From Ideal Guests to Tricky Stays: What Hosting on Airbnb Has Taught Me

If you’ve ever hosted on Airbnb, you know guests come in all forms. Some make hosting a dream, others test your patience a little, and a few bring unexpected surprises. After hosting for a while, I’ve seen all types, and I’ve learned how to handle each one without losing my mind or my standards. Here’s how I break it down in 4 types:

The Perfect Guest

These are the guests every host loves,and honestly, most of my guests fall into this category. They book ahead of time, already know the area, and usually have a plan. They’re often experienced travelers and familiar with how Airbnb works. They come in, enjoy their stay, and leave the house exactly as they found it. No constant messaging, no complaints; just a smooth experience. They follow the rules, sleep well, and leave a kind five-star review. Hosting them is effortless, and they’re the reason why I keep enjoying this business.

The Curious Guest

These guests always have questions, and lots of them. From the moment they book, they’re asking things like, “Is the kitchen fully equipped?” or “How do I use the stove?” They’ll double check the rules, ask how things work, and message you often just to make sure they’re doing everything right.

At first, it can feel like a lot, but I’ve learned not to take it personally. Most of the time, they’re just trying to be respectful. They want to make sure they don’t do anything wrong or break any rules. These guests are usually very polite and take care of the property. As a host, it’s important to remember that this is a service business not just giving someone a place to sleep, but helping them feel welcome and supported. A good host doesn’t disappear once the keys are handed over. Service means being available, professional, and polite, even when the questions seem endless.

When guests feel heard, they enjoy their stay more, and that matters. And even if they don’t leave a review or say thank you, you’ll know you did your part. You were there, you were helpful, and you showed up for your guest, and that’s what real hospitality is about.

The Complainer (a.k.a. the Discount Hunter)

They’re not super common, but they definitely exist, and yes, I’ve had to deal with a few. These guests usually show signs before they even book. They’ll start by asking for a discount, questioning the cleaning fee, or messaging things like, “What’s the best price you can offer?”

They check in, stay quiet throughout the entire stay, and then right at checkout -they show up with a list of complaints. Sometimes it’s about things they never even mentioned during their stay. That’s when I often find myself wondering: Why didn’t you reach out to me earlier if something wasn’t right?

As a host, I always try to make the stay as smooth and enjoyable as possible. I stay available, respond quickly, and genuinely care about improving. I know nothing is ever perfect, but I do believe in always trying to be better. Feedback is welcome… but it has to come with honesty and the intention to help, not just to justify a lower rating.

Some guests seem to focus on complaining just for the sake of it. I had one guest who booked my Airbnb for a full month. I even gave her a special offer. She never messaged me once no questions, no issues, nothing. Then at the end, she left a list of complaints, including that the neighbor’s dog barked too much. That’s not even something I can control, and she never gave me a chance to help during her stay.

Unfortunately, some guests expect you to read their minds, and no matter how much you do, it will never be enough. That’s why it’s so important to stay professional, consistent, and clear about your boundaries. Not everyone will appreciate your effort, and that’s okay. Focus on your service, trust your process, and protect your peace.

The Unexpected Cancellation

While it’s more common to have guests extend their stay (which is always a good sign), you’ll occasionally run into the opposite guests who suddenly decide to leave early and ask for a refund in the middle of their booking.

This actually happened to me with a family who booked for a full week. I gave them a special rate because they were staying longer, and everything seemed fine. But on day three, they messaged me saying they were planning to leave the next day, and wanted a refund for the remaining nights.

That’s when it gets uncomfortable. As a host, you want to be accommodating, but you also have to protect your business. When a guest books with a discounted rate and then tries to cancel halfway through, it’s not just an inconvenience it’s a loss.

I use Airbnb’s Moderate cancellation policy, which means guests are eligible for a full refund if they cancel at least 5 days before check-in. If they cancel after that, the nights they don’t use are not refunded. This is clearly explained in the listing, and it’s the guest’s responsibility to understand the terms before booking.

In this case, I chose to offer a partial refund, but with a penalty. Why? Because offering a lower price comes with expectations, and it’s not fair to cancel midway and expect a full refund. Plus, let’s be honest guests who cancel early often still leave less-than-great reviews, even when you try to help.

My advice?

Encourage guests to buy travel insurance: That way, if something unexpected happens, they can get refunded through insurance, not from your pocket.
Stick to your policies: Be kind and helpful, but don’t compromise your standards just to avoid uncomfortable conversations.
Don’t take it personally: These things happen. What matters is staying consistent and protecting your business.

You’ve built this to be sustainable and profitable. Your time, effort, and space all have value. Stand by your pricing, your rules, and your peace of mind. Respect your business, and make sure others do too.

At the end of the day, hosting on Airbnb is a journey full of different personalities, surprises, and learning moments. Most guests are amazing, some require a little extra attention, and a few will test your patience, but every stay teaches you something new.

What matters most is how you show up as a host. Be clear with your policies, stay professional, and always offer the level of service you’d expect if you were the guest. Not everyone will appreciate it, but the right guests will, and they’ll keep coming back.

Hosting isn’t just about offering a place to sleep, it’s about creating a space that feels good, feels safe, and feels intentional. And that comes with boundaries, standards, and confidence in your business.

Thanks for reading! Whether you’re a fellow host, a future guest, or just curious about the behind the scenes, I hope this gave you a glimpse into the reality of what it’s like managing an Airbnb.

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