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

[Paras45]

@John5097 also, like maybe you have doordash we have blinkit here that delivers basically anything listed, not just food within 10 min or less, so CCTV comes-in handy you can just get your parcels dropped off and make sure it's well placed and secured when your not around. ( comes handy when you, order cleaning supplies last minute it is literally less then 10 minutes so)

[Paras45]

@John5097 First of all, that's insane effort to share the pictures you find the best sir, thank you so very much - i am grateful that your literally providing me your first impressions thoughts and time which is one of the greatest gift of mankind, it means a lot that you cared again to reply despite already being really helpful already! Thank you sir for your kindness!! 🙂 

I did tweaked my description and tried removing the quirky bits, as for the pictures i always edit out my listings and rarely i did browse from mobile but most users are believe use the UI of phone - so while i was refining the pictures and layout for the bigger screens this was extremely helped i did rearrange the image flow. (have also added a better view of the sofa bed - but since i used kids bedding i added the image in the additional pictures section & along with some toys & books i got just for the listing  - removed some duplicates hopefully and re-organized the pictures for mobile viewing - attached the laptop view)

Yes the first 5 give the whole layout actually it was divided previously the space as a bedroom & then living room - by AIRBNB when i first uploaded but guest thought that we had 2 rooms so i just combined them all now i have refined the flow i believe i have not touched the first 5 as they show pretty good for now of the room layout, and i have added few location landmarks and maps as suggested to me in the additional pictures section and tweaked the description, was wondering to tweak the title but i am not sure if i should add extra fluff a guest who recently stayed asked me that i should add peaceful to the title as he did find the stay central yet quiet and positive. Also again thank you for the compliment!

Yes- i have added some things while constantly improvising as photos matter lately i have added exterior - entrance-neighbourhood ( as i am aware of location but based on my most FAQ on enquiries aka guest POV i have mapped and added the details so you can have a clear picture of the location and the ambience) , another issue is if i delete some pics i feel the laptop view some how gets messed up (the collage- lol) 

New listing- ticking off all goals - seems like an amazing plan sir!! Kudos!! 
You are great mentor while reviewing or writing you should definitely sum up your airbnb journey with the perfect score- it's a great great streak of reviews - i would love to read more on the experience.
Sure thing sir- always welcome.

P.S. Also for the artwork i have found some inspo from pin-interest it's a wavy horizontal mirror with backlit, not only it adds to the art work but mirrors are great for small spaces to make them feel more bright & lit and functionality as selfies or a quick fit-check ( it's WIP )

[John5097]

@Paras45 

I enjoy looking over listings and everything I do is a deep dive into details. 

About the CCTV, I was just thinking maybe add "exterior" to brief description in the listing just to help convey to guest they aren't in their private area. I realize it's just for security and exact location is really well detailed in the security section but most guest may not read that. No biggie. 

Once again I think your listing looks really great. It was a challenge to find any way to improve what you have done already, and would be careful not to disrupt the flow as I think guest would have a very good idea of exactly what to expect and would very much trust you. I do have amazing review score 480 with all 5 stars but your guest like you a lot more by a long shot, I've never read guest say such kind complements to any other host as much as your guest say about you and I've read a lot of listings. 

I hope to visit India. The only thing giving me pause is it's already so hot where I live now. Yesterday it was 101 degrees and 100% humidity for heat index of 115.  I want to go some place cold, raining and foggy every day of the year! But still think I have to visit at least of the food and nature! 😊

[Paras45]

@John5097 

Thank you so much for your kind words, truly means a lot, especially from someone with 480+ all five-star reviews! (Elite status- perfect responses read the bread crumbs post too)

That’s seriously impressive.

Also, really appreciate your thoughtful suggestion about adding "exterior CCTV", you’re right, not everyone reads the fine print, and a small change like that in the main description helps set expectations instantly. I have updated that plus food + parking arrangement.

And I have to say, when you mentioned 101°F with 100% humidity, I actually Googled Charleston’s weather to understand what that really feels like. Turns out that’s around 38°C here, but with that kind of humidity, the feels-like temperature would be over 46°C. No wonder one would want fog, cold, and rain.

What’s interesting is, Rishikesh actually has dramatic seasonal shifts, unlike Charleston’s mostly humid subtropical vibe.

Here, we experience all four seasons:

• Summers (April to early June) are hot, with temps around 36–45°C, but it's mostly dry heat, not that coastal stickiness.
• Monsoon has just started now (late June to August), bringing cloudy skies, fresh mountain air, and regular rainfall but yes humid at times.
• Winter (Dec to Feb) gets surprisingly chilly, with temperatures dropping to around 6–8°C at night, sometimes even lower. It doesn’t snow, but it feels wintry with foggy mornings, cozy blankets, and steaming chai.
• And spring/autumn are absolutely perfect, breezy, clear, and pleasant.

June and July are our most humid months, but even then, it’s a very different kind of humidity than what you’d experience in the American South, more “misty hillside” if that makes sense.

So yes we have our weather sorted - with seasonal cloths shifts lol - as we don’t rely on mandatory internal heating systems here we experience  actual weather moods, cold mornings, foggy days, monsoon skies - so Rishikesh might check all your boxes.

And again, thank you-  not just for the compliments, but for noticing the small things that most people skip over. That kind of feedback is gold, sir.  @John5097 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Paras45 , looks like there's some confusion! I can indeed see your response to @John5097 . Can you see your response now?

[Paras45]

@Bhumika Yes i can now, thanks for confirming mam it was not visible to me before but - it is very well now 🙂

[Paras45]

I did replied to this ? @John5097 is my tag or response showing up on notifications sir ?