The Airbnb Review Red Flags That Could Ruin Your Next Getaway

So you've stumbled upon the perfect Airbnb for your next getaway. It's a beautiful home in the ideal location, and the price is right. But is it all too good to be true? One way to tell is to read through the reviews, looking out for a few major red flags.

One obvious red flag is bad reviews. If the listing has less than a 4-star rating and the majority of previous guests have negative commentary, run for the hills. When guests leave poor reviews, it's generally because their expectations weren't met. This could be due to poor communication, inaccurate photos, unsanitary conditions, uncomfortable beds, noisy neighbors...the list goes on. Staying at an Airbnb with few or no reviews is also risky. Playing the guinea pig may work in your favor, as most new listings are heavily discounted. But it could also backfire, leaving you catfished by a listing that made a condemned home seem like a luxury resort. Worse yet, the listing could be a complete scam. The property may not even exist, or hosts could pull an Airbnb bait-and-switch, making up an excuse and downgrading you to less desirable accommodations.

Overall, the Airbnb you choose greatly impacts your getaway. If appliances are broken, sheets are dirty, and the place smells like cigarette smoke, it hardly feels like the relaxing vacation you expected. Meanwhile, if the hosts are unresponsive and you're waiting hours to check in, you're wasting precious holiday time. So ultimately, it pays to read Airbnb listings carefully, paying attention to previous guest experiences.

If the listing has a plethora of positive commentary with just one or two negative reviews, we wouldn't write the Airbnb off entirely. The devil's in the details. Pay attention to what the disgruntled guest took issue with and how the host responded. If there was loud construction in the neighborhood, but it was years ago, the problem is long gone. Perhaps the air conditioning broke unexpectedly, but the host took accountability and promptly fixed the issue. These things happen on occasion — even in the nicest accommodations, so take stock of patterns rather than the one-off bad experience.

The way a host responds to bad reviews says a lot about their character and communication style. Did they immediately get defensive, returning fire with petty insults? Or did they take the feedback with grace and remedy the situation? Of course, if the bad review was completely off-base, the host has a right to defend themselves — but it's all in the tone. If they sound unreasonable, angry, or combative, it's probably because they are. And a hostile host could lead to a hostile experience.

The first thing most people notice in Airbnb listings is the photography. But before envisioning yourself inside those idyllic images, take a step back and analyze the photos. Do they look heavily enhanced? One way hosts mislead guests is by using a wide-angle or fisheye lens to make a place seem more spacious than it really is. The photos may have also been taken when the home was brand new, but without proper upkeep, it could become rundown. Look at the property's rating for "accuracy" and scan reviews for any mentions of discrepancies between the pictures and reality.

Vague photography and incomplete profiles are also red flags for Airbnbs. If the host displays pictures of the bedroom, but omits the kitchen and bathroom, what are they hiding? Honestly, even if it's just an oversight due to poor posting skills, it still shows their executive functioning might not be up to par. When hosts don't describe accommodations adequately, you could end up making inaccurate assumptions. To avoid disappointment, pay attention to whether the host included crucial details like the number of beds, toiletries provided, and kitchen equipment. Also, make sure to check all those sneaky details before booking your Airbnb, like additional fees for extra people or pets.

Finally, communication will inevitably affect your getaway. When getting information from your host feels like herding cats, it adds unnecessary stress to your life. So check those communication ratings. Also, scroll down to the "Meet your host" section to see their response rate and response time frame. If still in doubt, shoot them a quick message before booking. Ask them a genuine question about the property, putting their communication skills to the test.