Super Host Status for a HORRIBLE HOST

[Kathlene0]

I just stayed at one of the worst places I've ever stayed at, and noticed that the host has a superhost status. In reading their reviews, I notice that there are many favorable responses (I happen to disagree with them- and wonder what their real experience was like) but with the few unsatisfactory responses, the host is BRUTAL and attacks/insults the person who stayed there. This makes me furious! Well, not furious. I guess I'm more amused. It seems as though they really don't enjoy the process of making a pleasant experience for guests, and only care about their reputation. I'd be curious if anyone else has any thoughts/reflections or similar/different experiences.

[Lawrene0]

As long as they are getting five stars, responding (even with insults?) in a timely manner, and not cancelling, the automated system cannot differentiate between who deserves superhost and who does not, who is in it for the guests and who for the travel voucher.

Does "horrible" mean the place was a dive or that the host wasn't a people person? Did you review your stay honestly? You don't have to say, @Kathlene0. The main thing, I think, is if the host is responding to reviews brutally, prospective guests will look elsewhere, and bookings will dry up. I saw it happen with a host I stayed with a few years ago. My stay was fine with no personality clash, but when I looked again next time I was going to be in town, I saw that he was lashing out at each reviewer, mocking and belittling them. It made riveting reading, I have to confess, but soon his listing was gone from the platform. Only his profile and those spiral-into-host-madness reviews remain. 

[Ann72]

@Lawrene0 This is a fantastic story!  

[Kathlene0]

Hi Lawrene! Thanks for your clarifying response. Interesting all around. I wrote my review yesterday, the day I checked out, tried to be kind and stick to facts- the house didn't seem prepared for guests, the house wasn't numbered (neither were the neighbors) or labeled clearly in any way that was evident (even if I'd had their last name it was unclear which unit to ring, if there was a buzzer), the phone number linked to the account wasn't answered multiple times. The host hasn't replied yet- but I'll write back if she says anything unpleasant!

I think the most important thing, as someone who loves both traveling and hosting on this platform, is to be more compassionate, to be a fair and understanding traveler, and a contientious and considerate host. Will keep trying.

Thanks again!

[Ann72]

@Kathlene0, go ahead and write a review, brief, but with one or two specifics, and give low stars if that's what you're feeling.  Either she singled you out or other guests have been too cowed by her behavior to call her out on it.  As a superhost, I don't like hearing about others with that status who are rude (or worse) to their guests.

[Kathlene0]

Thanks, Ann! I have stayed in multiple airbnbs for one night and have had amazing, though brief, experiences. This time was different- and truly wouldn't recommend it for anyone (I didn't interact with the main host, who was watching tv, only her husband who went overboard to find directions for me on the computer in the room I was to stay in, then touched my leg. In the morning he prepared a breakfast that I wasn't inclined to eat). All I could bring myself to say, though, on the public feedback page, was for people to be prepared that it was much further away from the train (and the airport) than it appeared, and not convenient, that it was hard to locate with the lack of sineage. And thanked them for the coffee.

[Ann72]

@Kathlene0 Oh gross.  Ick.  Good that you got out of there quickly!

I slightly misunderstood your original post - read too quickly - thought you meant the host had been hostile to you while you stayed there.  Actually can't wait to see her response  on your profile page so I can check her out.  What a nightmare.

[Kathlene0]

Me too! They weren't hostile at all.. I have to assume the leg touching was a cultural phenomenon and not meant to be interpreted, but still it made me uncomfortable. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Kathlene0

we are super hosts for 2 y in a row but sometimes we get a guest who didn't enjoy his/her stay for some reason.   I bet those guests also wonder why we are super hosts 🙂 

If they are superhosts it means they are doing something wright- maybe you were not a good match and just irritated each other

[Kathlene0]

Hi Branka and Silvia, thanks for your thoughts. I understand that when renting a room on airbnb it involves entering someone's home. I don't expect them to not live their lives.. but when the pictures look very tidy and in reality it feels like you're entering a hoarder's home, something isn't being advertised correctly! I was just there for the night and survived. More concerned with how the host treated the other guests on the feedback page, who stayed longer and did truly have awful experiences.