Airbnb: what owners actually say

Multiple guests report photos not matching reality: a Maui rental was full of cockroaches despite immaculate photos, a Paris 'luxury' apartment had half its furniture gone after the host's divorce, a cabin listed as 'in the woods' was on a main road. One guest who stayed at 22 Airbnbs reported 11 had false advertising issues, including wrong locations and claimed parking that didn't exist.

A guest left a legitimate 4-star review citing noise from a nearby bus stop. Months later, Airbnb removed it citing policy violation, after the host submitted what the guest says were fake documents. Support reinstated it only after the guest contacted them directly.

Users report Airbnb support not addressing hosts with fake or outdated photos. One user stopped using the platform entirely, saying it 'seems hosts are the only side of the equation Airbnb folks care about.' A journalist who was moved to a different property was ghosted when asking about a refund.

Guests report that once all fees are included, Airbnb frequently comes out more expensive than comparable hotels, or is only competitive in inconvenient locations. One commenter stated Airbnbs 'used to be super affordable but now match the price of hotels.'

Guests report advertised amenities not working or accessible during their stay: a home theater that didn't work for an entire 4-night stay, a pool guests were told not to enter because a vacuum was in it, claimed onsite parking that wasn't actually available.

Parents traveling with five kids say it's sometimes impossible to find a hotel that can accommodate them. Multiple bedrooms and a kitchen let families cook instead of eating out every night, which hotels can't offer.

Experienced travelers say Airbnb is worth it specifically when the location is extremely unique or convenient and no hotels are reasonably nearby. Otherwise, hotels win outright.

Some frequent guests report 20-30 stays a year with mostly good experiences, returning to specific hosts in specific cities. Self-aware hosts who 'pick their battles' and treat guests at the appropriate price point are credited with making trips great.

Commenters acknowledge Airbnb exposed demand for something hotels don't offer: larger spaces, kitchens, and multiple bedrooms for groups — even among critics of the platform's current state.