Your rating for my accommodation place

[Eman1482]

Hello, I am a new host and I would like you to evaluate my place of residence and give me your advice when receiving my first guest through the site. Thank you.

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/1194159728008819596?source_impression_id=p3_1725048203_P3cjOSS_I7TT64_J 

[Content updated by Community Manager]

[Elizabeth1837]

Hi @Eman1482,

Get professional photograhs done,  open the curtains and do the photographs in daylight and much brighter,  dont show the toilet with lid open and pref. not at all.  I also think take away the rugs and personally i like white cotton sheets, they look fresh and clean and inviting!

Good luck with it all

[Eman1482]

@Elizabeth1838 

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for your valuable feedback! I'll definitely take your suggestions into consideration.

Regarding the rugs, I'll see if removing them would make the space feel more open. And I'll look into using white cotton sheets to create a fresh and inviting atmosphere.

Thank you again for your help!

[Quincy]

Hi @Elizabeth1837, I went ahead and edited your comment to tag Eman. To tag someone in the future, just type "@" and choose their username from the list that appears. This will make sure they get a notification.

Thank you for sharing these great tips! Getting an outside perspective is always so helpful for finding ways to improve. I especially appreciate the advice about the toilet seat—it's the little details that really make a difference.

By the way, have you ever used a professional photographer for your property? We’d love to hear any insights you have on that.

[Elyce1]

@Eman1482 I suggest some staging. Roll some big fluffy towels for bathroom, provide shampoo, cream rinse and body wash. Put a bright teapot on the stove and a few tea towels, probably the bright yellow. I also provide a coffee machine and coffee. I set my photos up as if someone was preparing tea, etc. so the guest can imagine they are there enjoying your beautiful place. You can also put fresh flowers in a vase.

[Elyce1]

@Eman1482 Also, between guests be sure it is spotless. People shed a shocking amount of hair. It sticks everywhere. I vacuum first everything, then clean, then vacuum. A random hair is just off putting for me.

[Eman1482]

@Elyce1 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful suggestions, I appreciate your input and are committed to providing an exceptional experience for my guests.

[Federico705]

Hello @Eman1482 ,

I have read all the previous advises, and they are all spot on.  Quality of images is always the number one thing.   The rest, focus on the details, small details make the difference on cleaning, always try to double-check cleaners do a great work, sometimes they are in a hurry and may cut corners to go the next unit and at the end, you are stock with the guest evaluating.  I always do my best inspecting after cleaners depart.  All towels set properly, soaps, welcome note, or sign, etc.  It's all about details, customer service and consistency.  Make a check-list with all key things for either you or cleaning team to do.  Ensure great communication with guests.  I know some people do not like to be disturbed, but I still try to politely ask if they need anything to please do not hesitate to contact me.   

Best wishes!  Hope one day to come to your area.

[Quincy]

Hi @Federico705,

Thank you for sharing all your helpful tips! Guests do rely heavily on photographs when making their decision to book.

I wanted to get your opinion on one thing: do you think it’s worth investing in a professional photographer?

[Eman1482]

@Federico705 

Thank you for your helpful advice. I'm grateful for your support and dedication to providing exceptional hospitality.

"Egypt is waiting for you! You'll be amazed by the vibrant culture, ancient history, and warm hospitality of the Egyptian people. Florida may have its beaches, but Egypt has the pyramids! Come experience the difference."

[Dimitrios115 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Eman1482 , well done for the nice setting of your listing and keep up the good work. Your space looks cozy!

I have read most of the previous comments and I agree and think that they are to the point. The images play a key role to represent your space on the best possible and accurate way and to attract guests.

A professional photography session might be a key for every listing.

If you prefer to do the job with using own photos, I share with you some additional comments:

landscape format as mentioned. try to have a vertical perspective on the photos (having the wall and furniture lines straight on the vertical axis). natural light is important during the moments when capturing, to make the space feel more welcoming and bigger, so perhaps you could try to open the curtains when you photoshoot to get the natural light and compensate with the artificial lights (as needed), in order to give a more pleasant and cozy atmosphere. You have an abundance of light in Cairo and I think that all the lights switched on are not necessary if you open the curtains. Having the towels placed on carefully arranged bedsheets is always a very welcoming and warm picture. Open cupboards are not necessary for the photography.

Try making a careful selection of the five photos which will fully represent all of the listing spaces, promoting simultaneously your best pictures. The first photo is crucial

Furthermore, you can always ameliorate your description texts. I wish to highlight a specific aspect. Setting your listing rules is your field and you are absolutely right to do it. But when you set a limit regarding the electricity and internet consumption expressed in Egyptian pounds this might stress possible guests. For instance 200 Egyptian pounds equals to 4.13 USD which in other markets might not be necessary for the daily electricity consumption needed and in others pretty much. Probably try to express this limit related to your nightly price set, in electricity consumption (KW/h) to make it clearer and avoid losing possible guests, or try to communicate the current electricity prices in the Egyptian market (many guests need and want to use the air-condition all day/night long when visiting hot climates like Egypt and Greece during the summer), or examine the possibility of increasing simultaneously -if necessary- your nightly rate and electricity consumption limit. 

Many guests are also attracted by unlimited internet when visiting for work or leisure.

Regarding the last sentence of the description, it could change to "And for the single guests, it is forbidden to visit or host persons who are not related to them.", to include women that might visit Cairo alone.

Regarding the space arrangement, as mentioned by other community member it could be possibly wise to leave more space between the wall and the dinning table to allow sitting, or even take away the second sofa (looking on the back of the other sofa) that might be not needed, in order for you to free up some space to make the living room feel even more spacious. Then you could probably fit the dinning table comfortably and close enough to the kitchen.

Keep up the good work and wish you a great and lucky journey through the hosting experience!

Kind regards,

Dimitris

[Eman1482]

Hello @Dimitrios115 ,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback on my listing. Your insights are invaluable, and I appreciate you taking the time to share them. I'm excited to implement your suggestions once the property becomes available. I'll definitely focus on improving the photo quality, rearranging the furniture for more space, and clarifying the electricity and internet usage policies. Your advice about addressing the single-guest policy is also very helpful. Thank you again for your support and guidance. I look forward to making the necessary improvements and providing an even better experience for my guests.

Best regards,
Eman1482

[Polly164]

Excellent advice. I do not have anything to add, but that I agree. Photos matter so much, and can really make or break a listing.