A Washougal resident has been named the most hospitable Airbnb host in Washington.
Erika Leavitt began renting the two-bedroom “Little Creek Cottage” on her rural Washougal property three years ago. She said being an Airbnb host is a natural fit with her full-time job as a real estate agent.
“A good host (provides) open communication,” Leavitt said. “I’ve done customer service jobs and customer relations jobs for years and years, so that part (of hosting) came really easy. I mean, it’s just like real estate, right? You just need to be personable to people.”
Airbnb, a San Francisco-based company that operates an online marketplace for short- and long-term home stays, recently took notice of Leavitt’s efforts, selecting her as the “most hospitable host” in Washington for 2023.
In a news release announcing the “most hospitable host” awards, Airbnb noted that hosts must have 100 percent five-star ratings in the categories of cleanliness, check-in and communication in a minimum of 100 reviews to be considered for recognition.
Reviews of Leavitt’s cottage, which boasts a fully-stocked kitchen, hot tub, fire pit, horseshoe pit and a trail leading to a small creek, rave about the Washougal property.
“This cottage is amazing,” one recent reviewer wrote on Leavitt’s Airbnb site. “The host included every small touch imaginable — s’mores, hot tub towels, creek towels and sunscreen, kids’ games. (The) kitchen is well stocked. Everything in the cottage is new, clean and modern, but still feels ‘homey.’ The host was super friendly; she always answered our text questions. The outside has everything — a large, clean hot tub, grill, fire pit, porch and picnic table. We used it all. Loved it. Will be back again.”
Leavitt also invites her guests to visit the alpacas and sheep that graze in an adjoining pasture area.
“That’s unique,” Leavitt said. “I think that’s what kind of brings it to (another level). We don’t have the river, but we do have the alpacas.”
Leavitt and her husband, Joshua, moved to rural Washougal from Utah in 2016. They purchased and remodeled the cottage, and started accepting Airbnb reservations in 2020.
“We didn’t know what we were getting into,” Leavitt said. “But with so many family and friends coming to visit, we realized it is such a nice, relaxing space. So when that house became available to buy, we jumped on the opportunity, and it’s been successful.”
For more information about the cottage or to check its rental availability and pricing, visit bit.ly/littlecreekcottage.
