Where to Find the Review Option After Your Stay

After you check out, Airbnb sends you a notification to leave a review. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, and select Trips. Find the listing you just stayed at and tap it. You'll see a Review your stay button — tap that to start writing.

If you don't see the notification right away, don't worry. You have 14 days from checkout to leave a review. After 14 days, the option disappears and you can't add one later. The host can still leave you a review during that same window, but once both reviews are posted or the 14 days pass, neither of you can change them.

If you're looking at a past trip and the review button isn't there, it means either the 14-day window has closed or you've already left a review for that stay.

Key Takeaways

  • You have exactly 14 days after checkout to leave a review, and the option disappears after that.
  • Go to Trips in the app menu, select your listing, and tap Review your stay to begin.
  • Your review includes a star rating (1 to 5 stars) and written comments about cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value.
  • The host sees your review only after they leave one for you, or after 14 days pass — whichever comes first.
  • You can edit your review for up to 48 hours after posting it, but not after that window closes.

The Star Rating and What Each One Means

The first step in leaving a review is choosing your overall star rating from 1 to 5 stars. This single rating appears on the listing and affects the host's average score, so take a moment to think about your whole stay before clicking.

A 5-star review means the stay met or exceeded your expectations across the board. A 4-star review typically means it was good but had minor issues — maybe the Wi-Fi was slow, or the kitchen was smaller than expected. A 3-star review signals a mixed experience: some things worked well, others didn't. A 2-star or 1-star review means significant problems — unclean spaces, misleading photos, or a host who didn't respond to messages.

Keep in mind that hosts see your star rating before they see your written comments. If you give 3 stars or fewer, Airbnb may ask you to explain why before you post, to make sure the review is fair and specific.

Writing Your Review: What to Include

After you choose your star rating, you'll see prompts for five categories: Cleanliness, Communication, Accuracy, Location, and Value. You don't have to rate all five — only Cleanliness is required. But the more detail you give, the more helpful your review is to other guests and to the host.

For each category, you can give 1 to 5 stars and add a short comment. For example, under Cleanliness you might write "The kitchen was spotless, but the bathroom had mold in the corner." Under Communication, you could note "Host replied to messages within an hour." Be specific about what worked and what didn't. Vague reviews like "It was fine" don't help anyone.

After the category ratings, there's a text box for general comments. This is where you can mention things that don't fit the five categories — maybe the neighborhood was noisier than expected, or the bed was incredibly comfortable, or the host left a welcome basket. Keep it honest and factual. Avoid personal attacks on the host or other guests.

Photos and Additional Details

You can add up to 5 photos to your review. These are optional, but they help other guests see the space as you experienced it. If something was broken, dirty, or different from the listing photos, a picture makes your point clear. Tap the camera icon and select photos from your phone's gallery.

You can also note whether you traveled with a group, with children, or with pets. This context helps other guests decide if the listing is right for them. For instance, a family with young kids might find your experience with the stairs or lack of high chair useful to know about.

Posting Your Review and the 48-Hour Edit Window

Once you've filled in your rating, categories, and comments, tap Post review. Your review goes live when ready, but here's the important part: you can edit it for 48 hours after posting. After 48 hours, the review is locked and you can't change it.

If you realize you made a typo, left out important information, or want to adjust your tone, tap the three dots next to your review in your Trips section and select Edit review. Make your changes and tap Save. This 48-hour window is your only chance to fix anything, so use it if you need to.

When the Host Sees Your Review

The host doesn't see your review when ready. They see it only after they leave a review for you, or after 14 days pass from your checkout — whichever happens first. This delay protects both of you: it means the host can't read your review and then leave a negative one in retaliation, and you can't do the same to them.

If the host leaves a review for you first, your review becomes visible to them right away, and their review becomes visible to you. If neither of you reviews within 14 days, both reviews post automatically and become visible to each other. Either way, once the reviews are live, they stay on the listing and affect the host's and your own guest rating.

What Happens If Your Review Violates Airbnb's Rules

Airbnb has community standards for reviews. You can't post reviews that include hate speech, discrimination, threats, or graphic content. You also can't mention payment disputes, ask the host to contact you outside the app, or include contact information like phone numbers or email addresses.

If your review breaks these rules, Airbnb may remove it without warning. If you're unsure whether something crosses the line, err on the side of being factual and respectful. Focus on describing your experience, not attacking the host or other guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave a review if I cancelled my booking before checking in?

No. You can only review a stay you actually completed. If you cancelled before arrival or left early, you won't have the option to review that listing.

What if I forgot to leave a review and it's been more than 14 days?

Once 14 days pass, the review option disappears and you cannot add one. There is no way to recover this window or contact Airbnb to extend it. Plan to review within two weeks of checkout if you want your feedback on the listing.

Can the host delete or respond to my review?

The host cannot delete your review, but they can write a response to it that appears directly below your review on the listing. This response is visible to all guests. If the host's response is inappropriate or violates community standards, you can report it to Airbnb.

Does my review affect my own guest rating?

No. Your review of the host does not affect how future hosts rate you. However, hosts do read guest reviews when deciding whether to accept a booking request, so a pattern of negative reviews you leave might influence their decision.

Can I see reviews other guests left before I book?

Yes. On any listing page, scroll down to see all reviews from past guests. You can filter by rating, read recent reviews first, or search for keywords like "noisy" or "clean" to find reviews that mention specific concerns.