Tiny dry cabin in Alaska- Price / Value, keep the guests, safe, quality, profitable--balance.

[Joe-and-Julie1]

I am in the process of finishing the construction on a very small dry cabin- no electricity. (No running water, and a quaint private out house for guest to use as their restroom.) 

I would like to offer the real Alaska experience to the guests.  Wood stove for heat,  likely sleeping bag for the bed. single occupancy best, but will sleep two provided they want to snuggle each other in one bed.  It will have a fire pit etc....We are located about 7 miles outside of a small town on a  working flower farm,- 40 acres, private hiking / Mt bike trails and  next to the "moose range" where there are thousands of acres of wilderness access. 

1st- Is this degree of roughing it acceptable with AirBNB, perhaps more of a "glamping" site would be more appropriate for marketing, listings? ( I realize the guests may not know how to build a fire to use the wood stove and also may be foolish enough get themselves burned on the stove or cut / chop off a finger splitting wood etc. so the liability is a concern.)

2nd- Pricing--- I would like to generate an income, and be affordable and provide value to the guests, and  I also do not want to attract the wrong type of guests by being too inexpensive---  I welcome feed back on how to find balance- or bail out while I can. 

Joe,  South Central Alaska

[Karen4131]

Hi Joe-and-Julie1

 

 

I'm from from Denmark but currently reside in Sweden, where nature is much grander. Here in Scandinavia, there's a massive trend towards back-to-nature accommodations in various forms. The urban dweller from the west, often overworked, is greatly drawn to reconnecting with "earth, fire, water, and air" .... There certainly seems to be significant business potential in Alaska, so I believe you're onto something.

Regarding the competence of guests to "fend for themselves" with activities like cooking over a campfire, you might consider offering mini introductory courses to ensure they are up-and-running. From an insurance standpoint, it would be wise to stipulate in Airbnb's safety section that utilizing uncertain elements is done at one's own risk.

(I have a house by a lake with a hot tub, and I was unsure about the legal ramifications of recommending the place to children in case of an accident; Airbnb suggested I absolve myself of responsibility in the safety section).

You also touch on the issue of pricing too low and attracting the wrong crowd. You always have the option to review their feedback from previous stays under a booking. If you choose Instant Book, you can set conditions such that guests must have identified themselves on Airbnb, have a profile picture, and have good reviews. This provides some level of security.

These are my initial thoughts. I look forward to seeing your place on Airbnb when you list it.

Best regards, Karen

[Karen4131]

Hello @Joe-and-Julie1 I realized that I didn't address you directly in my previous message. Hence, this brief note, especially since your post is already a month old.

-Karen 🙂

[Joe-and-Julie1]

Hi, Thank you for your reply...  for a tiny cabin, is AirBnB the right place to even consider?  It has wonderful nature, but not the luxury things at all.

[Karen4131]

@Joe-and-Julie1 

Yes, for sure.. Airbnb har thousands og tiny cabins, glamping tents, yurts and so on. I think it is right here you get the "audience" 🙂 

Look at these: 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/37701701

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17245169

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/912148015931982072

 Og just look under the off grid category 🙂

And here is a discussion from the Airbnb Community: https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help-with-your-business/Hosts-with-vacation-cabins-and-off-grid-...

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Joe-and-Julie1 There is definitely a market for the type of place you describe. BUT you are right that guests might have too high an expectation of comfort. So what I would do is whenever you get a booking immediately send a message explaining exactly how basic the place is (and why) and asking them to either confirm this is what they are looking for or to cancel free of penalty. That way you should wheedle out the comfort types (like me!)

On pricing I have no idea I am afraid.

[Joe-and-Julie1]

Very good suggestion. Follow up with more details and opportunity to back out without penalty.  We have a few weeks until the snow will be gone, I will have it finished and get pictures and a listing up then.