Here are a few guidelines on review writing as an Airbnb/VRBO/STRA guest:
- No matter what, add at least one thing you liked about the place, location, or host. If you can’t think of one thing, you are probably not level-headed enough to write an honest review. Come back later, try again.
2. If you had an issue while staying at the place… did you contact the host about it first?
a) If yes,… did the host respond timely and did the host do everything in their power to fix it? —-If yes…Don’t include it negatively in the review. Feel free to comment on their responsiveness though. —-If no… Include this in the review, the issue and that it was not resolved by the host.
b) If no… contact the host before you write a review. Give them a chance to correct the issue or compensate for it before writing the review.
3. If you had an issue about the accommodation that is out of the host’s control (eg. location of the premises, construction noise nearby, weather or natural disasters, traffic in the area, noisy neighbors, etc)
a) If it is a temporary issue, think carefully before including it in the review. Ask yourself: Will it affect future guests enough to be worth including a permanent negative remark?
b) If it is a permanent issue and is not already addressed on the property profile by the host, include it in the review. Give a heads-up to future guests who may not be aware of the issue.
4. Add personality and detail to your review. If you liked the place and had a good time, be sure to include why. Write about that specific thing that made the place fun and different from a standard hotel or other places you have stayed. Vague reviews could imply unaddressed issues the guest was too timid to report.
5. Don’t deduct stars without explaining why, for both the hosts and the guest’s sake. If cleaning was 3 out 5, say why. Let the host know (ahead of time is better; refer to #2 above). Nothing is more frustrating than reading a positively written review and then seeing low star ratings without explanation.
6. Don’t write negative comments based on unrealistic expectations. Manage your expectations. Are you paying $100 a night but upset that there isn’t high-end bedding? Did you book an old farmhouse but then get upset that the floors are a little creaky? Are you staying in a tropical place but outraged that bugs came into the house when you left the door open? You get the point. Know what you are booking and ask questions ahead of time if the expectations are not clear.
7. Read the profile before you book or review! If you haven’t already, read through the ENTIRE profile and house manual for the premises (see #3b and #6). Many of the issues you may feel inclined to comment on are already in the profile. Hosts understand the pros and cons of their spaces. They are likely to provide that information ahead of time. If you review based on something addressed in the profile, it is very obvious you booked blindly, and it negatively reflects on you as a reviewer/guest.
Overall: Be Fair!
Believe it or not, hosts often read the reviews you have posted elsewhere, before accepting your booking. They want to determine if you will review them fairly. Stick to the guidelines above to help you write honest and effective reviews and you will become a valuable member of the short-term rental community.
