Airbnb
by Airbnb, Inc. · Travel & Navigation · Booking & Accommodation
Book unique homes, experiences, and places around the world from local hosts.
Quick Answer: Airbnb has a verified Real Score of 3.8/5 based on 89,000 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.8/5. Mixed reviews from verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 89,000 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Airbnb's App Store rating is 1.0 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Unique accommodation options
- Often cheaper than hotels for groups
- Kitchen and home amenities
- Local experiences available
Common Complaints
- Cleaning fees can be excessive
- Total price not shown upfront
- Host cancellations leave you stranded
- Inconsistent quality between listings
Verified Reviews (20)
Great for group travel
For groups of 4+ people, Airbnb is almost always cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms. Plus you get a kitchen and living space. Our family vacations are always Airbnb now.
Cleaning fees are out of control
Found a $80/night place that looked great until the $200 cleaning fee. Total for 2 nights: $360 not $160. And then they still ask you to do laundry and take out trash. Hotels are looking better.
Unique stays make the trip
Stayed in a treehouse in Costa Rica and a cave house in Santorini. These unique properties are what make Airbnb special. Experiences you simply cant get at a Marriott.
Host cancelled 3 days before trip
Had a confirmed booking for 4 months. Host cancelled 3 days before our trip. Airbnb offered to help rebook but everything was double the price last minute. Unacceptable.
Finally showing total price
The update to show total price including fees upfront was long overdue but welcome. No more sticker shock at checkout. The transparency is much better now.
Experiences are underrated
The Airbnb Experiences with local guides are amazing. Cooking classes, hiking tours, art walks - all with passionate locals. Better than traditional tourist activities.
Photos can be deceiving
Professional photos make every listing look amazing. Reality is often different - smaller rooms, older furniture, noise from neighbors. Trust reviews over photos.
Long-term stays are the sweet spot
For stays of a month or more, the discounts are substantial. Used Airbnb for a 3-month remote work stint and the monthly rate was less than local rent. Great for digital nomads.
Customer service has improved
Had an issue with a dirty apartment and Airbnb customer service actually handled it well. Gave us a refund and helped rebook. Better than the horror stories from a few years ago.
Wish lists make planning fun
Creating collaborative wish lists with travel buddies and voting on places is so fun. Makes the planning process enjoyable. Great social feature for group trip planning.
Superhosts are worth filtering for
Filtering for Superhosts almost guarantees a good experience. These hosts have earned their reputation and consistently deliver great stays. Worth the slight premium.
Not always cheaper than hotels
Once you add cleaning fees, service fees, and sometimes city taxes, Airbnb can be the same price or more than a comparable hotel. Always compare total costs.
Location reviews are most helpful
The reviews specifically mentioning location (noise, walkability, parking) are the most useful. I always check these before booking. The review system is comprehensive.
Checkout chores are ridiculous
Strip the beds, start laundry, wash dishes, take out trash, sweep floors. Im paying $200/night PLUS a cleaning fee and expected to clean the place? Hotels dont ask this.
Perfect for pet owners
Finding pet-friendly accommodation is SO much easier on Airbnb than hotels. Most listings welcome pets and many even have fenced yards. Game changer for traveling with dogs.
Neighborhood impact concerns me
Love using Airbnb as a traveler but worry about the impact on local housing markets. Some neighborhoods are being hollowed out by short-term rentals. Ethical dilemma.
Categories make browsing fun
The new category browsing (OMG!, Lakefront, Tiny Homes, etc.) is a great way to discover unique stays. Just scrolling through categories is travel inspiration.
Instant Book is convenient
Instant Book properties that you can confirm immediately without waiting for host approval are so much more convenient. Especially for last-minute bookings.
Review system needs honesty
Most reviews are 5 stars because people feel awkward leaving negative reviews for a persons home. The inflated ratings make it hard to identify truly great vs merely acceptable places.
Still the best for unique stays
Despite the fees and occasional issues, nothing compares to the variety of unique properties on Airbnb. For memorable stays that arent cookie-cutter hotels, its still #1.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026