Show which rooms give the property its special character
Start by describing which areas form part of the accommodation and how they are connected. Is the entire living area in cave-like rooms, or just part of it? Are there additional rooms with a different architectural style? These differences should be clearly evident. A single, particularly striking photograph must not be used to represent all the rooms if their character differs significantly from one another.
Describe the shape of the space using simple observations: a vaulted ceiling, an irregular wall, a low passageway or an open connection to the next area. Guests do not need a technical description of the structure. It is helpful if they can visualise how to use the space and understand where there is room to stand, sit and move around.
Give each area on offer a clear purpose. Where do guests sleep, where do they eat, and where can they relax? A room can look unique whilst still serving very ordinary purposes. If several functions share an open-plan area, this should be described just as clearly as if the space were divided into separate rooms.
Explain daylight and lighting room by room
Daylight is a key factor for orientation in unusual spaces. Specify which rooms have their own windows or other openings to the outside, and which receive light from neighbouring areas. A bright entrance hall says nothing about the sleeping area. Guests should be able to understand these differences without having to guess them from a series of heavily brightened images.
Take photographs in lighting conditions that give a realistic impression of what it’s like to stay there. Additional lighting may, of course, be visible, but should not be used to simulate windows that do not exist in the room. A second photo taken from a different angle can help to show the relationship between the entrance, openings and the lower-lying areas.
Describe any lighting and blackout options as specific features. Avoid making sweeping statements that the accommodation is always light, always dark or suitable for every sleeping preference. Different people want different spaces. A precise description allows them to make their own decision and preserves the accommodation’s unique character without exaggerating it.
Clearly show access routes and circulation areas
Show the actual entrance and the route to it. Are there steps, a sloping path or a long walk from the arrival point? An exterior photo taken from a greater distance can help explain the location, but it is no substitute for a view of the actual entrance. For people with luggage, these details are an important part of their preparations.
Low doorways and varying floor levels should neither be concealed nor dramatised. Describe where they are located and which rooms can be accessed via them. A photo taken from a normal angle helps to gauge proportions. If you provide measurements, they should be reliably determined. General promises about suitability are less helpful than these specific, verifiable details.
Think about typical routes during a stay: from the bed to the bathroom, from the kitchen to the dining area, and from indoors to outdoors. If there are several doors or steps along the way, a brief description can help with orientation. The unique design of the accommodation should not result in common everyday questions remaining unanswered in the text.
Describe the comfort of the accommodation based on the facilities provided
The word ‘cave’ does not allow for any reliable conclusions to be drawn about the temperature or air conditions in your accommodation. Instead, list any heating, cooling and ventilation facilities available, insofar as they form part of the offer. Describe any specific features you are aware of in a factual manner. Avoid making guaranteed claims regarding conditions that cannot be generally inferred from changing circumstances or differing personal expectations.
The kitchen and bathroom deserve clear, detailed descriptions. Are they integrated into the same room layout, or are they located in a separate part of the building? What facilities are actually available? An unusually shaped bathroom may look appealing in photos; nevertheless, guests want to be able to see where the shower, washbasin and toilet are located and how the space is used.
Also show storage areas, cupboards and seating. In a room with irregular walls, the furniture may be arranged in a particular way. Explain this layout, rather than simply photographing the empty spaces. This creates a realistic impression of where luggage can be stored and how the number of guests accommodated can use the living area in everyday life.
Create a series of images that explains the context
Choose a lead photo that accurately shows the accommodation, then guide the viewer through the rooms. A logical sequence might be the entrance, living area, sleeping area, kitchen and bathroom. Finally, include the outdoor area and surroundings. Detailed photos of the walls alone convey the structure, but do not explain how far apart the individual areas are or how to get to them.
For adjoining rooms, a photo taken from the actual doorway is helpful. This allows guests to understand whether a sleeping area is enclosed or open to the living area. Use decorative lighting in such a way that shapes remain recognisable. A sequence of images in which each shot has a different light colour can make it unnecessarily difficult to get your bearings.
Distinguish the private outdoor area from the surrounding landscape. A terrace in front of the entrance may be part of the listing, whereas a distant viewpoint is part of the surrounding area. Explain any shared facilities and visible neighbours, where applicable. The term ‘cave’ does not imply seclusion; therefore, also show the spatial relationship with other buildings or paths.
Bringing together unique features and everyday life
Finally, read through your description as if you were someone who has never stayed in similar accommodation before. Can you explain, without pictures, where guests sleep, where the light comes from and how to get to the bathroom? Then check the opposite: do the photos convey the same experience as the text? Fill in any missing details with short, factual sentences.
You can advertise your cave accommodation free of charge on BookNoFees. During the creation process, select the type of accommodation and add a description, photos, details, a calendar and the price. You then submit the listing for review. Plan the dates on offer to suit your actual usage and keep the facilities information up to date. A unique property, in particular, needs an accurate description of what it actually offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I explicitly mention rooms without their own windows?
Yes. Describe which rooms receive natural light and which are lit only by adjacent areas or artificial lighting. Guests can compare this information with their preferences. Images help convey the impression, but should not, through excessive brightening, suggest lighting conditions other than those that actually exist.
Can I deduce a specific indoor climate from the building’s design?
It is better to describe your specific accommodation and the facilities it offers. The description alone does not indicate what conditions will apply during a particular stay. General promises regarding temperature or comfort are therefore of little help. Mention verifiable features and, where applicable, known seasonal variations, without turning them into a guarantee.
How do I describe low doorways?
State its location and show it in its surroundings with a photo. If you have reliable measurements, you can include these. It is important that guests understand which rooms are accessible via the passageway and whether it is situated on a regularly used path.
Does the accommodation have to consist entirely of cave rooms?
Describe the actual layout of the rooms and select the accommodation type that best suits your offering. If any part of the property has a different layout, this should be clear from the images and text. A particularly striking photograph does not replace an overview of the areas that make up the stay as a whole.
