Where to find the review option after your stay
You can leave a review on Airbnb through the app or website, but only after your checkout date has passed. Open your Airbnb account, go to Trips (on the app) or Trips (on the website), and find the listing where you stayed. You will see a Leave a review button or link next to that property.
Airbnb gives you 30 days from your checkout date to submit a review. After 30 days, the option closes and you cannot add one. If you do not see the button, check that you are looking at a completed stay—future bookings and cancelled reservations do not have a review option yet.
Key Takeaways
- Reviews can only be left after your checkout date, through the Trips section of your Airbnb account on either the app or website.
- You have exactly 30 days from checkout to submit your review; after that window closes, you cannot leave one.
- Your review includes a star rating (1 to 5 stars) and written comments about cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value.
- Once you submit a review, you cannot edit or delete it, so read it over before you post.
- Your review is visible to the host and to other guests searching for that listing.
What information the review form asks for
When you click Leave a review, Airbnb shows you a form with five categories: Cleanliness, Communication, Accuracy, Location, and Value. You rate each one from 1 to 5 stars. These individual ratings roll up into an overall star rating for the listing.
Below the star ratings, there is a text box where you can write comments. This is where you describe your actual experience—what worked well, what did not, whether the place matched the photos, how responsive the host was, and whether you felt the price was fair for what you got. You can write as much or as little as you want, though most reviews are a few sentences to a paragraph.
How to write a review that is honest and useful
The most useful reviews are specific. Instead of "Great place," say what made it great: "The kitchen had everything we needed to cook breakfast, and the host left clear instructions for the coffee maker." Instead of "Dirty," describe what you found: "The bathroom had hair in the shower and the kitchen counters were sticky."
Be fair about what was actually the host's responsibility. A noisy street outside is location, not cleanliness. A broken light fixture is the host's problem; a light bulb you could have replaced is not. If something went wrong and the host fixed it quickly, mention that—hosts appreciate honesty about how they responded.
Avoid language that sounds angry or insulting, even if you had a bad experience. "The host was rude" is less useful than "The host did not respond to my message about the broken shower for 12 hours." Hosts and future guests both read your review, and specific, calm descriptions carry more weight than venting.
What happens after you submit your review
Once you click Submit, your review is posted when ready and visible to the host and to anyone browsing that listing. You cannot edit or delete it after submission, so read it over carefully before you post. If you spot a typo or want to change something, you have to contact Airbnb support to request a change—they do not always grant these requests.
The host will see your review and may choose to respond publicly. Their response is also visible to other guests. Some hosts thank guests for positive reviews or explain their side of a complaint. These host responses stay on the listing page alongside your review.
When Airbnb removes or hides reviews
Airbnb has rules about what reviews can stay. Reviews that contain hate speech, threats, personal information (like a phone number or address), or accusations of illegal activity may be removed. Reviews that attack the host personally rather than describing the stay itself may also be taken down.
If your review breaks these rules, Airbnb will remove it without asking. If you believe a review of your own was removed unfairly, you can contact Airbnb support to appeal, though reversals are uncommon. The safest approach is to focus on describing your actual experience rather than making broad judgments about the host as a person.
Leaving a review if you had a serious problem
If something significant went wrong—the place was unsafe, the host was abusive, you were overcharged, or the listing was nothing like the photos—do not wait until the last day of your 30-day window. Contact Airbnb support while you are still in the window or shortly after checkout. Document the problem with photos or screenshots.
Airbnb support can sometimes resolve issues directly with the host or issue refunds without waiting for a review. Your review will still matter, but getting support involved early gives you more options. If you leave only a negative review without contacting support first, Airbnb has less ability to help you recover money or address safety concerns.
How hosts see and respond to reviews
Hosts receive a notification when you post a review. They can see your full review, your star ratings in each category, and your overall rating. They cannot see your review before it is posted, and they cannot prevent it from being posted if it follows Airbnb's rules.
Many hosts respond to reviews—both positive and negative—within a few days. A host's response is public and stays on the listing page. Some hosts use responses to thank guests, clarify misunderstandings, or explain what they have fixed since a complaint. If a host responds to your review, you will receive a notification but cannot reply to their response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the host see my review before I post it?
No. Your review is private until you click Submit. Once you submit, it becomes public when ready and the host is notified. You cannot take it back or edit it after that point.
What if I leave a bad review and the host retaliates with a bad review of me?
Hosts are not supposed to leave retaliatory reviews. If you believe a host left a review specifically to punish you for your honest feedback, you can report it to Airbnb support. They investigate these cases, though proving retaliation can be difficult.
Can I leave a review if I cancelled my booking?
No. You can only review stays you actually completed. Cancelled bookings do not have a review option, even if you paid for them.
What if I missed the 30-day window?
Once 30 days have passed since checkout, the review option closes permanently. You cannot leave a review after that. Plan to write your review within the window if you want to share your experience.
Do I have to leave a review?
No. Leaving a review is optional. You can choose to review some stays and skip others. However, reviews help other guests make decisions and help hosts improve, so they are valuable when you have something to share.