Critique My Listing - Rosalie, Hocking Hills, OH

[Rosalie93]

Hi there,

I started hosting my beautiful Hocking HIlls cabin September 1, 2023.  My listing is www.airbnb.com/h/hockinghillscabinrental. Hocking Hills is a beautiful region of southeastern Ohio known for its stunning scenery, hiking trails, waterfalls, and rock formations. Forbes added it to their Best Places to Travel in the World List and Travel Lens ranked Hocking Hills the fourth most beautiful state park in the USA. It is a prime location to connect with nature and build lifelong memories. I was hoping my listing link would be catchy as the area is the Hocking Hills, but my cabin is located in Rockbridge, which isn't really searched for when renting a cabin here. It is very close to hiking, lakes, zip lining and more.

My Questions are:

What do you think of the listing overall? How about the pictures? Do you get a clear understanding of the layout? What can I add or edit to  any part of the listing that will help?

Additionally, I have 4 private bedrooms and an open loft with 4 twin beds. How should I advertise this listing? 4 or 5 Bedroom? My listing says 4 private bedrooms with 1 open 4 twin loft but the number of rooms I first started the listing is stuck at 5 bedrooms. I just want to be transparent so no one is disappointed when they see the loft isn't private. I'm not sure how to get this to change as I've found where and clicked edit but the screen is blank.

The area rental market is mostly serving weekend nature enthusiasts and unfortunately is close to OSU, so weeding out people who want to use my cabin as a party pad has been challenging. I had to turn off instant booking which makes my listing suffer.  I am hoping to attract more mid-week stays with retreats or remote workers. I bought a desk and work chair and am trying to pick a spot to place it. 

Hoping for some advice on how to make the listing more appealing to the main market travelers, catering to families, remote workers, nature enthusiasts and retreats and want to deter party goers. Out of the 4 guests who've stayed. One thought this was a party house. Yikes, certainly not!

Thanks so much for help! As I grow as a host I hope to return the favor to others.

All the best,

Rosalie

[John7474 · Accepted solution]

@Rosalie93 

Hello Rosalie -

Wow! What a beautiful place you have! 

I know you are just getting started, but I think you will have years of success with your property! What a place! 

I have a few suggestions to maybe help with your listing:

-Personally, I would keep instant booking feature turned "off". It allows you to ask potential guest questions prior to booking. We don't allow instant booking and  I have a standard list of questions that I ask each guest prior to to allowing them to book.  By reading their responses and you can gather a lot of information as to if they are a good fit for your home.   This will also help ensure that your house won't be used as a party house. 

-Can you change your listing to house and not a cabin? It might draw a different crowd.  It's a house! And what a house it is! 

-Maybe change your title a bit.. "Luxurious Family Home - nestled in the countryside".  Maybe sell the comfort and country aspect.

-In you Listing Description - really focus on the comforts that this house offers.. "Surrounded by the countryside with all the comforts of the city" 

-In The Listing Description: Remember this section is like the first page to a book... 

I would remove the "new owner" (is there a reason for this?) And organizing it a bit differently.. Maybe start with "A luxurious family home.." "An upscale property", "A perfect year round family  home for reunions or the holidays".

You want something that really captures a potential guests attention and imagination! 

-In the "The Space" section  - you can really spell out what each room and  bedroom is all about. With the loft, just explain the situation.   You have done a good job of walking us through the levels of the house.  Just for formatting: instead of Upper Level, so sections stand out try, UPPER LEVEL

-Your photos are wonderful! Your opening picture is great! Wow!

-How is the WIFI?  If it's strong, add a section in "The Space" section... "A perfect spot for remote workers..strong fiber optic WIFI" 

Again, you have done a wonderful job!  Let me know if you have additional questions!

Best, 

John

[Rosalie93]

@John7474 ,

Thanks so much for your wise feedback. I agree about keeping the instant booking off  as well as implementing some guest questions. My initial thoughts on questions would be, 1) What brings you to Hocking Hills? 2) who is coming with you? What other questions should I ask to get a better picture? I also want to send the rental agreement that has my house rules and other important information via a message so that they can look through them again.

I like how you broke down each section  of the listing with great ideas for improvement. Thanks again for taking the time to review my listing.

All the best,

Rosalie 

[John7474]

@Rosalie93 

Hello Rosalie -

Thank you for your note and sharing some of your questions for potential guest... you are on the right track! 

(Important note: make sure you always use the Airbnb platform to ask questions to a potential guest and for their responses.  That way if there is ever an issue, you have a record of your conversation for the Airbnb Support Team).

These are my suggestions for additional questions for potential guests: (ask them one by one..) 

-Thank you so much for interest in our home! Just to make sure our house is the type of experience you are looking for, before we make a formal reservation, I'd like ask you a few questions.

-What is the purpose of your stay? Will you be on vacation or are you celebrating a special occasion?

-(if they are celebrating something.. ask for details.. "Is this going to be a large party, can you provide some details?  We want you to enjoy our home (and your wedding anniversary) , but in no way do we do not support our home being used as a "party house". 

-How many adults and children are planning to stay? What are the ages of the children? (children ages allow you to provide safety information )"There are sets of stairs... other things to be aware of...)

-Will you be working remotely from the house? If so, I want to make sure our WIFI can support you and other guests internet needs. I also want to give you suggestions of a good spot to set up a workspace. 

- I want to make sure, have you have had a chance to review our house rules, and will you abide by them?  

- Do you have questions about any of our house - pet - hot tub - sauna rules? 

- (I would list your strict house rules at the end of your "The Space" listing, so it is very clear of your zero tolerance party house policy :

"No events, parties or large gatherings - the house is intended for only registered guest use. Such an event is grounds for an un-refunded immediate departure"). 

- Please note...I just want to make sure you understand... We are very strict in terms of not hosting parties or large events at our home, as our house rules stipulate. This is not a house for hosting parties. 

(OR)

-If you are planning on having more guests or additional friends visit the house during your stay for an event or party, our place might not be the place to stay.  Our house is best suited for mature adults and small families. 

-(I am not sure if you allow pets, if you do, I would require a separate cleaning fee and would have additional rules and make them part of your house rules. "small dogs only.. pets not allowed on furniture or beds, pets must be crated at night". )   Be very detailed. 

-(Since you have a hot tub and sauna.  Personally I would have guests sign a waiver on arrival.  I would also have additional house rules including "No unaccompanied minors in the hot tub or sauna"). "For the safety and protection of our guests, we request that guest sign a hot tub and sauna waiver which includes the rules for use." 

-Do you have any other questions about how we run or maintain the house?

- What other questions can we answer about the house? 

Again, since you have concerns about your home being used for parties, I would be really clear and thorough upfront.  It will save you a lot of headaches.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Best,

John  

[Bhumika]

Hi @Rosalie93! Hope you are doing well. I see you have received some brilliant advice and suggestions from one of the most supportive and helpful Hosts @John7474. 

Have you made any changes to your listing or managed to update a few pictures as John suggested?

Hope everything is working out great for you! Keep us posted! 😍🌻

[Rosalie93]

Hi there, Bhumika

John provided some great ideas and I've already implemented a lot of them. Going to work on my listing this weekend. Thanks so much for checking in!

Rosalie

[Bhumika]

Lovely to hear back from you @Rosalie93 ! Keep in touch and all the very best for your journey as a Host. 😍

[Rosalie93]

Thanks so much for the sage advice @John7474 . I will implement these questions in order to ensure future guests and are a good fit for Rustic Ridge Lodge.

All the best,

Rosalie