For the first time in my first year of hosting, I have had a difficult guest. (I have found that about 95% of guests are respectful and even wonderful!) This particular guest broke at least 3 of my house rules... no parties, no children and no smoking either indoors nor outdoors.
I have joined this conversation because #1. She was actually an upbeat young woman and I rather liked her. I don't want to trash her profile by giving her a terrible review but I WILL give her personal feedback to help her be a more rsponsible guest in the future. #2 Mostly, I am curious about what happens when we review guests and give them the "thumbs down" response to the question of whether I would recommend hosting her. Does that go on her profile? Does it just go to Airbnb? Does she know I do not recommend her to other hosts?
Here are the reasons why this booking was difficult for me:
The booking was for two nights; the night before her wedding and for her wedding night. On the first night, she showed up 4 hours later than the time we had agreed to for check in. She showed up with 3 friends in tow, (the bridal party) and her 18 month old daughter which she said had not been part of the plan, but the babysitter didn't show up.
After arriving around 7PM, they all left quite noisily around 10:30, leaving all the lights on, the air conditioning blasting and the door ajar. She came back the next morning, but I was busy with my other work and was not able to talk to her about whatever it was that was going on. (I was still oblivious to most of it.) I realized, after she and her new husband had left, that the full bridal party had been there to get ready. Since I book the cabin for 2 guests only, this seems to break the house rule of "No parties". There were 7 cars in our driveway for bridesmaids, photographer, florist, etc. This is a driveway that usually accommodates 3 cars at the most and which we share with our neighbors. During our cleaning up, I discovered a beer can with ashes in it and a lighter, left outside on the deck. Obviously someone had been smoking... possibly one of her guests. We live in a drought zone and the wildfire hazard rating is currently set at "extreme".
Bringing her baby here broke the rules in the extreme. We have the "no children" rule because it is unsafe on the deck for young ones, but also, I don't want to be taking diapers out in the garbage and other cleaning up issues that children and babies bring.
As for star ratings, this guest's communication was poor as she didn't inform me about wanting to bring 4 friends over. She broke 3 house rules. She was not respectful of us or the neighbors when they all left late at night, talking at the top of their voices, nor respectful of consumption of utilities, (lights on, AC on, door wide open) (Also, we are in the midst of record breaking warm temperatures and they had the heat turned way up the next morning! to counterbalance the A/C on all night! But this is not one of my main complaints.After all, we are all different)
As I write this, I have to laugh. It sounds so obvious! Give a poor review! But I want to be helpful. I want to be kind and not just hit her over the head with my issues. I think this will all come as a shock to her! Also, everyone deserves a second chance. At the same time, I don't want other hosts to have to encounter this irresponsible guest. I know other hosts who do not give honest poor reviews, but is that really helpful?
Thanks for reading my rant! I am open to all your thoughts and suggestions.