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How to Write a Proper Airbnb Review 1

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If you are an Airbnb guest, also check out my article discussing the best strategies to find the deals on Airbnb .   This blog post has an accompanying video on my Youtube channel: watch the Airbnb Quick Tip

For some reason, Airbnb hosts and guests really stress about how to write a proper Airbnb review when things don’t go perfectly.

(To completely avoid these situations in the first place, learn how to identify problem Airbnb guests before they book.)

This guide will give you a template to use for all of your future Airbnb experiences, both positive and negative as either a host or guest .

As a refresh, the Airbnb review system is double blinded. The host/guest do not see the review until either both have written a review or one has written a review and 14 days have passed (the time Airbnb allows you to write the review).

You have 48 hours to edit your review unless the other party has already reviewed you or the 14-day time limit passed.

Keep in mind if you travel in a group, you will get the review published on your Airbnb profile even if you didn’t make the reservation, as long as the reserving guest registers your profile as an additional guest.

Airbnb Host: How to write a negative Airbnb review for your guest

It’s important to know that your host review holds quite a bit of weight. Even one negative review to a guest can preclude them from seeing Instant Bookable listings which have selected the following setting:

Regardless, I encourage you to be truthful (and concise!). Don’t be accusatory. If the reservation really was awful, wait a few days before writing the negative Airbnb review. If you want to call added attention to it, incluinde “NEGATIVE REVIEW” at the start.

A lot of hosts avoid putting anything negative in a guest review. If you fall into this category of Airbnb host, then a short review is the same as a negative review .

If I see a guest with a review like ‘good guest’ or ‘checked out timely’ then I assume this is really a negative review from a host who does not want to leave an honest review. I’ve even seen a review like this: ..

Here’s what a covert negative review looks like:

Airbnb Guest: How to write an Airbnb review for your host

This template works for both positive and negative reviews.

First, put your overall star score because Airbnb does not show this for some reason. Then, the length of your stay. Then, list the pros. Then, list the cons. You can add a ‘NOTES’ section at the end if you’d like for suggestions. You can also add in your Instagram name or anything you’re trying to promote (as I did above with my YouTube account). It is as simple as that. This format can also be used by an Airbnb host to review their guest.

Here’s what it looks like on the platform:

Airbnb Host: How to write a positive Airbnb review for your guest

This should be pretty obvious, right? There’s a lot of systems out there (ie Smartbnb ) that will automatically write your guest a generic positive review. This is satisfactory.

I like to include some branding by including the name of my property management company. Just remember to cancel the automation if the guest does not deserve a positive review. And remove your branding if there was a negative experience so the guest is less likely to negatively review you on other platforms.

Airbnb has stated that leaving reviews does not affect your search rank. Still, I recommend leaving reviews, but length and variation make no difference. As a future host, you want to know the guest treated prior hosts’ space with respect, didn’t piss off any neighbors, and didn’t trash their space.

Update: Include your Airbnb’s title in the review for added branding and to get your name out there more (ie. Daniel was a fantastic guest at Super Duper Airbnb Ice House)

An Airbnb gripe and review advice

One thing that really gets on my nerves is Airbnb’s willingness to remove a negative guest review. If you’re an experienced Airbnb host, you’ve probably encountered this. Your review got removed due to a technicality in the terms of service or review guidelines.

They do this because they want as many guests on the site as possible. They know that a guest with a negative review is less likely to get another reservation. They also know that some hosts are overly critical and guests make mistakes (or their friends do) occasionally. Still, very frustrating when you left a negative review that gets removed.

A story…

I checked-in a verbally rude guest who made numerous requests upon entering the listing (I met him in person to walk him inside) and never seem satisfied with my solutions. At the end of his stay, I left him a negative review. In exchange for a late check-out request he made, I asked for a positive review. I felt I was going to get a positive review anyway as I met all of his demands. But, this way I felt I assured myself a positive review and was able to give him a negative review. Well, he complained and Airbnb decided to remove both reviews as they said I had solicited a positive review. If you get in one of these situations, be careful with what you say in the message thread or via text with the guest as it can be used as evidence against you.

Who’s with me on leaving your Airbnb guest (or host) an honest review? Let me know in the comments.

About Danny Rusteen

Starting in 2012, Danny has been an Airbnb employee, Superhost, and Airbnb property manager. Danny lives in Airbnbs (2,000 nights). As a guest, Danny has traveled to 36 countries and sifted through thousands of Airbnb listings, so he knows what makes a listing stand out and how to offer a world-class experience to your guest.  Follow his journey.

