Rate your stay when ready after checkout, before you leave the property or within a few days while details are fresh

Airbnb gives you 14 days after checkout to leave a review. You do this through the Airbnb app or website by going to your booking history, finding the stay, and clicking "Review your stay." The platform asks you to rate the host, the listing accuracy, the cleanliness, the communication, and the value — each on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. You then write a written review of up to 1,200 characters explaining your experience.

The sooner you review, the better. Your memory of small details — whether the shower had good water pressure, if the neighborhood was as quiet as advertised, if the host responded quickly to messages — fades within days. Leaving your review while you are still at the property or within 48 hours of leaving means your rating reflects what actually happened, not what you half-remember.

Your review becomes visible to other guests and to the host once you submit it. The host can then leave a review of you, which appears on your profile. Neither review can be edited or deleted after the other party has written theirs, so take a moment to reread what you wrote before you hit submit.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 14 days from checkout to leave a review, but writing within 48 hours captures details you will forget later.
  • Rate the host, listing accuracy, cleanliness, communication, and value separately on a 1-to-5 scale, then add a written explanation.
  • Be specific about what worked and what did not — mention the heating system, the neighborhood noise level, or the accuracy of photos rather than writing only "great stay."
  • Your written review cannot be changed or removed once the host replies, so proofread before submitting.
  • Honest reviews that mention both strengths and real problems are more useful to other guests and to hosts trying to improve.

What each star rating means and how hosts use it

A 5-star rating means the stay met or exceeded what the listing promised. A 4-star means it was good but had minor issues — perhaps the bed was comfortable but the neighborhood was noisier than photos suggested, or the host was responsive but the kitchen lacked basic tools. A 3-star means the stay was acceptable but had notable problems: the listing photos were misleading, the cleanliness was below standard, or communication was slow. A 2-star or 1-star means the stay fell significantly short of what was advertised or promised.

Hosts see your overall rating and your written review. Airbnb's algorithm uses ratings to rank listings in search results, so a pattern of 4-star or lower reviews can push a listing down in visibility. Hosts also use reviews to understand what guests value and what needs fixing. A host who sees multiple reviews mentioning that the air conditioning does not work will eventually address it; a host who sees one review praising the "cozy" space but another saying it was "freezing" knows the temperature control is a real problem.

Your rating also affects your own profile. Hosts see your review history before accepting your booking request. If you have a pattern of 1-star or 2-star reviews, some hosts may decline to host you, assuming you are difficult to satisfy or that you leave unfair reviews.

How to write a review that is honest and useful

Start by naming what the listing promised and whether it delivered. If the listing said "quiet neighborhood" and you heard traffic noise until midnight, say that. If it said "fully equipped kitchen" and there was no can opener, mention it. If the photos showed a view and the window faced a wall, note the discrepancy. Other guests need to know whether the listing is accurate.

Then describe the host's communication and responsiveness. Did they answer questions before you booked? Did they reply to messages during your stay? Were check-in instructions clear? Hosts who respond within an hour are different from hosts who take 12 hours, and guests planning their trip need to know which they are getting.

Comment on cleanliness in specific terms. "Clean" is too vague. Instead, write "the kitchen was spotless and the bathroom had fresh towels, but the bedroom carpet had visible stains" or "the floors were swept but the shower had mold around the tiles." Other guests will know what to expect and what to inspect when they arrive.

Mention value — whether the nightly rate matched what you received. A $50-a-night room that is small but immaculate and in a safe neighborhood is good value. A $200-a-night room with broken furniture and misleading photos is not. Saying "good value for the price" or "overpriced for what it is" helps future guests decide whether to book.

What not to include in your review

Do not rate the host as a person or make assumptions about their character. Rate their communication, their responsiveness, and whether the listing matched the description. A host who is quiet or does not chat much is not a bad host if they respond to messages and the listing is accurate. A host who is friendly but left the place dirty has failed on cleanliness, not on personality.

Do not mention the host's name, address, or personal details. Airbnb's policy prohibits this, and it can get your review removed. Stick to describing the property and the service.

Do not leave a review if you are angry in the moment. If something went wrong — the heat did not work, the host was unresponsive, the listing was misleading — wait a day or two. A review written while you are frustrated often sounds harsher than you intend and may include language Airbnb will flag or remove. A review written after you have had time to think is clearer and more persuasive.

Dealing with a stay that went very wrong

If the property was unsafe, had a serious maintenance problem, or the host was unresponsive to urgent issues, contact Airbnb's support team during or when ready after your stay rather than waiting to leave a review. Airbnb can issue refunds, move you to another property, or take action against a host based on a support case. A review alone does not trigger those responses.

Document problems with photos or screenshots if you can. If the heat did not work, take a photo of the thermostat. If the listing photos do not match the property, take photos of what you actually see. If the host did not respond to messages, screenshot the timestamps. This evidence helps Airbnb understand what happened and makes your review more credible to other guests.

In your review, describe what happened factually and what you did about it. For example: "The listing said the apartment had heating, but the radiator did not work. I messaged the host on day two and received no response. I contacted Airbnb support, who moved me to another property." This tells other guests what to watch for and shows you took reasonable steps to resolve the problem.

How to leave a review on the Airbnb app versus the website

On the Airbnb app, go to your profile, tap "Trips," find the stay you want to review, and tap "Review your stay." You will see five categories to rate: the host, listing accuracy, cleanliness, communication, and value. Rate each one, then write your review in the text box. The app limits you to 1,200 characters, which is roughly 200 words. Tap "Submit" when you are done.

On the Airbnb website, log in, click your profile icon, select "Trips," find the stay, and click "Review your stay." The process is the same: rate the five categories, write your review, and submit. Both routes post your review within a few hours, though it may take longer if Airbnb's system flags it for review.

What happens after you submit your review

Your review appears on the listing page within a few hours. Other guests can see it when they search for that property. The host also sees your review and can respond to it publicly. A host's response appears directly below your review and is visible to all future guests. Some hosts use responses to clarify misunderstandings or explain what they have since fixed.

After the host reads your review, they have up to 30 days to leave a review of you. Once they do, neither review can be edited or deleted. If you made a typo or said something you regret, you cannot change it. This is why proofreading before you submit matters.

Your review contributes to the host's overall rating, which appears on their profile and affects their search ranking. A single 4-star review does not hurt a host with hundreds of 5-star reviews, but a pattern of lower ratings does affect their visibility and their ability to attract guests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change or delete my review after I submit it?

No, not after the host has left a review of you. Before the host reviews you, you can edit your review by going back to the stay in your trip history and clicking "Edit review." Once the host responds, both reviews are locked and cannot be changed or removed.

What if the host leaves a bad review of me in response?

Both reviews appear on the listing page. Future guests see your review and the host's response side by side. If the host's response is unfair or violates Airbnb's policy, you can report it to Airbnb support. Airbnb removes reviews that contain personal attacks, false claims, or identifying information.

Should I give a 5-star review if the stay was good but not perfect?

That depends on your standard. Many guests use 5 stars for "met expectations" and 4 stars for "good but had minor issues." Others reserve 5 stars only for exceptional stays. Be consistent with your own scale so your reviews are meaningful to other guests and to the host.

Can I leave a review if I did not stay the full booking?

Yes. If you left early, cancelled, or had the booking cancelled, you can still leave a review based on what you experienced. Be clear about how long you stayed and whether the cancellation was your choice or the host's.

What if I forget to review within 14 days?

After 14 days, the option to review disappears from your trip history. You cannot leave a review after the important date. This is why setting a reminder to review within a few days of checkout is useful.