Airbnb Reviews 

The worse company I had to deal with. They don't respect their own policy and have so many rules that makes hosting a nightmare. They won't allow me to remove my listing.

I’m a long‑standing UK Superhost with a 4.95 overall rating whose listing recently lost its “Guest Favourite” badge after a single disputed 2★ review. Airbnb has admitted in writing that the guest’s description of my location and my entry to the home “do not align” with the documentation I provided, yet they refuse to correct or remove the review purely because the stay was “genuine”.

At the same time, their automated systems stripped my badge and now surface this outlier review above more recent 5★ reviews, which gives a very skewed impression of the listing. Support have told me they will not intervene, cannot reinstate the badge, and do not consider themselves obliged to act even where they agree a review is factually inaccurate.

I have now reported this to the UK Competition and Markets Authority because it appears to conflict with CMA guidance that platforms should take reasonable steps to prevent and remove misleading reviews and not present reviews in a misleading way. Until Airbnb takes its own review policies seriously, both hosts and guests should be cautious about relying on what they see on the site.

As a professional real estate investor with a massive portfolio in Thailand, I am officially delisting my properties. Airbnb has become a playground for "refund hunters" and scammers.

The Reality: 80% of guests now attempt to fabricated stories or use fake photos to extort refunds. Despite clear evidence from our side, Airbnb consistently takes the guest's money and our profit, ignoring the host entirely. They have zero respect for the people who actually provide the inventory for their platform.

The Financials: It’s no surprise their stock is down 75%. They have lost the trust of professional hosts. We are moving our entire 300M THB portfolio to OTAs that actually act as partners. Airbnb is a scam-friendly platform that is headed straight for the ground. Avoid at all costs—both as a host and an investor.

The place we stayed was dirty, worn down and full of wood lice. There were many bits of furniture that were damaged or stained. The door wouldn’t shut, tap was broken, water damaged kitchen units, laminate braking of bathroom cupboard. Maintenance and repairs were clearly in desperate need. The host of Rosie’s retreat in Cornwall Jennifer was disgraceful. After we had left the morning after getting there, only staying the night as it was late she decided later on that week to accuse us of damaging the property. Trying to claim back the money she had refunded. Going as far as claiming me and my partner had “clearly had an argument” and gone on to cause damage of her property because of this. I had only just come out of surgery three days prior… so to come to that conclusion is ridiculous. I feel as if she might need someone to speak to about her relationship and how she deals with issues within that, as it is a very strange statement to make. As for air b&b they clearly have no clue about their hosts as we had photos of the damage on the day we arrived along with a collection of the rest of the damage and many woodlice. We have proved it was there upon arrival yet they accepted the claim. Complete waste of money and time.

Spent 2 hours booking a place on Airbnb for 4 adults + a 2-month-old baby.
20 hours later the host declined saying they don’t accept children under 12.

This rule wasn’t visible on the main listing page. It was hidden deep in “Things to know → House rules → Additional rules”.

Something this important should be clearly visible upfront or enforced via filters. Otherwise guests waste hours booking places they’re not actually allowed to stay in.

Support reviewed the case and sided with the host instead of requiring the listing to display this restriction clearly.

This feels like a design loophole that allows hosts to hide critical rules and decline later.

As expected, Airbnb is accomplice in this and fully supportive of Host behaviour. Show non eligible properties, give complete control to Host to decline whenever they want and side by them as Hosts are main business. Keep people’s money until then.

Both Airbnb and Host know that honestly listing this restriction on main page is bad advertisement and will repulse families. Its easier to waste people’s time and later decline saying they don’t accept.

Every third booking I place goes wrong (the hosts fault). You have to really chase Airbnb to get it sorted out. Do carry on if you know something isn't right. Ask them to escalate your complaint up the chain and keep doing that. If you have a genuine reason to be disatisfied, I find they do sort it out if you are prepared to spend several hours on the phone on and off. However, that is really frustrating and they should have clearly just given me the full refund on more than one occasion instead of trying to explain that their policies say that "it's a basement flat so may be humid" means that full mould in the flat was already disclosed rather than a health hazard, or that an ad titled "townhouse" can be a flat and not a house if the details section says the word "apartment", rather than accepting that this is an intentionally misleading advert, even if it's also a contradictory advert (I had to send that definition of "townhouse" and show that it can't also be an apartment if it's a townhouse... Anyway, I got my refunds on these but it was stressful.

I’m extremely disappointed with my recent experience using Airbnb.

We booked a flat in London for 12th–15th March, and this reservation had been made eight months in advance specifically to avoid the stress of last-minute accommodation issues. Unfortunately, the host cancelled the booking shortly before our trip, leaving us scrambling to find somewhere else to stay at very short notice.

We managed to secure another property through Airbnb yesterday, only for that booking to also be cancelled shortly afterwards because the host claimed they had “lost the property.” This raises a serious question: how can a property still be listed and available to book if there is a possibility the host may no longer have access to it?

