Airbnb hosts: how to review guests on Airbnb

If you’re an Airbnb host, you know how rewarding it is to welcome wonderful guests—but the work doesn’t stop once they check out. Writing a review for every guest can feel like a daunting, time-consuming task. Between managing your listings, ensuring properties are ready for new arrivals, and keeping your guests happy, finding the time to craft thoughtful reviews can be overwhelming. And if you manage multiple properties or rely on a team to oversee day-to-day operations, gathering the information you need to write accurate reviews adds an extra layer of complexity.

Still, guest reviews are a crucial part of the Airbnb community. They help build trust, encourage good behavior, and guide future bookings for both hosts and guests. But how do you balance honesty and professionalism while keeping up with the demands of your short-term rental business?

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the review process, offering practical tips and templates to help you craft reviews with ease. You’ll learn why guest reviews matter, what to include in them, and how Breezeway can help you automate and streamline the process, saving you time and effort.

Why guest reviews matter

Guest reviews are a cornerstone of the Airbnb platform, offering benefits such as:

• Building trust: Transparent reviews help future guests and hosts make informed decisions.
• Encouraging positive behavior: Guests are more likely to adhere to house rules when they know reviews are part of the process.
• Enhancing the community: Reviews contribute to a supportive and trustworthy Airbnb ecosystem.
• Supporting superhost status: Consistently leaving good reviews and receiving positive feedback increases your chances of achieving superhost status, a valuable badge of honor for any Airbnb host.

Guest reviews also influence Airbnb’s algorithm, ensuring your listing gets more visibility. A strong review process can lead to better occupancy rates and future bookings, making it an essential part of your vacation rental business strategy.

When to leave a review

Airbnb’s review policy allows you 14 days to submit a review. Timely reviews ensure your feedback is relevant and detailed. Here are a few tips to manage this process efficiently:

• Gather team feedback quickly: Your team’s observations about the guest experience, from adherence to house rules to cleanliness, are invaluable. Use tools like Breezeway to gather cleaning, maintenance, inspection, and guesst communication notes from your team all in one place.
• Avoid procrastination: Leaving reviews promptly helps capture honest impressions while the guest’s stay is still fresh in your mind.

Remember, a consistent review strategy benefits not only future hosts but also the overall Airbnb community.

What to include in a review

Maintain professionalism, even when addressing negative experiences. Avoid personal attacks and stick to factual observations. This approach ensures your reviews are constructive and align with Airbnb’s content policy. Crafting a balanced review involves:

• Cleanliness: Was the property left in good condition? Did the guest take great care of your space?
• Communication: Did the guest respond promptly and clearly during check-in and their stay?
• Adherence to house rules: Were rules followed without issue? Did they bring extra guests without permission?
• Overall behavior: Did the guest treat the property and staff with respect?

We know you’re not always the one on-site to review the cleanliess of the property after a guest check-out, so how do you collect this infrmation to write an accurate guest review? That’s where Breezeway can help.

Pro Tip: Airbnb superhosts Alex and Kimberly of The Shotgun House created a custom checklist in Breezeway which includes an area for their cleaner to rate and provide feedback on the condition the house was left in by the prior guests.

Airbnb host review templates

Templates can simplify the review process and ensure consistency. Below are detailed examples for various scenarios:

Positive review examples

Positive Airbnb reviews highlight exceptional guests and reinforce good behavior. Use these templates when you’ve had a great guest who followed all house rules, communicated effectively, and left the property in excellent condition.

• "It was an absolute pleasure hosting [Guest Name]. Their great communication and respect for house rules made the experience seamless. We highly recommend them to future hosts."
• "Hosting [Guest Name] was a joy. They were a perfect guest, left the property in perfect condition and were thoughtful throughout their stay. A true 5-star review guest!"
• "[Guest Name] was one of the best Airbnb guests we’ve had. They followed all house rules and left our listing spotless. Would host again anytime."
• "Wonderful guests like [Guest Name] make hosting worthwhile. They were polite, tidy, and respectful. Future bookings with them would be a pleasure."
• "[Guest Name] exceeded expectations. Their positive experience and observance of house rules were evident in every interaction. Highly recommended."

Neutral review examples

Neutral reviews are for guests who were satisfactory overall but had minor areas for improvement. These reviews offer constructive feedback while maintaining a professional tone.

