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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be upset at review on AirBnB?

287 replies

ballerina1971 · 21/08/2021 22:40

This is my first time ever using AirBnB. There was so little available in area we wanted to go , but a property came up. It was an active Church, with 2 camp beds and 2 air beds for the children (aged 11 and 12). No bathroom but a toilet with sink, no cooking facilities or fridge, but a little table was set up with 4 chairs to eat breakfast at. A simple cereal, tea and coffee breakfast was provided. We slept in the Church. On the last day we cleaned the toilet and sink. We washed cups, bowls and spoons we had used and set it all back up, how it was when we arrived. All rubbish was put in a black sack and all recycling put in recycling box, these though we did not know where the bins were despite looking. We don't remember being told where the bins were or where to put rubbish. We were never there during the day, didn't eat there other than breakfast. We didn't make beds the day we left as they would be stripped and washed any way. I smoke, but respected it was a Church and did not smoke anywhere in the grounds, but went out to where my car was parked, smoked there and placed all butts in an empty packet and put in a public bin where ever we went that day, so did not leave any cigarette butts on the grounds even. So, I was shocked to read Hosts review which said
* and her family weren't the tidiest of guests, but they were a very jolly group.'

I don't know what we did wrong, what exactly is expected of us as I can find nothing in Terms and Conditions that says about expectations of how property should be left and my friend was still in the Church to give key back and collect key deposit, so if something bothered them in could have been mentioned then.

I will write a response to the review just not sure yet what to say.

AIBU to be upset at this as I assume other hosts can read this and put them off accepting us in the future, should we use AirBnB again. It has not sat right with me, yet we had a great time and loved the Church and all it's history.pö

OP posts:
phishy · 22/08/2021 07:48

@3Br1tnee

Well maybe some of us have different standards to others. I couldn't walk out of a room leaving the bed the same as I got out of it. I always strip it and leave the sheets in a tidy heap at the bottom of the bed. I also don't leave towels strewn all over the place either. I don't clean, as it will be cleaned, but I don't leave it dirty, other than from me being there, and I leave it tidy and presentable 🤷‍♀️
That’s not standard, that’s idiocy.

As a pp said, you’re not actually helping and could be causing confusion.

I don’t presume to know someone’s job better than them. When we stay in a cottage etc, we wash and dry dishes, dispose of rubbish, wipe down surfaces, leave everything tidy. If the owners wanted us to strip the beds, they would tell us.

I do fluff out the duvet and lay it out straight, but that’s because I find it easier to fold and pack my clothes that way.

gobackanddoitproperly · 22/08/2021 07:49

I think it’s a very odd review, particularly as you’ll have paid a cleaning fee. I never do anything to the beds unless requested and we’ve used Airbnb for YEARS and have an excellent rating as guests.

Hardbackwriter · 22/08/2021 07:52

@Genevie82

Don’t worry about it Op, just start a new account. It does happen on air bnb as some hosts are not realistic about what to expect when guests are staying, don’t forget anyone can air bnb their home .. the church scenario sounds like they are just raising funds and not used to hospitality as such.. don’t take it to heart x
I would also do this if it was your first time using it. It really is quite an off-putting review - 'jolly' also might put some hosts off as it sounds like it might mean loud - so I'd ditch it if you can and then not think about it again.
CloseYourEyesAndSee · 22/08/2021 07:54

@Catflapkitkat

Camp beds, a toilet and sink, no bathroom. How does that get approved as suitable guest accommodation?
You can list anything on Airbnb and if people want to stay in it and leave it decent reviews it stays. They will remove listings if they get bad reviews or they are unsafe but otherwise - shed in your garden? Sure! Tent? Why not! It's a free for all
IseeScottishhills · 22/08/2021 07:56

Prior to moving permanently to Scotland I used to do a fair bit of Abnb usuallIy renting a room in someone’s house. was conscious of the fact that the host reviewed you and of course you reviewed them. It is slightly tedious and you do feel you have to be on your best behaviour although as I literally using the rooms as a roof over my head and nothing more it’s wasn’t too problematic but I think it would be harder if you were using their kitchen facilities etc. Although I have to say always stripped the beds and I’m definitely not a neat freak just seems a polite thing to do I would do the same if I stayed in a friends house (as some of the people I’ve met whilst doing abnb have in fact become).

Mydogisagentleman · 22/08/2021 08:00

DH is currently in Spain.
He had two nights in a room in an Airbnb.
He is now in a hotel as the woman who owned the house he was staying in was going into his bedroom all day long (he was trying to work) and knocking on his bedroom door at night

TheDogsMother · 22/08/2021 08:09

Airbnb host here and we don't charge a cleaning fee. It's optional and not all hosts do. Also we much prefer it if guests don't strip the bed. As PP said it sounds like an inexperienced and unrealistic host who has left the review so agree just start a new account.

