Page 7 | To ask if I’m being overly picky, or if you’d mention these things in an Airbnb review?

raisemyheartrate · 2026-08-31T06:32:01+00:00

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. 1. 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

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:07

The owner doesn’t send the access details

air BnB automatically issues 48 hours before arrival

Original poster

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:06

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:05

and this is air BnB? Because if so… that’s completely against how the owners are meant to operate.

Did you have to chase beforehand? Or did you wait for the day and hope for the best?

Is this for holiday or work?

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I’ve never had an Airbnb provide information any earlier than this to be honest. Travelling for leisure

OP posts:

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:05

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 31/08/2026 08:04

You only get check in information less than 24 hours before check in on Airbnb and she couldn't have cancelled at that point!

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No you don’t

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:05

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:01

Which, as I said in my post, arrived on the day of check in and I was therefore outside of the cancellation period.

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and this is air BnB? Because if so… that’s completely against how the owners are meant to operate.

Did you have to chase beforehand? Or did you wait for the day and hope for the best?

Is this for holiday or work?

Iocanepowder · 31/08/2026 08:05

Absolutely mention the key thing!

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 31/08/2026 08:04

The key thing yes definitely, the courtyard wouldn’t bother me.

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 31/08/2026 08:04

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.

You only get check in information less than 24 hours before check in on Airbnb and she couldn't have cancelled at that point!

SethAndReubenTooSendGaloshes · 31/08/2026 08:02

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.

Ridiculous. There should be zero walking from the key collection to the property.

Original poster

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 08:01

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.

Which, as I said in my post, arrived on the day of check in and I was therefore outside of the cancellation period.

OP posts:

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.

Boomer55 · 31/08/2026 07:55

At every Airbnb I’ve been to, the key-safe is outside. I wouldn’t expect to have to trail around to pick them up.

So, I’d comment on the key-safe, but probably wouldn’t worry about the courtyard sunshine.

truepenguin · 31/08/2026 07:55

I've stopped using air bnb for many reasons but one is because of thr opaque reviews. For eg: 'Hans is a great communicator and reachable by phone' (omitting to add after traipsing the streets til 2am trying to ring him because the key code he provided doesn't work).

Or: there is a small step on to the patio (transalation: the patio is accessed by climbing over furniture and through the window of the living room).

Or: A charming apartment with only one other occupant in the building (we know this because they live above and scrape furniture til 2am)

So yes, for the sake of fellow guests, please describe your experience accurately. Some people might not be bothered by the sound of, eg moving furniture, but that is their choice once they know the facts.

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 07:50

are you on holiday @raisemyheartrate ?

Original poster

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 07:50

Raptors · 31/08/2026 07:47

Being used to waking is irrelevant. It's not usual to have to travel to get a key especially so early in the morning. That's why key safes exist.

Edited

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I think what’s more annoying is it’s in a key safe! Obviously this other location is the HQ of their rental company. I’m dreading check out, where I’ll have to take it all back up again

OP posts:

LasVegass · 31/08/2026 07:49

Mention both. Who wants the extra walk when you get in tired after the journey, with luggage, kids etc.

Original poster

raisemyheartrate · 31/08/2026 07:49

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.

Oh come off it. I walk 10,000 steps a day minimum, often walking the 45 minutes to and from work.

I don’t do that with a 20kg suitcase, hand luggage, and at 1 in the morning after a delayed flight!

OP posts:

susiedaisy1912 · 31/08/2026 07:49

Mention both. But keep it factual

DeftGoldHedgehog · 31/08/2026 07:49

I'd turn the courtyard into a neutral, factual comment "it was in shade all day after 8.30am". As in some places that would be a good thing. I'd mention about the key pickup, but keep it constructive.

Raptors · 31/08/2026 07:47

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.

Being used to waking is irrelevant. It's not usual to have to travel to get a key especially so early in the morning. That's why key safes exist.

beigepaints · 31/08/2026 07:45

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.

I’m used to walking too but that doesn’t make it normal for the key to be elsewhere 🙄

beigepaints · 31/08/2026 07:44

Key pick up definitely & maybe the lack of sea view from the courtyard if that is stated in the listing.

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.

Casceres · 31/08/2026 07:43

I would include both. Sounds like the advertising photos of the courtyard would make people think they could sun themselves as much as they wanted, which is not the case.

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 31/08/2026 07:42

I would mention both - the pick as something like "if you have luggage just be aware that key pick up is a walk away so you may want to store it" then courtyard as PP said - mention shade after 9am as a fact, some people will like that, others won't.

Ineffable23 · 31/08/2026 07:39

I'd mention both. I'd probably be neutral and factual about the courtyard, not mentioning the view but mentioning that it's shady. "Early morning sun in the courtyard, with shade from around 9am". As for some people that's a positive just as much as it's a negative.