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Get a good night's sleep and it'll make whatever problems you've had during the day less tiresome. Likewise, roll around until dawn without closing your eyes and everything will become even worse. So when you're planning a trip, finding the right accommodation is one of the most important tasks.

However, both hotels and Airbnbs aren't always giving us — their customers — the full picture. We book the place, thinking it's going to fulfill all of our needs but then arrive at the premises and find something a little extra. Like a bad smell and dirt in the hot tub. Or, on the contrary, find a crucial feature (such as access to the toilet) missing.

To remind you to keep a vigilant eye when making your next booking, we at Bored Panda put together a list of pictures that guests took when they felt like the hosts may have missed the mark on maintaining their property. Continue scrolling to view the gallery and be sure to check out the talk we had with travel writer and photographer Jon Miksis, who shares his adventures on the blog My Global Viewpoint.

#1

I Got Locked Out Of My Hotel Room, So I Went To Find The Front Desk Lady, And This Was On The Counter

I Got Locked Out Of My Hotel Room, So I Went To Find The Front Desk Lady, And This Was On The Counter

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#2

The Airbnb I'm Renting

The Airbnb I'm Renting

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Donkeywheel
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

😝 We have the same in my office. No one knows what they control. They may not be wired and put there for future needs.

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When you research accommodations for your next trip, traveler Jon Miksis believes the first thing you should do is figure out what you want. "Are you looking for a luxurious resort or a hostel or guesthouse? Do you want to be within walking distance of the beach, or are you happy in a peaceful countryside setting? These are some of the questions I ask myself before booking a place," Miksis told Bored Panda. "Once you get clarity on your preferences, you can start your search for accommodation."

"One of the most important things to consider before booking is location, location, location," Miksis added. "It's all about finding the right balance between proximity to the things you want to see and do, and peace and quiet. You don't want to be right in the middle of a noisy tourist area if you're looking for a relaxing getaway, but you also don't want to be so far off the beaten path that it takes you hours to get anywhere."

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#3

Hotel Alicja, Lodz, Poland. Advertisement vs. Reality

Hotel Alicja, Lodz, Poland. Advertisement vs. Reality

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Bart
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well played with the perspective, cannot imagine they have a lot of returning customers...

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#4

I Came Back To A Pitch-Black Hotel Room, Then Turned On The Lights And Saw This

I Came Back To A Pitch-Black Hotel Room, Then Turned On The Lights And Saw This

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Raine Soo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bunny or dog on the bed is cute. But, I thought that there was a body hanging from the chandelier.

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#5

It Looks Like John Wick Was At Our Hotel

It Looks Like John Wick Was At Our Hotel

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Another important component of the pleasant stay equation is price. "It's important to find a place that fits within your budget, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality," Miksis said. "Keep an eye out for deals and promotions, and be sure to read reviews from other travelers to get an idea of what kind of value you're getting for your money."

"Lastly, don't forget to read the fine print! Make sure you know the amenities included (like free Wi-Fi or breakfast), what the cancellation policy is, and if there are any hidden fees or taxes you need to be aware of."

#6

The Mirror In My Hotel Bathroom Has An Antifog Section. Unfortunately, I'm 5'2

The Mirror In My Hotel Bathroom Has An Antifog Section. Unfortunately, I'm 5'2

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#7

Worst Hotel Room Design Ever. What's Funny Is That The Bathroom Door Sill Has A Lock On It

Worst Hotel Room Design Ever. What's Funny Is That The Bathroom Door Sill Has A Lock On It

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Miksis thinks that there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to hotels and Airbnbs; it all comes down to your travel style. "When I'm looking for comfort and convenience, I'll stay at hotels. If I'm looking for adventures and more local experiences, I'll go with Airbnbs," he explained.

"Hotels tend to have better amenities than Airbnbs, including pools, gyms, daily housekeeping and room service, 24-hour reception, and more. So, if I'm looking for more of a comfortable getaway, hotels are my go-to."

#9

My Bed At The Hotel I'm Staying

My Bed At The Hotel I'm Staying

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#10

This Hidden Camera Disguised As A Clock In My Airbnb

This Hidden Camera Disguised As A Clock In My Airbnb

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Zia Barrett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hope they told Airbnb. The renter will be given a refund and a free hotel room, and the person who did this will be banned from Airbnb.

