How to Write an Airbnb Review: Pro Tips for Guest Feedback
How to write a review on Airbnb is extremely important to your success on the platform, especially for your Airbnb property profile.
Guest reviews provide social proof for your listing and encourage other guests to book with you.
A good, honest review provides feedback to guests and other hosts, which is great for the Airbnb community.
It also reminds guests to return the favor, which improves your overall rating and leads to more bookings.
Simply put, the more positive reviews you can get for your space, the better.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when writing great guest reviews, along with Airbnb guest review examples:
Table of Contents
Navigating Airbnb’s Review Landscape
Airbnb’s review system:
Airbnb operates a comprehensive review system, empowering both guests and hosts to share their experiences following each stay. These reviews play a pivotal role in fostering trust among members of the community while ensuring transparency. Upholding the principles of fairness and honesty is paramount for hosts and guests alike, underscoring the platform’s integrity.
Airbnb’s review policy:
To maintain fairness and accuracy, Airbnb has established specific guidelines and policies governing reviews. These guidelines emphasize the importance of focusing on guest behavior and their adherence to house rules rather than personal traits. Hosts and guests are encouraged to acquaint themselves with these policies to ensure their reviews align with Airbnb’s standards.
Airbnb’s content policy:
Furthermore, Airbnb’s content policy delineates acceptable content for reviews, stressing the significance of respectfulness, relevance, and appropriateness within the community. Both hosts and guests must adhere to these guidelines when crafting and submitting reviews to uphold the platform’s standards.
14-day review period:
Following a guest’s departure, both the guest and the host are allotted a 14-day review period. This timeframe provides ample opportunity for reflection, enabling both parties to furnish thoughtful and constructive feedback. Hosts and guests are urged to make judicious use of this period to contribute meaningfully to the review process.
Star ratings:
In addition to written feedback, guests are prompted to rate their experience using a star system. Hosts have the authority to assign up to 5 stars across various metrics, including cleanliness, communication, adherence to house rules, and overall experience. Reciprocally, guests also have the opportunity to review hosts, emphasizing the host’s responsibility to deliver exceptional guest experiences that warrant 5-star ratings. By providing fair and accurate evaluations, hosts contribute to the credibility of the review system, aiding future hosts in making informed decisions.
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Crafting Concise and Impactful Guest Reviews on Airbnb
Keep it simple and concise
More isn’t always better. Although Airbnb provides 500 words of space for your review, don’t feel like you have to use it all. It’s often better to use fewer words to express yourself than more. So, if you can say the same message in 50 words versus 100 words, stay with 50. Conciseness can enhance the impact of your review, making it easier for both hosts and guests to understand and appreciate.
Here are some Airbnb review examples:
Example 1: “Hosting [Guest’s Name] was a pleasure! They were respectful, tidy, and communicated well. Would gladly host them again.”
Example 2: “[Guest’s Name] was an exemplary guest! They left the space immaculate and followed all house rules. Communication was clear and prompt. Highly recommended!”
Be Honest
Be sure that your review is honest and reflects your perspective. It should accurately represent both your and the recent guest’s experience. Consider aspects such as cleanliness, amenities, and overall comfort during your stay. For instance, you might reflect on the condition of the bathroom, including the cleanliness of the sink and the availability of fresh towels. Additionally, consider the state of the kitchen, such as the cleanliness of the dishes provided. It’s also important to note if there were any issues with smoking, if applicable. Providing specific details like these helps future hosts and guests make informed decisions.
I recommend thinking of at least a couple of specific things that you can highlight in your review from your own perspective as a recent guest. Ask yourself, would you be open to hosting the guest again in the future? Was there anything damaged in the apartment? Did they follow the house rules? How was the communication?
Make it unique
Each guest is different and provides a unique hosting experience. For this reason, don’t copy and paste your public reviews for each of your guests. This isn’t helping the community and isn’t providing helpful feedback to the guest. Spend a few minutes thinking about the unique aspects that your guests provided during their stay, including any positive aspects, such as if they were a good guest, if they followed the rules, kept the place clean, etc., and mention them when writing the review. Consider their interactions during their stay as well, including their check-in process and adherence to check-out time. The more detailed you can be, the more you’re helping out the community.
