Hi Peter,
I did a little research and I think the following information may shed some light on the situation.
( I am not a reputation management consultant, or high level host paid by Airbnb to squash discontent or honest communications about the problems Host's encounter, or to make the host wrong because they are a less experienced level.)
One does not need to be on the Airbnb platform long before one becomes aware of various difficulties.
1. I think Airbnb is working towards their IPO (initial public offering) and the higher their profits the higher their valuation.
2. Airbnb is in the business of making money and their "product" is travel accommodations.
3. FastCompany.com wrote an article titled "To Fill Rooms, Hotels Are Turning to Airbnb". Services fees are revenue whether generated from hosts of hotels.
4. As recent as late November 2017 I lost return guests that complained about the cost. When I looked further into their complaint I realized that the service fee increased their cost while my rates had not changed.
It makes sense now why I've received multiple suggestions from Airbnb to lower my rates. I'm being squeezed by Airbnb and by my guests. I suspect Airbnb needs to drive down the prices of hosted properties in order to maintain a differentiation between hotel rates and hosted property property rates. Hotels of course, receiving higher rates.
Any suggestions are welcome.