GET DANNY’S BOOKS

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Profitable Properties: Airbnb Insider Secrets by Daniel V. Rusteen (PDF + Audio)

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Optimize YOUR Bnb: The Definitive Guide to Ranking #1 in Airbnb Search by Daniel V. Rusteen (PDF)

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Lifestyle Traveler

Airbnb Review Examples For Guests To Leave Hosts

If you’re stuck on how to write a helpful review on Airbnb as a guest and need an example, you’re going to want to read this guide.

Have you ever looked at a listing, and all its reviews were just single sentences? Vague ratings are not only unhelpful for future guests but also prevent Airbnb hosts from improving their place in the future.

Whether you want to give your host a great review while still providing constructive feedback or want to highlight inaccuracies in the description that impacted your stay, a well-written review is a way to go. Level up your writing skills and bring your message across, so others can benefit from your insights.

This post includes the perfect ready-to-use Airbnb review examples, which you can copy and paste and adjust to fit your needs.

Why You Should Take The Time To Write An Airbnb Review

Taking the time to sit down and write an Airbnb review is most likely not at the top of your to-do list. Despite the reminder emails, many travelers tend to forget to rate their stay and might only remember when the deadline has already passed.

However, investing just five minutes into rating an Airbnb rental can help future travelers significantly when choosing a place to stay. You definitely came across tons of vague reviews that are not very helpful.

Listings with a lot of positive reviews are generally favored by the Airbnb algorithm, giving them an extra boost and possibly turning their owners into super hosts. With far more variety in quality and experience than hotels, Airbnbs depend on the reviews of their community to provide accurate listings and memorable experiences for their guests.

The Problem With The Airbnb Rating System

It’s no secret that 5-star rating systems are flawed. People tend to only rate extremely positive or extremely negative experiences with little average ratings in between. Platforms like Airbnb also put an emphasis on 5-star ratings, rewarding hosts and pushing high-ranking properties.

This means that having a 3- or 4-star score could be perceived as negative even though it lies at the upper or center of the scale. Many visitors don’t want to negatively impact their Airbnb hosts, causing them to inflate their ratings, leaving, for example, a 4.8-star review for what should have been a 3-star rating.

Keep this in mind when rating your stay and consider the impact of a review on an owner’s business. This is why it’s incredibly important to make reviews helpful and informative while still being reasonable.

What To Do If You Have A Horrible Airbnb Experience

Unfortunately, bad experiences can occur with any type of accommodation, and Airbnb is no exception. If you’ve arrived at a place that has major issues, you might feel angry and disappointed. The first step should always be to contact the host and give them some time to respond. Explain your issue in detail and attach photos if possible. This could include things like a dirty apartment, safety concerns such as a door that cannot be locked, a broken toilet, or a pool that doesn’t work.

If the host is unable to fix the problem or accommodate your needs, the next step is to discuss possible cancellation or a refund with them. Maybe you can work things out with your host directly and come to an agreement such as a reduced price or a free airport transfer. Hopefully, your host will be friendly and try to make up for the inconvenience.

If not, be persistent and document your communication. Make a note of any verbal or in-person conversations so you can keep track of the situation. If the host can’t or is simply unwilling to help, contact Airbnb support.

Finally, leave an accurate review of your experience, taking into account how responsive and helpful the host was. Sometimes it’s difficult to change things that are out of the power of the owner, for example, loud construction next door, neighborhood electricity outages or local holidays causing parking to be unavailable. Be reasonable and consider how much your stay was impacted.

Airbnb Review Examples

If you’re not sure what rating to give your Airbnb, here are some pointers on how most hosts view star ratings on the platform. Keep in mind that ratings tend to be inflated and are not the same as you might be used to from hotel or Google reviews.

5-stars – Anything from a perfect stay to a good stay with some minor issues. Use the review rather than the star rating to point out anything that bothered you.

4-stars – Average stay with minor to significant issues. Pick this rating if you were unhappy with some things but still had an overall decent experience.

3-stars – Unpleasant stay with significant issues. Maybe the listing was inaccurate, the host unresponsive, or the cleanliness disastrous. Write a detailed review of what was wrong.

2-stars – Unacceptable place and a warning for others not to stay here. Use this rating if it is difficult to find any positives about your experience, or you may request a refund.

1-star – Disastrous stay, the listing needs to be removed. Use this for major safety issues, non-existent rentals or scams.

5-Star Review Examples

Use this section as an example of how to write a positive Airbnb review for 5-star stays. This could include perfect experiences that you want to tell everyone about or good places with some minor details that could be improved.

