How to Write a Shortlet Listing That Gets More Enquiries in Nigeria: Describe Your Apartment to the Right Guests

A good shortlet listing helps the right guest picture their stay. Put the property type, area and one genuinely useful feature in the title. Use the opening lines to say where it is and who it suits. Describe power, water, Wi-Fi and check-in precisely. State capacity, house rules and extra charges up front. Only write what is true, because accurate listings bring fewer surprises and fewer awkward messages.

Here is a message many hosts get: "Is there light? How many people can sleep? Is there Wi-Fi?" All three are answerable from the listing, and the guest asked anyway. Either the answers were missing, or they were buried under "luxurious, exquisite and exceptional."

This post is about the words. If you need the mechanics of creating a listing, our guide on how to list your apartment on Dwelns covers that, and why your shortlet may not be getting bookings looks at the wider picture. Here we focus on writing the title and description so guests can decide quickly whether your place suits them.

One honest note: better copy does not guarantee bookings. Its job is to help the right guests understand the apartment and make an informed choice.

The six parts of a listing that shape a guest's decision

Part	What guests want to know	Common weak version
Title	What is it, where, and what stands out?	"Beautiful Luxury Apartment"
Opening lines	Is this right for my trip?	"Welcome to our lovely home"
Amenities	What exactly will I get?	"Reliable power"
Location	Where is it, really?	"Close to everything"
Right guest	Is it meant for someone like me?	"Perfect for everyone"
Booking details	Capacity, rules, charges, check-in	Left for guests to ask

1. Write a title that tells guests what matters

A title has one job: help the right person recognise your apartment in a list of similar ones.

Weak: "Beautiful Luxury Apartment" Stronger: "Furnished 1-Bedroom in [e.g magodo] with [Solar Backup Power]"

Use this formula: property type + area + one verified, useful feature.

More examples to adapt:

"Furnished 2-Bedroom Apartment in [e.g Magodo], Sleeps [e.g 4 guests]"
"Quiet Studio in [e.g Magodo] with Wi-Fi and Air Conditioning"
"3-Bedroom Apartment in [e.g Magodo] for Families and Small Groups"

Only name a feature that is true and that you can stand behind. If the apartment doesn't have a generator, inverter or solar backup, don't put it in the title.

2. Make the opening lines useful

Guests skim. The first two or three sentences should answer: what is this, where is it, and who is it for?

Weak: "Welcome to our beautiful luxury apartment in Lagos. It is comfortable, spacious and perfect for everyone. Book now for an unforgettable experience."

Stronger: "A furnished 1-bedroom apartment in [e.g magodo], suited to travellers who want a private base near [e.g Funplex resort]. It has a living room, kitchen, air conditioning and Wi-Fi."

What changed

Vague adjectives became facts. "Beautiful, comfortable, spacious" told the guest nothing. Bedrooms, rooms and amenities did.
The intended guest became clear. "Perfect for everyone" fits nobody.
The promise went. No host can guarantee an "unforgettable experience", but you can describe what the guest will actually find.

3. Describe amenities precisely

"Reliable power" is the phrase that causes the most questions in Nigeria, and the one you should be most careful with. Never promise uninterrupted grid power. Explain what you actually have.

Weak: "24/7 power and fast Wi-Fi." Stronger: "Backup power is provided by [e.g generator / inverter / solar]. It runs [e.g 24 hours] and supports [e.g lights, sockets, air conditioning, etc.]. Wi-Fi is available in the living room and bedroom."

Be equally specific about the things guests depend on:

Water: mains, borehole or tank, and whether hot water is available
Wi-Fi: whether it is included and where it reaches
Parking: whether there is space and whether it is secured
Air conditioning: which rooms have it
Kitchen: what is actually there (hob, fridge, cookware)

Don't claim a desk, workspace or ergonomic chair unless the apartment has one. If a guest asks for a photo of it, you should be able to send one.

4. Explain the location honestly

"Close to everything" is not information. Say what the guest can actually use.

Weak: "Close to everything in Lagos." Stronger: "Located in [e.g Magodo ]. [Funplex resort and the Otedola bridge] is about [e.g 15-20 mins] away."

Include the neighbourhood, one or two real landmarks and a note on getting around. Honest context helps guests plan, and it prevents a poor review that starts with "it was further than I expected."

5. Write for the right guest

You don't need to appeal to everyone. A property that suits a business traveller, a family or a group of friends can say so honestly.

Copy-and-adapt examples

Replace every [placeholder] with details verified for your own property. If something doesn't apply, delete the line.

For a business traveller (studio or 1-bedroom)

A furnished [studio / 1-bedroom] in [e.g Magodo], suited to a short/extended work trip. It has Unlimited Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a kitchen and [e.g a mini workspace]. Backup power is turned on immediately the Power grid goes off. Check-in is [e.g 9am in the morning]. We suggest confirming your power and internet needs with us before booking.

