It wasn't like this when I was hosting!

[Mike-And-Jane0]

I tried to book an Airbnb last week for a week in Salcombe Devon. A very posh seaside resort in the UK. Airbnb took my money and said that the host would respond to the booking request within 24 hours. Did they? - Did they heck. No response whatsoever so I am down the £1300 deposit until Airbnb releases it back to my bank. Also they didn't respond to my message asking if I had done something wrong.

Upshot of all this is I've booked a different place via Cottages.com. 

So please Airbnb hosts - Try to treat your guests well and they will book with you.

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @Mike-And-Jane0,

Thanks for sharing this. It’s a strong reminder to all hosts — communication and quick responses are essential. A missed message isn’t just a missed booking; it’s a missed opportunity to build trust and offer a great guest experience.

For future bookings, you might consider using the "Instant Book" filter on Airbnb — it allows you to book directly without waiting for host approval. Also, look for listings with Superhost status and check the host’s average response time — both are good indicators of reliability and guest care.

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[Till-and-Jutta0]

This is so boring, @Mike-And-Jane0 . I will never make the mistake again to instant book and use an Airbnb travel voucher. As it's really a heck to get it back in case the host refuses the IB later.

[Frances3408]

@Mike-And-Jane0. Yes, I agree very disappointing. The problem is I tend to over communicate with guests and I'm finding with my upcoming trip this week the silence since booking is deafening. There is a major surfing event in town same time so I've lowered my expectations to just hoping they dont cancel me last minute 😉

[Shelley159]

... or if they're bad guests anyway, hope that they do cancel last-minute @Frances3408 as the price will probably be higher and the guests much more responsive by Friday night 😁

I don't know what it's like in your area, but with the explosion in the number of hosts trying their hand at Airbnb, I find that lately one can get really good very last-minute bookings over popular times from guests who arrived at their accommodation and found it unacceptable! Your surf weekend sounds like a candidate for that type of situation ... if they cancel, just leave the lights on and keep your phone close ...

[Frances3408]

@Shelley159. Its my trip so I'm hoping that wont happen 😅. Think I'll send them a brief message today re my expected arrival time.

'

[Shelley159]

Ah!  Thought the guests weren't communicating with you, but you're the guest. That's very frustrating @Frances3408 - hope you're not the one running around last minute. Especially when you do everything right when the roles are reversed 😖!