A recent guest

[Debra104]

Recently, I had a single guest for a week.  He was cordial and seemed to be respectful and compling.  When he arrived and checked in, I told him several times to please call me if there were any problems or concerns.  Our accommodation is a suite, containing a kitchenette, a bedroom, two living areas, and a bathroom, all private from our main home.  He was up early each morning and returning mid-evening each day.  All seemed well.  However, when we went down to clean after he left, we found a note that indicated he had gotten blood on the bedding and sheets, which he apologized for.  The problem being, as you all may know, the difficulty with removing blood once it has dried.  An information binder is provided, which includes where to find extra pillows, towels, bedding, etc.  I would have thought, he would have let me know the problem at the time of the incident, so that I could change the bedding and clean the soiled bedding.  Fortunately, after much scrubbing and treating of the bedding, I was able to get the stains out.  In addition, when in the process of laundering everything, I noticed that he had used several of the dish clothes on something that stained them so bad, that after soaking them and scrubbing them and using Clorax in the soaking to take the stain out, it was to no avail.  It also appears that he placed something on the table in the kitchenette that somehow marred it, and I was unable to rub it out. Not that it is consirably noticable, but I notice it.  In addition, the house policy is no shoes (the area is completely carpeted.).  However, it is apparent that he walked in and wiped his shoes off at the door, leaving the carpet area soiled, as well as an area by the table.  I share all of this because I am not sure how I want to handle his review.  He has left a review for me, and it should be a very good review, since he sent me a message when he left that he really enjoyed his stay.  However, I do not feel I want to write a nasty review about him, so, I am considering not providing a review at all and leaving it at that....I will not accept a reservation from him in the future.  Please give me your thoughts on this.  This is not my first negative experience, but I feel I just don't want to address it this time.

[Lawrene0]

Sounds like you were cleaning up a crime scene, @Debra104! That aside, of course do not write a nasty review. Write an honest one. "This guest was quiet and cordial but left more cleanup for us than is usual." How does that sound? 

Airbnb is a community. If you write no review, you spare yourself this inconsiderate guest but you do him (and us - your fellow hosts) no favours. 

I do completely understand not wanting to address it. It is unpleasant, and I have felt the same way in the past. So I wrote the review and sat on it for a few days before posting. Giving yourself a little time to think helps a lot, I find. 

[Debra104]

Lawrence, thank you for you input.  I am considering your recommendation.  This is what I am thinking about sending as a reply in the private comment of the review:

Karl, unfortunately, I am unable to give a good review.  There were several problems that I believe you are aware of.  If you recall, I said that you should call me if you had any problems or concerns.  Because you did not let me know about the blood on the bedding when you noticed it, the blood had dried to the point that it took several attempts of treating the stains to get them out of the bedding.  If you had let me know, the bedding could have been changed, so I could clean the soiled bedding immediately. Second, there were several dish clothes that had blackened stains on them that I was not able to get out. Third, the house policy is that shoes are to be removed when entering.  It was apparent that this had not been done because there was a large stain in front of the door and in front of the table in the kitchenette area. Fourth, it appears that you spray painted something on the floor in the bedroom leaving a large stain that we have not been able to remove. Fifth, an item was placed on the table in the kitchenette that left marks that I am not able to rub out.  This has been a very disappointing experience for us.

[Emilia42]

@Debra, I think that is a good approach. Leave him a neutral and to the point public review.

"XX was nice and appreciative but there were some issues that he did not communicate to us until after this stay which resulted in some extra cleaning."

Then let him know the specifics in the private feedback to help him become a better guest.

[Claire475]

It’s so disheartening when guests leave our homes worse for wear. I agree with Emilia leave a neutral review and write to him about the problems in private feedback or once both reviews are published send him a message giving your point of view. 

I understand how you feel been in the same situation a few times, it’s hard accepting such behavior.

Good luck with the clean up.