If I don't write a review for a guest, will their review of us appear on our page anyway?

[Amber-Y-Andreu0]

Hello,

We had two guests recently that we were very displeased with, and I suspect the feeling was mutual. Since almost 14 days have passed and they had not written a review I figured I would do the same, the old "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" rule. However, I just received notice that they have now written a review.

If I choose not to write a review for them, will their review go public anyway? Even though we bent over backwards to please these individuals who seemed to think they should have been staying in a polished urban hotel instead of a country house I'm afraid their review will reflect their (apparent) disappointment, and not our efforts to please them.

Thanks,

Amber

[Sandra126]

All good advice, also don't make it overly long or aggressive. If it is awful the guest will delete their profile, making the review redundant. Just enough for hosts to understand roughly.

We need a Community Guide (where are you, @Dave & Deb) on how to write a good negative review. @James1 has some stirling suggestions that needs to be more widely read as this is a really common issue.

[Beverly36]

This was a very helpful conversation. I read this because I felt a bad review coming on due to plumbing issues. I tried to remain factual as you all recommended and ended with “perhaps a hotel experience would be better for this party”.  I’m glad I listened to you and left emotions out because indeed they gave me a very high review and 5 stars and now I feel bad that I gave them 4 and did not recommend them. Where does the “Did not recommend” show up?

[Wendy117]

The guest does not know either whether you revommended them or the number of stars you gave them.

Another host can just see that there were say 9 reviews but only 7 recommendations, so obviously 2 hosts have not recommended them.

[Deborah1096]

I'm enjoying reading these posts (new to AirBnb)....so, just wondering-when I review a guest, they don't see how many stars that I give or that I'd likely not rent to them again??

Thanks for your reply.

[Sarah977]

@Deborah1096  The guest sees neither of those things. However, hosts who don't use Instant Book also don't see guest star ratings, so please make sure the written review you leave doesn't make the guest sound desirable, if you rate them low and wouldn't want to host them again.

[Deborah1096]

Thanks for your information-much appreciated!

[Karissa31]

I can see how many stars my guests gave me.

[Debra695]

Hi Wendy, regarding this part you mentioned, "The guest does not know either whether you recommended them or the number of stars you gave them." 

As a host and guest on Airbnb I wanted to mention, although I can't see how many stars a host gave me on my guest profile,  I do receive an email from Airbnb. And same when I host, I can't see how many stars the guest gave me, but Airbnb does email this information. For example, a guest checked out last week and after we both reviewed each other Airbnb emailed me "_____ left a 5-star review!" in both the subject line and body of the email.  So I would anticipate the guest receives the same email.  All this to say, it looks like the amount of stars we give each other is disclosed by Airbnb unfortunately.

[Sarah1644]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had an undesirable guest but only a month in to the experience of hosting I'm probably going to unlist my property . Guest should not expect luxury  and realise it is your home which is precious to you .

[Sarah2076]

We feel the same.Our home is lovely and people want to party in it,no matter how strict we write our house rules.I had verbal abuse last week and it's just not worth the aggravation.Please can be so rude. I feel for you:/

[Kami6]

I agree. They are paying way below market and expect luxury. It is so bizarre.

[Delje0]

I feel the same way. I’m two months in and rethinking it as well. Had my first couple who kept having extremely loud sex. Then explosive arguments and I’m concerned there is damage to my home after all if the loud fighting. I called Air BNB  and they warned them but Airbnb didn’t even have the courtesy to call me back. Moving forward I’ll be calling the police and cancelling reservations which won’t give me good ratings. Just torn on what to do.

[James2178]

Hi DeljeO,   a reading of house rules may be of help.  

[Karen1403]

Perception of your home is personal, a guests perception of your pictures and description is also personal. Make sure your pictures reflect what they are walking into. Don’t glamorize your home, if you are afraid to post clear pics of all the rooms or condition, don’t list it. Also, make sure it’s CLEAN and fresh!! If there is an issue, take care of it immediately. If it’s unrealistic, kindly point them to your honest listing. 

[Steve-and-Angie0]

We just had guest that did nothing but complain from the minute they arrived. We asked for pictures only to realize it was about 6 pieces of dog hair, which in their words "it is all over". Then more "fabricated" excuses, for the next couple of days. We are fairly new hosts, and it really put a damp on our weekend dealing with it. Since a lot is about perspective, although this group seems to be looking for $$$.... Should we offer anything?