Direct answer: a new Montreux listing has no reviews, so the first 90 days are about earning trust fast: finish the legal and insurance checks before you open the calendar, launch with professional photos and a modest introductory discount, aim for your first five reviews in the first month, then raise your price step by step. Guests and hosts have 14 days after checkout to leave a review 1, and Airbnb reports an average 19% net uplift in bookings for listings using its professional photography 2.
Opening the calendar on a new listing is the moment owners most often rush. A listing with no reviews ranks and converts below established neighbours, so what you do before launch — and in the weeks after — matters more than any single pricing trick. This is the plan we follow for new Montreux apartments.
In a nutshell: Weeks −4 to 0: legal, insurance, photos, house manual, smart check-in. Days 1–30: short minimum stay, introductory price, five reviews. Days 31–90: raise rates in steps, extend minimum stay, target Superhost.
Photo: Pexels
Before launch: the four weeks that decide everything
- Legal first: check commune registration and any condominium restrictions before taking a booking — see our guides to short-term rental registration in Montreux and PPE rules.
- Insurance and tourist tax: confirm your cover for short-term letting (insurance guide) and how the tourist tax is collected.
- Photography: shoot after the apartment is fully styled; lead with the lake view. See our photography guide.
- Frictionless arrival: a smart lock and a clear house manual remove most first-stay problems — read self check-in for Montreux rentals.
- Calendar sync: if you also list on Booking.com, connect the calendars before launch to avoid a double booking in week one.
Days 1–30: win the first five reviews
Early reviews are the hardest to earn and the most valuable. Open the calendar for the next four to six weeks rather than a full year so you can react to what you learn, set a short minimum stay (often two nights) to widen your audience, and price slightly below comparable listings to convert the first bookings. Airbnb has offered hosts a new-listing discount on early bookings; check whether it is available to you in your host dashboard 1.
| Phase | Illustrative price (target CHF 250) | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–30 | About 15–20% below target (CHF 200–212) | First 5 reviews, rating of 4.8+ |
| Days 31–60 | About 5–10% below target (CHF 225–237) | Rising conversion, keep the rating |
| Days 61–90 | At target (CHF 250), event dates above it | Full-price bookings, longer minimum stay |
These figures are an illustration, not a forecast: set your own target from comparable lakeside listings (see Airbnb pricing strategy for Montreux). Remember Airbnb’s host-only fee when you work out net income — see the 15.5% fee explained.
Make reviews easy to earn
Message every guest before arrival, answer within the hour, and check the apartment is spotless and stocked before each check-in. Because both sides have 14 days after checkout to review 1, a short thank-you message on the day of departure helps. Our guide to reviews and reputation management covers handling a lukewarm review.
Days 31–90: raise rates and tighten rules
Once you have a handful of five-star reviews, raise the nightly rate in small steps and watch how conversion responds. Extend the minimum stay on weekends and peak weeks, and add the cancellation policy that suits your property (cancellation and minimum-stay guide). The next milestone is the Superhost badge, which needs a 4.8+ rating, a 90%+ response rate, under 1% cancellations and 10 stays over 12 months 1 — see Superhost requirements.
Common launch mistakes
- Opening a full year at a deep discount and being unable to raise prices later.
- Launching before photos are professional or the apartment is fully stocked.
- Skipping the legal checks and facing a cancelled season or a complaint.
- Rejecting early requests, which keeps the listing at zero reviews.
Want a launch handled for you?
We set up listings, pricing, photography coordination and guest communication for Montreux owners. If you would like a candid view of how your apartment would launch, get in touch or see how to choose a property management company.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get the first reviews on a new Airbnb listing?
With a short minimum stay and an introductory price, many hosts can reach their first reviews within the first month, but it depends on season and demand. Guests have 14 days after checkout to review.
Should I discount a new listing in Montreux?
A modest introductory discount helps convert the first bookings and earn reviews. Raise the price step by step once you have several good reviews instead of discounting for a full year.
What should I check before opening an Airbnb calendar in Montreux?
Commune registration, any condominium (PPE) restrictions, insurance cover and how the tourist tax is collected. Complete these before accepting a booking.
Does professional photography help a new listing?
Airbnb reports an average 19% net uplift in bookings over 365 days for listings using its professional photography, based on its own 2024–2025 data. Results are not guaranteed.
When can I aim for Superhost after launching?
Superhost status needs 10 stays, or 3 stays totalling 100+ nights, a 4.8+ rating, a 90%+ response rate and under 1% cancellations over the previous 12 months, so plan for it after the first few months.
Sources
Base yourself in Montreux
RivieraHost’s apartments sit steps from the lake — with kitchens, more space and better value than a hotel for families and groups. Every one is right on this guide’s doorstep.