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AIBU?

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Is this unhygienic?!

766 replies

loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 07:55

I have an Airbnb on my property. It’s basically a tiny home at the bottom of our large garden with an amazing view. Most people come for the weekend by train and I don’t want people to spend their holiday shopping for stuff like coffee, tea, milk or having to cram suitcases full of toiletries or beach towels so I provide all of those. I also provide a little evening snack (crisps usually) some wine to watch the sun set on the deck with and fruit from the garden and a croissant and jam for breakfast. People love it and I make it quite clear on my ads that these things are provided.
Just got a review from a couple who stayed with us a few days ago. They gave us a good review but took one star off and in her private message to me she said ‘We loved our stay with you but we weren’t very happy that the toiletries are in big shared bottles rather than individual use. This is obviously very unhygienic (we don’t know who has used them!!) so we had to make the trip to buy some for ourselves which was an expense and effort we weren’t expecting’.
To be clear I offer Aesop Shower Gel, Shampoo and Conditioner in the shower and Aesop Hand Wash by the sink in 500ml bottles. They get replaced when empty which is usually about every 10 months
AIBU to think this is not unhygienic?!

OP posts:
upsofloating · 23/07/2026 08:59

Blogswife · 23/07/2026 08:27

If you get some opaque bottles with pumps and decant your shampoo etc into it ( topping up for each guest ) it’ll look nicer and no one will be any the wiser . YANBU

Then you wouldn't be able to see it's Aesop, which is top of the range and lovely, and very generous of the OP.

Bulbsbulbsbulbs · 23/07/2026 08:59

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:55

Not if it’s a complimentary gift.

Not true. If it's part of what you pay for it is seen as selling the wine to you. The below is a summary.

www.cornishcottageholidays.co.uk/blog/owner-advice-supply-of-alcohol-in-your-holiday-home/

superspideysense · 23/07/2026 08:57

Wow. I think it’s really off of them to remove a star. It sounds like what you’re doing is lovely.

i don’t really understand the hygiene element. Most places have big pump bottles and cafes/restaurants etc have shared of course. It’s wasteful to have all the little bottles and mini soaps.

i think unfortunately some people are just very picky and bonkers and you won’t please everyone. The coffee thing is silly too. If people are that picky they should bring their own, especially as you list what is there. Stars should only be removed for a proper complaint - not a preference.

LeedsLoiner · 23/07/2026 08:57

What your reviewer is really annoyed about is that you didn't provide the "individual" sized toiletries that she could put in her luggage and take home with her...

bettyrubble99 · 23/07/2026 08:56

It's not unhygienic she just couldn't pinch them and take them home 🤣
Plenty of hotels have dispensers on the wall in the shower and as ex cabin crew i have stayed in MANY hotels. It sounds like a lovely place to stay.

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:56

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:55

Not if it’s a complimentary gift.

Only if the listing doesn't advertised it

thislittlelife · 23/07/2026 08:55

How ridiculous. Do they never stay in hotels with dispensers? Frustrating they knocked a star off, but just ignore and move on - I really don't think any sane persom would be remotely bothered by this!

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:55

pinkdyno · 23/07/2026 08:46

Sounds lovely OP.

just watch the wine, meant to have a licence, annoyingly.

Doesn't bother most but it’s the sort of thing certain guests would pick up on.

Not if it’s a complimentary gift.

Gemilo · 23/07/2026 08:55

Maybe in your description you could say we offer shampoo/soap etc in a dispenser but you are welcome to bring your own. Then you are covering all bases.

It is ridiculous as all big hotels do it now.

Enrichetta · 23/07/2026 08:54

Funderthighs · 23/07/2026 08:00

It’s normal for this to happen in hotels too. She’s being ridiculously fussy.

This.

rwalker · 23/07/2026 08:52

MotherofPufflings · 23/07/2026 08:03

It's absolutely idiotic. Presumably she takes a bottle of hand soap with her to use in public toilets too.

You beat me to it

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:52

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:49

Amusingly she takes soap sheets with her.... Presumably the soap sheets are in her bag rattling around or in a smaller bag, which isn't presumably sterile, and she then has to touch the soap sheet holder which I don't see how is more hygienic.....