Example of a helpful 5-star Airbnb review

We stayed at Susan’s place with my parents and their friends and had the best experience imaginable. The apartment is located just 5 minutes from the beach, and we walked there every single day because it was so close. There is a communal rooftop terrace that isn’t mentioned in the listing, so you get to sit and watch the sunset. The place also comes with four bicycles and snorkeling gear, so you’ll have everything you need during your stay. We loved the small details like free drinks in the fridge on arrival and a hand-written welcome note. The WiFi is strong (we measured 100mbps), so my husband could do his Zoom calls without any issues. The bedrooms all have their own bathroom and plenty of privacy. We especially loved the top-floor room, which has a small balcony. The apartment is located on a quiet side street, but it’s possible to walk to the center of town with shops and restaurants in less than 15 minutes. The only thing that could be improved is providing a map of the surrounding areas and maybe some recommendations on things to do.

This review is very positive while also including a lot of information. The reader now knows that:

  • it’s close to the beach, and the distance is walkable
  • there is a shared rooftop space where you can sit
  • the place comes with bikes and snorkeling equipment
  • there are free drinks in the fridge on arrival
  • the WiFi speed is 100mbps, and you can work online
  • the bedrooms have ensuites, and one has a balcony
  • the area is quiet but still close to everything you need

Example of an unhelpful 5-star Airbnb review

Wow, we loved this place! Such an amazing time, we’ll be back for sure! The location really surprised us, and we loved how Susan made this apartment her own. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting France looking for a comfortable stay. My favorite room was the upstairs one.

This review is very positive but contains no information. It could apply to almost any listing and is too general to be helpful.

4-Star Review Examples

4-star reviews should be good or average experiences with some details that might need to be improved. Mention positive things first and then list what needs to be changed. Don’t forget to include the response of the host and how they handled the situation.

Example of a helpful 4-star Airbnb review

This is the perfect apartment for a city trip with friends. The location of Dan’s place is fantastic and very close to all of Chicago’s main attractions. We loved the shopping mall around the corner where you can get anything you might need during your stay. Most listings we saw didn’t have a full kitchen, so we appreciated that this one did, plus a washing machine which was a lifesaver. However, the bathroom was unfortunately extremely smelly to the point where we couldn’t use it. We also noticed that the apartment hadn’t really been cleaned, and some of the sheets had stains on them. Luckily, Dan was very quick to respond and sent his cleaning staff to the apartment only a few hours later. They did a great job in making the place much cleaner while we were out exploring the city. We didn’t have any more issues during the rest of the stay, and Dan even refunded us the first night as an apology. I’d highly recommend staying with such a friendly and thoughtful host!

This review highlights the positives as well as the negatives of the experience. The response of the host is described in detail and informes future travelers of the situation without putting them off staying there. Without the host’s quick response, this could have easily been a 2-star review.

Example of an unhelpful 4-star Airbnb review

Loved the place, but it needs some improvements. These people have obviously never cleaned before, and we were very disappointed on our first day. Luckily we made the best of the stay and enjoyed the positives like spending time with friends in an exciting city. Would recommend staying here!

There is no context to this review, and it’s very difficult to see what exactly the problem was. Without context or details, travelers can’t tell why this guest would still recommend Dan’s place despite it being dirty.

2 Or 3-Star Reviews

Leaving a review with 2 or 3 stars is appropriate for places that were unacceptable with extremely inaccurate listings and unresponsive hosts. Three stars should be given to listings that have a chance of being improved, while two stars represent a place that needs to be avoided by travelers.

Example of a helpful 2-star Airbnb review

Mike’s cabin has beautiful views over the lake and a spacious yard with a swing which the kids loved. However, our stay here was unfortunately very unpleasant, and I cannot recommend anyone to stay here currently. Firstly, the cabin felt very unsafe to us due to its remote location and no locks on the back door. There is no security system, and we were afraid to stay here as a family. Secondly, there was construction going on in the cabin next door, which was very noisy and ruined the peaceful atmosphere promised by the listing. We couldn’t use the pool since it was closed for maintenance which the host did not inform us about. Lastly, the upstairs bedroom has a leak in the roof, and on our last night, there were heavy rains causing my daughter’s laptop and other electronics to be ruined by the water dripping from the ceiling. We tried to contact Mike multiple times, but he failed to respond until the last day, when he simply apologized but did nothing to fix the situation. I would not recommend staying here until these concerns are addressed.

This review gives detailed information on what was wrong while also mentioning the positives. Note that most of the issues mentioned could be fixed by the host, so this listing could be improved in the future.

Example of an unhelpful 2-star Airbnb review

Disaster! No pool, super noisy, and ruined electronics. Do not stay here, save your money and go to a nice hotel across the lake. What a horrible experience, and the host didn’t even give us a refund.

This review is very unclear and fails to describe the exact problems. A reader wouldn’t be able to know that the cabin is most likely usually quiet if it weren’t for the construction. There is a pool, but it’s simply closed for maintenance, but to a reader, it might sound like there is no pool at all.

