How accommodation hosts can build a profile guests understand

When someone is choosing accommodation, they're trying to picture a stay they haven't experienced yet.

Your profile should make that easier.

Show what you're offering, where it is, what guests get for the price and what they need to know before contacting you.

You don't need to promise that your property is perfect. Clear, current information is much more useful.

Describe the type of accommodation accurately

Start with what guests are actually booking.

That might be:

• a guest house;
• a B&B;
• a self-catering cottage;
• an apartment;
• a holiday home;
• a backpacker or hostel;
• a farm stay;
• a lodge; or
• another type of short-stay accommodation.

If you have several room or unit types, explain the differences rather than describing the entire property as if every guest receives the same space.

Explain exactly what guests are booking

For each relevant room or unit, consider including:

• maximum occupancy;
• bed configuration;
• private or shared bathroom;
• kitchen or kitchenette;
• private or shared living areas;
• outdoor areas;
• parking;
• stairs;
• accessibility features; and
• whether guests share any part of the property with you or other guests.

Clear details reduce assumptions before someone gets in touch.

Use recent, representative photos

Show more than the prettiest corner.

Useful photographs can include:

• bedroom;
• bathroom;
• kitchen;
• living space;
• outside areas;
• views;
• parking;
• entrance; and
• facilities guests are likely to ask about.

Photos should represent the accommodation guests can actually expect.

If you renovate, replace furniture or materially change a room, update the photographs.

Be careful with photo editing

Good lighting and basic image corrections are useful, but don't edit photographs in a way that materially misrepresents the property.

A guest should not arrive and discover that important features, views, room size or condition were substantially different from what the images suggested.

Make your location useful

Guests often choose accommodation based on what they need to reach.

Explain your general area and useful nearby landmarks or destinations where appropriate.

Depending on the property, it may also help to explain:

• distance from town;
• road access;
• parking;
• whether access includes gravel roads;
• whether a high-clearance vehicle is useful;
• gate or estate access; or
• arrival considerations for remote properties.

Don't publish sensitive access information that should only be shared with confirmed guests.

Make pricing easy to understand

Don't make guests piece the real cost together.

Explain how your pricing works, including relevant information such as:

• nightly rate;
• whether the rate is per room, unit or person;
• number of guests included;
• additional guest charges;
• minimum stays;
• seasonal pricing;
• cleaning fees;
• refundable deposits;
• breakfast charges;
• pet fees; and
• other compulsory costs.

If rates change by season or date, keep them current or make it clear that guests should confirm the price for their dates.

Be clear about what's included

Depending on your property, guests may want to know about:

• breakfast;
• linen;
• towels;
• housekeeping;
• Wi-Fi;
• parking;
• pool access;
• braai facilities;
• kitchen facilities;
• air conditioning;
• heating;
• workspace;
• laundry; or
• other amenities.

Don't list something as included if it carries a compulsory additional charge.

Explain your self-catering facilities

“Self-catering” doesn't tell guests exactly what's in the kitchen.

If relevant, specify whether you provide:

• fridge;
• freezer;
• stove;
• oven;
• microwave;
• kettle;
• toaster;
• cookware;
• crockery;
• utensils;
• braai facilities; and
• basic consumables.

Guests planning several nights may care about these details more than decorative extras.

Explain your electricity and water arrangements

If you advertise backup power, say what it actually supports.

A small backup system for Wi-Fi and lights isn't the same as running an entire property normally during an outage.

Where relevant, explain:

• backup electricity;
• which facilities remain powered;
• water arrangements;
• any limitations guests should know about; and
• what happens during extended interruptions.

Keep claims accurate rather than simply advertising “fully off-grid” or “no outages” unless that's genuinely true.

Describe Wi-Fi accurately

If you advertise Wi-Fi, consider explaining whether it is:

• included in the rate;
• available throughout the property or only in certain areas; and
• suitable for ordinary browsing, remote work or other uses, where you can reasonably make that distinction.

Avoid guaranteeing speeds you can't consistently provide.

Set clear check-in and check-out expectations

Explain:

• check-in window;
• latest arrival time;
• check-out time;
• late-arrival arrangements;
• key collection or access process; and
• who guests should contact if delayed.