Regardless, whether it shared dispenser or the soap sheet dispenser... The soap is on your hand in a second and you are immediately washing your hands 😂😂😂

isn't the soap sheet a different PP?

NeatPinkFinch · 23/07/2026 08:51

I quite fancy a stay tbh

SpringSunshines · 23/07/2026 08:50

Reviews can feel and can be unreasonably brutal.

People can be slapdash about your business and the care you take, for the most spurious reasons without any thought for the potential
impact.

It’s unfortunately the risk you take.

All you can do is make sure your write up is clear about what you offer and include pictures - because people don’t read properly either!

And no it’s not unhygienic - if it were everything from washing up to conditioner would be sold in individual ‘servings’.

moltopianissimo · 23/07/2026 08:50

KateTheShrew · 23/07/2026 08:03

Why not, if you don't mind me asking? Past guests have only touched the outside of the bottles (which can be washed if you prefer). I can't see how this is different to using a new bottle that's been handled in shop/warehouse etc by multiple people.

Genuine question, because I'm a pretty germ-averse person and often squeamish about things that others wouldn't think twice about, but this wouldn't bother me at all.

Totally agree with this (and I'm also a bit germ-averse). I mean where do you draw the line? Previous guests have used the toilet and the towels and bed sheets, stood on the carpet, touched the same light fittings, etc.

Namechangewegovyjune26 · 23/07/2026 08:50

comofn · 23/07/2026 07:57

It’s lovely that you do all that but I can see her point. I wouldn’t like to use toiletries that past guests have used before

Really?!. What do you think is going to happen?

Bellyblueboy · 23/07/2026 08:49

I don’t understand why it’s unhygienic? These are pump bottles?

any gym I have gone to or hotel spa (even hotels) have pump bottles that are regularly filled.

Am I clueless? What is the problem

Oscillating · 23/07/2026 08:49

BringBackCatsEyes · 23/07/2026 08:45

Do you take your own soap out and about with you at all times? To work? To the gym? The spa?

Amusingly she takes soap sheets with her.... Presumably the soap sheets are in her bag rattling around or in a smaller bag, which isn't presumably sterile, and she then has to touch the soap sheet holder which I don't see how is more hygienic.....

Regardless, whether it shared dispenser or the soap sheet dispenser... The soap is on your hand in a second and you are immediately washing your hands 😂😂😂

Incandescentangel · 23/07/2026 08:49

loislaneloves · 23/07/2026 08:02

They are pump bottles and they are sort of ‘locked’ into a shelf in the shower like you might see at a hotel.
I travel a lot for work and see this set up in fancy hotels all the time. Can’t remember when I last got those individual little bottles of plastic landfill.

I don’t think it’s unhygienic but I think if you top up the bottles as part of the turnover process it would look better,

HarshbutTrue2 · 23/07/2026 08:48

TwisterSpice · 23/07/2026 08:41

Don’t offer alcohol.

I stayed in a b&b last year which provided a small bottle of prosecco per guest. Foc. It was a lovely touch.

notnorman · 23/07/2026 08:48

Aesop! 😳
also- it’s mostly cheapy hotels who provide the cheapy little single use stuff. Nice hotels refill from bigger bottles like you’re doing.

saraclara · 23/07/2026 08:47

pepperminticecream · 23/07/2026 08:25

devastated is a big feeling for something so small. I am very particular about where I stay and if I were to click on your Airbnb I would read the negative review first and immediately dismiss it as nonsense.

The guest didn't put it in the public review though. It was in a private communication with OP.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 23/07/2026 08:46

Do they take their own liquid soap out for hand washing after using a public loo? Or indeed loo roll as you never know what pop germs have jumped out of the flushing loo? 🙄

Your place sounds lovely OP and the items you leave are incredibly thoughtful. I get not wanting to use some items I.e kitchen condiments as some look they have been there years!!! However we’ve stayed in 4 Air BnBs in the last 12 months and not one has left as much as a small carton of milk in the fridge.

pinkdyno · 23/07/2026 08:46

Sounds lovely OP.

just watch the wine, meant to have a licence, annoyingly.

Doesn't bother most but it’s the sort of thing certain guests would pick up on.

workitoutt · 23/07/2026 08:46

They’re mad, but you should just try to move on. Surely having iffy reviews is just part and parcel of running an Airbnb. You can’t please everyone.