1-Star Reviews

A 1-star review is a good choice for a listing that is non-existent, a scam or not as advertised.

Example of a helpful 1-star Airbnb review

This apartment does not exist. The photos are fake, and the real place is nowhere near as nice. Moldy bed sheets, furniture falling apart and clearly hasn’t been cleaned in weeks. We saw a rat in the hallway on the way in, and the entire building looks like it needs to be torn down. It’s not actually a private one-bedroom place like described in the listing but a shared apartment with many other people living there. The bathroom and kitchen are shared, and it seems like the other guests are permanent residents. The lady giving us the keys had no idea about the listing and wouldn’t help us. We left immediately and requested a refund, but the host never responded. We reported this place to Airbnb, the listing needs to be removed.

A concise description of what happened and a clear warning to other travelers. There is no question why this place was rated one star. The host was unresponsive, and the listing has been reported and will most likely be removed.

Example of an unhelpful 1-star Airbnb review

This place is not as described, and we hated it. Very dirty and not pleasant.

This review is too short to be helpful and doesn’t tell you very much about what was wrong. Instead of mentioning that a place is dirty, try to point out specific problems in your Airbnb review, such as, for example, the sheets were dirty or the bathroom hasn’t been cleaned.

How To Write An Airbnb Review:

1. think about what questions you had about the listing when you first booked it..

Maybe it wasn’t clear if guests have access to the rooftop. Maybe the WiFi speed wasn’t mentioned. Are towels provided? All this could be included in your review to help future visitors adjust their expectations.

2. Let your host know if there are any issues and give them a chance to fix them.

Maybe they are unaware of the situation, which could change your opinion of a place and impact your review. Make sure to be solution-oriented to help improve the listing in the future.

3. Write clear and concise sentences divided into sections if the review is longer.

It can be helpful to separate positive and negative points.

4. Put negative experiences into perspective.

Perhaps the kitchen wasn’t very well equipped, but everything else was perfect. If it’s only a small issue, don’t let it make your overall review sound negative.

5. Read the description of listings carefully and keep an eye out for what the host mentions in advance.

For example, it might be mentioned that the Airbnb can be noisy at night due to its central location in the city center, which can impact your review. If the host is open and honest about this from the beginning, it’s not helpful to give a low rating for this reason.

6. Be specific.

Describe problems in detail so future guests can know if their trip could be impacted in a similar way. Not all travelers are the same, so something that is a major issue for one person could be unimportant to someone else.

7. Be respectful and friendly.

Give constructive criticism wherever possible and write honest opinions of your experience. Consider writing a private review for the host in addition to a public one, and contact Airbnb support if necessary.

8. Include the type of trip and who you stayed with to give some perspective on your experience.

For example, a group of friends staying at an apartment for a bachelor’s party will have very different needs than a family with small children.

Airbnb Review Template For Guests To Leave Hosts:

Copy and paste this template for your next Airbnb review. Simply fill out the details depending on your personal experience and adjust the sentences to fit your needs. Here are some things you should be including:

  • accuracy of the listing
  • anything not mentioned in the listing
  • cleanliness
  • responsiveness of the host
  • furniture, kitchen, amenities, etc
  • how noisy the place is
  • what type of traveler would enjoy staying here

Our stay at ____’s ( host name ) place was ________( excellent, great, good, average, not as expected, terrible ). The location was_____________ and ___________( exactly as described, a little further away than expected, not where described ).

The place is ________( extremely quiet, sometimes a bit noisy, very noisy, unbearably loud ), and I would recommend it/not recommend it for _________( families, solo travelers, couples, friend groups ), because of ________( the quiet location, the central location, the child-friendly amenities, the proximity to the beach, the noisy bars nearby, the remote location, etc. ).

The bedroom(s) ______( are spacious, have an ensuite bathroom, come with large closets, are too small, don’t have a TV, could be updated ) and the kitchen ________( is well-equipped, needs to be updated, was modern and spacious, is great for cooking, was unusable ). We felt _______( welcome, at home, comfortable, uncomfortable, unhappy, unsafe ) here and would/would not book this place again.

_____’s ( host name ) place is _______( extremely clean, clean, somewhat clean, not clean at all, extremely dirty ), and the furniture _____( made it feel like home, was modern, was functional, needs to be replaced, was dirty ).

_____ ( host name ) was ______( very responsive, responsive, not really responsive, unresponsive ) which made us feel ________( welcome, glad to have stayed here, unhappy, ignored, like they didn’t care )

What could be improved is_______( the cleanliness, the locks on the door, the noise insulation, the furniture, the kitchen etc. )

Pin for later!

