I've been an Airbnb superhost for 10 years, just one listing, meticulously managed by me personally. You want a host like me, i.e. experienced, hands-on, only one listing. What you don't want is an agent-host managing the property; they won't care about standards much, especially if they're managing several.
Here's my advice for a failsafe experience (the following applies to web/desktop browsing, I don't use the phone app much):
If you like the look of a listing, scroll down to 'Meet your host'. Only add the listing to your wishlist if the host is a Superhost and has at least 3 years' experience, 100% response rate, and at least 60 reviews.
Even if they fit the above criteria, avoid hosts with more than two listings (you can check this by clicking through to the host profile page), and also avoid hosts who aren't an individual but a company name (but N.B. 'professional host' doesn't necessarily mean it's an agent, I'm 'professional').
Note that the host's personal rating isn't the same as the listing rating. My listing is 4.95, me personally 4.92 because I've been doing it for so long and had a previous listing,and you inevitably get random unfair low reviews (e.g. 3* for not having a tumble dryer when they'd asked, do you have a tumble dryer and been told no, and still booked).
Read all the listing reviews. If there's one bad one in the context of 100 5-star ones, trust the good reviews. Contrary to what PPs have said, guests really don't score highly unless they're happy.
Do not book a listing with a rating of less than 4.9.
Do not book a listing where more than one review complains about cleaning standards or similar.
When you have your shortlist, message the hosts to enquire about your dates. Invent a question to ask if you have to. The point is not the answer to the question, but to get a sense of the host from 1) how quickly they reply, and 2) how friendly the reply is, etc.
Do not ask for a discount for a standard short stay. It's a red flag to any experienced host.
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You don't have to leave the place exactly as clean and tidy as you (hopefully) found it. But it's polite and respectful not to leave it in an absolute state. Same as if you stayed with a friend or relative, you wouldn't leave shit stains in the loo, or a pile of dirty plates and mugs in your bedroom.
It is extremely unlikely, if you follow the advice above for selecting a place, that a Superhost would make false accusations against you as regards damage, etc. If you're really anxious about this, take photos of the place before you check-out.
Disputes generally only arise with bad guests and/or bad hosts. If you're a good guest and you choose a good host, you'll be fine.
As for Airbnb v hotels, that's really up to you. Short holiday lets are nothing new - lots of people prefer to book a Spanish villa rather than a hotel, because they like their own private pool and eating what they like for breakfast, and not being woken up by a chambermaid every morning wanting to clean the room. I hate hotels and always stay in Airbnbs. In cities such as Paris or Florence, it's fun to have a key to your own flat as you feel less like a tourist. It's fun to go food shopping. Other people prefer the ease of hotel culture.