The entire situation has resulted in:
• Financial loss, as last-minute accommodation in London is significantly more expensive.

• A huge amount of stress and inconvenience, having to repeatedly search for alternative accommodation.

• A complete loss of trust in Airbnb’s platform and reliability.

Booking months in advance should provide peace of mind. Instead, we’ve had two cancellations in quick succession and have been left dealing with the consequences.

Overall, this experience has left me feeling that Airbnb does not adequately protect guests from unreliable hosts or ensure that properties listed on the platform are genuinely available. I expected much better.

Spend hundreds hoping a host will accept only for them to ignore my request then have to wait over a week to get my money back.

Airbnb say the bank hold the money but they should never take money until the host accepts.
Easy way to make interest profits i guess.

Its a game of hoping and praying a host reads your ballcrap message to stay at their property and then accepts. If not, full booking cost has still long gone from your bank account

Never had bad reviews so guess I didn't kiss enough backside when asking to stay at a property or could be that I'm simply not part of the airbnb 'click' hahaha.

If want to try the worst service try airbnb
It went wrong even before making a booking.
I verified my identity, provided id, selfie, even got the verified badge, etc.
After that I wanted to message a host and then was asked to verify my identity AGAIN.
This time it forced me to use their app by providing only a QR code, so they can have full access to my phone.
I install their app and surprise... it's full of bugs and doesn't work.
I go to contact customer support and Mithul K takes 2.5h to reply, but without addressing any of my questions.
After 2 replies, he just ignored me.
If you didn't get angry and frustrated in a long time then make sure to give airbnb a try.
They sure won't dissappoint, and will make your experience terrible instead.
Wasting your time and money is their favourite occupation.

I received negative feedback from a host, after an unblemished record, which was untrue and unfair.
He claimed I didn't clean the kitchen properly, which is not true and all my previous feedback on airbnb praises how well I clean things. I believe he doesn’t want people to use his kitchen even though it is listed as an amenity. Reviews are really important on airbnb and so I raised it with them. They just said it didn’t contravene their policies for a host to lie. I think they need to change their policies.

I booked what I thought was a whole apartment. I tried to cancel after finding a bed bug (picture attached), but the host, Mohamed, denied my request.

Airbnb expected me to leave the room in the middle of the morning, even though I had fallen asleep around 5 AM — this was on my birthday.

Overall, this has been a terrible experience. It seems like hosts can do whatever they want. The bed was horrible, the shower was broken, the listing title was misleading, and there were bed bugs. What a “lovely” place to spend my holidays.

Apartment written up as cosy....it turned out to next to a red light district in Thailand. One window couldn't be closed....so stayed open, couldn't lock it. Didnt look like the pictures, Cupboards falling apart. Had to leave stayed one night. Air bnb and said it the a window didn't have to close and the owner was not in breach of their policies....!!. I stayed 1 night out of 2. They refunded the cleaning fee......thanks for that.

They took the Host side on a Damage Report. All AFTER the host wrote how good of a renter I was..and . .BEWARE they lock your payment card so they can charge you whatever the Host tells them to. .

I was locked out of my Airbnb accommodation just after midnight in Nottingham when the door code stopped working.

I tried repeatedly and contacted the host immediately. There was no response. Airbnb support spent around two hours trying to reach them and admitted they could not resolve the situation.

I was left outside in winter conditions and had to find and pay for an emergency hotel myself at around 2am.
The host only responded at 06:58am, long after the I HAD GOTTEN AN EMERGENCY HOTEL at my own expense. When I later returned, the door code had been updated and was working again - way too late

I did have a call with Airbnb, I raised serious safety concerns about being locked out with no fallback and no overnight support, and no contingency if something goes wrong. Airbnb acknowledged this was unsafe and said the host would be investigated.
The issue here is not just one failed lock. It is allowing remotely managed properties to operate with no emergency cover and no reliable access backup. If my phone had died, or if this had happened to a younger guest or a parent with a child inside, the consequences could have been serious.
Airbnb offered 20% of the hotel cost which I disputed ey eventually reimbursed my hotel cost. But this only happened after serious effort and escalation, even though it had been agreed with the night of the incident - useless.

This experience exposed major weaknesses in how Airbnb manages safety and out-of-hours support.

I would strongly advise others to think carefully before relying on properties with no on-site presence and no emergency backup.

Booked a unit in dinkirk. Host was onsite and rude and when I asked Key to lock my room’ he declined and said it’s SAFE.
Later I found he locked his entire unit but could access mine all the time.
There was a dodgy basement just next to my bedroom’ My broken door latch & no key to lock at a costume party in neighborhood seems perfect Murder plan!
I felt so unsafe that ran for my life’ when contacted Airbnb they said’
Host isn’t ready to REFUND.
Also no damage or intrusion has incurred.
For them not having a locked property isn’t a safety issue’ as I’m still alive!

I abhor their safety policies and unprofessionalism.

Despite multiple attempt no resolution offered!

I strongly feel AIRBNB is a dysfunctional racket which favors shady host business and totally runs on revenue more than reputation.