Airbnb Review Examples For Guests To Leave Hosts | lifestyletraveler.co | IG: @lifestyletraveler.co

Before you go…

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Victoria is a travel blogger and writer from Germany. She loves to write about budget travel and realistic expectations so you can make the most of your trip.

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I am a big Air Bnb’er and this is so helpful!!

Thanks for the helpful information .

Wow, this is a really helpful guide! I’ve never thought of using a template before – that’s genius! I definitely read reviews before booking, so understand the importance of being specific and detailed. Saving this for later!

This is a great resource! I love when the places I’m looking for have these kinds of reviews, it makes choosing so much easier! Airbnb should link to your post in their review emails!

This is great advice..and it does encourage me to leave a recommendation that is specific and helpful.

I believe I am one of those unhelpful 5 star reviewers haha. Next time I will use your suggested template. Thank you!

This is so helpful, thank you so much!

Very good and insightful points and I thank you for taking the time to share!

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BnbFriendly.com

How to Write a Great Airbnb Review (With Template)

If you’ve ever used Airbnb, you know that writing a review is an important part of the process. Reviews help other people decide whether or not to use Airbnb. We will provide you with a template for writing great Airbnb reviews. We’ll also give some tips on how to make your reviews as helpful as possible for both the hosts and the readers.

Why You Should Review Your Airbnb Guests

When it comes to writing reviews for guests, it’s important to remember that your review can make or break a guest’s experience on Airbnb. Not only will a bad review likely discourage future guests from staying with you, but it could also lead to negative feedback and affect your listing’s search ranking.

how to write a review for airbnb

That said, writing a review can be a stressful experience – after all, you don’t want to come across as nitpicky or ungrateful. But by following a few simple tips, you can make the process a breeze while still sounding authentic.

How to Write an Airbnb Review

Airbnb will prompt you to write a review of your experience with the guests once their checkout is complete. You have 14 days to submit the review but you can edit it later. 

Your review will be posted once the guest submits their review or the 14 days are up. If a reservation has more than one confirmed guest, your review is meant for the guest who made the reservation. However, the review will appear on the profiles of all other confirmed guests. 

You can rate your guests 1 to 5 stars on criteria such as cleanliness, the accuracy of a listing, communication, and value. Feedback can also be given privately if you do not want to leave a public rating.

The Importance of Reviews

When you take the initiative to write a review for your guests, they are further prompted by Airbnb, making them far more likely to leave a review for your listing. Guests will also appreciate the gesture and be encouraged to review you in turn. By writing good reviews, you not only improve your SEO ranking, but  also help other Airbnb hosts by providing feedback that can help them improve their services.

Tips for Hosts on Writing Reviews

It stresses the importance of being objective when writing a review. It is essential, to be honest, and fair when critiquing someone else’s work, whether it is a product or service. By waiting until after the guest leaves, the reviewer can assess the situation without bias. This allows for a more accurate depiction of what transpired.

The reviewer must provide a very factual and professional review.

The review must be helpful for other potential hosts as it provides information on what to expect from the property and what are its pros and cons. It would be great if the review could also mention some things that the host did especially well, to give a more complete picture.

When you’re a business, it’s important to always reply to reviews, especially if they’re negative. If someone has taken the time to write something about your company online, even if it’s not positive, you should always respond. This shows that you’re listening and that you care about your customers. It can also help to resolve any issues the customer may have had.

One way to make writing reviews simpler is to have templates ready to go. This way, you can just copy and paste the same response for different types of reviews. This will help make sure your response is customized for each review, and that you’re not just copying and pasting the same thing over and over again.

Great templates for writing guest reviews

how to write a review for airbnb

The templates are a great way to start a review, but make sure to add your thoughts and experiences to them. It’s important, to be honest in your reviews, whether you had a good or bad experience.

Positive Guest Reviews Template

  • It was a pleasure hosting you. You were so thoughtful about everything. You made our jobs easy. We’d love to host you again!
  • Five stars for the 5-star guest. Respectful, clean, organized, and quiet, we couldn’t ask for anything more. Thank You!
  • Excellent guest. Very considerate of our belongings and property. The home was just as clean when they left as when they checked in. Come back anytime!
  • You were very communicative. Straightforward, polite, and responded without delay. It was so easy to schedule checking-in and out times. It was great having you!
  • A nice guest. Left the place neat and respected our space and privacy during the stay. I’d recommend them to any other host.

