Why My Apple Watch Is The Most Important Airbnb Tool I Use

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As a top-rated Airbnb Superhost, I try to simplify everything about how I manage my rentals. Protecting my peace is just as important as those big Airbnb payouts. So, today I want to share what my most important Airbnb tool is (one that nobody talks about) – my Apple Watch. Because, sure, there are a million Airbnb tools for pricing and extra hosting bells and whistles, but they don’t impact my everyday life as an Airbnb host nearly as much as my Apple Watch does!

Airbnb Tips Apple Watch As An Airbnb Tool

Why My Apple Watch Is The Airbnb Tool That Matters Most To Me As An Airbnb Host

For me, the Apple Watch has become something I cannot live without. I don’t even have the cellular version, and mine is a couple of years old. Why do I love it, and what does this have to do with Airbnb hosting?

Well, I wear it at all times, and intentionally only allow notifications for texts, phone calls, and Airbnb messages. That alone keeps me from feeling tethered to my phone all day while still letting me reply quickly to Airbnb messages and stay connected at all times.

If you are new here, you must read my blog post Protecting Your 3Ps: Property, Profits & Peace to understand the mindset that drives all of my Airbnb hosting strategies.

Here’s why my Apple Watch has become my most important everyday Airbnb hosting tool! And, as you can see here, I wear it everywhere!

#1 It Keeps Me Responsive Without Being Glued to My Phone

One of the hardest parts of Airbnb hosting is being accessible at all times. Of course, you want to respond quickly to guest inquiries, booking requests, and questions that aren’t necessarily urgent.

However, you should always be reachable in case of a true emergency at your Airbnb. Real-life examples can be as severe as a fire or a natural disaster. However, more common situations are a smart lock becoming nonresponsive or an unexpected power outage.

But that constant need to check your phone can be toxic! Often, that leads to other distractions, and before you know it’s you’re mindlessly scrolling. And then you do it all again 30 minutes later. Feeling tethered to your phone is exhausting and one of the quickest ways a new Airbnb host can burn out.

My Apple Watch makes it super easy to stay responsive while still living my life. A quick buzz on my wrist lets me know a guest has reached out, and I can check the message instantly to determine how time-sensitive it is. Instead of constantly grabbing my phone, unlocking it, and getting pulled into other distractions, I can stay fully present and still respond quickly. This one simple thing has improved my Airbnb hosting workflow more than I ever expected.

But, isn’t the Apple Watch distracting, too?

#2 The Secret Is That I Only Allow Three Apple Watch Notifications

The real secret to making the watch actually make Airbnb hosting more relaxing is keeping the notification list intentionally short. On my Apple Watch, I only allow three types of push notifications: texts, calls, and Airbnb. That’s it. No social media, no emails, no app alerts that don’t truly matter. This keeps every notification meaningful, reduces stress, and lets me enjoy a quieter digital life while still offering reliable communication to my guests.

Basically, if my Apple Watch vibrates, I know something likely does actually need my attention!

#3 How I Choose When & How To Respond To Airbnb Notifications

As Airbnb hosts, it’s easy to slip into the habit of responding to every message immediately and staying hyper-alert around the clock. But that isn’t sustainable, and it definitely isn’t peaceful. My Apple Watch creates a buffer that lets me unplug from my phone without disconnecting from my Airbnb rental properties. This is why I consider my Apple Watch to be my top Airbnb tool!

When an Airbnb notification comes through, I do not always respond immediately. And, I never reply on my actual Apple Watch. Because I have the basic Bluetooth GPS version, my phone is always somewhat nearby. This property management strategy just keeps that distracting iPhone out of my hands as much as possible.

What actually happens when I receive an Airbnb notification on my Apple Watch is that I glance down and see what the Airbnb notification says. If it’s a new booking, I can send my Airbnb welcome message next time I have my phone in hand or sit down at my computer. So, I don’t rush to my phone right away.

If it’s a payment notification or review notification, I just dismiss it. You can even disable those notifications in your Airbnb app. If it’s a non-urgent message, I tell myself that I can respond next time I have my phone in hand.

If my Apple Watch alert shows a new booking inquiry, an important question from a guest, or an emergency, I walk over to my phone, open the Airbnb app, and quickly respond. Then, I set my phone down and walk away. Good, fast communication goes a long way in the world of vacation rentals and is crucial when trying to become an Airbnb superhost, but doesn’t have to be all-consuming.

Buying An Apple Watch To Use As An Airbnb Tool

The great news is that you don’t need the latest Apple Watch model to use it as a tool for your Airbnb business. You can get a good GPS or a Series 10/11 Apple Watch in the $200- $300 range, sometimes less. And, yes, this is a business expense as this one Airbnb tool is critical to my everyday Airbnb hosting duties.

One of my favorite things about my setup is how simple it is. I don’t pay for cellular service for my Apple Watch, and I’ve never needed it. The basic GPS Bluetooth model works perfectly as long as my phone is nearby. It keeps costs low and functionality high. It’s proof that you don’t need an expensive setup to manage your short term vacation rental well. Find ways to work smarter, not harder, and to protect your time whenever possible!

Plus, as someone who works from home, I love being able to monitor my steps and activity level through my watch. That is another benefit of this small investment you make for your short term rental business!

Airbnb Watch Links

You can click the links below to browse Apple Watches and prices at popular retailers. This is a great time to take advantage of holiday season pricing, and they are easy to buy online and set up at home! Trust me, you’ll see that it is one of the best and most overlooked Airbnb tools for hosts.

When selecting your Apple Watch, pay attention to the #mm measurement, which reflects the screen size. For example, a 40mm screen is smaller than a 44mm screen. I used to have a 44mm, but my current Apple Watch is 40mm and does the trick for me since I have smaller wrists.

There are also a variety of Apple Watch bands you can buy, ranging from the standard silicone band to third-party, fashion-forward gold-linked bands that look like traditional watches. I actually prefer the Sport Loop style band. It’s Velcro, so it’s easy to put on and take off. Plus, it allows me to keep my watch as tight as I would like.

If I were buying a new Apple Watch GPS (no cellular) to use as an Airbnb tool today, I would choose one of these:

My Apple Watch Is A Small Airbnb Tool That Makes A Big Difference

Hosting well doesn’t always require big systems or complicated tech. Sometimes it’s the tiny everyday Airbnb tools that make the biggest difference. My mindset is always following both the 80/20 principle and the Keep It Simple, Stupid KISS philosophy.

Now, that doesn’t mean I am not busy. I am! However, it does mean I can run multiple businesses, do everything, and be everywhere without any one part of my daily workflow dominating my time and energy.

For me, the Apple Watch helps me stay a more organized, responsive, and peaceful host. It helps me stay present at home with my family, which is very important to me.

I actually lost my Apple Watch a couple of years ago. After a couple of months without it, I started to feel strung out and was always on my phone. My loved ones could tell, and when you own four Airbnbs, it really does create a lot of noise. When I realized it wasn’t going to show up, I bought a new one, and the change was instant. I got my peace back, and that is bigger than any Airbnb payout I could receive.

More Tips For Airbnb Hosts

At the end of the day, anything that helps simplify life as an Airbnb host is worth sharing. The Apple Watch might seem like a small thing, but it’s made a huge difference in how I protect my peace, stay responsive, and keep my hosting workflow efficient. If you’re looking for a simple way to stay on top of communication without being on your phone all day, this is one of the easiest everyday upgrades you can make!

If you found this helpful, I have dozens of other Airbnb Hosting Blog Posts with my first-hand Airbnb tips and valuable insights on how you can work smarter, not harder, and run a successful Airbnb business!

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