Airbnb, founded in 2008, became a favorite for travelers by offering unique stays around the world, often providing a more authentic and sometimes cheaper alternative to hotels. However, in recent years, the platform has faced growing criticism, with users expressing concerns over steep cleaning fees, safety issues, and nightmare hosts.
Just last week, entrepreneur Luke Burgis took to X to share his frustration, claiming that an Airbnb host accused his family of causing a mysterious stain on the floor of their rental—one that would require a jaw-dropping $7,500 repair. Although Burgis was confident no damage had been done, he said the company had taken the owner’s side. But once his post went viral, things began to turn in his favor.
Entrepreneur Luke Burgis recently shared a frustrating experience with Airbnb, claiming that a host accused his family of causing $7,500 worth of damage to the rental
He took to X to voice his complaint—and his post quickly went viral
73% of people prefer hotels over Airbnbs, poll finds
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
Negative experiences reported by Airbnb users haven’t slowed its growth. With over 8 million active listings and $3.7 billion in revenue reported in November of last year, the platform remains a popular choice for many travelers. Still, complaints about the service continue to pile up.
According to a poll conducted by news website Boston.com, 73% of participants said they prefer hotels, 16% said it depends on the trip they’re planning, and just 11% chose Airbnb. While hotels were favored for shorter, solo trips, many said Airbnbs are better for longer stays with family, friends, or pets. For those who leaned toward hotels, Airbnbs felt less affordable than they used to be, largely due to cleaning fees and a lack of reliable service.
“If the options are there, I will always pick a hotel. I like the experience better—room service, cleaning, and concierge,” reader Keri from Maine shared with Boston.com. “The only thing is that they are often harder with small children.”
“I vote for hotels. Airbnb is too strict,” added Melissa. “When I stayed at an Airbnb, my host threatened to charge fees if anything went missing or out of place, I mean anything. I can’t relax under that kind of stress. I have good manners and take care of the places I stay. I’ve been choosing hotels since. I’ve also had several female friends complain about their male hosts hanging around when they weren’t supposed to be there, very creepy. Hotels all the way.”
In response, Sam Randall, a representative for Airbnb, told Boston.com that the company continues to see guest satisfaction and has introduced changes to improve the experience. These updates allow guests to see the total price upfront, including all fees before taxes, and the platform’s search algorithm now prioritizes total price over nightly rates to offer greater transparency.
The main draw of Airbnb appears to be the chance to travel more like a local while enjoying greater flexibility with amenities such as kitchens, pools, and shared spaces. This convenience is particularly appealing to families with kids or pets.
“I’ve always enjoyed the flexibility that Airbnb or VRBO afford me,” said Chris from Brookline. “I can cook breakfast or have a space where I can eat takeout comfortably. Hosts are always amenable to suggesting places to visit or eat, or the best bus route to get somewhere. And I’ve met hosts with interesting backgrounds and some have provided cooked-to-order breakfasts, wine, beer, and/or snacks. Great perks! Bottom line: many times the return on investment is better with an Airbnb/VRBO than what a hotel provides.”
Ultimately, the choice between hotels and Airbnbs depends on what matters most to you as a traveler. So, pandas, let us know in the comments—which one works better for you?
Some users argued that the host needed to provide evidence to back up their accusations
Others were simply appalled by the situation
Meanwhile, more nightmare Airbnb stories began to surface in the comments
Image credits: @OfAthenry
Image credits: @MontereyBayJack
Image credits: @red_staterebel
Image credits: @adrianpaul1
Image credits: @DylanAbruscato
Image credits: @OpenVAERS
Image credits: @magiccatterfly
Later, Burgis posted an update confirming the issue had been resolved
