Airbnb Listing In Laos Was Completely Different From Photos

Between February 28 and March 29, I booked a one-month stay through Airbnb in Vientiane, Laos, at a place called “Green House 888.” I chose this accommodation based on the listing photos and descriptions shown on the platform. However, when I arrived, the reality was completely different from what had been advertised.

The stairs leading to the room were made of rusty metal, extremely steep, and genuinely dangerous to use. The room itself was dusty and dirty overall. Although the listing claimed to offer a “fully equipped kitchen,” there was not even a cup for tea or coffee. There was no stove, no frying pan, and no cookware apart from a single electric pot.

The bathroom was in an extremely unhygienic and neglected condition to the point of being disturbing.

After seeing these conditions, I contacted Airbnb to request cancellation assistance. Airbnb initially offered me two alternative accommodations of supposedly equal standard. However, after a very long journey, I was exhausted and explained that I could review the alternatives and respond the following morning.

Before I even had the chance to reply, the proposed alternatives were removed from the system, and my reservation was completely canceled, leaving me stranded without support. I was forced to spend the night of February 28 there because I had no other immediate option, and the next morning I had to urgently search for another place to stay.

I had paid approximately $300 for the canceled accommodation, and after a long struggle, this amount — including the Airbnb commission and host refund — was eventually returned to me. However, I then had to rent a new place for approximately $500, nearly double the price of the original reservation, causing me serious financial loss.

During this process, Airbnb’s reluctance regarding the commission refund also increased my frustration and disappointment.

I am writing this complaint not to seek additional compensation, but to ensure that other people do not experience the same disappointment and hardship that I went through.

I strongly believe users should not rely solely on Airbnb listing photos and descriptions when making reservations and should instead conduct much more detailed research beforehand.

I also expect Airbnb to improve its systems so that users are not abandoned in situations like this. After this experience, I am considering closing my account once my remaining reservations are completed, and I no longer recommend this platform to anyone around me.