Hi @Clive33,
we met on another thread, but here you write a bit more what angered you, so I had another look at your listing and your texts. I have an idea or two, why you attracted this type of guest and how to limit it.
Your listing is a mixture of great comfort (the private bathroom, the beautiful bed) and austerity. There is not much in it, that says Loving or Caring. Personally, I would not only add the one chair someone asked for, but two and a small table, maybe a foldable one on the wall. Plus a lot of shelves in room and bathroom, hooks, a long exension cord and a few things, that are not essential, but say "Welcome! I thought you might need that too, you might want to look at that". Give it a friendlier look, to have friendlier people.
Second problem is that you do not exist. Your whole listing text avoids the word I (or we) You write it in abstraction of your person or your couple, so you devaluate your role. The last straw is the house rule. The only houserule but for the checkbox rules: "Flexible household to suit traveller" That says its a household, an abstract entity, not the home of real people, and the ultimate aim is to bend over without a limit, to suit travellers.
You need to set your priorities differently. First of all, you are people, a couple of persons, and that is your home, where you live. With a small second purpose, to welcome (nice) guests. And (if they are nice) you could be a bit flexible, but don't say so, as they will take more than you offer anyway.
Rewrite the text in using I and We to make clear, that you are there. You need to send the signal, that you estimate yourself worthy of being mentioned, to make sure guests estimate you too.
You need to be proud of your home and of your efforts, that you made to welcome your guests in that nice suite.
You have those assets, that it is a dedicated space, perfect like a very good hotel room and private - more private than a hotel would be. The listing shows that and not much more, so you get the hotel guests.
You have other assets: The garden and veranda space you mention, but I did not see a photo of it. Another asset would be, that you are around, with all your experience and your dedication to this adventure, which could make the stay much better than any hotel stay and much more personal. You do not communicate that at all, it's a bit visible in the reviews.
Your pictures are your first filter. Add a few caring touches, pictures of a sitting place, maybe in the garden, flowers, a rug or a plaid for chilly evenings, a welcome drink. A map of the region and some travel brochures, even strawn out on the bed. Imagine what kind of guests you would like to have and stage a few photos for those.
- An exemple: I take photos before I travel, as the apartment is clean and the bird packed in cage and travel bag. Last minute photos means some things are always forgotten and you see them when it's too late. So I had often the parrot's travel snack, a few fresh fruits in the pictures. Which got me an over the average ratio of vegetarian and organic food loving guests. Those are nice guests and know what organic fruits cost. So I deliberately target them with more photos and descriptions. I guess I'm down to 10 percent snack food eating budget guests now, over half on one or the other healthy diet, which suits me very well.
You can avoid the kind of guests that made you suffer, not 100 %, but most of them.
The description helps you to get the guests to book, that you attracted with the pictures. It's another important filter too.
Write something, that puts the guest in the place but says that you are there too. Sentences like "We adore to watch the sunset from the open door (if it's visible)/ we like the evening light, that transforms the garden into a magic place" - you get the ide: You are there + you give a special appreciation to a feature of the place + the place has something unique.
Last not least: the houserules are there to set limits to your generosity. You run a well ordered ship and the captain says: No xxxx! Paradoxically, "No to absurdity 1 to 3 " is very reassuring to guests you want to attract and who would not think of committing absurdity 1 to 3 in the first place.
Good luck!