Airbnb: what owners actually say

Users commonly report photos being outdated or fake, wrong locations listed, missing furniture, and amenities not matching descriptions. One user reported 11 of 22 stays had false advertising issues. Another found a 'luxury' Paris apartment with half the furniture gone because the host had divorced since the photos were taken.

Multiple users report Airbnb ghosting them when problems arise, refusing to address hosts with fake listings, and taking days of arguing to resolve issues. One user left a legitimate 4-star review mentioning noise, and the host submitted fake documentation to get it removed — Airbnb complied.

Users report that once all fees are included, Airbnb often costs more than comparable hotels while delivering less reliability and fewer services.

Hosts cancel at the last minute, leaving guests with nowhere to stay in unfamiliar cities, and Airbnb support often provides no immediate help.

Since COVID, a wave of inexperienced hosts entered the platform, treating it as passive income without maintaining properties or properly managing guest experiences. One guest dealt with a real estate investor host who downplayed ongoing construction that disrupted the entire stay.

Families with 5+ kids find it nearly impossible to book hotels that accommodate them, making Airbnb a necessary option for group travel.

Users value Airbnb for extremely unique or remote locations where hotels simply aren't available. Multiple users still seek out specific hosts they've stayed with before when revisiting cities.

Users appreciate having kitchens to avoid eating out every night and separate bedrooms so adults don't have to share spaces with children — something hotels can't easily provide.