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#11

I Booked A Cheap Hotel In Lisbon With A Friend. The Pictures On The Booking Website Never Showed The Toilet And The Bed In The Same Picture

I Booked A Cheap Hotel In Lisbon With A Friend. The Pictures On The Booking Website Never Showed The Toilet And The Bed In The Same Picture

I pray my friend doesn't have to go to the toilet tonight.

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#12

The Main Reason I Rented This Airbnb Was Because Of The Hot Tub. However, It Was Dirty, And The Smell Was Terrible

The Main Reason I Rented This Airbnb Was Because Of The Hot Tub. However, It Was Dirty, And The Smell Was Terrible

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OmBoyGanesh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hot tubs not heated properly or kept up that are shared by random people are nothing more than pathogen soup cauldrons.

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Conversely, when the traveler is feeling adventurous, he prefers private hosts. "With Airbnb, you can find unique accommodations — from quirky treehouses and tiny houses to cozy apartments in the city. Plus, you get a more local experience by staying in a residential neighborhood and cooking your own meals. And let's not forget the added bonus of having a local host who can offer recommendations on the best-hidden gems in the area!"

"For the past year or so, I actually have been using VRBO instead of Airbnb for vacation rentals, because the fees are lower and the customer service is better. Just an FYI!"

#13

I've Never Seen A Hotel Pool Sign So Blunt Before

I've Never Seen A Hotel Pool Sign So Blunt Before

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#14

The Cleaning Ladies At My Hotel Left The Door Open To The Closet Where They Keep The Clean Bedsheets And Soaps

The Cleaning Ladies At My Hotel Left The Door Open To The Closet Where They Keep The Clean Bedsheets And Soaps

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Mistiekim
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is there a toilet bowl brush in there? No wait…..why is anything in there!!?!?

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#15

Mushrooms Are Growing In My Hotel Room. It's A Novotel

Mushrooms Are Growing In My Hotel Room. It's A Novotel

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#16

Why Do Hotel Rooms Insist On Making Me Watch My Partner Bathe? I'm Just Glad I'm Not Sharing The Room With A Friend Or Parent

Why Do Hotel Rooms Insist On Making Me Watch My Partner Bathe? I'm Just Glad I'm Not Sharing The Room With A Friend Or Parent

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However, it's impossible to consider (and prepare) for everything. Every now and then you will be disappointed. "It's one of the worst feelings when you get to the property and it doesn't meet your expectations," Jon Mikssi said. "Maybe the photos were misleading or the description was inaccurate — whatever the reason, it can put a real damper on your trip. However, there are a few steps you can take to try and remedy the situation."

"Firstly, it's important to communicate your concerns to the property owner/manager. They might not be aware that there's an issue and they might be able to fix it for you. Whether it's a noisy AC unit, a dirty bathroom, or an uncomfortable bed, don't be afraid to speak up and let them know what's not up to par. Sometimes a quick fix is all it takes to turn things around," the traveler explained.

#17

The Water In Our Airbnb Has Been Yellow And Tastes Metallic For A Week Now. The Owner Says They Can't Do Anything About It

The Water In Our Airbnb Has Been Yellow And Tastes Metallic For A Week Now. The Owner Says They Can't Do Anything About It

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Jihana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be worried if the water turned black. That's how they found Elisa Lam in the water tank of the Cecil Hotel in LA

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#18

The Size Of This Hotel Key Chain That I Have To Carry Around Everywhere With Me For The Next Few Days

The Size Of This Hotel Key Chain That I Have To Carry Around Everywhere With Me For The Next Few Days

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Donkeywheel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s precisely to prevent you from taking it out. Just leave it at reception.

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#19

The Curtains In My Hotel Room Looks Like They're Blood-Stained

The Curtains In My Hotel Room Looks Like They're Blood-Stained

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Mrs Irish Mom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probley a mad amount of money to have these ugly curtins in every room in the hotel

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#20

We Had An Uncleaned Vrbo Rental, And The Owner Tried To Bribe Us Into A Perfect Review

We Had An Uncleaned Vrbo Rental, And The Owner Tried To Bribe Us Into A Perfect Review

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But not all property managers are able (or even willing) to address your concerns. If that's the case, according to Miksis, the next step is to contact the booking platform you used to make the reservation.

"They might be able to mediate the situation and help you find a resolution. Be sure to provide as much detail as possible, including photos, so they can fully understand the situation and take proper action."

