Type of guest to avoid?

I don’t think I’ve ever bought aluminium foil in my life! There’s certainly none in our rental.

But to bad mouth your guests for wanting local information that they could easily google is being a bit picky, isn’t it? As hosts we are expected to give our guests our local information and recommendations. Google doesn’t know everything, you know.

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I haven’t experienced personally, but I think you are right. I have heard many hosts complaining about senior guests.

I have heard about bad stories with very young guests and old guests before I start hosting. I’m now 2 months + into hosting and hosted 10 groups so far. All my older guests are excellent, they didn’t ask for discount before booking, they are polite and well mannered compared to average.

And one of my best guests is young guest in her early 20s, her group was so clean and tidy.

Hence my conclusion is there are no certain type of bad guests in terms of their age or background. Only behaviour matters, so be careful of bargain hunters and rude guests during enquiry period. Asking for better price is acceptable but depends on how they ask.

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We call them “campers.” They are the ones who fly half way around the world to rent a room in your house and then just stay in the room ALL DAY.

We have a very nice older Filipino couple staying now. It’s Sunday and a nice sunny warm day, and they have been in the room ALL DAY. I mean, when it comes down to it, it doesn’t make any meaningful difference. They paid for the room, they can stay in there all they want. it just boggles the mind that they travelled so far (and the wife has never been to the USA), so how can they possibly be satisfied staying in the room ALL DAY? There are SO many things they could be doing!

I’ve decided I will start referencing this strange behavior in reviews. Something along the lines of ‘I am so pleased the guests found the room comfortable enough to spend most of the day inside.’ not sure how I can get the point across without sounding petty. Will continue to think about it.

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You may have answered the conundrum yourself. They are an older couple and have travelled far. They (or she) may be travel-weary or not feeling well, and there’s the time change also.

If you have checked with them and all is as well as can be, I would let them rest and recover in your comfortable accommodation.

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It’s funny how my first guest was a 59 year old (he clearly stated himself) and I share the same sentiment as the OP. They are happy with everything and they give out 4 star review complaining not enough artwork and decors… i mean, my listing shows everything that’s there?

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I’d avoid people who live in town but they’re renting your space for some reason. I had one “medium / psychic” who was so critical. Said she needs a “vacation” from her house? Ok… Then later she booked AGAIN. omg . Still picky as hell.

Anyone you get a weird vibe from…

I love the guests who book last minute and just need flexibility. They’re soooo appreciative. Used to have a guy who came and played poker at a local casino. I let him come as late as he wanted (sometimes like 4am) and leave as late as I could manage. He worshipped me & had almost no requirements.

It also depends on how much effort you want to put into hosting. I only wanted to provide a clean space and clean house and not hang out with them. I wanted airbnb to work for me, to be what I could handle and nothing more than that.

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I just had this!!! A sweet and dear couple from Idaho just left after a seven day stay and they literally spent 99 percent of their holiday in the room, looking at my four walls (nicely decorated as they are :rofl:) but… HAWAII is a really long distance from everywhere and there is an impossibly long list of things to see and do!!! I mean don’t you want to explore the island??

Basicallly they would snorkel in the morning and then return to the room and stay all live long day.

Quiet as church mice so I am not complaining but… it’s so odd! Yes, they were older… here is what they wrote when they left:

Aloha K!

Joe and I enjoyed staying here. We both love the peace and quiet and seeing the many birds. The bed is super comfortable also. We watched some of your nice DVDS. We are sorry we couldn’t say goodbye.

Best wishes,
Caroline and Joe

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O love pocker people, i get plenty of them as we live 5 minutes to Hard rock.They are less fussy and more appreciative than most of my guests

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I don’t have any experience with bad guests. Thanks for sharing.

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Loady, how much are you charging your guest per night?

I have to laugh at this because based on some of our not-so-hot experiences, I would have said concert attendees. We are within walking distance of several venues, and we’ve had a few drunken and/or dirty (mud, barf, etc…) guests. Our worst guests save one were concert goers. I’ve told my “three holes in three paint colors” story, and another set of guests dented my fridge and microwave.

Anyhoo, we are traveling to four cities in September, and we will be staying with Air hosts for the trips. So, guess what our September trips are for? Yes, concerts! Oh, and we’re in the dreaded middle-age bracket. Oh, and we’re hosts, too.

Looks like I’m going to be bringing several “I’m sorry I pre-tortured you” gifts for my hosts… :wink:

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Where is your island?!

@jackulas
Jesus H guys! Everyone has prejudices but. They cannot be applied when offering a service for sale. Unless you live in and have under 8 rental units…then you can legally deny anyone you want.

But I am in this for the adventure and accept everyone…as for the listing, there is a photo of the queen bed in my apt which reads, “Queen bed, queens welcome?” I would think it an insult to advertise “gay friendly”. Or any other friendly. I am friendly to all.
i am 70 and have traveled in or thrrough some 38 countries by land. I dont want to stay with me…I can go to the Hilton for that.
Our best guests want local flavor, our neutral ones just want to be left alone. I havent had a bad one yet but will let you know who they were. Actually, my worst…only in her review said that the kitchen wasnt up to much…full kitchen, new full size microwave, toaster oven stove etc two kinds of coffee makers plus instant…not up to much and I am pretty sure this millenial would not know what to do in a kitchen to begin with.

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Airbnb’s non-discrimination policies are stricter than most legal non-discrimination policies.

That is federal fair housing law and no company policy can over ride that.
Dont get me wrong…I am not advocating or am tolerant of discrimination but in jour own home or small apt unit, you can do anything you want except Advertise that you will not rent to x, y or z. You can refuse to rent to anyone for whatever reason is in your head, you just cant state it in your advertisement.

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Yup, whether one agrees with the premise or not, this is true.

There are “ways” and everyone knows of some way.

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Yes you can on the open market, but AirBNB has had you sign something that has a higher bar. If you don’t meet that bar, you are in breach of your agreement with AirBNB. Their platform. Their rules.

Here is Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy. It is stronger than most local laws in the U.S. Airbnb will remove your listing if you violate it.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1405/airbnb-s-nondiscrimination-policy--our-commitment-to-inclusion-and-respect

Here is an article about a host who had her listing deleted because she refused to have Asians as guests.

@EllenOMG This host deserved to be banned…she contracted with this tenanant…she didnt refuse her.
If she lived on the property where the cabin is located, she is within her rights to refuse a tenant for any reason before agreeing to rent. If she lives somewhere else, she has broken the law.
There is a difference between dicrimination and prejudice and when people rent out part of their own homes they can refuse people who make them uncomfortable for whatever reason, they simply cannot place their prejudices in their ads.
Since my apartment only accomodates 2, I cannot think of anyone I would refuse. But as I have a pushy dog on the property and have a koi pond in the back, I discourage children. This is discrimination.

There is a guy going around now filing Federal housing dicrimination lawsuits against people who advertise “not suitable for children”. You can find this in the host forum on the Abnb main site and I read about it a year ago or so.
This is why I went and read the law very carefully.

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