hours of booking or 30 days before check-in for a full refund. After that, we can’t offer one, even if plans change. We do our best to reschedule when we can, but we also turn down other bookings to hold your date.
Want to Be a Guest Who Gets Good Reviews?
Being a great Airbnb guest isn’t hard—but it does take a little effort. Want a glowing review (and maybe a few perks)? Here’s how:
Message before booking. Friendly, clear communication builds trust. We pride ourselves on a 100% response rate—before, during, and after your stay.
Read the welcome manual. It has everything you need—Wi-Fi password, nearest grocery store, how to work the TV remote. If you text asking how to turn on the fireplace, we know you didn’t read it.
Follow the house rules. Every rule exists for a reason—hence the new sign reminding guests the fireplace is for heat and aesthetics only.
Be respectful. Of the space, the neighbors, and the care that goes into making the cabin feel special. We don’t expect you to scrub the tub, but taking out the trash, starting the dishwasher, and stripping the beds helps. You’d be surprised how many people leave behind dirty dishes and half a case of Busch Light.
Ask for perks. Not traveling during peak season? You might get early check-in or a midweek discount—just ask. If it works for us and our cleaners, we’re happy to accommodate.
Why Reviews Matter
For hosts, 5-star ratings are everything. Being marked as a “Guest Favorite” or “Superhost” helps us stay booked and build trust with future guests.
If you loved your stay, say it with stars. If something wasn’t perfect, message privately with specifics—hosts are always looking to improve and may even offer a rebate or future free night.
Summer’s Calling—Be the Guest Hosts Brag About
As summer travel picks up, the NC mountains are open for adventure—and local gems like Linville Falls Winery, Old Hampton Store, and Kay’s Kountry Kitchen need your support. The air is fresh, the trails are blooming, and Airbnbs are ready for your next escape.
Just remember: Airbnb is a two-way street. The respectful, tidy, communicative guests? They get flexible check-in times and five-star praise. The rule-benders and squirrel blamers? Let’s just say a few less stars.
So pack your hiking boots, breathe in that mountain air—and please, keep the s’mores outdoors.
Colleen Brannan, owner of BRANSTORM PR and a 30+ year award-winning PR pro, thinks outdoorsy means happy hour on a patio but somehow owns a mountain house. Find her on LinkedIn and Instagram or email her at colleen@branstorm.com (P.S. Ledger readers get late checkouts at Grin & Bear It by whispering the super-secret password: S’mores)
📫GOT AN AIRBNB STORY TO SHARE? Share a unique experience you’ve had as a host or guest with us by emailing Ledger contributing editor Doug Miller, and it could appear in a future edition of The Ledger. (Be sure to include how you’d like your name spelled.)
Today’s supporting sponsor is Via Health Partners. VIA Health Partners delivers compassionate and comprehensive care to patients with serious illnesses. As the Carolinas' largest independent non-profit hospice and palliative care provider, we serve over 5,000 patients daily, spanning 38 counties.
This week in Charlotte: GOP takes over elections board; Student visas restored; Meck Dems elect new leader; S.C. college shuts down
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
College shuts down: (WBTV) Limestone University, a private college in Gaffney, S.C., is closing its doors at the end of the semester due to a lack of funding.
Student visas restored: (Observer) Six international students at UNC Charlotte have had their visas restored after being initially terminated by the Trump administration.
Former school assistant charged: (WSOC) A former employee of West Mecklenburg High School has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a student at his apartment.
Politics
GOP takes over elections board: (AP News) Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek appointed a Republican majority to North Carolina’s elections board Thursday, after an appeals court upheld a new GOP-backed law stripping the Democratic governor of his authority to make the appointments.
Mecklenburg Democrats elect new leader:(Observer) Former state representative Wesley Harris was elected chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party on Saturday, succeeding Drew Kromer.
Want to serve on city council? (WFAE) The Charlotte City Council voted Monday to expedite the process of finding a replacement for Republican Tariq Bokhari, who resigned his position as District 6 representative to work at the Federal Transit Administration. The council will vote on Bokhari's replacement in early June.
Local news
Uptown traffic this weekend: (Ledger) Uptown Charlotte is bracing for massive crowds this weekend with the Lovin’ Life Music Fest, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s stadium show and Charlotte Knights games expected to bring tens of thousands downtown each day.
Children’s museum site: (Observer) Under a proposal presented by Matthews town officials, the new Discovery Place Kids Museum would be built inside the new Matthews Elementary School, while the old school site would be turned into a park.
Free Mother’s Day at the Mint: (Mint Museum) Everyone gets free admission to the Mint Museum uptown from 12-5 p.m. on May 11 as part of a Mother’s Day community celebration that includes the Annie Leibovitz photography exhibit and free photo portraits.
Business
Charlotte’s Asian supermarkets feel tariff pressure: (Ledger) Asian grocery stores in Charlotte are scrambling to manage rising costs, price hikes and customer anxiety as new tariffs on imported goods threaten their survival and shoppers’ budgets.
Nonprofit to pay penalty: (The Assembly) A nonprofit called Balanced Nutrition run by former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s wife, Yolanda Hill, must repay more than $101,000 to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services after an administrative judge found it violated federal rules, kept poor records and claimed unallowable costs.
Elevation expands: (Observer) Charlotte megachurch Elevation Church is expanding into the former Midnight Mulligan brewery space in Wesley Heights near uptown.
Sports
UNC basketball player suspended, kept team perks: (News & Observer) UNC Chapel Hill basketball player Zayden High was suspended last semester after being found responsible for violating the university’s sexual exploitation policy, but questions have emerged about whether he fully complied with his sanctions while on probation.
Ex-Panthers star sued: (Observer) Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver and NFL analyst Steve Smith Sr. is facing a lawsuit for allegedly having a monthslong affair with a married Baltimore Ravens marching band member.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
Hospital care at home, for kids: Atrium Health’s new pediatric hospital-at-home program lets children recover from serious illness in the comfort of their own homes, offering hospital-level care remotely — a shift that’s winning praise from families but raising concerns about safety and oversight.
Plus: A star-studded summer basketball camp; arts go BOOM in U-City; Reader mailbag on retirement series; How Dean Smith's son changed the course of Charlotte FC
Wednesday (🔒)
Plus: Local vaccination rate falls; Plan moves ahead to dole out $2M in arts funding; Challenger comes forward for east side council seat
Friday (🔒)
Scoring a REAL ID in less than 3 hours: With the REAL ID deadline looming, The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling shares her chaotic but ultimately successful quest to navigate the DMV’s crowded system and finally secure the upgraded ID needed to fly.
Plus: Tariffs could raise coffee prices; New police station planned for northwest Charlotte; Uptown will be packed this weekend
Ways of Life (🔒)
Bob Neely, a longtime Dilworth resident and tireless behind-the-scenes volunteer, quietly shaped his Charlotte neighborhood while living with a lifelong seizure disorder. He died on March 12 at 79.
Futbol Friday
Charlotte FC faces a challenging stretch with nine of its next 11 matches on the road, testing the team’s depth and resilience as midseason travel and tougher opponents tighten the Eastern Conference race. Also: Injury updates, and MLS fines coach Dean Smith for criticizing officials.
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