@Emily128....Hi Emily, yeah, as I said we are in a lovely hills wine region but its not in a heavy tourist area, and hosts in this area maybe get a guest or maybe three a month whereas I seem to average four to five. There are some months that we are fully booked with only a handful of nights free, and that is possibly because I try to go overboard and provide really comfortable, homely surroundings.
My mother (long gone) was a beautiful woman, but did not see herself as such, and systematically destroyed every photo she could find of herself. I have the only two adult photos that remained of her, and one of them hangs in the cottage.
There are many mementos in that space and they all go to make a warm welcoming environment and I truly believe this helps our bookings.
The bed cost is relevant I guess but, of our 64 bookings, just 3 of the more major ones paid for that bed.
Emily, it is worth it...cheers.....Rob