Property Types Explained
The property type you select affects how your listing appears on OTA channels, how guests discover it in search results, and what features they expect. Choosing the right type improves search visibility and sets accurate guest expectations.
Available Property Types
| Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Villa | Standalone luxury property with private grounds and amenities | High-end vacation homes, estates with pools |
| House | Standalone residential property | Family homes, beach houses, mountain cabins |
| Apartment | Unit within a multi-unit building | Urban rentals, condo complexes |
| Condo | Owner-occupied unit in a managed complex | Resort condos, beachfront units |
| Bungalow | Small, typically single-story standalone dwelling | Boutique jungle lodges, beach bungalows |
| Studio | Single-room unit with combined living and sleeping space | Compact urban rentals, efficiency apartments |
| Cabin | Rustic or semi-rustic standalone dwelling | Mountain properties, eco-lodges |
| Townhouse | Multi-story unit sharing walls with adjacent units | Urban and suburban rentals |
How Property Type Affects OTA Listings
Search and Discovery
OTA platforms use property type as a primary filter. When a guest searches Airbnb for "Villa" in Costa Rica, only properties typed as Villa appear. Choosing the wrong type can hide your listing from your target audience.
Guest Expectations
Each type carries assumptions:
- Villa implies private, luxurious, often with a pool and garden.
- Apartment implies shared building, elevator access, potentially city views.
- Bungalow implies intimate, close to nature, simple but charming.
If your property does not match these assumptions, guests may leave negative reviews even if the property itself is excellent.
Pricing Perception
Property type influences what guests consider a fair price. A "Villa" at $400/night feels reasonable. The same property listed as a "House" at $400/night may feel expensive.
Choosing the Right Type
Ask yourself:
- Is the property standalone or part of a larger building? Standalone → Villa, House, Bungalow, or Cabin. Part of a building → Apartment, Condo, Townhouse, Studio.
- What is the quality level? Luxury → Villa. Standard → House or Apartment. Rustic/charming → Bungalow or Cabin.
- How do comparable properties in your area list themselves? Match the convention to appear in the same search results.
- What do guests expect to find? If your property has a private pool and garden, Villa is appropriate. If it shares amenities with a complex, Condo fits better.
Property Subtypes and Categories
Beyond the primary type, Argonautas supports additional categorization:
- Bedrooms / Bathrooms / Max Guests -- Critical for search filters on every OTA.
- Location tags -- Beachfront, mountain view, city center, jungle, etc.
- Amenity highlights -- Pool, hot tub, ocean view, pet-friendly.
These attributes work alongside the property type to help guests find the right match.
Changing Property Type
- Navigate to Properties and open the property.
- Go to the Basic Info tab.
- Change the Property Type dropdown.
- Save.
The updated type syncs to connected OTA channels on the next content sync cycle.
Note: Changing the property type on an established listing may temporarily affect search ranking on some OTAs. Do this during low-demand periods when possible.
Common Questions
Does property type affect pricing calculations? No. Pricing is determined by rates, seasons, and overlays. Property type is purely for categorization and search.
Can I use different types on different channels? Currently, the property type is consistent across all channels. If you need channel-specific adjustments, contact support.
Related
- Property Setup -- Full property configuration guide.
- Channel Certification -- Preparing your listing for OTA distribution.
- Amenity Mapping -- Configuring amenities for channel sync.