If you’ve ever hesitated before leaving a review for a guest, you’re not alone. While Airbnb offers some basic reminders for hosts – like being honest, relevant and respectful – there isn’t much clear or detailed guidance.
Yet reviews for guests are a vital part of the hosting community. They build trust, help other hosts make informed decisions and encourage accountability across the platform.
With a clear, step-by-step approach, writing a review doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It’s simply about reflecting on the overall experience: Was it positive, respectful and in line with what you expect from your guests?
So, how can you write a fair and thoughtful review – especially when things didn’t go exactly to plan? Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding the Categories
As a host, you’ll usually be asked to rate guests in three key categories – Cleanliness, House Rules, and Communication. Take a moment to assess each of the following individually; you’re not judging perfection – just whether the guest acted with care, respect, and consideration during their stay.
Here’s how to approach each area fairly and confidently.
Cleanliness
Did the guest leave the home in a tidy and respectful condition? Some light cleaning is expected after any stay, but excessive mess or disregard for the space is a concern.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very clean – minimal or standard cleaning effort and time required.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Minor mess or signs of use – easily managed within standard cleaning time.
⭐⭐⭐ Clear mess – extra effort and possibly additional cleaning time required.
⭐⭐ Significant mess or damage – difficult to manage; extra cleaning time needed.
⭐ Very poor condition – excessive cleaning or restoration time required.
House Rules
Did the guest follow your property’s house rules – such as no smoking, no pets, quiet hours or approved guest limits?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All rules followed
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Minor slip-ups
⭐⭐⭐ Rule-breaking, not malicious
⭐⭐ Concerning disregard
⭐ Serious violations
Communication
Were they easy to contact before, during and after the stay? Did they respond to important messages or notify you of issues?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Prompt and pleasant
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Slight delays, still cooperative
⭐⭐⭐ Minimal or passive communication
⭐⭐ Poor communication
⭐ No or obstructive contact
What to Say in the Public Review
Your written review should capture the full hosting experience and offer future hosts a clear, balanced understanding of what to expect.
Keep your tone calm, factual and fair. Focus on the guest’s behaviour and how it affected the stay – be specific, stick to the facts and include whether you’d feel comfortable hosting them again. Avoid emotionally charged or overly personal language, such as speculation, venting, sarcasm or dramatic phrasing.
If you’re unsure how to rate the experience, ask yourself: Would I be happy to host this guest again? That simple question often leads to the most accurate and honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would absolutely host again – excellent guest who was respectful, tidy and easy to communicate with.
“The guest was a pleasure to host – communicative, respectful, and left the property spotless. Everything was exactly as agreed, and we’d happily welcome them back anytime.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would host again, with a few reminders next time – good guest with some minor issues, but still a decent stay.
“Overall, a good guest. Communication was smooth and they were respectful of the house. There were a couple of small things, like forgetting to lock up upon departure, but nothing major. We’d host again.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not ideal, would think twice before accepting another booking – average guest who broke rules or caused headaches.
“There were a few issues during the stay – some rules weren’t followed, and the place was left untidy, requiring additional cleaning. Communication was limited. Not a terrible guest, but not ideal either.”
⭐️⭐️
Would not host again – problematic guest with concerning behaviour and hosts should be warned.
“Unfortunately, this guest showed little regard for house rules and left the property in poor condition. They were difficult to reach and didn’t respond to check-out instructions. Hosts should be aware before accepting future bookings.”
⭐️
Would never host again – unacceptable guest with serious disregard for rules and property and should be removed from the platform.
“This was a very challenging stay. The guest caused damage, brought unapproved visitors, and completely disregarded house rules. Communication was poor, and we do not recommend hosting them.
How a Guest’s Overall Rating Is Calculated
A guest’s overall rating is based on the average of the host-rated categories – cleanliness, communication, and adherence to house rules – across all of their stays.
For example, if a guest stayed at three different properties and received the following ratings:
• Stay 1 – Cleanliness (5), House Rules (4), Communication (5)
Average: 4.67
• Stay 2 – Cleanliness (4), House Rules (3), Communication (4)
Average: 3.67
• Stay 3 – Cleanliness (5), House Rules (5), Communication (5)
Average: 5.00
To determine the overall guest rating, these three stay averages are combined:
(4.67 + 3.67 + 5.00) ÷ 3 = 4.44 stars
This method gives a fair and well-rounded picture of the guest’s behaviour across all key areas and stays, helping future hosts make informed decisions.
Final Thoughts
Guest reviews aren’t about expecting perfection – a guest who accidentally breaks a glass but reaches out and offers to cover the cost isn’t a bad guest; they’re a responsible one.
What truly matters is respect, communication, and shared responsibility. By providing honest and balanced feedback, you’re not only supporting fellow hosts – you’re also recognising great guests and encouraging accountability where it counts.
