Rent out your cabin.

Describe your cottage with its actual features

Start with the property itself, not with an idea of what a typical cottage should look like. Perhaps your accommodation is built of wood; perhaps it has plastered walls or a modern interior. Describe exactly what guests will find. Terms such as ‘rustic’, ‘simple’ or ‘comfortable’ only make sense when accompanied by a specific description of the rooms and facilities.

Explain whether the entire cottage is for exclusive use and which outdoor areas are included. If it is situated on a larger plot with other accommodation units, this should be clearly stated. A private entrance and a private seating area may be available without this necessarily implying a secluded plot of land. Photos should realistically show the relationship to neighbouring buildings.

Select a few distinctive details: a bench by the window, a covered veranda or a communal living area with exposed roof beams. Such observations convey atmosphere without the need for unsubstantiated claims about being close to nature, environmental impact or complete seclusion. The cottage can stand on its own because you highlight its genuine distinctive features.

Explain the journey and the final stretch separately

When it comes to getting there, it’s not just the distance to the nearest town that matters. Also describe how the final stretch is covered. Can guests unload their luggage right at the cabin, or does the vehicle have to be left in a car park some distance away? A walk with luggage is part of the experience of staying there. Only state its length as accurately as you actually know it to be.

Show the entrance and any relevant access points. A wide staircase leading to the veranda, an unpaved path or a threshold at the door can easily be overlooked in an atmospheric outdoor photo. A supplementary, factual image helps with orientation. This does not need to lead to sweeping statements about suitability for certain people; the visible features speak for themselves.

If arrival details vary depending on the season, describe the situation accordingly. A dry summer path does not automatically guarantee access during a different travel period. Check your details before the relevant season begins. This ensures the public text remains a useful guide and does not consist solely of impressions from your best day of photography.

Making sleeping spaces and small rooms easy to understand

Describe whether beds are in a separate room, on an open-plan floor or in the living area. A loft should be clearly recognisable as such. Show how to access it and the headroom available, rather than just photographing a cosily furnished sleeping area. Guests want to be able to gauge how they will move around and the distances they will have to cover at night.

In a small cabin, the same space is sometimes used in different ways. If a table can be converted or a seating area becomes a bed, explain how this works. One photo showing the space as it is during the day and another showing the sleeping area set up may be more helpful than several similar close-up shots. It also shows which storage space remains accessible during the night.

The number of guests should match the actual number of sleeping places on offer. Also describe how many people can sit together at the table or in the living area. A cabin with several beds may still have a small lounge area during the day. Clearly stating these differences helps travellers match their own expectations with what you’re offering.

Thinking ahead about everyday life, even when spending less time outdoors

Many photos of cottages show the outdoor area. However, it is just as important for guests’ decision-making to know what a typical day is like inside. Describe the heating, seating and lighting available. If certain rooms are furnished differently from the main room, this can be mentioned in the text. Avoid making general promises about comfort that guests might interpret differently.

Describe the kitchen and bathroom facilities separately. Are all facilities located within the cabin, or are some in a separate building? Are these shared? A washbasin does not necessarily imply a shower. Similarly, the ability to prepare drinks does not automatically mean there is a kitchen for cooking full meals. Specify the available facilities in concrete terms.

When providing further details on facilities, check whether they are actually available during the period on offer. This applies, for example, to internet access, outdoor furniture or additional cooking facilities. If you have only used a connection yourself occasionally, making a broad commitment regarding its availability is of little help. Instead, describe your actual experiences and the specific facilities that are available.

Distinguish between the outdoor area and the surrounding area

A forest, a lake or a meadow in the surrounding area are not automatically included with the accommodation. Make it clear which areas are available to guests and which images depict an excursion or the immediate surroundings. If a public path runs directly past the cabin, this information forms part of an honest description of the location.

State the actual furnishings and use of the outdoor area. A covered veranda can be used differently to an open terrace. Is there a table or just a bench? Is the seating area reserved exclusively for guests staying in this cottage? Such small details say more about the stay than the general description of a large natural plot.

The countryside need not be presented as a guarantee of peace and quiet. Depending on the location, neighbours, roads, building work or other visitors may be noticeable. Describe known facts objectively and allow room for differing personal expectations. The same standard applies to your choice of images: show the cottage in its spatial context, not exclusively from an angle that obscures its surroundings.

Prepare your listing for the selected dates

Consider the periods during which you can offer the cabin with the described facilities. Personal use, maintenance work and preparation between stays should be factored into this planning. Then go through the photos: do they show the same furnishings that your price and description refer to? You can explain any seasonal differences in a few clear sentences.

You can list your cottage free of charge on BookNoFees. You select the type of accommodation during the listing process and add a description, photos, details, calendar and price before submitting the listing for review. Start with the facts you know for certain. The cottage’s unique character emerges from this information and doesn’t need any exaggerated promises.