Check out other reviews
If you find yourself unsure of what to include in your review, a helpful strategy is to take inspiration from reviews written by other hosts about the guest. While it’s important not to simply copy these reviews, they can serve as valuable guidance for crafting your own.
For instance, consider the following examples of Airbnb reviews from hosts I came across:
- “It was such a pleasure hosting Randy and Brenda! They are a very personable couple, they respected our space and left it clean and tidy. They even emptied the trash, which was not expected. We would welcome them back anytime!”
- “We had a fantastic experience hosting Sarah. From the moment of booking, communication was smooth and easy. Upon arrival, Sarah was friendly and courteous, and throughout her stay, she treated our home with utmost respect. She left the space immaculate, and her thoughtfulness was evident in small gestures like tidying up after herself. Hosting Sarah was a pleasure, and we would gladly welcome her back anytime!”
These reviews stand out for their brevity and sincerity in highlighting the positive aspects of the guests’ stays. Taking cues from such reviews can assist you in articulating your own experiences with the guest while maintaining authenticity.
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Handling Complaints and Negative Reviews:
Navigating complaints and negative reviews from guests can pose a challenge, yet it’s imperative to approach them promptly and professionally. Here are key steps to effectively manage such situations:
Maintain Composure and Objectivity:
Take a moment to compose yourself and evaluate the situation objectively. Recognize that negative feedback presents an avenue for improvement, and your response reflects your professionalism.
Acknowledgment of Concerns:
Begin by acknowledging the guest’s grievances and expressing empathy for any inconvenience they encountered. This demonstrates your regard for their feedback and commitment to resolving issues.
Apologize and Assume Responsibility:
Extend a genuine apology for any shortcomings in their experience, regardless of your perspective on the complaint. Assuming responsibility underscores your dedication to guest satisfaction and resolving their concerns.
Propose a Resolution:
Offer a practical solution to address the guest’s complaint or issue, be it a refund, compensation, or arrangements for necessary repairs or enhancements to rectify the situation.
Encourage Direct Communication:
Invite the guest to initiate further dialogue to delve deeper into the matter or provide additional feedback. This showcases your willingness to engage with guests and seek mutually agreeable solutions.
Professional and Public Response:
If the complaint or negative review is publicly posted, respond promptly and professionally. Avoid contentious exchanges and instead focus on addressing the guest’s concerns, reaffirming your commitment to resolving issues.
Remember, your response to complaints and negative feedback significantly influences your reputation as a host. By handling these situations with professionalism, empathy, and a proactive approach to resolution, you can transform challenges into opportunities to demonstrate your dedication to guest satisfaction.
Learn how to craft the perfect pre-booking message for Airbnb guests.
Here is a review example of what you could write:
“Dear [Guest’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. Regrettably, we acknowledge the challenges you encountered during your recent stay at our Airbnb property. We understand the frustration caused by [specific issue, e.g., cleanliness concerns, noise disturbances, malfunctioning amenities, etc.].
Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are wholeheartedly dedicated to resolving these issues to enhance the experience for our future guests. Immediate measures have been implemented, including [describe actions taken to address the issue, e.g., scheduling a thorough cleaning, repairing amenities, implementing noise-reduction measures, etc.].
Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience you experienced. Your satisfaction remains our utmost priority, and we are committed to delivering exceptional hospitality to all our guests.
Should you wish to further discuss your experience or require additional assistance, please feel free to contact us directly. Your feedback is highly appreciated as it aids us in our continuous efforts to improve.
Thank you for choosing to stay with us, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back for a more seamless and enjoyable stay in the future.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Final thoughts
In conclusion, understanding how to write a review on Airbnb is essential for maximizing success with your rental property and reservations. Guest reviews not only provide social proof for your listing but also offer valuable feedback to both guests and hosts, fostering a sense of trust and transparency within the community.
By prioritizing honesty and specificity in your reviews, you contribute to the overall integrity of the platform and help future guests make informed decisions about your vacation rental and reservations. Remember to keep your reviews concise and unique, highlighting the specific aspects of each guest’s stay that stood out to you.
If you’re looking to grow your rental business and optimize your Airbnb listing, I offer Airbnb copywriting services. I’ve helped numerous clients, including superhosts and property managers, to enhance their listings and attract more guests. With my expertise, you can elevate your property’s online presence and establish a stellar reputation as an Airbnb host.