Reply quickly
Speed matters more than polish, particularly before booking. A guest comparing two listings will usually book the one that answered. After booking, a quick reply on arrival day can be the difference between a guest who feels looked after and one who feels stranded.
Be specific
Vague answers create more questions. "It's close to the beach" tells a guest nothing. "About a four-minute walk, turn left at the blue gate" tells them everything.
This matters more in Siargao than in most places, because addresses are imprecise and map pins are often slightly off. A landmark beats a street name every time.
Write for someone who has never been here
Your guest may not know that most places are cash only, that ATMs run dry, that the road in is rough after rain, or how far Pacifico is from General Luna. A line of context is worth more than another line of welcome.
Keep it short
These are read on a phone, often at an airport or on a bumpy van ride. Short paragraphs, a few bullets. If it takes more than a minute to read, the important part gets missed.
Set the tone early
Warm and practical. A guest who feels well looked after before arrival is easier to host, more forgiving if something goes wrong, and more likely to leave a good review.
Ask once during the stay
The single highest-value message. Guests rarely raise small problems unprompted; they mention them in the review instead. Asking gives you a chance to fix it.
Keep it on the platform
Messages on Koobo are the record we use if a dispute arises. A private chat is invisible to us and cannot be used to support you.
What to avoid
- Long lists of rules. Put the essentials in the listing.
- Pressuring for a positive review, or offering anything in exchange. That is a breach of our terms.
- Moving a booking off-platform, which carries a non-circumvention fee and possible removal.
- Going quiet. Silence reads as a problem.