LOCATION should be REMOVED from the 5 Star rating for all hosts worldwide.

[Dennis234]

It upsets / pisses me off that AIRBNB continue to use LOCATION as a reviewable point in the 5 STAR Rating Process. 
I currently have 3 rooms I offer through AIRBNB and usually full during the summer months with plenty of
juggling. I offer many perks (breakfast / bottled water / an  assortment of granola bars/chocolates) 
that make my posting stand out from many of the other AIRBNB rentals in the city to offer a better value
to guests who do book. Because of these perks I do get plenty of repeat guests who book year after year
when visiting our city.

Guests who book based on the location when they do book and have no problem with location. There are
guests who book based on PRICE and do not pay attention to LOCATION. I live on the edge of a smaller
city and you can travel by car anywhere in the city within 15-20 minutes of your destination.

When I am striving for a 5 STAR RATING, I do have guests which rate me on LOCATION with a 4 star or
less  and lowers my over all rating as a host. I find this feature should not be included in the list
of reviewable list towards the over all rating. On top of that I have the odd guest who rate me with a
TOTAL 4 STAR RATING due to the 4 they have given my listing on LOCATION  when they have rated all over
items as a 5 star. (If a host receives 3 5 stars our of 5 the over all rating should be 4.5 or 5 star
OVERALL).  Why would AIRBNB Penalize the host for nothing they have done and out of our control - LOCATION,
REALLY!! Still frustrated with the process.

[Cecilia539]

I agree. My listing is close to freeway. I indicated that in multiple places just to warn those who are sensitive to noises so they don’t book it if it matters to them. Still some guests rated the location as 3 despite the fact I also messaged them the fact before I accepted their booking. I don’t think location should be rated, it is beyond the control of a host. 

[Margaret228]

Location is something the guest chooses from reading / looking at your listing.  If there has to be a rating for location, it should be: "accurate description of location!"  

My place is 120' feet from the high tide line.  Many people inquired as to whether I was near a sandy beach.  No.  I'm on a volcanic cone 120' from where it plunges into the ocean. (No worries--it's been extinct for 30,000 years!)  I finally obtained an aerial view of the cliff and photoshopped an arrow showing the location of the home relative to the ocean.  There's been much less confusion since I included that in my photos.

[AdventureTim0]

I totally agree that the Location parameter in the review section should be revised.  For the record as a message to Airbnb I have a strong record that my last 50 ratings for location were all 5 Star, yet I still believe that Location parameter is flawed.

I would propose that Airbnb either delete this parameter entirely or if they insist on keeping it then it should be either

1. Moved to operate as a sub-section of the Accuracy review parameter.  This would help identify if the host is being truthful in the listing description and verify honesty by the guest if they have read it or simply being disgruntled.

2.Tiered/graded based on the type of location the listing is situated i.e  is it city or rural.  

A) If it is city oriented then the guest should be offered a tick box selection based on convenience/proximity for say Shopping, Parking, Cafes, Public Transport etc

B) If Rural/Beach location oriented then the guest should be offered tick box selection based on proximity to Beach, Surfing, convenience stores, national parks etc etc

Considering that Airbnb has a strong desire to promote the quality and concept of "Experiences" then this form of specific  reviewing fits neatly into that strand. 

What I'd also suggest is that there is greater emphasis on giving information relating to a Listings location based on Health and Wellness activities.  i.e. How close / or how convenient is the listing for Yoga activities,  running routes, safe walking routes, local gym's etc.

Surely with the massive growth in health issues such as Diabetes,  Mental Health, Obesity,  doesn't Airbnb have a social or moral responsibility to increase awareness / accessibility to health and wellness activities?

Its would a great way for hosts to offer a competitive advantage by promoting what is available nearby and even encouraging guests to be active.  For example if I'm travelling to a new city as guest, then its not always easy to know where is safe to go Running or go for a walk, even to know if the listing I've chosen is suitably located for running/jogging etc. 

Given technological advances available today then the potential to link the Location parameter in the Review process to the Guide Book is obvious.  I mean how many guests really read or take notice of the Guide Book?

Just a few thoughts I thought might offer a different perspective on Reviewing 😉

[Keren19]

Totally agree!! I live in NYC and include information in my listing stating just how far I am from the midtown area via train as well as bus service so that guests know before they book.  But as one person mentioned, some people book based on price and don't read the information and then post a review saying that the location is too far from where they wanted to be!  I am always stumped and very frustrated by this!  If the information is there why would you book knowing it's not where you want to be?  I strive to be upfront on distances but many don't read, then lower your ratings by posting about location issues they had.  Airbnb needs to really remove this as a review point!

[Red11]

I agree since it’s the one thing you can’t change or fix. My place is quite remote and guests are generally aware but there have been a couple of location issues.