does not really seem like an outlier to me. see remark below Inna 22 from Chicago who states they have had similar experiences. i also have been discussing this with people locally and it is interesting to hear how many have actually had horrid experiences with airbnb.
there is something entirely illogical and unbelievable :when you book an airbnb reviewed about 150 times as nearly 5 out of 5 and cannot sleep because of noise, furthermore the lodging is unclean/plumbing does not work properly /plus their are cockroaches./and in addition it would have been nice to know that the owners who lived on the first floor were absolute chain smokers /and the entire reception area was infused with the smell of nicotine. these are not minor issues / too much is too much. People do not go on holiday to end up in a dump.
i am more inclined to trust tripadvisor or booking.com reviews simply because they actually post A LOT Of bad reviews and some really bad ones. that is sooner rare on airbnb and i have to ask why.?
the room with roof terrace CALLE 56 462 a (the address is etched in my mind) was not fit to live in, yet it is rated better than the truly luxurious airbnb we had stayed at on our previous trip to Merida. We broke off our stay and went to see another airbnb (case rosa in Chelem) which was a word of mouth referral, but is also listed on airbnb. the bathroom faucet was completely rusted and i mean RUSTED/ i have a photo to prove it/ and the whole place was dingy/ run down and not very clean. we we walked in / had a look /and walked straight out and got a taxi to a two star hotel in progreso, there are no luxury hotels in progreso but this one felt like luxury after our airbnb experience!
the 2 star hotel was super clean, quiet and friendly, the bed linens were crisp. there were no cockroaches. /nobody smoked in the hotel.
So given that 3 out of 4 airbnb experiences we have had were catastrophes i would say
that crappy lodging rated 5 out 5 is by no means an exception on airbnb. I sympathize with those hosts that put in time money and effort to
create a hospitable and pleasant environment and have difficult or unfair guests. BUT misleading or false reviews are prone to ruin a holiday.
this was about 15 hour travel each way car and air combined.. We were really looking forward to our holiday after 2 years of covid. my conclusion: If you do not want your vacation ruined do not trust airbnb reviews! they need to shape up. This was the final straw.