Critique My Listing – Paras | Rishikesh, India

[Paras45]

Hey everyone! 👋

(Note suggestions are welcomed from everyone) 

I recently listed my homestay, Shankar Bhawan Rooms, in Rishikesh, and I'd love some feedback from experienced hosts. My goal is to maximize bookings, enhance the guest experience, and make my listing stand out.

About My Stay:

🏡 Located in the heart of Rishikesh, near Triveni Ghat (where the main Ganga Aarti happens).
🚶‍♂️ Just 2 minutes from the main road—not inside narrow lanes.
🛏️ Clean, cozy, and well-maintained rooms with comfortable bedding.
🌿 Peaceful yet central, making it perfect for both travelers and spiritual seekers.
🍽️ We offer fresh, best quality food (pre-ordered) through a trusted vendor.
🛵 Scooty rentals, rafting, and yoga sessions available.

What I’d Love Feedback On:

✔️ Listing Photos – Do they look inviting? Any suggestions for improvement?
✔️ Pricing & Value – Does my pricing seem competitive? Should I offer any additional perks?
✔️ Description & Amenities – Is my listing clear, engaging, and informative enough?
✔️ First Impressions – What’s your overall take on my listing? 

& Most importantly - Would you stay ?? 

I’d really appreciate any suggestions to boost bookings and guest experience. Thanks in advance for your time and insights! 😊

Here’s my listing link: airbnb.co.in/h/shankar-bhawan 

(Please copy & paste the URL if it doesn't redirects)

Our stay also features a in-house temple, creating a peaceful and positive atmosphere. While we don’t actively promote it, guests are welcome to experience the serene space at their own comfort.

Best,
Paras

[Rebecca]

Hello @Paras45 

Congratulations and a huge welcome to the Community Center! 

I'm going to tag some hosts here who may be able to take a look at your listing and see if they can spot anything that could be improved: @Dee32, @Jamie600 and @Laëtitia-Stephy0 - you've shared some feedback on listings previously; can you offer some support/advice/tips? 

Thank you so much in advance. 

[Paras45]

Hey Rebecca,

Thanks for the warm welcome and the shout-out once again! I truly appreciate the support and would love to get some feedback from you as well. Over the past few days, I’ve been making daily upgrades to enhance guest comfort—adding extra slippers, additional dustbin, cushions, a mattress topper, an automatic air freshener, a first-aid kit, and even a small book collection.

The toughest (but most exciting) upgrade was curating a brand-new food menu—but I finally made it happen! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how these improvements might enhance the guest experience and if there’s anything else I should consider.

@Dee32, @Jamie600, and @Laëtitia-Stephy0 – I’d also be grateful for any insights you may have! Every bit of feedback helps me refine my listing and create a more welcoming stay at Shankar Bhawan in Rishikesh.

Looking forward to your thoughts & tips!

[Jamie600]

Hi @Paras45 , The listing is a gem! The photos are beautifully captured, with excellent lighting btw that highlights the space's warmth and charm. Every detail looks thoughtfully arranged. You have created an inviting and comfy atmosphere. The cleanliness definitely stands out. From the cozy furnishings to the well-lit ambiance, everything looks absolutely perfect. A wonderful space that exudes comfort and style—luv it! 
kindest regards,

Jamie

[Paras45]

Hey @Jamie600 ,

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words! 😊

Your appreciation truly means a lot. We’ve put a lot of thought into creating a warm, inviting, and comfortable space for our guests, and it’s amazing to hear that it shines through in the photos. We also take great pride in maintaining top-notch cleanliness, so your recognition of that really makes our day!

Your support and encouragement mean everything—hope to host you someday! 💙✨

[Rebecca]

Thank you so much for stopping by @Jamie600 - I agree it looks really inviting and co-ordinated! 

Did you spot the little phone holder too? 😍

[Mia1090]

Hello @Paras45! 👋🏻

Your homestay sounds like a wonderful place for travelers!

Here are some personal suggestions that might help make your listing stand out:

* Consider hiring a professional photographer or taking photos in landscape mode with natural lighting. Capture different angles of each room to better showcase the space.

* Add pictures of nearby landmarks and attractions to emphasize your prime location.
* Include more details in the listing description about what guests can access, such as high-speed WiFi, free Netflix/streaming services, hot water, etc.
* Mention how far your stay is from key landmarks or how many minutes' walk it is to the nearest bus/train station.
* Share local tips or experiences you recommend, like the best cafes, hidden gems, and sunrise spots.
* Use SEO-friendly keywords in your descriptions and title, such as “peaceful retreat,” “near Ganga Aarti,” or “ideal for yoga & meditation.”
* Keep your pricing competitive by checking nearby listings, and consider offering a customized discount, trip-length discounts, last-minute, or early bird discounts.

Your listing has great potential, and I hope these suggestions help! Wishing you lots of bookings! 😊🏡✨

[Rebecca]

These are some really lovely points @Mia1090 😊 

@Peter4167 also mentioned about the local landmark photographs. I like your point about the photographs - is there a reason that landscape photos work best? 

[Paras45]

Done!

Based on your suggestions, I’ve tweaked my description accordingly. While I'm still figuring out SEO, I’ve tried to incorporate some keywords and improved details as you recommended. Thanks for the helpful insights — really appreciate your time and tips!😊🏡✨

[Ivan2229]

@Paras45 I think it looks good, but since it is a small room with high white walls, maybe we could add a colorful canvas to make it pop more.

see my listing here to get an idea https://airbnb.com/h/inlasvegas

[Rebecca]

@Ivan2229 - your 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign with the lights around it is so iconic! I love it! 

@Paras45 - what about adding some art to the walls - perhaps some from local photographers or artists? 

[Paras45]

Thank you for the suggestion! 😊 It's actually a work in progress, and I'm still figuring out what would suit the space best — a colorful canvas sounds like a great idea! I'm just a bit confused about what to pick.

By the way, I checked out your place — it's absolutely beautiful! ❤️

[Peter4167]

Thank you, @Paras45 .

Very crisp, clean presentation.

A few more photos featuring the outdoors (e.g. a photogenic tree, a sweeping river, a majestic  mountain...) might help.

Well done and good luck to you.

Peter

Sperryville, Virginia

[Rebecca]

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts @Peter4167. Do you find that having photos of the surrounding area help set the scene for visitors? How many would you recommend that @Paras45 adds? 

[Karen114]

@Paras45  Lovely Space!  As others have mentioned you should have pro pics. Include pics of the common areas of the home as well as pics of the surrounding area attractions.  

Who visits Shanker Bhawan?  Speak to them in your description.  Talk about the scooters and short walks.  

Use your headline to mention what may not be obvious at first glance of your listing.

Free wifi  Short walk to shops Mountain Views  Free Parking.  You have 50 charachters so use them to put the best bullet points.

Use Chat GPT to speak to your ideal guest.  Who are they, couples, business travelers, college students?  Once you kow who your ideal guest is, it makes it easier to attract them.

Best of Luck your doing great!