#21

You Have To Step Over The Bathtub To Get Between The Toilet And The Sink

You Have To Step Over The Bathtub To Get Between The Toilet And The Sink

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#22

Striped Carpet On Hotel Stairs. Hard To Use Even After Two Weeks And Completely Sober

Striped Carpet On Hotel Stairs. Hard To Use Even After Two Weeks And Completely Sober

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#23

The Carpet At My $250 Per Night Hotel In Disneyland

The Carpet At My $250 Per Night Hotel In Disneyland

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#24

I Got Back To The Hotel After Working 12 Hours And Found That The Staff Had Put All Of Our Stuff Into A Trash Bag And Gave Our Room Away

I Got Back To The Hotel After Working 12 Hours And Found That The Staff Had Put All Of Our Stuff Into A Trash Bag And Gave Our Room Away

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In some cases, you may even need to go further and find alternative accommodations. "If you're staying for an extended period of time, or if the issue is particularly egregious, you might want to consider finding a new place to stay," Miksis said. "Be sure to review the cancelation policy and any fees that might be involved before making any decisions."

"And lastly, be sure to leave a review of the experience for future travelers to see. It's important to be honest and detailed so others can make informed decisions when booking their own accommodations," he added. "Just remember, even bad experiences have their upsides. They provide you with valuable lessons for future travels!"

#25

My Airbnb Stairs. Every Step Is A Different Height, Width, And Depth

My Airbnb Stairs. Every Step Is A Different Height, Width, And Depth

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Libstak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a small set of stairs replaced at work and the handyman did something similar. After many near misses and me getting stink eye from Maintenance for having the audacity to complain, our night shift operations MANAGER who had also laughed at my concerns stepped out, misjudged and scraped half his face off plus sprained his ankle and dislocated his knee. This could not be more unsafe if it tried.

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#26

Our Shower In Croatian Airbnb

Our Shower In Croatian Airbnb

We stayed at the Airbnb for a few months, and I used this to heat the bathroom. I didn't know if I would get electrocuted or barbecued. It did heat the bathroom pretty well, but it took up so much power in the apartment that you couldn't run anything else simultaneously, or it would trip the breaker.

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#27

In Case Of The Hotel Fire, Move The Vending Machine

In Case Of The Hotel Fire, Move The Vending Machine

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Rizzo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In such a case, you should anonymously threaten to report this to the authorities.

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#28

The Shower In My Hotel Is A Glass Cube In The Center Of The Room

The Shower In My Hotel Is A Glass Cube In The Center Of The Room

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#29

I Went On A Trip Several Weeks Ago To New Orleans, And Our Airbnb Host Didn't Tell Us That The Pool Was Unusable And Air Conditioners Were Broken Too

I Went On A Trip Several Weeks Ago To New Orleans, And Our Airbnb Host Didn't Tell Us That The Pool Was Unusable And Air Conditioners Were Broken Too

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#30

The Faucet Is Placed Further Than It Should Be

The Faucet Is Placed Further Than It Should Be

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#31

The State Of This Oven During My First Shift Last Night At A Famous Hotel

The State Of This Oven During My First Shift Last Night At A Famous Hotel

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#32

The Shower Head In A 4-Star Hotel

The Shower Head In A 4-Star Hotel

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#33

My Girlfriend Forgot The Lock Was In Place And Opened The Door Fairly Gently. Lock Snapped Immediately. This Hotel Makes Me Feel Very Safe

My Girlfriend Forgot The Lock Was In Place And Opened The Door Fairly Gently. Lock Snapped Immediately. This Hotel Makes Me Feel Very Safe

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#35

I'm Staying In The Hotel, And This Is My Bathroom

I'm Staying In The Hotel, And This Is My Bathroom

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#36

The Built-In USB Charger In My Hotel Wasn't Working, So I Turned It Over To Take A Look, And This Is What I Saw

The Built-In USB Charger In My Hotel Wasn't Working, So I Turned It Over To Take A Look, And This Is What I Saw

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#37

This TV In My Hotel Room

This TV In My Hotel Room

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#38

This Closet In A German Hotel Needs Several Warnings. I Almost Hit My Head

This Closet In A German Hotel Needs Several Warnings. I Almost Hit My Head

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#39

There's A Mirror Screwed Into The Ceiling Above The Toilet In My Airbnb

There's A Mirror Screwed Into The Ceiling Above The Toilet In My Airbnb

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#40

My Pillow In My 120€ A Night Hotel

My Pillow In My 120€ A Night Hotel

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Note: this post originally had 111 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.