Where to find the review option and when you can write one
You can write a review on Airbnb through the app or website, but only after your checkout date has passed. Airbnb gives you 14 days from checkout to submit your review. After 14 days, the option to review closes permanently, so if you want to leave feedback, do it within that window.
To find the review option, open the Airbnb app or go to airbnb.com and sign into your account. Tap or click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Trips" or "Your trips". Find the listing you stayed at and tap or click on it. You will see a button or link that says "Write a review" — this appears only after your stay has ended.
If you do not see the review option, check that your checkout date has actually passed. Airbnb will not let you review until the host has had a chance to review you first, or until 48 hours after checkout, whichever comes first.
Key Takeaways
- You have 14 days from your checkout date to write a review; after that, the option closes and you cannot add one later.
- Reviews are visible to other guests and to the host, so be honest and specific about what you experienced during your stay.
- You can rate the listing on five categories (cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value) and write a written comment of any length.
- Your review is published when ready after you submit it, and the host can respond to it within 30 days.
The five rating categories and what each one means
Airbnb asks you to rate the listing in five separate areas. Each gets its own star rating from 1 to 5 stars, and you must rate all five before you can submit your review.
Cleanliness covers whether the space was clean when you arrived and whether it had clean linens, towels, and kitchen items. Communication is about how quickly and clearly the host responded to your messages before and during your stay. Accuracy means whether the listing photos, description, and amenities matched what you actually found. LocationValue
You do not have to give 5 stars in every category. If the listing was clean but the host was slow to respond, you can rate cleanliness high and communication lower. Be honest about each one separately.
Writing your written review and what to include
After you rate the five categories, Airbnb gives you space to write a comment. This is optional — you can submit a review with just the star ratings — but written comments are much more useful to other guests and to the host.
Good reviews mention specific things: "The kitchen had everything we needed to cook breakfast" or "The bed was very uncomfortable" or "The host left clear instructions and responded within an hour." Avoid vague statements like "It was nice" or "We had a great time." Other guests want to know what they will actually experience.
If something went wrong, explain what happened and how the host handled it. If the listing was missing something the description promised, say so. If you had a wonderful experience, say what made it special. Hosts read these comments and use them to improve, and future guests use them to decide whether to book.
What happens after you submit your review
Your review is published when ready after you hit submit. The host can see it right away and has 30 days to write a response if they want to. Their response appears below your review, so other guests see both your feedback and the host's reply.
You cannot edit or delete your review after you submit it. If you made a mistake or want to change something, you will need to contact Airbnb support to request a change. For this reason, read through your review once before you submit.
Your review becomes part of the listing's overall rating. Airbnb averages all the reviews to create the host's star rating, which appears on their profile and on every listing they manage. A single review does not change the overall rating much, but over time, patterns in reviews shape how visible a listing is in search results.
How to report a problem if the review button is not working
If you are within 14 days of checkout and the review button does not appear, try these steps: sign out of your Airbnb account completely, then sign back in. Refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Try accessing your trips from a different device or browser.
If the review option still does not show up, contact Airbnb support through the app or website. Tap or click the profile icon, scroll down to "Help", and select "Contact us". Explain that you want to review a past stay but the review button is missing. Airbnb support can sometimes unlock the review window if there is a technical issue or if the host has not yet reviewed you.
Reviewing a host versus reviewing a guest
Hosts also leave reviews of guests after a stay ends. This is separate from your review of the listing. The host rates you on cleanliness (did you leave the space in good condition), communication (were you straightforward to reach), and respect for house rules. You will see a notification when the host has reviewed you, and you can then review them.
Host reviews of guests are private — only the host and Airbnb see them. Your review of the host and listing is public. This means you can be honest in your review without worrying that a negative comment will hurt your standing as a guest on future bookings.
Tips for writing a review that is helpful and fair
Be specific and balanced. If you had a mixed experience — great location but noisy neighbors, clean space but broken WiFi — say so. Hosts cannot control everything (like neighborhood noise), so separate what was in their control from what was not.
Avoid personal attacks or complaints about things the listing never claimed to have. If the listing said "cozy studio" and you found it small, that is not the host's fault. If the listing said "fully equipped kitchen" and there were no pots, that is worth mentioning.
If you had a serious problem — safety issue, cleanliness problem, host behavior — and the host did not fix it, say so in your review. This helps other guests make informed decisions. If the problem was serious enough to affect your stay, you may also want to contact Airbnb support during your stay or shortly after to report it separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my review after I submit it?
No, you cannot edit or delete a review once it is published. If you need to make a correction or change, contact Airbnb support and explain what you want to change. They can sometimes help, but it is not may provide. Read your review carefully before you submit.
What if the host leaves a bad review of me?
Host reviews of guests are private and only visible to Airbnb and the host. They do not appear on your profile or affect your ability to book future stays. Your review of the listing is public, so you can be honest without worrying about retaliation.
Do I have to leave a review?
No, reviews are optional. You can choose not to review a listing or a host. However, reviews help other guests make decisions and help hosts improve their listings, so they are valuable when you have feedback to share.
What if I want to review a stay from more than 14 days ago?
The 14-day window is firm — Airbnb closes the review option after that time. If you missed the important date, you cannot add a review. Plan to write your review within a few days of checkout so you do not forget.
Can the host see my review before it is published?
No, the host cannot see your review until after you submit it. Your review is published when ready and is visible to everyone, including the host.