Imagine you just stayed at a holiday rental. It was clean and the listing accurately represented what you got. The check-in process went smoothly, and the owner and their team communicated well during your stay. But the experience didn’t utterly blow you away. When leaving a review, how many stars would you give? 4? Maybe 5? You might think 4 stars means it was good, and 5 stars should only be reserved for the most luxurious, out-of-this-world experiences.

However, for hosts, anything less than 5 stars indicates there were significant issues that need to be addressed. I hold myself to a very high standard across all review platforms like Google, Airbnb etc. Receiving a 4-star review can be quite damaging, as it brings down my overall rating substantially. A 5-star rating simply means you had a great stay – not necessarily a perfect one.

Guest Rating Guide:

5 stars: I enjoyed my stay! Minor issues are understandable.
4 stars: There were several notable issues that should be corrected.
3 stars: Major problems that impacted my stay negatively.
2 stars: The listing should potentially be removed from platforms.
1 star: This property/host should not be hosting guests.

What is Expected for a 5-Star Review:

• Cleanliness: All areas guests can access are clean, no dust/mold, clean linens, no trash from prior guests
• Essentials provided: Toilet paper, soap, linens, towels, pillows as expected
• Accurate listing: Address, bed/bath details, photos, listed amenities all correct
• Easy check-in: Clear and simple process
• Good communication: Myself or my team were available to you during your stay

I understand small issues may occur that are out of our control (internet goes out temporarily, power outage, bug gets in, etc.). As long as we make an effort to correct things promptly, those minor problems should not result in a lower rating.

In contrast, a lower rating would be warranted for major issues like:

• Listing misrepresents the property/amenities
• Severe cleanliness issues (dirty rooms, linens, etc.)
• We were unresponsive to you during your stay
• Major amenities were broken/not provided as listed
• Check-in process was disorganised/confusing

How We Rate Guests

(applicable to Airbnb room rentals & ‘Love Shack’):

5 stars: Maybe some minor issues, but I’d happily host again
4 stars: More notable issues, might still host again
3 stars: Major problems, would not host again
2 stars: Would not allow a reservation from this guest
1 star: Guest account should potentially be suspended

I aim to provide a 5-star experience. If something wasn’t quite perfect but the core essentials were met, a 5-star rating is appreciated. Those indicate a great stay overall. I always strive to improve based on feedback as well, which you are welcome to leave via the feedback form on the review page. Thank you for taking the time to leave an honest, fair review!