Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
60 Infuriating Airbnb Fails That Turned Dream Vacations Into Complete Nightmares
Airbnb has opened up a whole new world for travelers. Never before was it so easy to find unique, gorgeous and private accommodation when hotels just won’t cut it. But beneath the magical clifftop villas, star-gazing domes and off-the-grid eco cabins lies a parallel universe of pain and suffering.
Live like a local, they said. But what they failed to mention was that this also often means you might have to endure cockroaches in the bathroom, a nosy host spying on you, last-minute cancellations, photo listings that fail to portray reality, seriously unsafe conditions and exorbitant prices.
The internet is filled with Airbnb horror stories (along with receipts), and many might make an old beat-up campervan seem like a dream destination. Bored Panda has put together a list of the best of the worst Airbnb-related posts for you to scroll through before you hit “confirm” on your next booking.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
#2
RiceRiceBaby 929 3 months ago
I get that. What kills me is places that will bed a bunch of people but only have one bathroom 😅
#3
#6
This hidden camera disguised as a clock in my Airbnb.
#7
I reserved an Airbnb with Sea View.... can't complain.
#8
$1,000 Airbnb (corporation owned and not home owner operated) wants guests to pay for fire wood? Am I crazy to think it should come with the rental, considering how expensive it was to book?
#10
From a French AirBnB alternative.
#11
Airbnb wasn’t what we were expecting.
#12
This is the hot tub of the Airbnb which was the main reason why I rented the spot. Smelled terrible and was obviously not cleaned in forever.
#13
After a long day of doing tourist things, come back to the Airbnb to take a shower and the shower fights back. Going to a hotel, it’s 1am. Airbnb says we’re getting a refund thankfully. Tried to turn off the shower and the dial for the cold water went totally flying off.
#14
Airbnb host tried to charge us for changing settings on a thermostat.
#15
If you needed another reason to hate Airbnb. 2 Weeks before our reservation our hosts tells us he overbooked??
#16
This 4 page cleaning checklist that is expected to be done before checking out of our AirBnB. And yes, this is in addition to the outrageous cleaning fee they charged when we booked it.
#18
My AirBnb host said “the keysafe is near the white door… it is silver with black plastic.”
#19
The owner of the airbnb we stayed at texted us that after we rated his place. We gave 5/5 for everything except for ‘accuracy’ where we gave a 4/5.
They advertised for a “private swimming pool”; without mentioning that it would be shared with another suite, or that the owner’s private house windows give directly on the pool or that there is a camera pointed towards it.
We explained our ‘bad’ note, it had nothing to see with it being a suite.
#20
How I found my Airbnb when checking in.
Host only wanted to offer to return the cleaning fee for $190 when I paid over $1,000 for just the Airbnb. Walked in and the cleaners forgot that they were supposed to clean the house from the last guests.
#21
Water has been yellow and metallic tasting in our Airbnb for a week now. Owner says they can’t do anything about it.
#22
Notice to AirBnb guests.
StumblingThroughLife 3 months ago (edited)
No studying... wondering if they have cameras, considering that how else would they know about students studying - still laughing in W-T-F (BP had censored it, lol) - about that 'rule' 😆. Peeps need to switch to B&Bs or hotels, IMO. I wouldn't feel (re: financially and lack of privacy) safe in an AirBnB
#23
In our AirBnB in the middle of nowhere.
#26
At my Airbnb there’s a mushroom growing out of the bathroom door.
#27
While my family with young kids were staying at this Airbnb, an old man walked into the backyard and started draining the pool.
#28
This "bedroom" in the AirBnB I stayed in last week.
livvygt18 3 months ago
I had a very very similar “bedroom” growing up. It was queen size but still wall to wall almost on every side of the bed except the foot! I actually quite miss it. The small space made me feel very safe and secure. Thinking about building myself a sweet little hidey hole.
#30
Airbnb host is using AI to talk to me.
#31
5pm check in at our Airbnb and it was still dirty when we arrived. We had a 5pm check in which is the latest I’ve ever seen (normally it’s 2 or 3pm). We arrived at 5 to find it not cleaned. Check out is 11am so they’ve had at least 6 hours to clean.
#32
Booked an airbnb for vacation. This is the view from the shower. There is no way to cover it up.
