My one bad review guest’s daughters complained that the memory foam mattress was not comfortable (!) – no one before or since has claimed this and most have raved about the comfortable mattresses. None-the-less, I bought a very expensive cushy mattress pad and dropped it off. They put the mattress pad OVER the sheets! I couldn’t figure out why I was missing a sheet for quite some time 
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I’ve decided after reading through a lot of posts here, and getting blind-sided more than once, I’m not writing guest reviews anymore.
Part of being a good guest is asking for help when something doesn’t suit you. People who have completely unreasonable expectations don’t ask for help while they’re in residence, they save it up for their review. While they’re with us, butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. The swear up and down that everything is perfect and then slam us for some stupid thing in the review - they didn’t like the bed or there wasn’t enough salt in the salt shaker - etc. (seriously - we had that once.)
So I’m done. I will respond to their reviews. My review, from now on, will be a straightforward verification that they stayed with us, left on time, and didn’t cause permanent damage. For details on whether or not they were good guests, other hosts should check our reviews for my public response to each individual guest.
No comment - they’re fine, neither good nor bad, not a problem just not interesting or warm.
Nice comment - good guest.
Apology? Don’t book that guest unless you have stars to spare.
That’s what I’m doing from now on.
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And I will not be issuing many recommendations.
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I eventually came to the same conclusion as you, although I just don’t write them for any but the super outstanding ones who leave glowing.
I too have had the butter kind and have endured many a smack from someone I thought would be wonderful. I never ever solicit reviews unless they are totally my new best friend upon check out, for these exact reasons you state.
You can’t trust guests. Salt shakers indeed.
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I can very well imagine that things are done differently outside of my own culture, so please dismount your high horse. In almost every culture I know of, hospitality means extending kindness to your guests, particularly if you’re taking money from them.
This host was insensitive and thoughtless. He made his guests wait outside with their luggage, didn’t tell them about six flights of steps, and he had a crummy bathroom with a broken faucet, clogged shower, and no sheets for the bed when they arrived.
Many people have traveled a long way and the first thing they want when they check in is to take a nap. Would you take a nap on a bare mattress? (And yes, I know if it said “provide your own linens” I would expect to do so.) To be honest, I kind of like the idea of an unmade bed as long as freshly-laundered sheets are nearby. It would be a reassurance that they were clean.
I am a host–in fact a Superhost–and only stay with other Superhosts when I travel. I get consistent five-star ratings because I truly care about the people who stay with me, not just about banking their money. Their room is spotless with crisp clean sheets and towels, fresh flowers, a pitcher of filtered water, even a bag of local cookies. I spend time with them over coffee in the morning or wine in the evening and give them advice about what to see in our city.
I don’t expect all of those things when I stay in other Airbnbs, but I do expect consideration. That’s why the lady in New Orleans who started varnishing her kitchen cabinets the first morning of our stay, filling the house with noxious fumes so bad we couldn’t even be in the room, got a bad review from me. The lady in Connemara who provided damp towels still got a five-star review because I knew she didn’t have a dryer and she had to hang them on the line in a foggy climate with little sun, so yes I pay attention to the customs and realities of the local region.
Many of my best guests have been hosts themselves so I don’t know what you’re talking about people who won’t rent to hosts.
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Lol…I think it is you Superhost who needs come down off your high horse.
I only replied to you because you said you would have left this host a 1 star review and called Airbnb to complain too. And you said you would never think of having a guest arrive and the bed not being made.
I had already mentioned to the OP that regions just in the U.S vary. Some don’t provide any linens, some provide linens and they are left folded on the bed, and others have the beds made. I don’t think the OP ever came back to say what was typical for that region. However, one poster made a comment that it is typical in the Netherlands to not provide any supplies, nor bedding. So for all we know - the fact that linens were provided…could be considered a bonus.
I can’t help you figure it out.
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I agree I make every effort to make my home special even down to diffusing purifying essential oils … guest bedroom ample sheets and towels and extra amenities… and I serve breakfast treats assorted beverages … sometimes includes wine since I live here … whatever I’m drinking I offer my guests if they are in… if I prepare breakfast for my self I invite guests to join me … only hosting since April 2016 … it’s been a fun journey and I reached my superhost status after hosting in July … I’m located in the low country of South Carolina near Charleston … my rate is presently $65 per night house keeping fee is $20
I welcome the extra income since I’m retired
The keyless lock on door makes hosting much easier
And gives me lots of freedom because I do not always have to be home … I simply lock my private quarters and my guest have use of entire rest of my
1400 ft town home … I can send my guests access code day of arrival with instructions and via my iPhone I can walk them through the house … I’ve local emergency contacts for them to call and I let them know they can call me 24/7 when they depart I delete access code and make sure house is secured and alarm set all from app on my iPhone …
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The minimum to expect is clean house, clean sheets on bed, functioning plumbing and accurate description of the stair situation. What if you were an older person with health issues?
I would wait till the last minute of reviewing (2weeks after check out) and post your review.
After that, he cannot return and trash you.
What city were you in? My associate has rented in Rome and venice several times and has been nothing but pleased.
If you would stay there again, give him a 3. If not tell the facts and give the rating it deserves.
Also, it is always possible to generate false reviews…a friend rents for a low price, reviews and you give him his money back.
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