Let’s Stir the Pot: What Screams “Bad Airbnb” to You?
Summer vacation is in full swing.
Suitcases are being packed, road trips are planned, and countless travellers are checking into Airbnbs across the world.
With peak season comes peak expectations. Guests are investing in experiences, and even minor missteps can leave a lasting impression (and not the kind you want in a review).
We’ve all stayed somewhere that made us think, “Never again.” But what exactly turns a promising listing into a bad Airbnb experience?
We’ll go first 👇
1. Stingy on the Essentials 🧻
Two rolls of toilet paper for a week-long stay? It’s a small thing, but it sends a big message: We don’t want to spend on you or take the time to consider what basics you may need. Guests expect enough basics (toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, and dishwashing supplies) to last their stay without a mid-week supply run.
Host & Stay Tip: Stock your property the way you’d want it if you were the guest. Essentials aren’t a bonus, they’re the baseline. No one wants to interrupt their vacation with a store run for a bulk pack of toilet paper when a few extra rolls could have been waiting. We’ve been there, and it’s an instant mood killer.
2. High Cleaning Fee + Extreme Checkout Chores 🧽
Charging an unreasonable amount for cleaning, then asking guests to strip beds, start laundry, vacuum, and mop before leaving? That’s a fast track to negative reviews and undoing what may have been up to that moment, a great stay.
Host & Stay Tip: Keep checkout requests reasonable, and make sure your cleaning fee reflects the real cost of turnover. It shouldn’t be padded as a profit-maker; guests can tell when they’re paying more than the actual cost of the cleaning.
3. The Bare Minimum 😐
An empty-feeling property with zero personality is forgettable at best and disappointing at worst. Guests want to feel like effort went into making their stay special, not like the place was thrown together with little thought for comfort, serving only as four walls and a roof for the host to make a quick buck. One of the easiest ways to show you care? Thoughtful touches that make the space both inviting and functional.
Host & Stay Tip: One of the most common compliments we see in reviews for the hosts we work with is how much guests love a well-equipped kitchen. And not just any kitchen, one that’s fully stocked and thoughtfully arranged. We’re talking spices, oils, teas, coffee, a variety of pots and pans, mixing bowls, salad bowls, sharp knives, and all the little tools that make cooking easy. It’s clear when a host has imagined guests actually using the space, and those small details can quickly turn a good stay into a great one.
Your Turn ➡️ Let’s Hear It!
We’re in the heart of summer travel season, and we want to know:
What screams “bad Airbnb” to you?
Drop your answer in the comments below or join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.
At Host & Stay, we help property owners avoid these guest deal-breakers. From professional listing optimization and staging advice to pricing strategies and guest experience enhancements, our goal is simple: better listings, better bookings, better guests.
If you’re ready to make your Airbnb stand out for all the right reasons, get in touch for a no-commitment estimate here!