Negative Guest Reviews Template

  • The guest arrived 3 hours after the check-in time and then complained about there not being anyone to check them in at the time.
  • Didn’t follow the house rules. The dishes were left out on the dining table rather than in the dishwasher. The towels were left on the bathroom floor.
  • We are very clear about our no smoking policy with even signs displayed prominently in the apartment. The guests chose not to follow this, leaving bad smells and cigarette butts.
  • The party included two more people than specified and then complained because we had not made bedding arrangements for the extra guests. We were inconvenienced and didn’t get paid for the additional guests.
  • Not recommended! We almost lost our vacation rental permit because of all the chaos they caused in the neighborhood. They parked illegally on the street, made too much noise, and left all the lights on when they left.

Personalized Reviews Increase Repeat Guests

how to write a review for airbnb

Personable reviews are key to building relationships with your guests and getting repeat business. By including the guest’s first name in the review, you make it more personal and increase the chances that they’ll want to come back and stay with you again. The review templates provided here make it easy to do this automatically, so there’s no excuse not to!

  • [Guest First Name] was a great guest. Communicative during the booking process and left the place clean and in great shape. Would not hesitate to have [Guest First Name] back again anytime.
  • [Guest First Name] was fantastic. Quiet, considerate, and left the place clean and in good condition. We recommend them to any hosts.
  • [Guest First Name] was great to host! Respectful, quiet, clean, and organized. We have nothing but good things to say. [Guest First Name], we’d love to have you stay with us any time in the future.
  • [Guest First Name] was awesome! Very communicative and respected the house rules. We’d love to have [Guest First Name] come back, but we also recommend it to any host.
  • Nothing negative to say about [Guest First Name]. Easy to host, left the place clean, and respected the house rules. Come back anytime [Guest First Name]!

Key Takeaway

The goal of writing an Airbnb review is to be helpful, so potential guests know what they’re getting into. By following the tips in this post, and using the provided templates, you should be able to write a great review that’s both informative and entertaining. And who knows – maybe your next guest will be a celebrity!

How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host - Zeevou

A Complete Guide on How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host

Every hospitality business owner knows that reputation can make or break their business. Online reviews and ratings seem to have a stronghold on retaining reputation in today’s digital world. Second to property images comes reviews as the essential decision-making criterion, according to Booking.com . Both Airbnb guest reviews and host ratings can influence the success of your vacation rental agency. They help portray a more authentic accommodation experience for prospective guests. Reviews help build trust between hosts and guests.

A steady stream of authentic reviews can bring significant trust and credibility to the entire Airbnb community. Airbnb has taken the feedback mechanism one step further by asking hosts to leave online reviews for their guests. Furthermore, since both writing and replying to reviews increase your property visibility, you might have wondered at times as an Airbnb host, “How shall I respond to reviews on Airbnb?” or “How can I put down an effective review?” This article is a complete guide on how to write an Airbnb review as a host.

How Does the Airbnb Review System Work?

The Airbnb review system consists of written reviews and star ratings, and both are optional for guests and hosts to use.

Public Review

  • Airbnb designates a 14-day review window for both guests and hosts to write a review once the checkout is complete. The review character limit is 1000.
  • The reviews will be made public once both parties submit their reviews and feedback or when the 14-day window is closed, even if hosts have not left the review of their guests. 
  • If hosts submit their reviews before their guests do, they’ll be given 48 hours to edit and make any last-minute changes. 
  • After publishing the reviews, they have a two-week grace period to reply to their review. Replies can vary from simple acknowledgements to thank you notes or explanations to possible shortcomings.
  • Make sure that all the written contents – both reviews and replies – must adhere to stringent Airbnb’s Review Policies .

This double-blinded review system helps each party’s reviews not to get swayed by the other party’s opinion or complaint in the first place.

Note: Whenever the host submits their review of their guests, they will receive an email notification stating that their host has submitted their review. The longer it takes between a guest’s stay and their review submission window, the less likely the guests will recall the favourite parts of their stay. Therefore, act promptly when things have gone well. Post your review immediately after your hassle-free guests check out. 

Private Feedback 

  • These are private messages for a host or guest to express appreciation, enunciate dissatisfaction or suggest improvements. 

Star Ratings

  • These ratings are a quick way for the guests to rate their stays in terms of cleanliness, location, communication, amenities and the overall experience. 
  • Once you get 3 ratings on your listing, your overall score will be posted along with your listing’s title.
  • If you need to get insights into your history of received ratings, check out Performance -> Reviews in hosting mode. 

Scoring top overall star ratings across all your listings on Airbnb is a decisive factor to earn you the Superhost status. 