#33
After a couple of nights of back pain and poor sleep (Airbnb), I decided to check what was under the mattress.
#35
The 'bathroom' in my Airbnb will 100% result in encounters with the host.
#36
Our Airbnb, which included a $200 cleaning fee, will charge us if we don’t walk across town to empty our trash.
Chich the witch 3 months ago
"And there is a 'charge for having to charge for giving a charge' charge"
#39
AirBnb sheets were moldy from their moldy washer. Host mailed us cleaner to clean his washer for him. Rented an Airbnb for a month. The sheets and towels smelled and were causing us to itch. When I went to wash them the washer smelled horrible and had black mold all over it. Host said he would buy something on Amazon that I could clean it with… so I get to clean his moldy dirty washer… Ugg.. after a test the thing is clogged so water just sits. Dishwasher is also broken lol.
#40
AirBnB owner blocks websites
Turned on wifi... Some sites won't load on phone. Try laptop. Won't load. Turn off wifi, those sites loads. Read house rules book, and they have a list of websites they block.
#41
App needed to use AirBnB oven.
#43
Airbnb with a surprise waiting for us.
StumblingThroughLife 3 months ago
Poor froggy. How did it get in there? If it came up through the plumbing, that loo has major issues 😶.
#45
The stairs in an Airbnb I stayed in where every step is a different height, width and depth.
StumblingThroughLife 3 months ago (edited)
Also no handrails, and shiny/possibly slippery, too. Nope.
#46
Airbnb kitchen hood
I had a feeling that the hood in my airbnb was ineffective, so I decided to open the cabinet that's over the hood and I saw this... I don't know what is worse, those cables or the fact that the hood leads nowhere and there's a smoke detector next to the exhaust hole...
#47
Dirty is putting it mildly with this return air vent.
#49
AirBNB requiring users to "pick the image with dice adding up to 14" ten times in order to log in.
#52
Airbnb apartment using extremely fake ai images.
#53
Nasty past guests on this Airbnb stuck gums under the table and now I have to see them everytime I lay on the hammock.
Serena Myers 3 months ago
Well, it wasn't Airbnb, but a lass I once knew worked as a cleaner at one of the raunchier clubs in London. Cleaning gum from underneath the tables? Well, let's say that was a minor problem compared to others she encountered while cleaning.
#54
This marbled shower at an Airbnb I stayed in.
I thought it was dirty and tried to scrub it clean until I realized it was "supposed" to look like that.
MissFortune 3 months ago
My brother's company accomodation has a bathroom whose tile pattern looks like sh!t is sprayed all over the wall. My in-laws house has a bathroom whose floor has one of those optical illusion tiles.
#57
In the Airbnb I'm staying at the sink is literally in the shower.
Megalodon Meg 3 months ago
In some countries this is completely normal? I was just in South Korea and stayed in AirBnB and hotels and in both the shower isn't enclosed from the rest of the bathroom, it's all just one big room.
#58
Airbnb I’m staying at has very ugly and tacky AI images on the walls.
#59
This toilet seat at an Airbnb I’m staying at.
#60
This "artwork" in the Airbnb I'm staying in. Yes... I tried to fix it.
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Breadcrumb. 3 months ago
I don't stay at them on principle. Stole affordable rentals for the local working class in a tourist destination. My neighbor has three tiny homes she hides behind a fence. The multiple cars in the drive way always changing once the weekend is over is a d**d give away.
Patrick van den Houten 3 months ago
Air BnB ruined many rental markets, in Spain they run after tourists with waterguns to chase them away. I stopped using Air BnB ong time ago since Hotels don't have all the hassle and demands, and are cheaper nowadays then AirBnB...
Breadcrumb. 3 months ago
I don't stay at them on principle. Stole affordable rentals for the local working class in a tourist destination. My neighbor has three tiny homes she hides behind a fence. The multiple cars in the drive way always changing once the weekend is over is a d**d give away.
Patrick van den Houten 3 months ago
Air BnB ruined many rental markets, in Spain they run after tourists with waterguns to chase them away. I stopped using Air BnB ong time ago since Hotels don't have all the hassle and demands, and are cheaper nowadays then AirBnB...
Related on Bored Panda