Boycott Airbnb totally
Hotels are Safer

Thanks

Allows 'professional' fraudsters to play their system for a free holiday.
I work in the service industry as a cleaner and have worked at a house for over 7 years without incident.
An air BnB gusts booked last minute demanding early and late check out, an 10% discount and for me to put their shopping delivery away, I refused but the host gave a discount.
The positively unpleasant guest arrived early and was rude to my staff because we were still there.
She then parked in front blocking a neighbours driveway and refused to move.
When we left she demanded a re clean of the property and spent her holiday demanding discounts and compensation and complaining.
She refused to leave when offered a full refund.
She's still there threatening this and that and air BnB have refused to help.
Shame on you.

The accommodation was filthy,it clearly hadn't been cleaned for months if not years.
It has been neglected with a rusty clothes airer and wall tiles falling off the balcony wall, some left in a pile on the floor to trip over.
The place was a health and safety hazard with so much grime, dust and grease.
Everything was dirty,there were ants and cockroaches.
Cutlery, cupboards, crockery, appliances all unusable.
The bathrooms were disgusting, toilets black and shower screens covered in scale.
There was thick dust on all surfaces,food crumbs and hairs on the soft furnishings,grease and food waste on kitchen appliances and a messy balcony.
We slept fully clothed!, .

Airbnb ignored my multiple requests to leave / cancel which i asked on arrival.
They sent multiple meaningless messages, and continued to drag the issue with delaying tactics.

I wasn't supprted to upload my photos they didn't provide an option to do so until day 4.
I then submitted more than 20 photos and have many more, and checked out after receiving confirmation i had " Air cover ".

They then confused the photos and sent many different responses from an array of agents!
But failed to return my money, after i repeated my requests

This organisation does not support the paying customer and was only interested in preventing me from receiving my refund.
I will never use them again and obviously don't recommend to anyone.
Book with them at your own peril,i can't understand how they are permitted to operate with their systems and approach to basically scamming customers.
Avoid,avoid,avoid !

The air bnb support staff cannot be trusted. I was told to stay in an air bnb I wanted to leave and request a refund after I left and now it is like pulling teeth to get a refund which air bnb should not have even let be a host.

Review as owner host to help other Uk owners.

We have enjoyed meeting many people in our cottage and fully accept part of the process is to have the odd bad guest.

We’ve have seen the good & bad bumps with safety issues, upset neighbours or smoking in the house et cetera. When things go wrong this really is the measure of a company.

Despite reporting safety issues we are told if the guest is removed, they have a full refund. For any UK host you have to tread carefully as any guests staying over 28 days legally that’s a great area on eviction issues as automatic rights exist on days of say 30 nights.

The wording from Airbnb is very well polished but does lack a little integrity. On past claims captured on external CCTV to our property. Airbnb have declined to pay any repairs as it’s outside of the dwelling even though you can have a gallery of images or listed amenities for guests enjoyment.

Several times we’ve had the house trashed such as smoking deep clean we have sourced say three local quotes ranging from £500-£1200. Airbnb will only give you market data so expect a third of the true cost.

As owner you just have to make a decision whether you’re happy with profit from the majority of bookings, but do not rely upon the air cover insurance we have a buy to let mortgage and troubled you will have no cover for your mortgage or running costs during the eviction process.

As a premium listing, we make considerable investments on bedrooms, bedding and specification of the cottage. Guests have naturally and never increasing list of wants for the holiday. Airbnb will encourage you to improve specifications, sadly in summary you carry the risk of those contents.

Do NOT book through Airbnb!

I rented an apartment for one week on the Airbnb platform from a host named “Arcan.” I arrived with my pregnant wife and my young child, and our experience was extremely stressful and unsafe.

First, we had to wait 1.5 hours in the cold outside the building for the key. When we finally entered the apartment, we discovered several serious problems:
• There was no hot water
• Many electrical outlets were not working
• We noticed cameras installed in multiple rooms, which made us feel very uncomfortable

We immediately reported these issues to Airbnb. Later, third parties entered the apartment without our permission, claiming they came to repair the cameras. After this incident, two gold necklaces belonging to my wife were stolen.

We informed Airbnb about everything and requested cancellation, but our reservation was cancelled without any refund. We were eventually forced to leave the apartment with police involvement, and since my wife is pregnant and I have a small child, we had to urgently book an expensive hotel room.

After returning to my country, the situation became even worse. The host claimed that we smoked inside the apartment and damaged the walls, and Airbnb is supporting these claims and requesting compensation from me. This is completely false. Before leaving, I recorded videos of the entire apartment because I suspected possible fraud, and the videos clearly show no damage and no signs of smoking. Claiming that I smoked in a closed environment while my wife is pregnant is completely unreasonable.

In my opinion, the host named “Arcan” is operating a fraudulent rental, and Airbnb is not taking any meaningful action to protect customers.

I strongly advise everyone: Be extremely careful when booking through Airbnb.