Superhost Privileges and Requirements 

Airbnb runs a Superhost programme for those who rise above and beyond. Airbnb makes Superhosts more visible on its search engine, giving them insider access, exclusive perks and specific hosting tools. Thereby, Superhosts can see the bookings for their listings snowball over time. However, to achieve Superhost status, hosts need to:

  • score a 4.8 overall rating or higher;
  • try to reply to reviews and feedback within 24 hours, at least 90% of the time;
  • host guests at their properties at least 10x a year (or 100 nights over at least three completed stays);
  • minimise cancellation rate to less than 1% (That needs to be 0 for less than 100 bookings per year).

In a nutshell, keep yourself proactive on the review system!

Writing a review as a host - How to write a review as a host - Zeevou

Cancellation Reviews

In cases where you cancel a reservation as a host, the Airbnb system posts an automated review on your profile. These automated reviews are part of the host cancellation penalty and cannot be deleted. Keep in mind that there will be still a chance for hosts to clarify their cancellation reason(s) publicly.

Why Does It Matter to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host?

The significance of writing reviews of your guests brings about various advantages. 

  • Contributing to the Airbnb community. Your review can be a helping hand to other hosts when making decisions about accepting unknown guests to book their listings.
  • Establishing a strong bond with your guests. Giving positive feedback can inspire a requited favourable review,s and chances are it leads to further repeated bookings.
  • Building your reputation as a host . Leaving reviews of your guests may act as a good reminder to respond in kind and improve your listings’ ratings.

Remember, the prerequisite to enjoying all the above advantages is to build trust with your reviews. Make sure they deliver value, information and clarity. 

How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host

As a host, when you sit to write a review of your guests, you may find yourself a bit puzzled.

Start by thinking about the guest and their stay at your vacation rental property and portray the experience in your mind. If the quality of the stay is directly related to the reflection of guests’ character and their sense of accountability, as regards taking care of your rental, then it’s highly crucial to highlight them when describing your hosting experience. The following guidelines will break through any blocks in the way of learning how to write an Airbnb review as a host.

Writing Positive Reviews 

  • Tell them they are welcome anytime. Keep it simple. One of the nicest things an Airbnb guest can hear is that their former host wants them back.
  • Touch on something specific about their stay. Bring forward one or two small details you liked about your guests or that helped you get connected with them.
  • Leave honest and accurate comments. Base your reviews on how they took care of your vacation rental. Make it known to other hosts that you had the pleasure of accommodating your guests.
  • Mention if it went smoothly. Appreciate their communication skills and flexibility in making arrangements.
  • [Guest Name] was a pleasure to host! They left the place clean and were quiet throughout the weekend. We had great contact, and I look forward to having them stay with me again!
  • [Guest Name] was awesome! Very communicative and respected the house rules. We’d love to have [Guest First Name] come back, but we also recommend it to any host.
  • [Guest Name] was great to host! Respectful, quiet, clean and organized. We have nothing but good things to say. [Guest First Name], we’d love to have you stay with us any time in the future.
  • Lovely guests. [Guest Name] was so friendly, bubbly and positive. The group was great communicators, and we enjoyed having them stay with us.

Host satisfaction with the guest reactions - How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host - Zeevou

Writing Negative Reviews

  • Be specific and detail-oriented. Mention your points of complaint thoroughly. Deliver clarity to your writing so that future hosts won’t question your negative review. 
  • Do not sugarcoat the mess. Project the honesty of your unpleasant experience with your guests. Politely state that they will not be returning to your vacation rental.
  • Clearly describe the dissatisfaction. Highlight if they have left the place in bad condition or whether they have broken house rules, e.g. smoking, parties, etc.
  • Emphasise the miscommunication. Let the future hosts know if you didn’t go through a standard booking procedure with your guests.
  • I regret having to leave a negative review, but I do not recommend hosting this guest at all. [Guest Name] was polite at first but did not comply with any of our house rules, such as house parties and our no pets policy.
  • [Guest Name] disrespected our Airbnb rules by throwing a house party with 10 additional visitors staying in the Airbnb. When we issued an additional cleaning fee for the mess, the guest left a one-star review. Do not host this guest.
  • I wouldn’t recommend hosting [Guest Name]. The guest broke the locks of the off-limit storage area of the house, which was explicitly stated in the welcome book that the storage room was not for guest use.
  • Our check-out time is at 11 AM, but [Guest Name] decided to stay until 3 PM. They eventually checked out, leaving the house too messy. We had to push back our next reservation. I wouldn’t recommend these guests as it might affect your other reservations, as it did ours.

In both cases, be as descriptive as possible. By doing so, the Airbnb community can make the most out of the sharing experiences. Double-check your host account before submitting your host experience, and don’t forget to accurately describe the real impression that the guest(s) left on you.

Star Rating

  • Give your guests a star rating. It grabs the attention of the viewers more quickly, showing how happy (or not) you were with them and their stay. This also reduces the possibility of the issue of fluffing or sugarcoating any problems you might have had with the guest. If it was a two-star experience, say it!

