KJ…both bad… just par for the course… and part of the ups and downs at the Airb&B.
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By what you described you are trying to make the guest rooms unique and as nice as possible but I would never ever put antique furniture and valuable things in the guest room. Simply because even if they don’t want to damage it they might not realise how expensive/unique the things in their room are. This being said I also think it’s sad that people can not respect other people’s property as they are aware they are in someone’s home.
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Completely agree with @Emese_Fajk. We have decked out our flat in London with what I think is cool stuff. Old East London bus blinds, a huge B&W photo of London from the air taken by a mate landing at Heathrow, an old picture of Craven Cottage, other photos from around the UK, especially from our new county Devon, and a poster with the Oranges & Lemons nursery rhyme (in full, including the chop chop chop bit that is usually missing). We bought the furniture from the previous owner, it suits the modern flat and we have no attachment to it. Bought a load of kitchen gear, from Ikea and such like. And a fairly cheap TV. So nothing in the flat has any sentimental value, except the photos which can be replaced easily and relatively cheaply. All of this is covered by the public liability insurance we put in place. So to be honest the prospect of damage to the contents does not worry me, but if it was the stuff we have in our own home, I would be terrified. No way!
But, touch wood, so far no breakages and nothing but great guests.
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had some laughs reading through this.LOL! Glad i’m not the only one experiencing annoying guests! I’m trying to be patient and not too judgemental with guests quirks. Like if we were all the same life would be boring! However, its the little things that annoy me more than the big things…like people leaving their dirty breakfast dishes on the table, when I state in my rules to put them in the dishwasher, people leaving lights on, slamming doors, and just there, about 5mins ago, guests nosing in my store to find the heating switch, even though they know they dont have access to the store! And, their window and door was laying wide open! GRRRRR! These guys are in their 20’s, not older people. I dont think i can generalize about which ‘ages’ to avoid, as everyones different. I’ve had some pain in the ass 20 somethings, along with older ones who rub me up the wrong way to!
Ps: i’m glad i found this forum. I can do less ranting to my BF. 
lol
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Guest things that annoy me: leaving lights and fans on all day when house rules clearly ask the opposite; taking long showers when the household relies on a rain tank and I’ve talked to them about it a million ways from Sunday and they still do it; rinsing out clothes in my bathtub; slamming doors and sliding glass doors. Parking in front of my driveway so I can’t back in (again, proper place to park is in the directions); losing snorkel gear (once again this week); leaving porch lights on all night. Leaving trash. Asking for late check out…There’s probably loads more, but yes…does help to rant here! 
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My observation also, that it’s the same person who does all the things wrong. The cooks did so many things that they were not suppose to do that I didnt know where to start. The girl who was trying to get her doggy in, like you said, asked for late check out based on a “late check in”, damaged my towel, would not leave at a proper time, asked for breakfast 
, how do you even do it if I don’t offer it!.
I was pretty busy this past week with back to back bookings, and they all were great, really, not a single thing that they did wrong.
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Oh my GOD how I hate the slamming doors. Drives me up the wall. And, the flooded bathroom counter. I’ve noticed it’s typically East Asian guests that get water all over hell whenever entering the bathroom. I hate hate hate feeling like the chambermaid running in after every time to mop up the puddles so I don’t get those awful water spots on the granite. Sigh.
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Kona - do you think you could put a timer in the bathroom? Have the number of minutes marked with a sharpie? Handle it with a sense of humor? I would blame it on local water government board eco-friendly save-the-rain-forest regulations or something. You could make it sound much bigger and out of your hands and still be honest…
I’m sure you’ve thought of it but thought I’d toss it in anyway.
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Hi Emese. I’m anon. I agree with what you have said, but lately I have come to a realization about things that has made me feel quite a bit better. Truthfully we’ve fared pretty well as far as damage. People do know they are in a home and do try to respect our property, so much so the damage thus far is minimal, and whatever did get wrecked I filed a resolution for (only if I thought gross neglect happened, and this really only occurred when we used to allow pets). It has got to the point that I have realized that we have made enough money to replace items that get damaged over time with new things without too much fuss. I have access to great antiques in the area I live, so its not a huge deal to find cool replacements.
