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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

182 replies

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 07:32

I’m currently staying in an Airbnb, solo, and thinking about the review I’ll write.

There are two main sticking points for me:

  1. The listing did not mention, anywhere, that key pick up for the flat is located about half a mile down the road. I didn’t get check in instructions until the day of check in. I had to drag my bags to the flat, at 1 in the morning. It’s just an annoyance that to be honest, I would have avoided if I’d known about it.
  2. The courtyard is really not as described. It was pictured to look huge, with a sea view and sun all day. In reality you can’t see the sea unless you’re in the flat, and the sun is gone by about 8:30 in the morning.

AIBU to mention these? It was an expensive apartment so I think I’m being slightly more critical than I’d usually be

OP posts:
feellikeanalien · 31/08/2026 08:31

I've stayed in quite a few AirBnbs and also through booking.com and I've never had to walk half a mile for the key.

I've had a host meet me at the property. Would they have done that if you weren't arriving so late I wonder?

Walking half a mile with luggage in a strange place in the middle of the night is not acceptable in my opinion and I would mention it. The terrace I wouldn't bother with unless they said specifically there were sea views from there.

somanychristmaslights · 31/08/2026 08:27

I would mention both. The key thing could be a real problem for someone with mobility problems, or a single person with kids in tow etc.

Raptors · 31/08/2026 08:26

BIWI · 31/08/2026 08:23

I think they are YOUR AirBnB host @raisemyheartrate!

Honestly @Premierinnsleep give it a rest.

I can't see why else they'd have such a vested interest which would lead to her contributing about a third of the responses on what is a pretty short thread. Confused

Sezza57325 · 31/08/2026 08:26

Yes I think you should mention these. The key safe sounds really inconvenient and finding that out on the day of travel is really short notice. Dragging luggage, kids etc. to another location would be so annoying. I also think you should mention the courtyard, including the sun - even though this changes throughout the year if it was advertised as being sunny then that’s what you’d expect. I stayed in a place last year that was advertised as being on a beautiful lake, but in reality it was an overgrown swamp. None of the reviews mentioned this even though it must’ve been like it for years and I wouldn’t have booked it if I’d known

Original poster
raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:25

BIWI · 31/08/2026 08:23

I think they are YOUR AirBnB host @raisemyheartrate!

Honestly @Premierinnsleep give it a rest.

It must be!!

OP posts:
OutOfTheOtherSide · 31/08/2026 08:25

MelonSorbet · 31/08/2026 07:44

I wouldn't mention either. Half a mile isn't far. I'm used to walking as I don't have a car so it wouldn't even register as an inconvenience with me. It must have taken ten minutes to get from the key pick up to the apartment, if that.

It doesn't matter if you're an Olympic gold medal winning walker. It is ridiculous to have to pick a key up from anywhere other than the property in modern day. Key boxes were invented for this, the vast majority of holiday rentals use them.

You're paying a lot of money for a service. Expecting a paying customer to go to find a key is awful service.

Original poster
raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:24

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:23

Anyway if this is how you choose to spend your holiday… then I imagine it’s not going to be a great success anyway.

Enjoy your day

Hey?

im on public transport on the way to a day trip 😂 just not getting my kindle out because im off at the next stop 😂

OP posts:
KippyMcKippy · 31/08/2026 08:24

I’d mention both.

LadyLapsang · 31/08/2026 08:24

Was there a reason you didn’t get a taxi straight to the pick up point for the keys, get them to wait, then drive you to the property? Was the key due to be delivered to the property, but this then changed when you were delayed?

LlynTegid · 31/08/2026 08:24

Key collection yes, someone might be staying there and arriving by train or taxi, or even a lift where the driver goes back home or somewhere else.

As for photos, this is a case of buyer beware. Always likely to be selective or exaggerate.

BIWI · 31/08/2026 08:23

I think they are YOUR AirBnB host @raisemyheartrate!

Honestly @Premierinnsleep give it a rest.

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:23

Anyway if this is how you choose to spend your holiday… then I imagine it’s not going to be a great success anyway.

Enjoy your day

Imisscoffee2021 · 31/08/2026 08:23

I'd mention the key safe and if the courtyard photos if they are misleading or AI enhanced.

Sometimesitsmyownfault · 31/08/2026 08:23

The key collection is not unusual for apartments (particularly in France). The building management do not allow key boxes to be attached to the building. You will find lots of keys need to be collected from a key holding service, usually where there is 24hr secure access.

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:22

Oh I wish I owned a second property and could air BnB it!!!

Original poster
raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:22

Raptors · 31/08/2026 08:22

Are you always this picky? You seem determined to lay fault with the OP?

Show quote history

I get the feeling they’re an Airbnb host who also likes to take liberties with their listings and so they don’t like people who call it out

OP posts:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:22

Look.. the listing said the property had a sea view

there was a sea view

hence not one single review mentioning the lack of a sea view!!

Missingducks · 31/08/2026 08:22

Yes to both

  • Inconvenient to not have a key safe and exacerbated by not receiving instructions for collecting key half a mile away (on foot at 1am) until day of arrival
  • Sea view not actually from courtyard, but from indoors
Raptors · 31/08/2026 08:22

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:20

But the listing explicitly states sea view from the court yard?

or simply “sea view”? Which there was

Show quote history

Are you always this picky? You seem determined to lay fault with the OP?

Original poster
raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:21

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:20

But the listing explicitly states sea view from the court yard?

or simply “sea view”? Which there was

Show quote history

No, but the photos form part of the listing. So if you’re going to post photos that imply a sea view from the courtyard, I think it’s reasonable to expect one!

OP posts:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:21

It was described as sea view

There was a sea view

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:20

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:20

What’s your issue?

Yes, the pictures show the sea - because the courtyard is below the level of the flat ever so slightly (about two feet or so) and so from the flat you can see the sea, but not the courtyard. It’s very clever photography I’ll give them that

Show quote history

But the listing explicitly states sea view from the court yard?

or simply “sea view”? Which there was

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:20

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 31/08/2026 08:19

But wouldn't most people prefer not to book in the first place rather than cancelling at short notice once they found this out? Surely you can see that some people might like to know about pain in the arse key pick up at the research phase rather than post booking?

Show quote history

I agree

baffled that not one review mentioned these issues
baffled that there wasn’t a picture of the courtyard and demonstrating no sea view

I can’t even imagine a courtyard with a sea view tbh

Original poster
raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:20

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:18

Not one single review mentioned these issues? How many reviews?

a walled courtyard with a sea view? Was there a picture of the courtyard in the listings?

Show quote history

What’s your issue?

Yes, the pictures show the sea - because the courtyard is below the level of the flat ever so slightly (about two feet or so) and so from the flat you can see the sea, but not the courtyard. It’s very clever photography I’ll give them that

OP posts:
TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 31/08/2026 08:19

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:00

There would been explicit instructions in the pre arrival pack. If you didn’t like the required access… you could have cancelled.

But wouldn't most people prefer not to book in the first place rather than cancelling at short notice once they found this out? Surely you can see that some people might like to know about pain in the arse key pick up at the research phase rather than post booking?