Note: You can write about the kind of guests they were, e.g., partiers, quiet, honeymooners, and their reason for staying, e.g., vacation, visiting family, business travel. Use adjectives such as quiet, kind, pleasant, loud, messy, etc., to explain how nice they were to host.

Responding to reviews - How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host - Zeevou

How Shall Hosts Respond to an Airbnb Review?

Responding to positive reviews.

Besides learning how to write an Airbnb review as a host, you need to act strategically in responding to reviews, as well. When leaving feedback on a positive review, express your sense of gratitude with a simple and sincere thank you note. Write about a few small details that you found pleasant about hosting them. Let the guests know that they’re always welcome back at your place. These small and simple gestures will show your good morale and further reinforce the positive impression of all other prospective guests considering booking your vacation rental.

Responding to Negative Reviews

Negative reviews provide you with an opportunity to both give your rational explanations to address the complaints publicly and to showcase your excellent customer service – not only to the dissatisfied guests but also to the many prospective guests who are reading through your reviews. When responding to a negative review, 

  • focus on simply refuting the particular issues raised by the guest that would otherwise damage your well-earned reputation. For instance, you may wish to explain the case where the incident had been out of your control and state; that despite any remedial measures you took to fix the problem, the guest failed to take them into account. 
  • Try not to get swept away by the personal or petty who-did-what-to-whom argumentation; no matter what, that won’t favourably save your face for those prospective guests who are yet to meet you and may decide on booking your vacation rental. State your case professionally and keep emotions out of any response to an unsavoury review. Your maturity will demonstrate your commitment to delivering a perfect guest experience to the Airbnb community. 

Can Hosts Remove a Review from Their Airbnb Property Listing?

This is the most frequently asked question among property owners, yet the answer may sound disappointing. Negative reviews cannot be removed; however, if hosts find reviews unfair and untrue, they can respond to them and justify the case publicly and professionally. Airbnb will delete reviews only if they violate the Airbnb review policy and include illegal or obscene content.

A host receiving negative feedback - How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host - Zeevou

Review Templates and Samples

As hosts, if you have multiple property listings on Airbnb and you are struggling to keep up with reviews, you do not need to carry the entire burden of handling reviews. Consider the following recommendations: 

  • Use review generators and review templates . 
  • Automate your reviews by employing Property Management Systems.

Concluding Remarks

By constantly reviewing your own guests and collecting enough reviews, you can become a trusted and respected member of the Airbnb community, which can encourage people to book your place for their next trip. Consider the Airbnb review system as a pay-it-forward opportunity. Use your review writing powers as they help maintain credibility in the Airbnb community.

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IMAGES

  1. A Guide to How Airbnb Reviews Work

    how to write a review for airbnb

  2. 8 Airbnb Host Review Examples You Can Copy And Paste

    how to write a review for airbnb

  3. How to Write the Perfect Airbnb Guest Review + Free Templates

    how to write a review for airbnb

  4. Airbnb Guest Review Sample

    how to write a review for airbnb

  5. All About Reviews: A Community Help Guide

    how to write a review for airbnb

  6. Real-life Airbnb Review Examples: Response to Guest Reviews (2023)

    how to write a review for airbnb

COMMENTS

  1. Airbnb Review

    The host/guest do not see the review until either both have written a review or one has written a review and 14 days have passed (the time Airbnb allows you to write the review). You have 48 hours to edit your review unless the other party has already reviewed you or the 14-day time limit passed.

  2. Airbnb Review Examples For Guests To Leave Hosts

    5-Star Review Examples. Use this section as an example of how to write a positive Airbnb review for 5-star stays. This could include perfect experiences that you want to tell everyone about or good places with some minor details that could be improved.

  3. How to Write a Great Airbnb Review (With Template)

    Watch on How to Write an Airbnb Review Airbnb will prompt you to write a review of your experience with the guests once their checkout is complete. You have 14 days to submit the review but you can edit it later. Your review will be posted once the guest submits their review or the 14 days are up.

  4. How To Write Airbnb Guest Reviews: Examples Included

    Praise them! No need to re-invent the wheel. Keep it simple with something like “X was a pleasure to host.” Point to a specific moment. After you’ve made it clear that this is a good review, make it personal. Mention something specific that the guest did that you appreciated. Maybe they smiled and waved whenever you crossed paths.

  5. A Complete Guide on How to Write an Airbnb Review as a Host

    Airbnb designates a 14-day review window for both guests and hosts to write a review once the checkout is complete. The review character limit is 1000. The reviews will be made public once both parties submit their reviews and feedback or when the 14-day window is closed, even if hosts have not left the review of their guests.