The Most Common Airbnb Guest Complaints (and How to Avoid Them)

Even the best Airbnb hosts occasionally face guest complaints. Understanding the most frequent issues can help you avoid them and ensure a seamless experience for your guests. Based on insights from our guest experience survey, here are some of the most common guest complaints and how to prevent them:

1. Cleanliness Issues

Cleanliness is a major factor that can make or break a guest’s experience. According to our guest survey, cleanliness ranks as one of the top concerns, with guests expressing frustration over small areas that are missed, like dusty surfaces or unclean bathrooms.

Quick Fix: Hire a professional cleaning service and do regular quality checks to ensure everything is spotless. Pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms, as these areas were highlighted in our survey as critical to guest satisfaction.

2. Broken or Missing Appliances

Guests expect everything to work properly. Our survey revealed that appliances not working or being missing entirely are frequent complaints. Items like a broken dishwasher or malfunctioning air conditioning can lead to a frustrating stay.

Quick Fix: Regularly inspect all appliances and ensure they’re in good working order. Keep a small stock of commonly used items as backups, like spare light bulbs or batteries.

3. Bedding Issues

Comfortable, clean bedding is essential for a good night’s sleep. Our guest experience survey indicates that guests are highly sensitive to the quality of mattresses, pillows, and linens. If these items are not clean or comfortable, it can leave a negative impression. In particular, professionally laundered linens, with pressed sheets and pillowcases, are key to ensuring a premium guest experience.

Quick Fix: Invest in high-quality bedding and replace it regularly. Always provide extra pillows and blankets for added comfort, and make sure all linens are professionally laundered with sheets and pillowcases pressed for a polished, hotel-like feel.

4. Inaccurate Descriptions

One of the key takeaways from our survey is that guests want properties to match their descriptions. When a listing doesn’t align with what guests experience upon arrival, frustration is inevitable. Missing amenities or inaccurate photos were highlighted as major issues.

Quick Fix: Be honest and detailed in your listing. Include up-to-date photos and descriptions to set clear expectations. If anything changes, update your listing immediately to avoid guest confusion.

5. Poor Check-In Instructions

A lack of clear check-in instructions is a frequent complaint, especially for guests arriving late or after a long journey. Our survey revealed that guests find clear, detailed instructions highly valuable and are frustrated when they can’t easily figure out how to check in.

Quick Fix: Provide step-by-step check-in instructions in an online guidebook like Hostfully. Include photos or videos to help make the process smooth. A keyless entry system can also be a great way to ensure flexibility for your guests.

6. Lack of Instructions for Property Use

One of the most overlooked complaints is the lack of instructions on how to use appliances, heating/cooling systems, or even entertainment devices. This can cause unnecessary frustration, especially for guests unfamiliar with certain technology.

Quick Fix: Ensure that your online guidebook or welcome materials include clear instructions for all major appliances and amenities. Make sure these instructions are easy to find and understand, so guests can enjoy your property without guesswork.

7. Weak or Unreliable Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is one of the top amenities guests expect, and our survey showed that poor Wi-Fi connectivity is a recurring complaint. For travelers who need to work remotely or use multiple devices, this can be a significant issue.

Quick Fix: Invest in high-speed internet and test it regularly. If your property is in a location with weak Wi-Fi coverage, provide alternatives like a mobile hotspot to ensure guests stay connected.

8. Lack of Entertainment Options

Our guest survey also indicated that a lack of entertainment options was another point of dissatisfaction, especially for families and guests spending a lot of time indoors. Guests appreciated having access to a variety of activities like board games, streaming services, and books.

Quick Fix: Invest in streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime, and ensure the TV setup is easy to use. Stock the property with board games, books, and toys for kids to provide entertainment options for all ages.

9. Inadequate Kitchen Setup

Our survey revealed that 50% of guests prefer to eat in during their stay, especially families. Complaints often arise when kitchens lack basic utensils or aren’t properly equipped for cooking.

Quick Fix: Ensure the kitchen is fully stocked with all essential utensils, pots, pans, and dishware. Consider adding small appliances like a blender or toaster to enhance the guest experience.

By addressing these common complaints based on feedback from our guest experience survey, you’ll be able to provide a more enjoyable and seamless experience for your guests, leading to better reviews and repeat bookings! Investing in cleanliness, accurate descriptions, modern amenities, clear instructions, and entertainment options will help you stand out as a host and ensure guests leave with a positive impression.

To learn more about our Airbnb management services, you can get a free consultation here, and for more tips and insights, you can download our free eBook here.

For a seamless guest experience, consider using an online guidebook like Hostfully. You can also see an example of my property guidebook here.