Laura Jimenez, an Airbnb owner from Washington, shared a video on her TikTok account after doing a walkthrough of her property following a guest check out. In the video, Jimenez expressed confusion as she noticed that the property seemed untouched and only one bed had been used despite it being a three-person stay. She found most of the towels perfectly rolled, the kitchen and fridge untouched, and minimal signs of use throughout the house, sparking her curiosity.
Upon further inspection, Jimenez found a note in the guestbook that explained the situation. The guest had intended to have a girls’ weekend with friends, but they got sick and she ended up staying alone. This emotional twist left Jimenez feeling sad but also grateful that the guest had enjoyed her stay despite the circumstances. The video gained viral attention, amassing over 890,000 views and a wave of responses in the comments, with viewers expressing sympathy for the guest’s situation.
Jimenez, who goes by the username @airbnbgirllaura, shared the behind-the-scenes of being an Airbnb host to inspire others to pursue this type of investing. She was pleased with the response from TikTok users, who expressed empathy and understanding towards the guest’s experience. Airbnb is a popular travel option worldwide, reaching 11.1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2024, with over 492 million booked nights and experiences reported that same year.
While Jimenez’s unexpected Airbnb experience was emotional, it was not negative, unlike the story of Vincent Villegas, who had nightmare guests cause over $3,000 of property damage in December last year. Villegas arrived at his property to find furniture moved, items missing, substances smeared on walls, doors, and mirrors, and other damages. However, there are also positive stories, such as a host who found their property tidied and the bookshelf color-coded by guests after a 21st birthday celebration.
The Airbnb community can bring both challenges and rewards for hosts, with unexpected situations like Jimenez’s emotional discovery and Villegas’s nightmare guests highlighting the range of experiences hosts may encounter. Despite the occasional negative story, there are heartwarming moments of guests going above and beyond to show gratitude, like the thoughtful gesture of color-coding a host’s bookshelf. These interactions showcase the importance of communication and understanding in the sharing economy of Airbnb rentals.
