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Just had my first guests after my usual two month winter respite from hosting. Older folk, 60’s or so. Quite serene and elegant. Good communication on the way in. Friendly. I gave them the quick tour, found out they were hikers and wanted suggestions. After that I left them to enjoy.
I live on the property in a separate home.
Cabin is small, actually a ‘tiny’ cabin (I hate labels that are 'in vogue) and I clearly state that in my listing description plus a multitude of photos of the interior, exterior and of course, the surroundings and hiking sights. They seemed ‘underwhelmed’ when brought into the cabin. Nothing overt, just a ‘gut instinct’ as 99% of my guests love it and are usually quite ‘gushy’. No problem, they were reserved people. I crossed paths with them the next day as they were leaving and they said they’d had a great hike per my suggestion, but otherwise made no other comments.
They left the following review this morning. And before I make a response (I almost always make a response as 99% of the reviews are very nice, and I appreciate that . )
I’d like some constructive feedback from all you outstanding review critics and writers…!
“Deb’s cabin is tiny and cozy with a million dollar view of fields and mountains. If you are a big person, you likely will feel cramped. But for us two, it was a perfect base camp for hiking the nearby trails. Deb has all the info you’d ever need.”
Hong and his wife were about my 170th guest. And you can imagine I’ve hosted some REALLY tall (and ‘big’) guests (even had three cool 20 somethings guys together, all OVER 6’2" and they loved it) with only one that told me the property was ‘smaller than expected’ and then admitted they didn’t read the listing so…
My question: should I try and counteract the impression he gives that the property is ‘cramped’ ?(it isn’t) These folks were average sized people. Oh yes, he dinged me on ‘accuracy’ stating the cabin was ‘smaller than expected’.
my first thoughts after considering no response or a one liner “thanks !”…I felt somewhat compelled to try and mitigate his one comment for future prospective guests’ accurate perception of the property.
“Thanks Hong, glad you found Little Mountain Cabin ideal for you and your wife. I respect your personal perspective, and can say we’ve have had many tall folk as happy guests! The cabin LIVES bigger than it’s size suggests.
And I always encourage prospective guests to thoroughly review the listing and the 55 photos so they can get an accurate picture of the cabin and the property . I work hard at making sure guests know what to expect in Little Mountain Cabin. Hope you all will join us again!”
That is all I would respond with, if you really feel the need to respond at all. Their review sounds mostly positive, it will drop off soon, and anyone that would be put off by their “cramped” comment will be put off no matter how you respond. So just be gracious and friendly in your response, not defensive.
I would just let it go. I’ve had the same comments about my little trailer. I had someone not stay because he said the shower is only large enough for an eleven year old. You know your place is special. We can’t please everyone. Certain people just like to find something to complain about.
This response would set you up for folks having unrealistic expectations. In this business it is much better to have guest pleasantly surprised. For some it may live bigger than it’s size. From this couple’s review, it did not live bigger than it’s size for them.
The couple’s review does warn off claustrophobic guests who would not be happy there. That works in your favor. You don’t want those guests anyway.
very true. Just wish he hadn’t dinged me on ‘accuracy’…I’ve worked hard to make sure I provide as much info as possible so as to have guests, as you said, pleasantly surprised. and it seems to be working as most are! .oh well. I like your perspective and I’ve let it go.
Concur, that actually reads as a good review and readers can’t see the uncalled-for “accuracy” rating. It will also help big ppl who might feel a bit squished self-select away from your place, to the benefit of everyone and to future good reviews.
I put the square footage of my small efficiency suite in the first sentence of my description: “Private entrance 315 sq. ft. bed-bath-kitchenette suite behind host’s home.” I rewrote it soon after listing, I had a couple of non-reader guests who dinged me because they thought they got the entire house. (There is a pic of the house to show the driveway entrance near the end of the photos.) How they thought there would only be one bed, no living room, and no kitchen in a two story house was beyond me.
I really appreciate the perspective of ‘weeding out’ anyone who WOULD find it ‘confining’ and therefore causing ME trouble that would be the result of his comment. I hadn’t thought of that!
I had toyed with the idea in the beginning of this journey three years ago of putting in the square footage but then decided I’d wait to see if I had any complaints of ‘being too small’ or them not understanding it was a small, self contained cabin. Didn’t get anything but positive reactions for a long time so left it out, an even then only one before this. My concern for putting in a ‘number’ relating to square footage, is that most people cannot visualize what that looks like, additionally because the cabin has 10’ vaulted ceilings in most areas, it doesn’t live as small as the footprint would suggest…Ive found that people don’t read and they likely certainly don’t ‘get’ size footprints as related to livability in my opinion. It’s worked for the most part so far. I always seem to get good feedback here, so thanks!
I have had guests comment that my suite is smaller than expected so I drew up a floor plan showing the exact sizes of each room, hall, bathroom, etc. Now if a guest says anything, I write that guests should take the time to read the listing and review the photos (included a diagram of floor plan with sizes) to make sure it’s a good fit. I even list the sizes of each bed.
Seems you did all you could to mitigate the accuracy !!
Cannot get any better than this unless you describe the ceiling height? Bed dimensions in metric and imperial ?
Georgia Host’s input for review seems ideal.
I would not respond. My only 4 star review was based in part on my “small” shower. Ladies admitted that they didn’t have any issues with it, but if you were a big man, it might be tight. They also recommended removing my claw foot tub and enlarging the shower. I didn’t respond and have never had another comment about it.
You have a ton of photos and good descriptions. Some people just aren’t happy unless they have something negative to say.
They’re insane. I lived in an Upper West Side apartment with a claw foot tub/shower in my en-suite and I miss that tub. It was huge and glorious and fun.
Responding negatively to this review will seem very hostile, given that it is mostly positive. Just leave it, and let future guest’s decide for themselves.
