The Ghost Guest

Nana Sogoian
Jun 7
5 min read

Updated: Jun 8

"Did you hear that?" The words slip from my lips, almost a whisper. They hang there, suspended in the silence. I stand frozen, wide-eyed, ear straining, hoping for a sound - anything. But nothing. Only the rhythmic tick of the wall clock, each second dragging longer than the last. The house feels... still. Too still. Empty. Hollow.

This isn’t your typical hosting hiccup. It’s a full-blown ghost guest Airbnb experience.

When Silence Isn’t Golden:

The Arrival of a Silent Airbnb Guest

It was a typical Thursday afternoon when John Doe (yes, let’s call him that) arrived. The message he sent was brief, but not necessarily alarming. “Arriving at 5,” it read. That was it. He didn’t ask about the Wi-Fi password or request anything out of the ordinary. Everything seemed fine... for now.

I saw the notification from my smart lock guest arrival confirmation - John has entered the property. Sweet, I thought, he’s here. I tapped out a quick message:

“Hey, John! Hope you’re getting settled in okay. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help make your stay more comfortable!”

And then... nothing.

I stared at my phone. No reply. No thumbs-up. Absolute silence, complete with a read receipt. Okay, I told myself, it’s fine. Some guests prefer peace; no reason to spiral into full-blown Airbnb host anxiety.

Now, let’s get one thing straight: I was still green. This wasn’t my 50th guest or even my 15th. I didn’t have stories under my belt yet. No rogue cats smuggled in, no clogged drains at midnight. This was my first taste of Airbnb hosting weirdness. So naturally, my brain short-circuited.

The Longest Night: Airbnb Guest Won’t Respond

The minutes stretched into hours as I stared at the ceiling, wide awake. What if he couldn’t find the light switch? What if the AC wasn’t cold enough? The worst-case scenarios spiraled, spinning wildly out of control. Did I forget to restock the paper towels? Were there streaks on the mirror? Was there - God forbid - a long, mysterious hair in the tub?

I tossed and turned, my thoughts turning even more erratic as the night went on. Could the house be haunted? Could he have ghosted me - literally and figuratively?

Then, my mind took a darker turn. What if... what if something went wrong? What if he’s hurt and I have no idea? A sick feeling settled in my stomach. Still, no message. No sign of life. I told myself to breathe. He’s fine. He’s just quiet. Maybe he’s taking a digital detox, I reasoned.

But as the clock ticked on, something didn’t sit right. It’s the kind of moment I imagine every host dreads: how to handle an unresponsive Airbnb guest without going down a rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios.

A 5-Star Vanishing Act: Hosting Horror Stories That End Well

The next morning, still nothing. I sent a friendly message to follow up with the automated check-out instructions that had already been sent, wishing him safe travels. Again, it was marked as “read,” but no response. Okay, this is getting weird, I thought.

By the time I drove over to the property to check out the situation, my nerves were a mess. I braced myself for the worst. Maybe there’d be furniture upturned or broken items everywhere. Maybe my poor, innocent house would be a warzone.

I unlocked the door.

Nothing.

Not even a whiff of a catastrophe. The place was... immaculate. Perfect. The blankets and throws were folded neatly. The bed was made up. No signs of chaos. No signs of anything.

I stood there in stunned silence.

Had I... imagined it all? No. The guest was real. The messages had been read. And now, somehow, I was the one left in a state of confusion. What kind of person checks into an Airbnb, refuses to acknowledge the host, and leaves the place even better than they found it?

Now here’s the kicker: You can’t see a guest’s Airbnb review until you leave one first. I may still be finding my confidence when it comes to Airbnb hosting, but I at least know that much.

So, I left John a glowing review… What else could I do? Quiet, clean, no trouble. Five stars.

Didn’t expect anything back.

A Lovely 5-Star Review

As I stood there, dumbfounded, my phone vibrated from inside my pocket. Another notification. Review received! I swiped, half-expecting a scathing critique of my place, my service, my existence. Instead, I read:

“Great stay! Loved the peace and quiet. Just what I needed. Host was very responsive (not that I needed anything). Would definitely book again.”

What. The. Hell?

I had survived the ghost guest Airbnb experience. And it ended with a lovely 5-star review.

Airbnb Communication Tips: Managing Airbnb Guests Who Go Dark

This strange experience forced me to step back and reconsider how I approach quiet guests. If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, here are some Airbnb communication tips and mindset shifts to help you stay sane when dealing with unusual Airbnb experiences:

● No news is (usually) good news: Seriously. If your Airbnb guest won’t respond, it probably means they’re enjoying the quiet. Don't let the silence drive you nuts.

● Start communication early (but don’t overdo it): Automated messages with essential info (Wi-Fi, check-in codes, house rules) are a must. Sending out FAQ sheets and digital guidebooks helps set expectations.

● Smart tech is your friend: You’ll know when your guests arrive, and if they’re silently leaving without a trace, you’ll know that too.Smart lock guest arrivals and doorbell cameras are lifesavers.

● Trust your space and your setup: You’ve done your homework, prepped the space, made it welcoming and functional. Now, breathe. Relax. Part of managing Airbnb guests is letting go of the need for constant feedback.

So, next time you find yourself in the presence of a “Airbnb ghost guest,” take a deep breath, ignore the twinge of anxiety, and remind yourself that no news is often the best kind of news.

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Need Help Handling Hosting Horror Stories?

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