To ask if I’m being overly picky, or if you’d mention these things in an Airbnb review?

They don't delete them

Yes to the key but please don't mention the sun on the terrace. I used to have an apartment and would regularly get reviews about the weather and sun positioning and it just makes the person sound unhinged because what the hell am I supposed to do about it? My terrace had full sun all day in April-October and only late afternoon sun Nov-March. Had complaints about both. I don't control the sun or the time of your visit or the fact that it was raining all week when you got there.

I'd mention both, it annoys me no end when people won't give honest reviews of properties especially if photos are misleading.

Nothing I hate more than turning up to a property that doesn't live up to the way it looks online.

I don't bother with reviews. They just delete them anyway. Give it three stars, no comment and book a hotel next time. Airbnb is a waste of money.

I agree. I love a decent view as we sit and read and it's lovely to have. I trawl Airbnb looking for places with views and it's awful if you don't get one.
We had a cottage in the peak District. Fabulous view from the photos but that was before the trees and hedges had grown up and we could see nothing except a very green hedge. We had to sit in the bedroom looking out the window to get the rolling hills.

I agree. I'd knock off a star or two for it but be factual about why.

I don’t think you’re being overly picky. The key collection details being omitted until the fairly last minute is absolutely not on. It’s not acceptable for a solo traveller to have to lug their cases to the key collection in the middle of the night. Equally it’s utterly impractical for many other travellers to do it (families with young children, elderly or less mobile guests). The hosts should definitely be up front about the key arrangements in the listing, so I’d mention that in my review.

The courtyard- I’d not bother mentioning unless they’d specifically said in the description that it was full sun & sea view. If it’s just that the photos give that impression I’d be inclined to leave it, as whilst photos do form part of the description, the hosts would probably just respond to say that at the time the photo was taken, it was in sun, so they are not giving any false promises. And they probably used one of those camera lenses that make areas look huge (as estate agents do!). It is annoying to be misled though.

Mention both IMO. As others have said, not everyone enjoys blazing sun all day so it wouldn't necessarily put people off knowing the courtyard wasn't facing the sun.

Key safe thing isn't just annoying with luggage, It's also dangerous IMO. I wouldn't want to walk about at night, in a strange place. Especially with luggage weighing me down. Not safe for a lone female who doesn't have transport.

Mention anything you like. It's probably only the star rating the owner cares about - the detail is just for other guests and if it impacts bookings then the owner knows to sort it out or price accordingly.

I'd mention both but stick to the facts.

I would definitely mention the key pick up arrangements. If the courtyard thing was a case of the owners using clever photography rather than lying, I would just be factual, eg "I enjoyed the sea view from the apartment. (The sea is not visible when in the courtyard, as the courtyard is about 2 foot lower than the apartment.)" It sounds like the apartment does have its good points, so I would mention those too.

YANBU. I'd mention them both. The key safe situ being the most problematic - ridiculous actually. Unacceptable.

This is why we've stopped doing as many AirBnBs. Some are great no doubt, but so many turn out to be a bit naff / not as advertised; even when expensive.

Surely a review is what your thoughts are. Why the rush to protect the feelings of the owners. Just state what happened with the keysafe and lack of sun despite misleading photos Job done!

Yes, mention the keys and size of courtyard. Also mention it’s not really see view ( whatever the issue is as I didn’t understand).

You are not picky. There are too many Airbnbs with exaggerated descriptions but they have 5 star reviews.

I once went to a calm, sea view house on the other side of the world, only to discover on arriving, view was when you go for a short walk and the area was noisy with a motorcycle repair shop nearby.

Mention both, I’d be hacked off about the key situation. I’ve had to pick up a key a couple of blocks away, not half a mile though, and it wasn’t at night and I didn’t have much luggage.

The poster being so odd feels like a bot assigned the task of being contrary.

Mention both in a review. Also you get chance to give private feedback in review so ask that the key box situation is made more clear in listing so others know.

I'm used to walking but I think its more a question of safety rather than just inconvenience. I wouldn't want to be wandering around to get a key at stupid o'clock in the morning. especially as I also don't drive so would have got a cab at that time. To then get out of the cab, let it go only to find that the key isn't there and I have to walk around to get it - with my luggage....I'd be pissed off too.

The Airbnb system releases it automatically but only whatever the host has written, so possibly the host wrote nothing useful in the check in information and sent it to you manually at check in time. Poor practice.

DH and I used to work abroad for 3-6mths at a time and used a management company to rent out of flat via Airbnb. We paid for the premium fee package which included meet/greet when guests arrived.

The 2nd time we rented it out, we became aware that if a guest arrived between about 11pm-6am, then the keys were left at a local off licences 'keynest'. 3 doors up. The 3rd time we rented it out, they'd stopped the meet/greet service and ALL guests had to collect from the off licence, but now, they used a place 0.5mile up the road. I thought of your exact scenario, someone arriving late in an unfamiliar place having to drag bags up/down the road to get a key. We couldn't install a key safe and stopped renting it out.

Long on story short- if there are no other reviews mentioning the keys, then maybe the collection location has only recently changed?

Yes, I would include it in my review to warn others, along with the terrace- but it depends on ow the terrace was described.

Since when is it being picky to expect Airbnb owners to be honest and factual? Definitely mention both issues in your review.

The key thing is completely ridiculous and I wouldn’t be keen on wandering along an unfamiliar area in the middle of the night with all my luggage either.

Orientation of my living quarters is extremely important to me. If a place is remotely north facing or gets very little direct sun, then I’d give it a swerve assuming I’m made aware of the fact. If someone tries to misrepresent the accommodation to dupe me into booking it, I’d be extremely pissed off.

Interested to see if Airbnb delete your review though. I’m convinced they do as so many places we have stayed in had glaring faults that not one review had mentioned

Not to hijack this thread but.. has anyone heard of paying more to access a second bedroom in an Airbnb property? Recently, the host asked me to change my booking to 3 people so my friend and I could have a bedroom each? Extra cost was obviously another 3rd of booking price. If we booked for 2 people, it accessed one bedroom, 2 singles if not in a relationship. I was shocked - and, also, now prefer hotels to any of the shit associated with ‘rules’

It doesn't sound ideal for an expensive apartment. So yes mention things you weren't happy with and are misleading.

Yes, I’d be grateful too! DH and I love outside space with sun on holiday so scour reviews for any mention of sun and how long/what time of day it’s there.
The key thing sounds like a real faff too.

I'd mention the key thing. Surely they could just fit a key safe at the property. Not the courtyard though