Haudyourwheesht · 22/08/2021 08:12

I'd rather strip the beds to be sure they're being changed in between guests! At the moment, in order to get their 'covid secure' certification owners have to wash or quarantine everything, down to duvets and pillows, in between guests.

kwiksavenofrillsusername · 22/08/2021 08:14

@Catflapkitkat

Camp beds, a toilet and sink, no bathroom. How does that get approved as suitable guest accommodation?
The first Airbnb was an air mattress in someone’s front room, which gave the site its name. It used to be a lot more about cheap, unusual accommodation like staying in spare rooms or tents before it became just another holiday home site.
Branleuse · 22/08/2021 08:17

Is there option to respond. Surely they charge a cleaning fee? I dont think their review is fair

CornishGem1975 · 22/08/2021 08:17

If I was hosting and someone stripped the beds before leaving, I'd be quite suspicious and assume that they'd probably pissed in it Grin

saraclara · 22/08/2021 08:19

Yep. My daughter stayed in an airbnb that was an air mattress in the (large) cupboard under the stairs in a shared house! But she one that when she booked, it was silly cheap, she was a student, and she literally only needed a roof over her head for the one night

Livelovebehappy · 22/08/2021 08:19

I think this is a case of not being able to say if YABU or not, because we don’t have the host’s side of things. People have different standards of cleanliness. But tbh, the review isn’t too bad. I would probably message them to ask for specifics.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 22/08/2021 08:20

@IseeScottishhills

Prior to moving permanently to Scotland I used to do a fair bit of Abnb usuallIy renting a room in someone’s house. was conscious of the fact that the host reviewed you and of course you reviewed them. It is slightly tedious and you do feel you have to be on your best behaviour although as I literally using the rooms as a roof over my head and nothing more it’s wasn’t too problematic but I think it would be harder if you were using their kitchen facilities etc. Although I have to say always stripped the beds and I’m definitely not a neat freak just seems a polite thing to do I would do the same if I stayed in a friends house (as some of the people I’ve met whilst doing abnb have in fact become).
Ive hosted hundreds and hundreds of guests and almost never give a negative review. As long as you're quiet, clean and leave the place more or less as you found it you'll get 5* from me!
Tereo · 22/08/2021 08:21

Out of curiousity what do you think of this review, does it imply we were messy? We had 3 under 5s at the time but left the place tidy and in order

"X and her family were very friendly and full of energy. They made the place their own and I hope they enjoyed the grounds. Would welcome them back."

FAQs · 22/08/2021 08:25

The Airbnbs especially since COVID we have stayed in, have all stipulated to strip the beds.

The last one didn’t have a cleaning fee, but I clean them anyway. Although I also make beds before leaving a hotel room, just a daily habit. I always make my bed at home every morning, and I’m certainly not the tidiest!

FAQs · 22/08/2021 08:26

Oh and agree with Jolly that also might be misinterpreted. They sound very fussy for the standard of accommodation though.

SmokeyDevil · 22/08/2021 08:26

[quote Theythinkitsalloveritisnow]@3Br1tnee why would you make a bed in a holiday rental? They are going to have to change the bedding anyway. I hope Confused[/quote]
I think their reaction to op, assuming what she has told us is true, kind of suggests they maybe don't bother washing the sheets and so had to retidy them for the next guests. Lovely thought...

Foxhasbigsocks · 22/08/2021 08:26

@Tereo I would take that as you were lovely but conspicuous guests - as anyone would be with little ones e.g you were around a fair bit and it wasn’t a silent stay.

Butchyrestingface · 22/08/2021 08:28

@callmeadoctor

I am more concerned about why on earth you would stay in what sounds a dump? No bathroom but a sink and toilet? No cooking facilities or fridge? you might as well have bought a tent!
Same. Can't get past that.

Is it legal to rent out rooms with no bathroom facilities for guest use on the premises?

gogohm · 22/08/2021 08:38

Ridiculous, if I was paying a cleaning fee which Airbnb do o wouldn't be tidying up, yes bagging rubbish but you are paying guests not freebies. I won't use Airbnb because I think the rating of guests is ridiculous

peridito · 22/08/2021 08:39

@ballerina1971 having looked at the prices on champing.co.uk/what-is-champing/faqs/champing I am astounded !

50quid plus per person per night for zero facilties to sleep somewhere cold and no doubt running with wildlife ?

I can only imagine people stay because they wish to fund the upkeep of a church or they have loads of cash and want to do something different .

MattDamon · 22/08/2021 08:40

I wouldn't be happy with that review either. There is no requirement for you to be 'tidy'. Challenge it with Airbnb.

dementedma · 22/08/2021 08:47

Sounds like a weird accommodation all round. We have been using Air BnB for years in UK and abroad and love it. Never once had a problem and it enabled us to stay in places which we couldnt have afforded otherwise

SayItBackwards · 22/08/2021 08:47

[quote sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea]It sounds like the OP went champing, which is pretty basic in terms of services provided, but it's more about the experience than having luxuries - which is something the owner/manager should take into account! I can't believe there could have been much to clean up if the website is anything to go by: champing.co.uk/[/quote]
I've just followed the link.
£59 pp to sleep on a camp bed and not have a proper bathroom? And then to be expected to do your own cleaning/tidying up?
It's daylight robbery.

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