My antique linen sheets have held up to all the washing beautifully. We haven’t had to replace any sheets, duvet covers, or even vintage pillowcases for that matter. I take really good care of them by line drying. I just realized that even though my linens are expensive, they last really well (same for all my down pillows and duvets), so initial investment is really paying off. If I do need to buy some more down the line, I won’t mind at all, as we are doing well enough from the income.
Most of all, we have a 96% 5 star reviews, mostly about the home, decor, bedding, breakfast, and being a welcoming host. It is what sets us apart and makes the experience special for our guests so that they tell their friends and return. I’ve stopped stressing so much. Three years in, and I am realizing that I have to be clear with guests about expectations, and that is improving the experience for us as hosts.
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“it’s typically East Asian guests that get water all over hell whenever entering the bathroom”
YES! I have these folks as regular visitors. What is it with the water? Last ones stayed here and the whole kitchen was soaked with water, everywhere! The bathroom soaked. Counters soaked, floors soaked. I don’t get it!
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If only I could be a fly on the wall. We should all create an Airbnb “CLUE” game to figure out who done it, in what room, with who, and with what, and why. All of my counter tops are wood. Thanks for the heads up on Asian folk who don’t ever try to rent my place - I will pass them up.
Hi DC! Nah… that would be over the top. Most are totally compliant with the water issue. I only have trouble with the ones who can’t speak English well. We are very unique out here and you might call it partial off-the-grid living… (not by choice!)…I explain it a million ways, have gentle signs in the studio and I show them the rain tank and tell them to be mindful of conserving. That is usually enough. I don’t want to be a water nazi.
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I had a girl friend from Melbourne Australia for a number of years. She worked internationally, but her home experience made her an awful Water Nazi! Even here in my home she went on about my water use! I don’t live in OZ but the USA right next to Lake Superior, where we get our water. I opened the curtains and pointed to this giant body of water and told her. "Tell me dear, when you see it start to run low!’ She just could not get over the unlimited fresh water we have here.
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I had a guest with very positive feedback to my guesthouse. But she gave me my first 3 star, just because she said my listing’s description is not that accurate. I guess she expected too much from my place! Our neighborhood here in Bali is mostly dark and night and she’s a city girl who never walks and always use air con in her room! While my room ia free from air con because yes, we get natural breeze as we are on a hill. I also got some 60something couple at my place. They were VERYYY demanding. Anyway, that type of guests are definitely to avoid.
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Yes, it is bad for the host if that happens. Often it is their fault for not reading the full “detailed description”! In order to nudge people into reading it all, I have this in my “basics”. “In order not to be disappointed by either location or amenities, please read the entire description before booking”. This has helped me! Also, a good crisp photo of the bedrooms and the beds, living room, kitchen, bathroom. Plus photos of the nearby beach, harbor, hiking trails, museums, light house.
I do not have Wireless internet and state such in description, STILL they walk in the door and ask Do you have Wi fi? Nope I say.
I now get complements in my reviews like “Just as described” “Exactly as expected” " Just like the photos " " Everything was as he said ".
It is so important if you have a negative to point it out right up front. I tell them right up in the description, No Wireless, No A/C, Location has some run down housing on the block. Anything they might be offended by, I tell them on my Listing page, and that solves it all. And I make it clear this place is not perfect, they respect that, the bookings keep flowing in!
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I like that! Tells it like it is!
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It really has worked, along with the fact I cover every base in description and photos. You gotta GET people to read it all to avoid misunderstandings.
I agree. I have fiddled with my copy endlessly to make sure all bases are covered. I rarely get off-base guests on Air BnB these days.
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I’m inserting that line right this instant 69james - so good. We’ve got to get them to read the description!
Let us know later how that works out for you. I had problems until I put that in my “basics”, make them read the full description and rules.