New to the Community Center? Introduce yourself here ‌👇

[Elisa]

Hello everyone! 😊

Welcome to the Community Center! 👋  I'm @Elisa , one of the Community Managers for our English Community Center along with my lovely team members @Quincy @Paula @Rebecca @Bhumika @Alex @Emilie and we are thrilled to have you join us.

Let's kickstart this thread with a little about us Community Managers:

@Quincy : I'm from the Netherlands 🇳🇱 I have been on the Community Center for 7+ years, and have been an Airbnb Host myself. I love cycling🚲, playing football⚽, and travelling🌏 . I love how dynamic and diverse the Community Center is as we meet Hosts from all around the globe. 

@Bhumika :  🌍 I was born in Gujarat, India 🇮🇳 , and shifted to Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦 last year! 📷 I recently realized my love for photography and aesthetics. I love to capture mundane life and candid pictures. 🌆 When I'm not working, you'll find me binge-watching thriller movies or exploring history.

@Paula : I am from Colombia 🇨🇴 and currently living in British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦. I have a passion for Latin American culture (I love to dance 💃) . I've had the opportunity to visit around 20 countries 🌎 and plan to visit many more. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities, especially mountain biking 🚲 and hiking 🏔.

@Rebecca : I'm from Cardiff in Wales originally but being a military child and a veterans spouse, I've travelled and lived in a lot of different places in the UK and Europe. I'm an environmentalist 🌿 and like to minimise my impact on the planet 🌎 as well as volunteering in my local community.  I love sea swimming 🌊 yoga on the beach 🧘‍ and I'm a children's yoga instructor too! 🙌 

@Elisa : I was born in Italy 🇮🇹 and as a lover of unique experiences—from exploring the streets of Rome🇮🇹 , Paris 🇫🇷, and Toronto 🇨🇦 to appreciating timeless art and cuisine—I'm here to blend the old with the new. 

@Alex : I'm originally from Spain 🇪🇸, but my passion for traveling made me move to Toronto🇨🇦 this year to explore the culture and add another unforgettable experience to my journey ✈️. I'm also passionate about all kinds of sports ⚽️ (especially football, in which I played at a semi-professional level) and love to discover new dishes everywhere I go. 🥘

@Emilie : I was born in France 🇫🇷, raised in French Polynesia 🌺 and Morocco 🇲🇦, and have settled in the UK for 14 years now! On evenings and weekends, you will find me spending time with my dog, working on a jigsaw, or trying my hand at some new cuisine. 🍲

Now it's your turn! Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? And is there something special about the location of your accommodation that you'd like to share?

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Warm regards🌻,

Elisa

[Paras45]

Namaste! I’m Paras – Your Host at Shankar Bhawan Stay | Rishikesh 🙏

Welcome to Shankar Bhawan Rooms, a place that’s not just a stay but a heartfelt experience crafted with love, warmth, and the blessings of Lord Shiva.

I’ve poured my heart into creating a clean, comfortable, and serene space where every guest feels at home. Unlike typical accommodations, my goal is not just to offer a room but to ensure you experience Rishikesh in its most authentic and peaceful form.

From thoughtfully curated amenities to local guidance, I’m here to make your stay seamless and memorable. Whether you’re here for spirituality, adventure, or relaxation, I’d love to help you make the most of your journey.

If you ever need anything – recommendations, assistance, or even just a friendly chat – feel free to reach out. Looking forward to hosting you! 😊

[Bhumika]

Hi @Paras45 , thank you so much for introducing us to Shankar Bhawan Stay and the heartfelt experiences you provide for your guests. 

As you continue to host guests seeking spirituality and adventure, what specific activities or experiences do you recommend for those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture of Rishikesh?

[Paras45]

Hey there! 😊

I’m just starting out, and my listing is yet to go live, but I’ve been born and brought up in Rishikesh, and I absolutely love my city! One thing I can say for sure—you don’t need an itinerary to fall in love with this place.

For me, a simple evening stroll along Marine Drive, the Ganga, and Triveni Ghat is unmatched. I do it almost every day, and yet, it never gets old. The serene views, the sound of the river—it just captures your heart.

For adventure seekers, river rafting is an absolute must! It’s thrilling, super affordable, and gives you a whole new perspective of Rishikesh. And, of course, you can’t miss exploring our iconic suspension bridges—Laxman Jhula & Ram Jhula.

If you're up for a bit of nature, I highly recommend visiting Neer Waterfall & Patna Waterfall—hidden gems that make for the perfect escape. And for those seeking a spiritual connection, Rishikesh is home to many beautiful temples, including one in my own home, dedicated to Lord Shiva – भूमेश्वर महादेव.

