How to be a great Airbnb guest
I love sharing my home with guests and the positive feedback I've received over the years has been wonderful. My approach has always been that friends are coming to stay, and I genuinely enjoy doing the extra things that help create a memorable experience.
Most guests are fantastic.
Occasionally, though, we encounter a guest who may be better suited to a hotel.
Not because they're demanding, but because holiday lets work a little differently. Hosts are often homeowners, not hospitality chains. Communication matters, flexibility matters, and sometimes a little understanding goes a long way.
What surprises me is that Airbnb provides plenty of guidance for hosts — how to host, how to improve your listing, how to become a Superhost — but very little advice for guests on how to be part of the community.
After nearly 200 bookings, more than 130 reviews and only a handful of genuinely difficult experiences, I've learned that the best stays tend to have one thing in common: good communication.
So, from the perspective of a host, here are my top tips for being a great Airbnb guest.
Let your host know you've arrived
A quick message to say you've arrived safely and everything looks good takes less than a minute and immediately puts your host at ease.
Many hosts genuinely care about your stay and are quietly wondering whether you've found the place, managed the key safe, and settled in comfortably.
Say thank you
If your host has left a welcome hamper, fresh flowers, local recommendations or even just a handwritten note, acknowledge it.
They didn't have to do it, and a quick thank you is always appreciated.
Reply to messages
You don't need to become pen pals, but if your host sends a message asking whether everything is okay, it's courteous to reply.
A simple "all good, thanks" is enough.
Report problems immediately
This is the big one.
If there's an issue, tell the host as soon as possible.
Most hosts would be horrified to discover that something wasn't working properly during your stay and would much rather have the opportunity to put it right.
Whether it's a heating problem, a broken appliance or something that's missing, give the host a chance to fix it before checkout.
No one benefits from a problem being discovered after you've left.
Treat the property like someone's home
Because it probably is.
Even professionally managed holiday lets are someone's investment, and many Airbnb properties are family homes that are shared with guests throughout the year.
You don't need to deep clean before leaving, but washing up, taking rubbish out if requested, and generally leaving the property as you found it is always appreciated.
Be honest about breakages
Things get broken. Glasses smash. Plates chip. Children knock things over.
Hosts understand this.
What feels uncomfortable is discovering the damage after you've left.
A quick message saying, "I'm so sorry, we broke a wine glass" is usually all that's needed.
Let the host know you've checked out
Again, it's simple courtesy.
The host may be waiting to return home, preparing the property for the next guests, or arranging cleaners and maintenance visits.
A quick message saying you're on your way gives everyone certainty.
Review fairly
Reviews are important. They affect rankings, visibility and whether a property achieves Guest Favourite or Superhost status.
The categories are there for a reason: Accuracy, Cleanliness, Check-In, Communication, Location and Value.
Try to review against what was promised rather than against your personal preferences.
If the listing says towels are provided, it hasn't failed because you would have preferred larger towels. If the cottage is accurately described as a rural property, it shouldn't be marked down because it's not within walking distance of a coffee shop.
There's a difference between a genuine issue and a personal preference.
The best reviews help future guests understand what to expect while giving hosts useful, constructive feedback.
Remember you're joining a community
The thing I love most about Airbnb is that it doesn't have to feel like a transaction.
At its best, it's people sharing homes, local knowledge and experiences.
The best guests communicate well, treat homes with respect and understand that behind every listing is a real person who wants them to have a wonderful stay.
And funnily enough, they're usually the guests who have the best holidays too.
Hosting has been one of the most rewarding parts of owning The Sussex Cottage. The vast majority of guests are thoughtful, kind and appreciative, and many return year after year. This post isn't about the exceptions—it's about celebrating the little courtesies that make home-sharing work so beautifully for everyone.
