How to leave a review after your stay

You can write a review on Airbnb within 14 days after your checkout date. Open the Airbnb app or website, go to your account menu, select "Trips," find the listing you stayed at, and click "Review your stay." You'll see a form where you rate the host, the listing, and your overall experience, then add written comments. Airbnb won't publish your review until the host also leaves you a review, or until 14 days have passed—whichever comes first.

The review window closes after 14 days. If you miss that important date, you won't be able to leave a review for that stay. Plan to write it while the experience is still fresh in your memory, ideally within a few days of checkout.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 14 days from your checkout date to write a review; after that, the option disappears.
  • Your review won't show publicly until the host also reviews you or until 14 days pass, whichever happens first.
  • Rate the cleanliness, communication, accuracy of listing, location, and value separately before writing your overall comment.
  • Be specific about what worked and what didn't—mention exact rooms, amenities, or issues rather than vague complaints.
  • Hosts can see your review before it publishes if you submit it within the first 14 days, giving them a chance to respond.

The five-star rating system and what each category means

Airbnb breaks down your rating into five separate categories: cleanliness, communication, accuracy, location, and value. Each gets its own one-to-five star score. You don't have to give the same rating to each category—a listing might be spotless but overpriced, or in a perfect location but poorly described in the photos.

Cleanliness covers whether the space was clean when you arrived and whether it had the supplies you needed (towels, soap, toilet paper). Communication is about how quickly and helpfully the host responded to your messages before and during your stay. Accuracy means the listing photos, description, and amenities matched what you actually found. Location rates the neighborhood and how convenient it is for getting around. Value is whether the nightly price felt fair for what you got.

After you rate each category, you write a text comment explaining your overall experience. This comment is where you mention specific details—the broken shower, the noisy street, the excellent kitchen, the helpful local tips the host left.

Writing a review that is honest and specific

The most useful reviews describe what actually happened, not what you think should have happened. Instead of "The place was dirty," write "There were crumbs on the kitchen counter and hair in the shower drain when we arrived." Instead of "The host was rude," write "The host didn't respond to my message about checking in early until 6 p.m., and we arrived at 3 p.m."

Mention the specific rooms or features you're talking about. "The bedroom was cold at night" is more helpful than "The temperature was wrong." "The listing said it sleeps six, but the second bedroom only has a twin bed" tells future guests what to expect. "The photos are from 2019 and the walls need paint" is concrete feedback.

If something was genuinely excellent, say so with the same specificity. "The host left fresh flowers, local coffee, and a handwritten guide to the neighborhood" gives other travelers a real sense of the experience. "The kitchen has a gas stove, a full-size fridge, and quality knives—great for cooking" helps people who care about cooking decide if this listing fits them.

Avoid language that sounds angry or personal. Hosts read your review and may respond to it publicly. A factual complaint ("The listing said high-speed internet; the WiFi dropped constantly") is more persuasive than an emotional one ("This place is a scam").

What happens after you submit your review

Once you hit submit, your review goes into a holding period. If you wrote it within the 14-day window, the host can see it and has a chance to write a response before it becomes public. The host might explain a problem you mentioned, apologize, or offer context. Their response appears right below your review when it publishes.

Your review becomes public either when the host posts their review of you or when 14 days have passed since checkout, whichever is sooner. You can't edit or delete your review after it publishes, so read it over carefully before submitting. You can edit it while it's still in the holding period—go back to that trip in your account and select "Edit review."

Airbnb removes reviews that violate its policies, such as reviews that include contact information, personal attacks, or claims about discrimination. Reviews that mention illegal activity or safety hazards may also be taken down. If you have a serious concern about safety or a host's behavior, contact Airbnb support directly instead of only leaving a review.

When not to leave a review, or what to do instead

If something went seriously wrong during your stay—a safety issue, theft, property damage, or discrimination—don't wait for the review window. Contact Airbnb support when ready through the app or website. Go to "Help," then "Get Help," and describe the issue. Airbnb can investigate and take action faster if you report it directly rather than posting it in a review.

If you had a minor issue that the host fixed quickly or offered to fix, you can mention it in your review but note that the host resolved it. This gives future guests confidence that problems get handled. For example: "The shower had low water pressure, but the host fixed it the same day I mentioned it."

If you're still angry or upset a few days after checkout, wait before writing. Reviews written in frustration often sound harsher than intended and can come across as unfair. Give yourself time to cool down, then reread what you wrote and ask whether it's accurate and helpful.

How hosts use your review and what it affects

Your review becomes part of the listing's overall rating, which appears on the listing page and in search results. Listings with higher average ratings show up higher in search results and attract more bookings. A single bad review doesn't tank a listing, but a pattern of complaints about the same issue—like cleanliness or accuracy—will lower the overall rating and visibility.

Hosts also read reviews to understand what guests value and what needs improvement. If multiple guests mention that the WiFi is slow or the bed is uncomfortable, the host may upgrade those things. Your specific feedback is more useful to them than a vague rating.

Airbnb also uses review data to identify hosts who consistently receive low ratings or complaints. Hosts with very low ratings or multiple safety or policy violations can be removed from the platform.

Common mistakes to avoid when reviewing

Don't leave a review based on something that wasn't the host's fault. If you booked a listing in a noisy neighborhood and didn't realize it until you arrived, that's not the host's problem unless the listing description was misleading. If you didn't like the neighborhood itself, rate the location honestly, but don't blame the host for the city's traffic or nightlife.

Don't mention the host's personal life, appearance, or family members. Stick to the listing and the service. Don't include your own contact information, the host's contact information, or identifying details that could let someone track down either of you outside Airbnb.

Don't assume the host will fix something just because you mentioned it in a review. If you want the host to know about a problem during your stay, message them directly. Reviews are for future guests, not for getting the host's attention.

Don't give a low rating because of a misunderstanding about house rules, cancellation policy, or something you could have asked about before booking. If the listing said "no parties" and you wanted to throw one, that's not a reason to rate the host poorly. If you're unsure about a rule or policy, message the host before your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the host see my review before it's published?

Yes, if you submit your review within 14 days of checkout. The host can read it and write a response before it goes public. Once 14 days pass or the host posts their review of you, your review publishes and the host can no longer edit the visibility. After publication, the host can only respond to your review, not hide it.

What if I forgot to review within 14 days?

The review window closes permanently after 14 days. You won't be able to leave a review for that stay. If you had a serious issue you didn't report, contact Airbnb support directly through the app—they may still investigate if the problem is recent enough.

Can I change my review after I post it?

You can edit your review while it's still in the holding period (before it publishes). Once it publishes, you can't edit or delete it. Read your review carefully before submitting, and make sure the facts are accurate and the tone is fair.

What if the host's response to my review is wrong or unfair?

You can't delete or edit the host's response, but you can post a reply to their response. Keep your reply factual and brief. If the host's response violates Airbnb's policies—for example, it includes threats or personal attacks—you can report it to Airbnb support.

Do I have to leave a review?

No, reviews are optional. You're not required to review the host or the listing. However, reviews help future guests make informed decisions and help hosts improve their listings, so leaving honest feedback is encouraged if you have the time.