There’s so much to experience here, whether you’re looking for peace, adventure, or just a moment to breathe. And that’s the beauty of Rishikesh—you don’t need to plan; just step outside, and the city will take care of the rest. ❤️

[Bhumika]

Thank you so much @Paras45 ! These are brilliant recommendations. If I visit India  next year, I'll be sure to add Rishikesh to my travel list 😊

One thing I can say is your passion for the city truly shines through in your description 😍 

Given all the amazing experiences you've shared, what unique touches or local insights do you plan to include in your Airbnb listing to help guests fully appreciate the beauty of Rishikesh? Are you also planning to add a guidebook for guests?

[Paras45]

Yes, Rishikesh is a renowned travel destination, attracting spiritual seekers, adventure enthusiasts, and nature lovers from around the world.

Having grown up in this vibrant city, I’ve witnessed its beauty firsthand—whether it’s the serene Ganga Aarti, peaceful nature trails, or the exhilarating experience of river rafting. The crowd here can get overwhelming at times, so I’m trying to curate a guidebook (WIP) to help guests discover things, and the best local food spots. 🏡✨

At Shankar Bhawan – the best stay in Rishikesh (Manifesting), I aim to offer a cozy, comfortable, and centrally located Airbnb stay, ensuring you experience the perfect Stay. I’d love for you to check out my listing and share any insights on how I can enhance the experience further. Your feedback would mean a lot! 😊🙏

[Bhumika]

That's a great idea regarding the guidebook @Paras45 ! 

What specific aspects of your listing are you looking to improve or get feedback on? 🏡✨ I'd highly recommend you to 👉ask for listing critique on the Community Center👈 

You can do so by 👉starting a new conversation👈 and post the topic as "Critique my listing,Paras" . It will help our experienced hosts to notice your listing and suggest feedback.

Looking forward to your discussion with other hosts!

All the best,

Bhumika

[Paras45]

😊

That’s a great suggestion! I’ll definitely post a listing critique on the Community Center to get feedback from experienced hosts.

Right now, I’m focusing on improving guest experience, listing clarity, and optimizing bookings. If you have any quick tips, I’d love to hear them!

Also, do hosts around India actively share their experiences and pictures with each other? I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything, so just wondering how others navigate it. 😅

Looking forward to learning more. Thanks for your support! 

[Bhumika]

That looks like a great plan and focus points for your listing. I noticed your listing pictures on the other post and it looks absolutely gorgeous! I am sure other hosts will be able to share more advice and suggestions.

 @Paras45 , we have many hosts in our CC from India who requested critique listings, share their guest experiences and received amazing advice from hosts coming from different parts of the world 🌻  (since we are a global community).

I understand being a new host, things can be a bit overwhelming! However, please feel free to share your experiences and ask questions in the community. Our host community is here to support you through your hosting journey! 🌟

Best wishes,

Bhumika

[Paras45]

Thank you so much, Bhumika! 😊

I truly appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Hosting is definitely a new journey for me, and I’m excited to learn and improve along the way.

I’ve received several inquiries so far, mostly from Indian travelers, but I want to emphasize that Shankar Bhawan is open to everyone—travelers from all backgrounds and nationalities are welcome! Since Rishikesh is a well-known tourist destination, I don’t want to restrict my listing with unnecessary filters.

I understand that on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, it’s already a given that all guests are welcome, so I don’t need to do anything extra for that-- Right ?

 My goal is to create a warm and inclusive space where every traveler feels at home.

Looking forward to learning from this amazing community! 🌟

[Bhumika]

Hi @Paras45 , that's correct, depending on what the guests wish to view and their location, listings come up in their search. 

You might want to refer to this article to get a better idea on 👉How search results work 👈

Please feel free to tag me by typing @ before my name. It will ensure I receive a notification of your comment. Else I might miss it 😝 

Regards,

[Paras45]

Hi @Bhumika ,

Thanks for sharing this! That article looks helpful—I’ll definitely check it out. 😊 Appreciate the tip about tagging as well! 

Let me know if I’m missing out on anything here. Would love to understand this better!

[Bhumika]

@Paras45 Have you fully set up your listing and updated calendar settings as well?

Are there any further hosting related questions other than critique listing that you're really curious about? If so, I'd suggest them to continue asking them by starting a new conversation!

[Paras45]

Just did! 😅

[Idan307]

Hello everyone!

My name is Idan, I am from Israel and have opened a community center that offers everyone a warm, welcoming place to stay and relax.

We offer a mix of financial and spiritual meetups and services

Looking forward to start a community center in our area and help other hosts improve the services they provide by collaborating and improving on our selfless being as a community.

Let your light shine on ! )

[Bhumika]

Hi @Idan307 , welcome to the community! It sounds like you have created a wonderful space for people to connect and grow together.

How did you come up with the idea of hosting financial and spiritual meetups for guests?