How critical are you in VRBO reviews?

[Anonymous]

Currently staying in a VRBO and unsure how I'll rate it. We're in a large college town to visit family and the rental housing I've tried here on previous visits is pretty old/bad. This visit, I needed a place for 4, with living room seating for 8, and that allowed dogs: hard to find. This rental does all that, plus it's warm and 3 of the 4 beds are pretty good.

It's also in poor repair. My kid cut her toe on a popped nail, all the window blinds are broken, and the basic cleaning job missed a lot of stuff (window sills, corners, inside drawers, strands of hair on the linens, not all dishes clean). The dishwasher broke on first use; repaired promptly but from the floors it obviously happens all the time.

All the prior reviews are "house is older but very comfortable, great place to stay." Would you give it the same? I won't stay here again but also am not sure it's worse than anywhere else in this town.

[Anonymous]

Going only by what you describe, I’d keep my public VRBO very general. I would also contact host on the side and describe all the points/issues you describe. Some hosts welcome the candid feedback.

[Anonymous]

*public VRBO review

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking too.

[Anonymous]

I would say something like 'house is older and shows wear but...' which will clue alert readers into the situation.

[Anonymous]

Be honest. Older makes it sound like the aesthetics are what you’re complaining about, and people can see it’s dated from pics.

[Anonymous]

This is why I say in hotels. I am honest in vrbo reviews when I do have to use them. That place sounds terrible. I’d give it a 3/5.

[Anonymous]

Now that hosts rate us, I’m never honest! I simply don’t do a review.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why I say in hotels. I am honest in vrbo reviews when I do have to use them. That place sounds terrible. I’d give it a 3/5.

+1
I hate that you can’t trust the reviews at all. No one would play mind games like this over how to review a meh hotel. We’d give it a solid 3 and carry on.

[Anonymous]

I would say, enjoyed my stay, great hosts, lovely house location. No issues but house could use a good cleaning and maintance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now that hosts rate us, I’m never honest! I simply don’t do a review.

^ this

[Anonymous]

I only review raves.