I thought the same thing too but I think she sent the host a DM to let her know about the dirty home and the owner got very offended and wrote her off as rude in the review.
I’ve stayed at a couple of less than desirable Airbnb’s in the past (with realtor photos, very deceiving) and been served with dirty dusty linens and smelly raggedy towels. The host must have not been aware of how unkept their place was because after I stayed all these bad reviews on their place started popping up and they never wrote one for me so mine was never published on their page. They must have finally caught on.
We prefer Airbnbs (units without the owners present) as we like space to spread out. But golly have they become expensive!
For short stays I always compare hotels too. Over the last year, I traveled alone on several occasions. Hotel rooms were prohibitively expensive (amongst others San Sebastian, Spain and Vienna, Austria). I opted renting an Airbnb room in a home with a female owner. So it was just the two of us. Very professional, they gave me my own private space, and don’t mix in unless you want to chat. But still, it cost in excess of $120 per night for the privilege to share a home/bathroom!! That’s market conditions for you. Hotels would have been $250+ per night.
For sure, the super tricked out places are no loner cheap.
For my travel, Airbnb is usually still a lot cheaper than a hotel (which I don’t care for anyway). This summer I did pay a premium for an Airbnb in Barcelona but it was because I was traveling with my elderly mother, who had specific needs. And was footing the bill
Excellent commentary, Colin. I have stopped using air-b-n-b for similar reasons. For one, the quality has gone down, and the prices have gone up. For two, many rentals are unpermitted, which can be an insurance issue (say, a stair-well handle breaks, and you are injured). I knew someone who had this exact injury occur and it was a legal mess. Lastly, people have become greedy with rentals. I know people who have four unpermitted structures on their property; one can see how, without regulations and higher taxes, these rentals are adding to the crisis of higher costs for homes. I’ve read studies that Air-b-n-b is directly related to increased homelessness and crime. I personally do not think it is sustainable- nor am I interested- to live in a world with gated communities to keep out crime.
I was previously an Airbnb host as well as a guest for when travelling. All 5* reviews for me as a host, commenting on how clean and tidy my home was and what a wonderful host I was. Also all 5* reviews as an Airbnb guest so including these in my profile certainly shows that I am clean, tidy, respectful etc etc. I’m glad I have the reviews on my profile, I do believe it adds to prospective HO’s confidence in me.
Also, even at my age, I usually stay in hostels between sits. Wow haven’t THEY changed since my young, backpacker days! I have met many people my age and older in hostels and even maintained friendships with some over the years, as mutual travellers. Many have private rooms if you don’t want to share and most have both male and female dorms so I don’t feel uncomfortable sharing with men. Amenities are incredible these days and some even include breakfast. I could talk about most of the facilities in depth but won’t lol Just another option when looking for a day or two between sits. Finished my last one in Barcelona, brand new and incredible.
A single negative review is unlikely to overshadow your profile if you have many positive ones. Including Airbnb on your trusted house sitters profile can still be valuable, as it shows diverse experience. Just address any negative feedback professionally and focus on your overall positive reputation
