Holiday cottage owners - do you welcome criticism?

[prettyvisitor]

Of the constructive type I mean.

We are in an air bnb cottage that was quite expensive I think, and although it's spacious there are quite a few things I would change. Being British, when the email comes from air bnb asking about my stay, I know I'll squirm and try not to offend the owner as he's a really nice chap who's let us in early and been really responsive to queries!

I'm talking things like flat pillows, not enough towels and a couple of very uncomfortable beds, so nothing that would take much effort to sort out - would you be responsive to these suggestions?

On Airbnb you have a public review + you can contact the host privately.

I’d leave a simple public review which reflects your overall experience but doesn’t list every quibble and then you can send a constructively worded email direct to the owner thanking them for their help, had a nice stay etc and suggesting the improvements.

Yes that's what I was planning to do but I'm still worried about offending the owner 😂 oh well I don't suppose I'll ever meet him!

Suggestions should be sent to the owner in private not put on an Airbnb review.

A polite private message is always helpful (AirBnB owner here!)

I would like to know if the beds were uncomfortable - please do put that in Airbnb review and if people might want to bring extra pillows that would also be really useful to know

I mean I would like to know as an Airbnb user!

Is there a suggestion book in the property? I would put things like lumpy beds or suggestions for improvements in there, but if you want different pillows or more towels, talk to the owner now so that he can do something about it while you are still there, rather than keeping quiet and giving an upsetting review later.

We had this recently, we have them a great review publicly and some tiny bits of feedback privately, the host seemed grateful for it. It really was a great place but for a few small things!

I'd let them know, and put things like uncomfortable bed and flat pillows in the review. Plus I doubt a private message would lead to much unless multiple people did the same.

My husband had to spend a week sleeping on the floor because of a horrific mattress in an AirBNB before. If only someone had mentioned it in the review.