For a family (2 to 3 bedrooms)

A 3-bedroom apartment in [e.g Magodo] that sleeps up to 6 guests: [sleeping arrangement, e.g. one double bed in each bedroom and a sofa bed]. There is a full kitchen with a parking space on premises.

For a small group of friends

A 3-bedroom apartment in [e.g Magodo] for up to 6 guests. Please read our house rules on visitors, events and quiet hours before booking. The maximum number of guests is 6 guest, and visitors must be agreed in advance.

Notice what these do. Each one says who it is for, lists what is there, and sends the guest to the rules. None of them guarantees an experience.

6. Remove uncertainty before guests enquire

The fewer basic questions a guest has to ask, the more likely they are to book with confidence, and the fewer repeat messages you answer. Say these things clearly:

Sleeping arrangements (which bedroom has which bed)
Maximum number of guests
Check-in and checkout times and how check-in works
House rules on visitors, events, noise and smoking
Any additional charges or caution fee, if you have one
What the guest should bring or expect

Dwelns shows guests the total price upfront, so if there is a charge the guest will pay beyond the nightly rate, state it clearly in your listing rather than leaving it to surface later. Cancellation tiers are shown before guests pay, and you can read how they work on the cancellation page.

Why specific wording helps on Dwelns

Dwelns offers Ask Dwelns, where guests describe what they want in plain language instead of filtering manually. A listing that clearly states its area, bedrooms, amenities and who it suits gives that kind of search something concrete to work with. We can't promise any ranking effect, but clear writing helps a guest and a search tool alike.

Before and after: a full makeover

Before

Welcome to our beautiful luxury apartment in Lagos. It is comfortable, spacious and perfect for everyone. Book now for an unforgettable experience.

After

Furnished 1-Bedroom in [Area] with [Backup Power Type] A private 1-bedroom apartment in [e.g magodo], suited to guests who want a quiet base for [work trips / a weekend stay]. It has a living room, kitchen, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Backup power is [arrangement and hours]. The apartment sleeps [e.g 2] guests. Check-in is from [e.g 9am] using dwelns. Please read the house rules on visitors and noise before booking.

The "after" version is longer, but every sentence gives the guest something they can decide with.

The Shortlet Listing Template

Copy this into your notes app and fill each line using facts you have checked.

Title: [Property type] in [Area] with [one verified feature]
Opening lines: [What it is] in [Area], suited to [type of guest]. Includes [3 to 4 main amenities].
Capacity and sleeping: Sleeps [number]. [Bedroom 1: bed type]. [Bedroom 2: bed type]. [Sofa bed, if any.]
Power: [Generator / inverter / solar]. Runs [hours or conditions]. Supports [items]. [Fuel or other limits.]
Water: [Source]. Hot water: [yes/no/where].
Wi-Fi: [Included or not]. Reaches [rooms].
Location context: [Neighbourhood], [landmark] about [distance]. Getting around: [options].
Check-in: [Time]. [Method and who meets the guest.]
House rules: [Guests, visitors, events, noise hours, smoking.]
Extra charges: [Any charge beyond the listed price, or "none"].
Accuracy check: Does every line match the apartment as it is today? Do the photos show it?

Before you publish: a final check

Does the title say what it is, where it is and one real feature?
Would a stranger know who the apartment suits?
Is the power arrangement explained without promising uninterrupted supply?
Are capacity, rules and charges visible without a message?
Does every claim match the photos?
Have you removed filler such as "luxurious", "perfect for everyone" and "unforgettable"?

Frequently asked questions

How long should a shortlet description be? Long enough to answer the questions guests ask most, and short enough to skim. Put the key facts first and the detail afterwards. A few short paragraphs or a list is usually easier to read than one block.

Should I mention power in the title? Only if you have a specific, verified backup arrangement. Describe it precisely in the description, and never promise uninterrupted electricity.

What should I avoid writing in a listing? Avoid vague praise ("luxurious", "perfect for everyone"), promises you can't control ("unforgettable experience"), and any amenity the apartment doesn't have.

Should I write for one type of guest or everyone? One. Saying who the apartment suits helps the right guests recognise it. You can still welcome others.

Do I need to list house rules in the description? Yes, the important ones: guest numbers, visitors, events, noise hours and smoking. Each host sets these for their own property, and stating them early prevents disputes later.

How often should I update my listing? Whenever something changes, such as new appliances, a different backup system or new house rules. Check it every few months as well.

Will a better listing guarantee more bookings? No. It helps guests understand the property and decide whether it suits them. Photos, price, location and availability matter too.

Final thoughts

You don't need clever writing. You need accurate, specific writing, in the order a guest would ask the questions. Use the template, keep it honest and update it when the apartment changes.

Ready to put it into practice? Add your property, read the hosting guide, or start hosting on Dwelns. Know a host who needs this? Refer them and earn.