Hi @Benedicta2 !
Love St. Croix! I have been to the islands many years ago and loved it! Some suggestions you might try? Other hosts can provide some insight as well. You can always change things if you’re not seeing an increase in bookings.
House Rules
Your House Rules are pretty lengthy and hard to read in the paragraph format. Most guests just will not read them. Much of the information is better suited for your House Manual, or in “About This Space” and “Other Things to Note” section of the Listing. The goal is to minimize the Additional Rules Section as much as possible (most guests won’t read it anyway).
Only list those rules are “deal breakers” for you, or that you’ll need to fall back on with Airbnb in order to get them to cancel a guest’s reservation for breaking them. No need to go into great detail about what will happen if they don’t read the rules. Guests agree to all house rules when they book. I would be sure to put any very important items in your Check-In Message before they arrive to head off any big issues – but keep it short! 😊
Under additional Rules I would suggest:
Additional Rules
“By confirming a reservation, guests agree to all House Rules, including:”
- No illegal substances or activities
- No unregistered guests or visitors
- Neighborhood Quiet Time 11pm-8am (or whatever it is. Airbnb has added this as an option for you to click)
- No smoking inside the property - $400 fine for violations. Guests may smoke outside in the yard only (clean up all butts and residue)
- Adult illicit activities are not permitted on the deck, patio or any public space. Your reservation will be cancelled with no refund
- Do not flush anything except toilet paper (no baby wipes, feminine products, tissues, etc.) Plumbing repair costs will be charged to the guest.
- Grills (if used) must be cleaned prior to checkout. Cleaning fee small grill $30, large grill $50
- •Security Cameras/Alarm System – must remain unobstructed and not tampered with or disconnected
- Guest profile picture is required. Reservation will be cancelled if not received within 3 days of booking.
- Some pets permitted with PRIOR approval – contact Host
Thats it. The rest of what you have in rules should be put in your House Manual, About This Space Section, Other Things to Note Section, or included in a check-in message. I would definitely remove all of the language about guests having friends or strangers to the house and and how you are not liable if someone gets hurt. It can send the message to guests that this an"unsafe neighborhood". I would just simply say "no unregistered guests or visitors".
Reviews
I noticed a large gap between your reviews. You had a review Mar 2020 and the next one wasn't until July 2022? As a guest, I always read reviews. I would wonder what happened and why you weren't hosting for 2yrs? Guests could conclude you were forced off the platform by Airbnb for violations. I would add an explanation (maybe first paragrah in About This Space) as to why you stopped hosting for that period.
Ratings
Your cleanliness and location ratings are a bit low. Not sure I understand that, as not many negative comments on that in reviews. I do see some paint/plaster peeling in some photos? I also see some bars on windows in photos? A guest might conclude that the area is not safe? Sometimes guests have positive comments in the written review and then give you a low number value/rating for some reason. I'm puzzled on this one.
Host Guidebook
You could add much more to your Guidebook about the most popular restaurants, destinations and activities in the area. Guests would really appreciate your tips on that. Right now you just have car rental information?
Wishing you all the best with your hosting! Let us know how it goes.
