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

[raisemyheartrate]

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

Of course you should mention both.
I have used sites dozens of times and never walked anywhere to collect a key.
That information would have been enough for me to scroll on.
The sea view is sneaky, so yes clarification is helpful.
That is why reviews are so important.

Absolutely mention courtyard. There are some people who may book specifically with the idea of sitting in the sun with a book gazing out to sea all day

Yes, this is a useful review to others. I would be glad to know there is shade and more likely to book.

Definitely mention the key. Some people might not be able to walk a distance to retrieve a key, or want to, on their own at 1 a.m.
The courtyard - if it has been photographed and presented as a feature, with sun, a sea view and larger than it is irl, then yes, I would mention it. Some people might book on the basis of this expectation alone. Be factual in the review, but you can express your disappointment at the inaccuracies, in the option they give of leaving a PM for the host.

I’d absolutely mention both, politely. Useful info is better than gushing.

Note for those planning arrivals that the key for the property is located at the hq 20 minutes walk away.

Lovely sea views from within the flat. The pretty sunken walled courtyard doesn’t have the sea views, but you can enjoy early morning sun up to 8.30am (in August when we stayed).

When I've had negative stuff to report, unless it's something that would majorly impact someone's choice, it's been in a private message to the host, rather than in my public comments. e.g. we stayed in a place in Sydney which was great, but the mattress on the bed was awful - one of those that has a huge dip in the middle. I reported it privately as I felt that was something that could easily be remedied, and it didn't detract from the rest of the accommodation, which was very good.

We've used Airbnb a few times. You often find the same accommodation is advertised on several different booking platforms. I use the Airbnb photos, what is stated in reviews, and other listings to figure out where it is (you don't get the precise location details until shortly before arrival) - the photos often show adjacent businesses - and locate the place on Google Earth to check views, etc. If it's in Spain the listing will include the tourist licence number.

Exactly my approach

YES to the ‘opaque reviews’ comment!

I’m looking at a place at the moment with multiple reviews raving about ‘Pierre and his brothers’. Are they genuinely great hosts or so overbearing that guests feel compelled to mention it - but obliquely, in that coded way that often gets suggested on here?

Please mention both, op. The key thing is annoying and I wouldn’t want to be finding out about it a couple of days before my trip. I’d be really disappointed by the shade all day too.

We need to get over this idea that we owe hosts great reviews, including keeping quiet about things they can’t change. Another reason to book hotels and guesthouses, though, as you get more balanced reviews on them.

I've done that too, about the place that was in a mountain location but had nowhere for you to hang your coats, amongst other things. The owner didn't even respond. I'd put them in the review now.

Ooh, yes, I'd love a shady courtyard all day.

Overall I'm not a fan of Air bnb type set ups, but that's just a personal thing. I travel solo a bit and I often worry about hidden cameras, or becoming suddenly ill with no one to help, and lastly trying to find the place ..... happened in France and I thought no, never again and I speak French reasonably well too!

Anyway, I'd be factual but not moany. State the fact that the key needed collecting elsewhere, and that the courtyard was shaded, which might suit many people these days in intense heat!

It wasn't described - OP assumed this from looking at the picture, which was taken from the property, not the yard.
It's fairly obvious you won't see the sea from a courtyard.
The key situation is ridiculous OP and definitely a need to know before booking.

You should definitely mention the key thing.

I once had an AirBnb when the key collection point was a house about half a mile a way. The listing made it clear that was the case and so we were able to make appropriate arrangements to collect.

I’ve had Airbnbs where you had to collect the key from a locker inside a shop. One in a city was in a shop a 5 min drive away. It was a pain in the arse because being a busy city, you couldn’t just park outside the shop, it was absolutely pissing it down and we were on our way to a wedding reception. I can’t remember if I knew about the key location before booking, but it’s absolutely something I check for now when selecting Airbnb so I would find this very helpful info.

It wouldn’t necessarily mean I wouldn’t book, because in other circumstances might not be so inconvenient for me but forewarned is forearmed, or whatever that saying is.

I honestly don't understand why people don't put things in their public reviews. I'm an Airbnb host of 15 years and I see no reason to do this. I've had people say things like 'it was very hot, could benefit from a fan' in my first summer hosting so I bought a fan and posted a public reply saying 'thanks for the feedback, I have bought a fan' - this is actually helpful to future guests as it can confirm the problem has been resolved. More helpful than not mentioning it and the host never bothering to fix it because they have no impetus to as some hosts don't care about guest experience and just want to make money.

How lovely that half a mile isn't far for you but for many people it would be too much for all sorts of reasons.

Yes OP,I would mention both.

Yes I'd mention both. Courtyard/view is not as described or pictured and key collection is also important to know about.

Give up, love, you’re getting boring.

The most annoying key pick up I've had was a 30 minute drive away. Half a mile on foot would also be really annoying.
I really don't like getting instructions on the day, I always think they've forgotten me. Seems to be quite normal with Airbnb.

We stayed somewhere recently that claimed to be dog friendly, only there were no floor mats anywhere even inside the front door. And there was no coat rack. Bearing in mind it was March, we had dripping raincoats most days and it was a nightmare having to use the two dog towels we'd taken as floor mats. I ended up having to find a supermarket to buy some cheap mats and took them home with us - we had to let our coats drip off in the bath.

I mentioned this in the public review and it was removed within 24 hours for breaching their guidelines. It really annoyed me as a dog owner because I thought at least that would make other owners aware that they needed to take some sort of mats for dog paws and lots of extra towels.

You can mention whatever you like - if it's relevant to you it's likely to be relevant to someone else. The main thing with reviews is just to be factual and not rude so the owner has no come back. If people reading don't share your opinion on what matters to you who cares?

I stayed in one recently that only released the address and access arrangements at the check in time (3pm).

What guidelines were those? Assuming you expressed it factually this would annoy me and I'd complain to the site hosting the listing. There's nothing wrong with 'the comfort of our stay could have been improved by xyz' reviews. How else are owners going to find out how to market the property successfully? I don't understand a reluctance to accept such feedback if politely given.

It’s about ensuring people are fully prepared on arrival. Walking half a mile to collect a key is useful to know. People’s appetite for a post flight walk, varies, as does their luggage.

The more precise the listing, the better.