Leaving a negative AirBnB review

[Harara]

Had a pretty rubbish experience so I want to leave a negative review for the host. However part of me also just wants to move on and forget about it, and the host was pretty combative so I don’t want to end up in some sort of mediated dispute with AirBnB bickering about what I’ve said. Have you ever left a significantly negative AirBnB review? What happened afterwards?

I did, then when I opened their review of me as a guest, it was really good.

One person can’t see the other’s review until both have been posted.

I only had one bad experience with Airbnb and wrote a negative review. I remained factual so nothing personal and made sure to be as accurate as possible. E.g. the place was advertised as X, Y, Z but there was no X / owner refused to fix problem with Y/etc.

In our case, the owner didn't reply so perhaps knew he didn't have a leg to stand on?

I've left a bad review of one of my guests (about the awful state they left the bathroom in) and then felt so guilty when I saw they left me a nice review.

I have also left a nice review for a place that was totally infested with flies and then they gave me a bad review (as I had left some clean bottles to the side rather than put them in the bin as I was hopeful they'd be recycled!)

I think it depends what was wrong and how they handled it. I own a cafe and negative reviews on something ridiculous really upset me as it brings down my score for no real reason. (Example one being that they came during my closed hours and couldn't get served) but if it was for something I had done wrong like burnt food or dirty cafe or whatever I would take on the chin. I just sometimes think if you didn't say anything to me at the time to let me rectify it then it's harsh to leave a review that impacts my business. But it sounds like you did speak to them about it so if they were dicks and unhelpful then you're within your rights to leave a review

As long as you keep it factual it should be ok to leave an honest review. Accurate reviews are always helpful to other people, and maybe also to the owner if they want to improve things. Not much point in saying everything was fine if it wasn't.

Can you put photos on the reviews?

I've left honest reviews which have highlighted issues. Always had 5⭐️ back.

I'd say leave an accurate review for the benefit of other people who might stay there.

I no longer leave reviews for guests. I do respond to any (rare) bad reviews - including complaints that the air bnb was too bright and the inside of the radiator had some dust in it.

you need to be honest - I regularly check reviews before booking and if I see bad reviews it is part of my decision making. I stayed at an Airbnb for 4 weeks whilst the house itself was on the market - and the host asked if we would be ok to allow viewings to occur whilst we lived there. 100% cheeky that she’s getting paid for the house but also wants to keep it on the market but oh well.

I said ok as I was trying to be flexible - took the kids and dogs out so the house was available over 6 times during the busy working week and made sure the house was presentable for buyers. left an ok review and got back a review complaining about the recycling not being done correctly and our dog being aggressive. he is a German Shepard who is house protective - we know this and take steps to control him when we have pre planned visitors.. We manage him well in public and have trained him, regularly gets compliments on walks (never barks apart from at cats, despite other smalls dogs attacking him regularly) but when we are sitting in the garden as is our right after paying £5k a month for the house, and the owners cleaner let’s herself in of course he thinks intruder and we have to scramble to intervene as he is not on lead and has started to bark. Cleaner is petrified and hysterical - whilst I sympathise she had no right to be there and I was angry the situation was made by them not us.

I let it go and didn’t mention it. Seeing her review of us v her …….. I regretted not being more honest and making this clear.