Tips to Prevent Negative Reviews on Airbnb

[Chippy3]

Hi Hosts,

I wanted to share some strategies that have helped me maintain 5-star reviews and avoid negative feedback over the years:

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1. Set Clear Expectations

• Make sure your listing description is 100% honest and accurate.

• Use up-to-date photos and mention any quirks (e.g., steep stairs, nearby noise).

• Transparency builds trust and prevents disappointment.

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2. Pre-Arrival Communication
Send a welcome message 24–48 hours before check-in with:

• Directions

• Parking info

• Check-in instructions

• House manual / Wi-Fi password

It puts guests at ease and reduces confusion.

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3. Deliver a Sparkling Clean Space

• First impressions matter! Guests notice cleanliness immediately.

• Use a checklist for your cleaners and inspect periodically.

• Pay extra attention to linens, bathrooms, and kitchen appliances.

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4. Proactively Solve Problems

• If something breaks or a guest reports an issue, respond immediately.

• Offer a resolution quickly, even if it’s a small gesture like a partial refund or complimentary treat.

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5. Check-In Mid Stay
A quick message like:
“Hi, just checking in! I hope everything’s going well. Let me know if you need anything :)”
shows attentiveness and gives you a chance to resolve issues before a review.

We trigger this message to send within an hour of check-in, followed by a second message the following morning. This helps capture any issues before they reach the review stage.

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6. Request Feedback Before the Review Stage
Ask:
“Is there anything I could’ve done to make your stay even better?”
This opens the door for feedback privately and gives you a chance to fix things before they make it to a public review.

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7. Add Thoughtful Touches

• Small gestures like a local snack, a handwritten note, or flowers go a long way, especially for honeymoons or birthdays.

• Guests remember how you made them feel.

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Bonus: Handle Difficult Guests Carefully

• Stay professional, no matter what.

• Document all communication via Airbnb.

• Never communicate off the platform during the guest’s stay.

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These tips have helped me build lasting relationships with guests and consistently earn great reviews. Hope they help you too!

[Robin4]

@Chippy3 

That's a lot of great tips and I can see every one of them has been gained by experience Chippy.

If I can just condense that down a bit. I try to achieve 2 objectives....

A/.......Start and finish each hosting with a handshake or a hug.

B/........Give the guest something they were not expecting.

As hosts we are all individuals and circumstances dictate there will be different ways of approaching our hosting. 

But of the 91% of my 852 Airbnb reviewed hostings where I have been able to achieve the two points I have mentioned above, every one of them has ended up with a 5 star review!

Cheers........Rob.

[Chippy3]

@Robin4 These are the kinds of touches that turn a stay into a memory. It’s not about perfection, it’s about presence, thoughtfulness, and human connection. And your 91% five-star review rate is proof that it works!

Thanks for the reminder that hospitality is, at its core, a heart-led practice. I'm inspired to think of new ways to surprise and delight my guests now!!

[Robin4]

@Chippy3 

Thanks Chippy, they are lovely words

The only potential problem with this approach, you do accumulate a lot of friends......

I try to be what Airbnb originally set out to be Chippy, not an alternative hotel.......an alternative experience.

Cheers.........Rob.

[Fleming-and-Edna0]

Beautiful write up. I’ve been hosting for 13 years & been a super host consecutive cycles for some time. The only downside is some guests complained of over communication &excessive texts. So instead of texting long texts, I simply send 1 text in the beginning stating “please read house manual fully”. This way those who don’t like long or excessive messages don’t feel overwhelmed. Again, love all your tips!

Ms. Edna 

Airbnb Valued Dedicated Host

[Deb216]

Thank you so much, @Chippy3

Excellent tips!

Hoping for a successful, stress-free summer at my Cape Cod property.

Wishing you continued success.

[Alex]

Brilliant tips, @Chippy3! 👋

This is going to be fantastic for other hosts! How did you learn all of these fantastic tips? Have you applied them in practice? ✍️

[Chippy3]

@Alex  yes,  I’ve learned most of these tips over the years from hands-on hosting experience, I’ve been a Superhost for 8 years now and have hosted hundreds of amazing guests from all over the world. Each stay has taught me something new, especially when it comes to anticipating guest needs and creating those small, memorable moments.

I apply every one of these in practice, they’ve been key to consistently earning 5-star reviews.  Hospitality is all in the details 💛

[John5097]

@Chippy3 

Solid advice. It's a review based system and host have to look at from the guest experience. 

With 452 reviews I've managed to maintain 5 star average. 

And think other host could do really well heeding your suggestions. 

I don't do anything in the way of managing reviews. I'm not suggesting it's a bad idea, I don't mention them at all and don't ask for any suggestions. (Guest still make them with the message in the review) So I'll think about that one. 

I'm just saying that if the listing is 100% accurate, and super clean, that's really 99% of meeting guests expectations. 

So I suppose everyone and each listing is different. 

For example, I was always surprised my first 3 years of hosting that no one really mentioned the bed as I did a lot of research on it and all the bedding. 

But recently we have a new "Comfy Bed" in the listing. 

Just one example. I'm positive I've turned at least 16 four star reviews into five star reviews with some little detail, communication, or update. 

I'll even consider some of the suggestions here from you and other host and may make a tweak here and there as I'm always improving and always learning.