u/clr715

I have always left either a 5-star or no review because faults can be subjective.

But I really did not have a good time in a property that I recently stayed in:

• Check-in instruction from the host message says check-in time is 5-10pm and the host will hand in the key face-to-face. But at 7pm the host says they drop off the key at a nearby location. The location turns out to be a 15 mins walk uphill.
• Many photos suggest a clean flat in a private owned block. But turns out it was in a block that is worse maintained which I suspect is mainly used for tenants who rent through some affordable housing program.
• The cushions on the couch smells strongly of oily hair (but I do have a sensitive nose).
• Host left a damp towel in the kitchen that starts stinky up after a day.
• Two brown crumbs on the living room floor behind the door that looks really like rodent droppings. ChatGPT and I don't think it is, but it looks similar enough that Gemini and Claude think it is.
• The flat is next to an air vent in the corridor so at lunch and dinner times it started to smell like a fish and chip shop.
• (Good things that I did mention in the review) Bathroom is very clean, so are the beddings and the bed is comfortable.
• The price is fair? Similar or slightly higher than a 3-star hotel in nearby areas.
• Communication from host is standard, nothing to write home about.

To make matter even worse, the host insulted and blocked me after reading my 3-star review! Before they read it they say they "really appreciate that I left the flat in a nice and clean condition". After they read it they said "Unbelievably disappointed in you, hope you get what you deserved, what you say are all lies".

Ignoring the host's insult. Is it fair that I left a 3-star review? The listing had one 5-star and one 3-star both with minimal elaboration. Was I too subjective? Did I effectively kill the listing?