• "[Guest Name] communicated adequately and followed most house rules. A few minor improvements could make them a better guest for future hosts."
• "[Guest Name] was respectful but left a few things out of place. Nothing major, but worth noting for potential guests."
• "Overall, [Guest Name] was a good guest. There were minor issues, such as [specific example], but nothing that disrupted the stay."
• "[Guest Name] stayed with us recently. They were courteous but could improve in [specific area]."
• "[Guest Name] was an average guest. They adhered to most house rules but lacked attention to [specific detail]."

Cautious review examples

Cautious reviews are appropriate when guests caused minor disruptions or issues that future hosts should be aware of. These reviews are factual but still constructive.

• "[Guest Name] mostly followed house rules but left the property less tidy than expected. Future guests should confirm cleaning expectations."
• "While [Guest Name] communicated well, they brought extra guests without prior approval. We recommend clarifying guest policies upfront."
• "[Guest Name] had some challenges adhering to the house rules. Nothing too disruptive, but worth noting for future bookings."
• "Hosting [Guest Name] was okay, though they could improve in areas like [specific example]. Future hosts may want to set clear guidelines."
• "[Guest Name] caused minor issues, such as [specific detail]. We suggest improved communication for a smoother experience."

Negative review examples

Reserve negative reviews for guests who significantly violated rules or expectations. These reviews should focus on factual observations and avoid emotional language.

• "Unfortunately, [Guest Name] did not meet expectations. They left the property in poor condition, which required additional cleaning."
• "[Guest Name] violated house rules, including bringing extra guests without notice. Future hosts should exercise caution."
• "We had challenges hosting [Guest Name]. Issues like [specific example] impacted the guest’s stay negatively."
• "[Guest Name] showed little respect for the property. Specific concerns include [details]. We recommend thorough communication before accepting future bookings."
• "[Guest Name] was a bad guest. Significant issues, such as [specific example], made this a negative Airbnb experience."

How to handle negative reviews

Dealing with negative reviews can be challenging, but they’re an essential part of maintaining transparency and trust. Here’s how to approach them effectively:

• Stick to facts: Focus on specific incidents, such as rule violations or property damage, and avoid emotional language. For example, instead of saying, "They were terrible," provide details like, "The guest left the property unclean and did not adhere to the check-out instructions."
• Be constructive: Offer suggestions for improvement. This not only helps the guest but also shows future guests and hosts that you’re fair and professional. For instance, you might write, "We recommend [Guest Name] improve their communication about additional guests."
• Protect your reputation: A calm and factual response reflects well on you as a host. Potential guests and future hosts will see that you handled the situation responsibly.
• Report serious issues: If a guest caused significant problems that violated Airbnb’s content policy or endangered others, report the behavior to Airbnb. This ensures the platform remains safe and supportive for the Airbnb community.
• Use private feedback: When appropriate, supplement your public review with private feedback to provide more detailed suggestions directly to the guest.

By following these tips, you can address bad guests professionally and ensure your reviews remain consistent with Airbnb’s guidelines.

Consistency is key

Crafting thoughtful, professional, and timely reviews is essential for any Airbnb host. Not only does it strengthen the Airbnb community by promoting transparency and trust, but it also enhances your own hosting reputation, leading to more future bookings and better experiences for all involved.

By incorporating the tips, templates, and strategies outlined in this guide, you can streamline your review process, save time, and ensure every guest review reflects your professionalism and commitment to quality. Tools like Breezeway can further simplify this process, helping you automate tasks, consolidate team feedback, and maintain consistency across multiple listings.

Airbnb guest review FAQs

Can Airbnb hosts leave reviews for guests?

Yes, Airbnb hosts can leave reviews for guests. The review system is designed to ensure mutual accountability between hosts and guests. By sharing your honest review, you contribute to the transparency and trust within the Airbnb community, helping future hosts make informed decisions.

Do Airbnb hosts have to review guests?

While it’s not mandatory for hosts to review guests, it is highly encouraged. Reviews not only provide valuable feedback for guests but also benefit the hosting community by setting expectations and promoting positive behavior.

Are Airbnb guest reviews public?

Yes, guest reviews are public once both the host and the guest have submitted their reviews or after the 14-day review window closes. This system ensures fairness and prevents one-sided feedback.

Can Airbnb guests respond to reviews?

Yes, guests can respond to reviews left by hosts. This feature allows for clarification or additional context if needed, fostering open communication and understanding.

How can I write Airbnb reviews for guests if I manage the property long-distance?

If you manage your property remotely, tools like Breezeway can help streamline the review process. By consolidating feedback from your team—such as cleaners or maintenance staff—you can craft accurate and professional reviews without being on-site. Automating notifications and using review templates can further simplify the process, saving you time and effort.