New Listing: Looking for Advice on Attracting Dog-Loving Guests to Our Unique Airbnb Next to Our Dog Hotel

[Darren505]

Hi everyone,

We’re brand new to Airbnb and our listing (a beautiful 3-bedroom property in Surrey) is going live today — so I wanted to reach out to the community for advice and inspiration as we take this first step.

We’re a dog-loving family and run an upmarket dog hotel next door to our Airbnb. It’s a high-quality, enrichment-focused service, so our canine guests are happy and calm — especially at night, when it’s peaceful. That said, during the daytime, it’s definitely noticeable that there are dogs nearby.

We know that this won’t be a downside for everyone — in fact, we believe this setup could be a real positive for fellow dog lovers. It’s one of the reasons we’ve designed the home and garden with dog-owning guests in mind, offering dog-friendly areas alongside pristine lawn space and a secure, private setting.

Our thinking is that positioning ourselves clearly for the dog-owning niche could be a great strategy — particularly in Surrey, where there are plenty of beautiful homes, but fewer high-quality options that are both stylish and dog-friendly.

So I’d love to ask the community:

🔹What are your best tips for making our listing as attractive as possible to dog owners?
🔹Are there any Airbnb settings, tags, or features we should make sure we’re using to reach the right guests?
🔹How have you successfully positioned your space toward a niche audience — whether dog lovers or something else?

We’d also love advice on how to present the presence of dogs nearby in a way that’s transparent but warm and positive — especially as we begin collecting those all-important first reviews.

Any insights, experiences, or suggestions would be truly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance for your support — we're excited to be part of this community!

[Oksana127]

Your approach of targeting dog-owning guests  is a great strategy! Here are some tailored suggestions to make your listing as attractive as possible (how i would do it if this were my listing):

Optimizing Your Listing for Dog Owners

Use Clear & Positive Messaging

Highlight the dog-friendly design of the home and garden.

Mention the secure and private setting, ideal for dogs.

Describe your upmarket dog hotel as a unique benefit, ensuring guests that dogs nearby are well-behaved and cared for.

Key Airbnb Features & Tags

Ensure "Pets Allowed" is enabled in your listing settings.

Use keywords like “luxury dog-friendly stay” or “dog-friendly with private garden” in your title & description.

Add high-quality photos showing dog-friendly spaces (e.g., water bowls, outdoor areas).

Setting Expectations Transparently & Positively

Instead of just saying, "Dogs are nearby," frame it as:
"Next door, we run a high-quality dog hotel. Our canine guests enjoy enrichment activities and peaceful nights, so while you may notice them during the day, they are happy and well-cared for."

Let guests know their own dogs will be welcomed with open arms!

Creating a Unique Selling Point

Offer dog-friendly amenities: beds, bowls, treats, or even a mini welcome pack.

Partner with local pet-friendly businesses, like groomers or pet-friendly cafés, and provide a guide.

First Reviews Matter!

Your first guests will set the tone, so consider offering a small discount or extra perks in exchange for detailed, positive feedback.

Would love to hear how it goes—your concept has huge potential!

[Marie8425]

@Darren505 

Congratulations!  How cool I love my dogs. Haha

First we need to think why will people visit with their dog?  Yes our dogs are family but honestly too can we find a safe dog sitter that doesn't cost more than my vacation? lol

So your market is families within driving distance.  Driving distance is relative to priorities for Guests I have many that drive over 12 hours.

I am sure your an encyclopedia of dog fun inn your community  Airbnb Guidebooks, restaurants parks doggy ice cream.  Tell me.  Too generate some General Internet Search Traffic that does read the Airbnb website sprinkle your "Keywords" in the Guidebooks  Doggy Ice Cream only a 20 minute drive from your beautiful family rented retreat.

Guidebooks that highlight activities for my family without my dog were you sprinkle "Keywords" Vacation dog sitting.

It is an amazing property.  Now put on your dog owners hat, dog dining area dog bathroom area dog sleeping area we don't all share beds and in my living room I have 2 couches one no dogs the other I found a great pet blanket on Amazon.

I love your idea just go a little deeper dog owners why my house?