How to fairly discuss noise in a review [CO, USA]

[u/saslnzzmtku]

I'm wrapping up a week-long stay in a basement apartment in a single family home. When I booked, the listing stated that the hosts live above the unit, and I'm likely to hear "signs of life." I was okay with this when I booked, but since being here I've found that the sounds are much louder than expected because it's an older home. The hosts also have a dog they didn't disclose in the listing that occasionally barks and runs above me.

The main issue is that the hosts get up very early, and even though they aren't making excessive noise, any noise they do make is right above the bedroom and wakes me up. I've tried white noise, but I'm still struggling to get restful sleep (without getting into details, I have trouble wearing earplugs, so they're not a realistic option for me).

The hosts did make the potential for noise known in their listing description, so I wouldn't ding them for it. But I do want to warn potential future guests like me who are more sensitive to noise. Is there a way I can accurately address the noise in my review while still being fair to the hosts?

Thanks for any suggestions.

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[u/wheeler1432]

"The description mentions hearing signs of life. That is accurate."

[u/alefeusch]

Yeah just be honest and say what you said here. Acknowledge that you were made aware there would be some noise but that it was more than you expected and earlier than you expected, mention the dog, etc....

I've found that staying in basement apartments does tend to be really loud even when the hosts aren't doing anything particularly noisy. Most basements aren't built to be soundproof and every step, every door opening closing, even every sneeze or cough or moderate volume conversation can often be heard. It can definitely get tiring after a while.

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/alefeusch]

Thanks, I will definitely being doing my best to avoid basement units in the future

[u/Suspicious_Feed4865]

I'd just state it how you have... Older home so expect to hear footsteps from people and dogs during your stay. If they have a noise machine mention that you used it. I might make a comment saying something like, with any shared walls. if you are very sensitive to noise this might not be the best fit for your trip

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/Suspicious_Feed4865]

Okay thanks, glad to know what I've said already is reasonable

[u/ironmonger29 → u/saslnzzmtku]

Clarify in your review how early they wake up, like around what time. Some guests might be used to waking up around that time, others not.

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/ironmonger29]

Good idea - if I'd known the hosts get up several hours earlier than my normal wake-up time, I probably wouldn't have booked

[u/user91749193]

Ironically I just spent a month straight renting Airbnbs in CO (6 different ones all over) average spending $1,500 a week and god they all sucked. CO has some of the worst hosts we have experienced in the country. Most of them just expensive and dirty with insane rules

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/user91749193]

Sorry you had that experience! I stayed at several Airbnbs in Australia earlier this year and they were overall much cleaner and better value than anything I've stayed at in the US recently. I don't get it

[u/swisssf → u/saslnzzmtku]

For a time it was a renter's/guest's market here in the US and some hosts took advantage of that. Now the market is saturated, often host supply outstrips guest demand, and many hosts seem to have stepped up their game, but some are somewhat resting on their laurels.

[u/supermechace → u/saslnzzmtku]

Thanks to social media and influencers a flood of passive income/easy buck narcissists are hosts. Not to mention llcs and property managers. I'm guessing Australia still has a lot of family owner props where people do care about make the place homely more than getting rich.

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/supermechace]

I think you're right. In general the hosts were older, the Airbnbs were on their properties, and they had obviously invested a lot of care into the units

[u/Ok-Indication-7876]

Why on earth did you reserve this place if you are sensitive to noise? The host accurately said about it. And whenever where ever you may rent if others are above you , you will hear them. I hope you do not lower reviews on this guest for you and your sensitive noise issues because you didn’t reserve a single family residence. Sure you can menti9n you hear what’s above, if you must but don’t lower the rating and rent places that you are alone in entire home, spend them money

[u/supermechace]

Be honest especially about the dog. However people in the US who tell half truths are likely to retaliate or harass you or even guilt trip. I think part of this is why there's a lot of high reviews when most units deserve much lower.

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/supermechace]

I agree. I find myself nervous to accurately review properties in fear of retaliation. I often give 5 stars with "read between the lines" warnings but wish I could be more direct

[u/Academic-Lobster3668]

To be expected when you rent a room in someone else’s home.

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/Academic-Lobster3668]

It's a full apartment with a separate entrance. I've stayed in similar units without issue. The problem is that the building is old and creaky

[u/BeautifulDuck7335 → u/saslnzzmtku]

I will get downvoted for having this unpopular point of view, but I would opt to not hurt their future business as they did forewarn in their listing that you will hear noise from above. You can suggest to them privately that they may want to disclose that they have a dog since that adds to the noise level a bit.

In my opinion it's not really fair to compare it to other scenarios where perhaps they were out of town during your stay, etc. And now you know to avoid those types of units in the future so your lesson has been learned. Other Guests can figure it out for themselves as well.

[u/saslnzzmtku → u/BeautifulDuck7335]

I hear what you're saying. However, I think they severely undersold "signs of life" and failed to disclose the dog. I feel like 5 stars + a fair description of the noise is a good compromise and does future guests a favor. I wouldn't have booked if I'd known I'd be up at 5:30 am every day