If you use self-check-in, give sensitive access details privately rather than publishing door codes or similar information.

Make your cancellation terms easy to find

Before a guest pays, they should be able to understand what happens if plans change.

Your terms should address the situations relevant to your accommodation, which may include:

• guest cancellation;
• date changes;
• shortened stays;
• no-shows;
• refunds;
• non-refundable rates; and
• cancellation by the accommodation provider.

Keep the terms consistent with the booking arrangement you actually offer and applicable consumer requirements.

Handle deposits and payment information carefully

Explain when deposits and balances are due and what payment methods you accept.

Keep your payment instructions controlled and current.

If banking details change, communicate the change carefully because accommodation payment fraud can involve altered invoices or substituted bank details.

Don't publish sensitive financial information unnecessarily.

Explain your children and pet policies

If relevant, tell guests:

• whether children are accepted;
• occupancy rules;
• whether cots or extra beds are available;
• whether pets are accepted;
• what kinds or sizes of pets you allow;
• whether outdoor areas are enclosed; and
• whether additional charges or rules apply.

“Pet-friendly” is more useful when guests know what it actually means at your property.

Describe accessibility specifically

If you describe accommodation as accessible, explain the actual features rather than relying on the label alone.

Relevant details might include:

• step-free access;
• parking position;
• doorway access;
• bathroom features;
• room location;
• lifts;
• pathways; or
• other facilities.

Guests can then decide whether those features suit their particular needs.

Explain house rules before the stay

Depending on the property, useful rules might cover:

• smoking;
• parties or events;
• noise;
• visitors;
• pets;
• pool use;
• braais;
• parking;
• children; or
• shared spaces.

Important restrictions shouldn't be a surprise after payment.

Keep availability information current

If you choose to mention availability, specials or seasonal offers on your profile, update them when they change.

Don't present old availability or expired specials as current.

Understand tourism grading

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) administers South Africa's recognised tourism star-grading system.

If your establishment holds a current grading and you choose to mention it, describe it accurately.

Don't claim a grading you don't hold or continue displaying outdated grading information as current.

TGCSA grading is separate from Know a Pro's ID Verified badge.

Use reviews responsibly

Genuine guest reviews can describe previous experiences and help future guests understand the property.

They aren't proof that every future guest will have the same experience.

Don't ask guests for a particular star rating and don't write reviews on their behalf.

Understand what ID Verified means

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified relates to identity verification.

It does not verify:

• your accommodation property;
• the property's address;
• ownership or authority to let it;
• photographs;
• facilities;
• availability;
• rates;
• tourism grading;
• regulatory compliance;
• safety;
• cleanliness;
• service quality; or
• payment details.

Don't describe ID Verified as proof that your accommodation is “real”, safe, trustworthy or approved by Know a Pro.

Keep your profile current

Review your profile when something changes.

Pay particular attention to:

• room or unit information;
• photographs;
• rates;
• facilities;
• contact details;
• check-in arrangements;
• policies;
• house rules;
• pet rules;
• grading information; and
• anything else that could materially affect a guest's decision.

Share your profile

Your Know a Pro profile has its own shareable page link.

You can share it through appropriate channels such as:

• your website;
• social media;
• WhatsApp;
• email; or
• other accommodation marketing.

The link gives potential guests another place to view the information you've chosen to provide and contact you.

Don't describe the profile link as a Know a Pro booking engine.

What it costs to list

Know a Pro currently has two monthly membership plans:

Independent Pro — R300/month

Registered Business — R500/month

Know a Pro does not take a percentage of the jobs you receive through the platform. Your applicable monthly membership fee still applies.

Give guests the information they need

A strong accommodation profile doesn't need to promise that your property is trustworthy or perfect.

Show people what they're considering.

Clear photographs, accurate room information, transparent pricing, useful facility details and straightforward terms can help potential guests understand whether your accommodation suits their trip before they contact you.

This article provides general guidance for accommodation providers and was reviewed in September 2026. Accommodation, consumer, municipal, zoning, fire, health, tourism, tax and other requirements may vary according to the property, location and services offered. Confirm and comply with the requirements that apply to your accommodation business and obtain professional advice where appropriate.

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