Pre-arrival
Early check-in requests are among the most frequent (25-30% of Airbnb bookings in Italian tourist cities). Replying well makes the difference between an enthusiastic and a lukewarm review — even when the answer is "no". Here three variants: early check-in granted free, granted paid, not available with concrete alternatives.
When to send
When to send: as soon as you receive the request, max within 4 hours. Never wait until the day of check-in — the guest needs to plan. First verify cleaning rotation between outgoing and incoming guest.
Three tone variants. Pick the closest match to your style, or use them as a baseline to personalise.
Placeholders like {{guest_name}} are intentionally left visible — replace them with your data before sending.
Hi {{guest_name}}, sure, we can organize check-in at {{requested_time}} no problem. The apartment will be ready by then, we've already completed cleaning from the previous guest.
The check-in instructions you already received apply normally. Could you confirm now you have time confirmation, so I plan cleaning accordingly?
Talk soon!Hi {{guest_name}}, we can organize early check-in at {{requested_time}}, but since it's before standard time ({{standard_time}}) it requires fast cleaning rotation.
For this we apply an extra fee of €{{early_cost}} (pay on arrival or via Airbnb resolution center).
If this works, confirm and I'll organize. If you'd rather wait for standard time, no problem — we can let you leave luggage from {{luggage_time}} at no extra cost (open the key safe, leave bags, go explore).Hi {{guest_name}}, unfortunately for {{check_in_date}} I can't move check-in earlier: the previous guest leaves at {{previous_check_out_time}} and cleaning takes {{cleaning_duration}} hours.
Earliest possible time is {{earliest_possible_time}}.
In the meantime, two convenient alternatives:
1️⃣ Leave luggage at a nearby storage: {{storage_name}} at {{storage_address}}, cost €{{storage_cost}}/day. Open from {{opening_time}}.
2️⃣ Near the apartment you have {{recommended_cafe}} (cafe with free Wi-Fi) and {{recommended_restaurant}} (lunch from 12:30 PM). Great spots to wait comfortably.
Sorry for the inconvenience, see you at {{check_in_time}}!Depends on your setup. If you have external cleaning team paid at check-in, the surcharge naturally goes to them as compensation for fast rotation. If you manage everything yourself, you collect it. Either way, be transparent in the invoice or Airbnb extra request.
Technically yes, but not recommended under 11:00 AM — becomes a middle-of-the-night check-in that guests no longer appreciate. Reasonable threshold is 11:00 AM-12:00 PM vs standard 2:00-3:00 PM.
Be cordial but firm: "Hi! Apartment isn't ready yet, we finish cleaning at {{time}}. You can leave luggage now and come back later". Don't yield to pressure to hand keys early — you risk check-in in a dirty apartment, and that does generate a terrible review.
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