How to Be a 5-Star AirBnB Guest: Insider Tips for Earning Glowing Host Reviews

If you love booking holiday rentals, you’ll know that reviews aren’t just for hosts — they matter for guests too! A great guest profile with glowing reviews makes it easier to secure bookings, especially at sought-after properties. But how do you ensure your stay leaves a lasting positive impression? Here’s a handy guide to help you be the kind of guest every host hopes for — and to collect those 5-star AirBnB reviews with ease.

Communicate Clearly & Properly

From your first inquiry to check-out, communication is key. Respond to messages quickly, confirm arrival times, and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything. Let your host know if your arrival is delayed — a quick heads-up goes a long way and shows respect for their time.

Pro Tip: Read all the provided information first  before confirming your booking. Make sure the property meets your requirements — many hosts put time into creating welcome packs or guides to answer common questions.

Treat the Property with Care

Think of the rental as your own home — or better yet, treat it even better! Hosts appreciate guests who respect their space, furnishings, and belongings. Avoid unnecessary mess, wipe down surfaces, and be mindful of things like makeup on towels or sandy feet inside the property.

Pro Tip: Small touches, like taking your shoes off inside or closing windows when you leave, get noticed.

Follow the House Rules

House rules aren’t there to spoil your fun — they help ensure a safe, smooth stay for everyone and those around you. Whether it’s quiet hours, no smoking indoors, or keeping pets out the property, sticking to the rules shows your host that you’re considerate and trustworthy.

Be Honest about Guest Numbers

If the property sleeps four, don’t sneak in five. Being upfront about how many people are staying avoids awkward situations and ensures everyone is comfortable and safe.

Pro Tip: Planning visitors? Always check with your host beforehand — most are happy to accommodate reasonable requests.

Leave the Property Neat & Tidy

You don’t need to deep-clean — that’s what the cleaning fee covers — but leaving the space in good order is always appreciated. Take out the trash if asked, load the dishwasher, and gather used towels in one spot.

Bonus: Following these rules, many hosts are gracious and flexible to grant guests a later check-out time.

Respect The Neighbors & Other Guests

Holiday rentals are often in residential areas, complexes and apartment buildings so keeping noise levels reasonable is a must. Your host's reputation with their neighbours and managing Body Corporates depends on responsible guests — and being respectful means you're far more likely to be welcomed back and recommended to other hosts as guests.

Communicate Issues Calmly

If something goes wrong during your stay, let the host know calmly and give them a chance to fix it. Most hosts want to resolve problems quickly, but they can’t help if they don’t know about them nor if a guest comes off rude or abusive before giving a host a chance to provide an explanation or solution.

Leave a Review after your Stay

It’s a two-way street! Hosts love guests who take the time to leave a kind, honest review after check-out. It builds trust and encourages hosts to return the favour with positive feedback on your guest profile.

Final Thoughts

Earning 5-star guest reviews isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being thoughtful, respectful, and easy to host. Great communication, care for the property, and simple courtesy go a long way. Do that, and you’ll soon be building a glowing guest reputation — making it easier to book your dream stays in the future!

Happy traveling!

Further Reading

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