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

I don’t think I’m a picky person but the key thing particularly would have really bothered me, finding out so soon before arriving.

If I was alone in a place new to me there’s so way I’d want to wander about with all my stuff at 1am and back, a mile is ridiculous to expect. I definitely think you should mention this factually as you would really be helping others, some of whom might have mobility issues, or kids with them, or just plain and simple not want to do it!

Very poor quality (customer satisfaction and experience) from the host who is not treating paying guests as valued customers. Nor dare I say giving any thought to guests’ possible safety concerns especially before arriving when you won’t have a feel for the place.

The courtyard would really piss me off as I want honest photos not misleading ones. I would leave a factual comment as others have said, maybe shade would appeal to some, especially if the sea is opposite outside the flat. I had a gorgeous holiday flat last year right on the beach but no sun till late pm - didn’t bother me as in that case, I just made a mental note to check the orientation of the next holiday place. But there was nothing misleading in the photos in my case so without the expectation, I wasn’t disappointed. Unlike in your case. Again it’s customer expectations versus actual experience that these hosts should deliver on as advertised or implied.

I’ve found that they say “self check in with keysafe” on the listing but yes, release actual details at check in or shortly before, presumably for security reasons and to stop CFs turning up hours early.

I’d want to know about both. It really pisses me off that people rarely cover negatives in reviews. I no longer trust Trip Advisor for that reason.

This kind of nonsense is why I've stopped using Airbnb. Nice hotels all the way which tends to work out the same in price, but you have breakfast included, dont have to lift a finger cooking/tidying and reception solves any issues. Can't be fucked with these inconveniences and disappointments! Yes, I'd be pissed about both. Sounds like the courtyard pic has been manipulated by ai if it shows a false sea view?

I’d describe the courtyard so people know it’s small. Might have dog or children and choose sth with more space.

Please mention both, including sea view.
Be factual. The shady courtyard might be the best part for some and disappointment for others.

The OP has made it clear that it didn't arrive within the cancellation window.

I'd mention the key thing. Surely they could just fit a key safe at the property. Not the courtyard though

Yes, I’d be grateful too! DH and I love outside space with sun on holiday so scour reviews for any mention of sun and how long/what time of day it’s there.
The key thing sounds like a real faff too.

It doesn't sound ideal for an expensive apartment. So yes mention things you weren't happy with and are misleading.

Not to hijack this thread but.. has anyone heard of paying more to access a second bedroom in an Airbnb property? Recently, the host asked me to change my booking to 3 people so my friend and I could have a bedroom each? Extra cost was obviously another 3rd of booking price. If we booked for 2 people, it accessed one bedroom, 2 singles if not in a relationship. I was shocked - and, also, now prefer hotels to any of the shit associated with ‘rules’

Interested to see if Airbnb delete your review though. I’m convinced they do as so many places we have stayed in had glaring faults that not one review had mentioned

Since when is it being picky to expect Airbnb owners to be honest and factual? Definitely mention both issues in your review.

The key thing is completely ridiculous and I wouldn’t be keen on wandering along an unfamiliar area in the middle of the night with all my luggage either.

Orientation of my living quarters is extremely important to me. If a place is remotely north facing or gets very little direct sun, then I’d give it a swerve assuming I’m made aware of the fact. If someone tries to misrepresent the accommodation to dupe me into booking it, I’d be extremely pissed off.

DH and I used to work abroad for 3-6mths at a time and used a management company to rent out of flat via Airbnb. We paid for the premium fee package which included meet/greet when guests arrived.

The 2nd time we rented it out, we became aware that if a guest arrived between about 11pm-6am, then the keys were left at a local off licences 'keynest'. 3 doors up. The 3rd time we rented it out, they'd stopped the meet/greet service and ALL guests had to collect from the off licence, but now, they used a place 0.5mile up the road. I thought of your exact scenario, someone arriving late in an unfamiliar place having to drag bags up/down the road to get a key. We couldn't install a key safe and stopped renting it out.

Long on story short- if there are no other reviews mentioning the keys, then maybe the collection location has only recently changed?

Yes, I would include it in my review to warn others, along with the terrace- but it depends on ow the terrace was described.

The Airbnb system releases it automatically but only whatever the host has written, so possibly the host wrote nothing useful in the check in information and sent it to you manually at check in time. Poor practice.

I'm used to walking but I think its more a question of safety rather than just inconvenience. I wouldn't want to be wandering around to get a key at stupid o'clock in the morning. especially as I also don't drive so would have got a cab at that time. To then get out of the cab, let it go only to find that the key isn't there and I have to walk around to get it - with my luggage....I'd be pissed off too.

Mention both in a review. Also you get chance to give private feedback in review so ask that the key box situation is made more clear in listing so others know.

Mention both, I’d be hacked off about the key situation. I’ve had to pick up a key a couple of blocks away, not half a mile though, and it wasn’t at night and I didn’t have much luggage.

The poster being so odd feels like a bot assigned the task of being contrary.

Yes, mention the keys and size of courtyard. Also mention it’s not really see view ( whatever the issue is as I didn’t understand).

You are not picky. There are too many Airbnbs with exaggerated descriptions but they have 5 star reviews.

I once went to a calm, sea view house on the other side of the world, only to discover on arriving, view was when you go for a short walk and the area was noisy with a motorcycle repair shop nearby.

Surely a review is what your thoughts are. Why the rush to protect the feelings of the owners. Just state what happened with the keysafe and lack of sun despite misleading photos Job done!

YANBU. I'd mention them both. The key safe situ being the most problematic - ridiculous actually. Unacceptable.

This is why we've stopped doing as many AirBnBs. Some are great no doubt, but so many turn out to be a bit naff / not as advertised; even when expensive.

I would definitely mention the key pick up arrangements. If the courtyard thing was a case of the owners using clever photography rather than lying, I would just be factual, eg "I enjoyed the sea view from the apartment. (The sea is not visible when in the courtyard, as the courtyard is about 2 foot lower than the apartment.)" It sounds like the apartment does have its good points, so I would mention those too.

I'd mention both but stick to the facts.

Mention anything you like. It's probably only the star rating the owner cares about - the detail is just for other guests and if it impacts bookings then the owner knows to sort it out or price accordingly.

Mention both IMO. As others have said, not everyone enjoys blazing sun all day so it wouldn't necessarily put people off knowing the courtyard wasn't facing the sun.

Key safe thing isn't just annoying with luggage, It's also dangerous IMO. I wouldn't want to walk about at night, in a strange place. Especially with luggage weighing me down. Not safe for a lone female who doesn't have transport.