I debated and actually agonized on how to write a neutral review for my latest guest. Sorry about the long post - I just need to vent. 😤😭
I take pride on communicating with my guests (100% response rate) even taking calls at midnight. So communication has never been an issue until this last guest.
This guest initially booked the cabin for 1 guest however in his message he said it was for him and his girlfriend (1st red flag maybe). I kindly asked him the name of his girlfriend and would he mind updating his reservation to 2 guests. I like to know the names of my guests as I leave a personal hand written note welcoming them to the cabin. 2nd red flag - profile photo with 4 guys and I had no idea who was actually booking. His profile stated he was a senior at X college looking to travel his last year. My son who is also my co-host warned me about this guest and was not comfortable with this booking. Being a fairly trusting and giving people the benefit of the doubt (stupid on my part) I went ahead with the booking.
I communicate via the Airbnb app so I will have a detailed log of all my communication with my guests. This is where I send them Check in info and keypad code. Kids nowadays are very savvy when it comes to using these apps and I did not think it would not be a problem for him as well especially since we did communicate at the time of booking. At time of check in he sends me a text via my cell phone where is the info to check in (duh) it was already sent via the app! Before I could respond he realizes it’s in the app and says “oh never mind I just saw it on the app, sorry!”
I followed up with my welcoming message and asking if they needed anything. No response at all - nothing!
I believe I did my part on communication so I was extremely disappointed when he gave 4 stars for Communication! Really dude?
Now here’s the agonizing part - I have in my description/house rules/house manual that ALL guests must be registered via Airbnb mainly for insurance purpose and also so I know how to prepare the cabin. I don’t even charge for extra guests- I just want them to disclose who is coming on my property (even if there are just visiting). Well that didn’t happen - another couple showed up and spent the weekend at the cabin!
I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it because I felt maybe my house rules were not specific enough and I didn’t have any recourse to cancel their reservation. They were nice kids and wrote a good review however to ding me on my communication when they in fact were not forthcoming on the amount of guests. 😢
This one burns 😡 and my son tried to warn me - lesson learned! I have since amended my description/ house rules to the point where I sound harsh.
The grandmother in me did send him a private note explaining how he should be respectful and notify future hosts on the exact number of guests.
I just feel like I did a disservice to future hosts by not letting them know that he might not be forthcoming when it comes to extra guests.
Yes - they did party into the wee hours of the night! Thank goodness nobody reported them.
