Would you leave a review for this guest? host opinions please

[Terri151]

I recently had a couple of 20-something women stay for 5 nights. They were very friendly and we talked a few times. But this is the first time, since hosting last Oct, that I will either leave no review or a negative review. Haven't decided yet. They weren't completely terrible, but they:

-permanently stained two of my washcloths by using them for makeup (and possibly nail polish) removal

-left glitter all over a bedroom table (ugh...glitter!)

-tracked beach sand into the house and garage

-left a blue stain on the ledge of the tub, I don't even know what it is but scrubbing it would not remove

-scuffed the bedroom wall with their luggage

I know for sure it was them and not a previous guest. I allowed them a complimentary early check in and check out and they seemed to enjoy their stay. They left me a review, which is probably positive, but I can't read it yet. 

So my question is, for guests like this, would you just not leave a review at all? would you want to warn other hosts, or is this not enough of a big deal?

[Terri151]

Hi Ange. This guest profile had 3 positive past reviews. So not new, but probably not seasoned either. I have all that info about expectations and instructions in my house manual, which I mention in my 'day before check in' message, along with the front door code.

[Barry-and-Lera0]

@Terri151: Most of those things sound fairly typical. I honestly wouldn't leave a bad review for those things but everyone is different. 

I understand the makeup and washcloth aspect. We had some issues when we were first starting with that. We put a small picture frame with "bathroom rules" on the vanity. One rule is to use the dark washclothes for makeup. We also started buying 6 packs of washclothes from Kohls $3. We probably have 30 washclothes on standby.

We are by the beach as well. Sand happens. Scuffed walls can usually be cleaned with a magic eraser but I also do touch up paint jobs every year just to freshen up anything that is really noticeable.

Its a vacation rental. Especially in a year round tourist market like yourself. There is wear and tear. Its part of the job if you ask me. Best of luck.

[Sarah977]

@Barry-and-Lera0  @Terri151  I think paint touch-ups are inevitable. I find it helpful to have a small jar of touch-up paint and a small brush handy for dings that won't come off with a magic eraser or other cleaning. It just takes a few minutes to dab over a scrape or mark and can be done during the cleaning time if you don't have to go through the paint cans in the garage or basement looking for the right color and prying the paint-encrusted lid off.

[Barry-and-Lera0]

@Sarah977: As obvious as having just some small jars of paint for touchups is I never even thought of it. I will do that. Thank you.

We changed out the main door of our guesthouse with a straight up, gray primer steel door. Industrial type. It works with the aesthetic of the room but also takes a beating without showing the beating.

[Pete69]

-permanently stained two of my washcloths by using them for makeup (and possibly nail polish) removal.

Your fault for not having a black towel specifically for makeup removal.

-left glitter all over a bedroom table (ugh...glitter!)

Just part of cleaning.

-tracked beach sand into the house and garage

Just part of cleaning.

-left a blue stain on the ledge of the tub, I don't even know what it is but scrubbing it would not remove

Email them and ask what the blue stain is so that you have clues as to what cleaner to use.

-scuffed the bedroom wall with their luggage

Just part of cleaning /wear and tear

You could mention in your review that you were left with a lot of extra cleaning. Or you can just say "They were friendly" with a wink ; )  short and sweet and leave it at that.

[Valerie192]

Hi @Barry-and-Lera0  - Similar to others, I would have considered most of things to be part of wear and tear and wouldn't mention them or mark them down in a review if they were otherwise solid guests. I put out make-up wipes and write on it For Guest Use on the bathroom window sill and I use taupe washcloths so that has worked well for me and I only host ladies. Glitter is super annoying but not sure that they would have anticipated or known the hassle it is to clean, and since they were apologetic about the blue mark, I would similarly let that slide. I would mention these items in private feedback to say in the future some extra care might be taken but I wouldn't publicly mention it.

I have found that most folks don't really know how to properly de-sand. I do, but I attribute that to summers growing up and weekly going to the beach. I recently had a guest track in a bunch of sand from an LA beach outing and I grumbled to myself at all the extra work to clean it up, but on the plus side I know they had a blast enjoying the best of what we have to offer in So Cal! 🙂

Ultimately you will have to do what you think best - just my two cents though!

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Terri151 

If it were me...... I think I'd try to be honest without being mean. A lot of hosts said the things you mentioned are just a part of hosting. To some extent yes, but the little things added up are quite annoying and shows a general sense of inconsiderate behavior towards others. 

While they may not be bad people, they certainly don't sound like the type of house guest ANYONE would want to welcome into their home. 

[Kelly149]

@Terri151 maybe it's bc of the maaaaany bachelorette weekends I've hosted but in my book glitter is an automatic bad cleaning review.

I mean really, adults don't know that they shouldn't spew glitter in someone else's house?!?

When I don't have anything good to say but don't want to deal with the backlash of a crummy guest, then my review says "3 night IB for 5 guests"

when someone is really terrible and I don't care if they know they were a bad guest then I say "not a guest I'd welcome back"

in your case i might say "5 friendly ladies who seemed to enjoy their visit, unfortunately they left us with more cleanup and repair than is normally true of ABB guests."

So, you haven't said they're bad or messy ("just part of doing business") but that most OTHER guests do a better job cleaning up than they did, and hopefully that is true.

[Sandra126]

If the tub is acrylic the stain might have set in. You could try Bar Keeper's Friend on a porcelain tub, but it is abrasive and might scratch the surface. Be VERY careful.

I use blue schampoo and have stained many things, all my own. Would NEVER bring it on holiday! You only have to use it once a week or so, no point in using it all the time.

[Sandra126]

and you don't have to mention mess, the stars do it for you. Just lower the rank a notch for ''cleaning''.

[Helen56]

You could say: "They were friendly guests but required a little more cleaning than usual.  However, I would still recommend them."

[Suzanne302]

@Terri151 

Definitely leave a review! We all depend on honest reviews.

I've struggled with this too with a recent guest. As most other hosts have said, we all have different tolerance levels. And the behaviors you described would definitely bug me, but nothing that I would give a terrible review over.

I totally understand though because one little annoyance is no big deal, but 10 little annoyances add up and can drive you crazy, even though each one is minor in and of itself!