What we look for before adding a property to our collection
Comfortable beds, real coffee makers, blackout curtains in every bedroom — our inspection checklist, demystified.
We turn down more properties than we accept. Here's what we're looking for during the first walkthrough.
The bed test. We sit on the edge of every bed and lie on it for a minute. If it sags, smells like a hotel, or has a single thin pillow, we ask the host to upgrade before we list it. Sleep is the entire product.
The coffee test. Drip coffee maker is the floor. Bonus points for a real grinder. We don't list properties with single-serve pods only — they're wasteful and the coffee tastes like cardboard.
The shower test. Hot water in under 30 seconds. Shower head you can actually fit your head under. A drain that drains. None of this is fancy, but it's the difference between 'nice place' and 'I'd come back.'
Blackout curtains. Every. Single. Bedroom. Travelers shouldn't have to wake up at 6 AM because the morning sun gets in.
Beyond that, we look for character — a real fireplace, a thoughtful bookshelf, a deck with a view. The amenities are table stakes; the character is what makes you remember the trip.
