When you book an Airbnb, you expect some quirks: maybe a mismatched coffee mug collection or a host who leaves overly detailed instructions on how to work the remote. But sometimes, those quirks slide into the bizarre. Across countless stays, guests have reported hosts making downright strange requests that blur the line between hospitality and “wait, what did I just sign up for?” Here are 15 of the strangest things Airbnb hosts have actually asked their guests to do.
When you book an Airbnb, you expect some quirks: maybe a mismatched coffee mug collection or a host who leaves overly detailed instructions on how to work the remote. But sometimes, those quirks slide into the bizarre. Across countless stays, guests have reported hosts making downright strange requests that blur the line between hospitality and “wait, what did I just sign up for?” Here are 15 of the strangest things Airbnb hosts have actually asked their guests to do.
1. Water The Plants Twice A Day
Some hosts don’t just want you to water their plants; they expect you to treat them like prized family members. Guests report detailed instructions about when to mist, how to rotate, and which leaves to avoid touching. It’s less of a casual favor and more of a plant-care internship, complete with emotional stakes if the fern wilts. Suddenly, your weekend getaway feels like a crash course in horticulture.
According to a 2023 AirDNA survey on host-guest expectations, nearly 27% of guests said they’d been asked to perform extra “home care” duties beyond basic cleanup—plant watering being one of the most common. The weirdest part is how normal hosts make it sound, as though tending to twenty houseplants is part of the nightly rate. Guests are left wondering if they’ll be quizzed on Latin plant names before check-out. It’s a reminder that some hosts expect way more than a good review.
2. Feed Their Exotic Pets
Imagine booking a chic loft only to discover you’ve also signed up to feed the owner’s pet tarantula. Guests have been asked to handle raw meat for snakes or prep thawed mice for lizards. It’s not just tossing kibble into a bowl—it’s closer to running a reptile zoo. The stakes feel high when you realize you could be the reason a host’s pet refuses to eat for a week.
Even for animal lovers, the responsibility can be unnerving. Nobody expects to be googling “how often should a python eat?” while on vacation. It transforms your peaceful getaway into a biology field trip. And if you’re squeamish, it might just be nightmare fuel.
3. Strip The Beds And Wash All The Sheets
Plenty of Airbnbs ask guests to strip the sheets before leaving, but some take it much further. Imagine waking up on check-out day and being handed a laundry list—literally. Guests have reported doing multiple loads before heading to the airport. Suddenly, the line between guest and housekeeper becomes uncomfortably thin.
A Consumer Reports analysis found that 41% of Airbnb guests said they were asked to do extra cleaning tasks that went beyond what was listed in the booking. The kicker is the cleaning fee already built into the stay. If guests are vacuuming, washing, and folding, what exactly is that extra charge for? It leaves people questioning whether they’re actually paying to stay or paying to do chores. Either way, it doesn’t scream “relaxing vacation.”
4. Babysit Their Kids “Just For A Minute”
One of the strangest requests reported is being asked to watch the host’s children. A quick errand for the host becomes hours of child wrangling for the guest. Suddenly, your cozy evening involves supervising toddlers with more energy than you. It’s a bait-and-switch nobody saw coming.
It blurs the line between guest and unpaid babysitter in the most uncomfortable way. Most people book an Airbnb for privacy, not surprise childcare. Guests are often too shocked to decline, leaving them stuck in someone else’s family drama. It turns a vacation into an impromptu daycare gig.
5. Refill The Fridge From The Store
Some hosts have asked guests to swing by the store to restock items on their way back. It sounds small, but quickly feels invasive, like being looped into someone’s household routine. Guests are suddenly hauling eggs, milk, and almond butter instead of enjoying their day. It’s an errand that was never part of the booking.
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center report on short-term rental norms, one in five guests said they’d been asked to buy or replace household items during their stay—ranging from groceries to toiletries. It’s not even about the money—it’s about being casually recruited into chores. Guests are left wondering if they should submit a receipt or just swallow the inconvenience. It turns the dynamic from guest-host to personal assistant. That’s not exactly the vibe most travelers are going for.
6. Join Their Family Dinner
Some hosts think sharing a meal will “enhance the experience.” While one dinner might be sweet, being obligated every night quickly turns awkward. Guests find themselves listening to family gossip they didn’t ask to hear. It’s more homestay than holiday.
Instead of unwinding solo, you’re navigating long dinners with strangers. What started as hospitality becomes a social obligation. For introverts especially, it feels exhausting. It’s the Airbnb version of being stuck at a never-ending dinner party.
7. Collect Eggs From The Chicken Coop
Rural stays sometimes come with a catch: morning chores. Guests have been asked to head into the coop and collect eggs before breakfast. It might sound rustic, but chickens aren’t always friendly to strangers. What seemed like a novelty quickly feels like a farm shift.
A 2022 Booking.com survey on “farm stay” experiences found that over 30% of guests were asked to participate in unexpected “farm tasks,” with egg collection topping the list. The charm fades when guests are dodging angry hens at 7 a.m. Nobody booked a weekend escape expecting poultry patrol. It’s a cute idea in theory, stressful in reality. Vacation and livestock don’t mix as seamlessly as some hosts imagine.
8. Take Out The Trash Daily
Tidying up before leaving is one thing. But being told to empty trash every single day, with exact instructions, is another. Guests have been handed chore charts that rival college dorm rules. It’s micromanagement disguised as hospitality.
Instead of relaxing, you’re hyper-aware of your garbage output. The daily task quickly becomes annoying. By day three, it feels less like a rental and more like living under a watchful landlord. It makes people question what “guest” really means.
9. Leave The Windows Open All Day
Some hosts insist on natural ventilation no matter the weather. Guests are told to keep windows wide open for “air flow.” That sounds fine until it’s freezing outside—or mosquitoes are swarming in. Comfort is sacrificed for the host’s quirky rule.
Guests find themselves layering blankets in summer or swatting bugs at night. The demand feels more like superstition than practicality. While the host may swear by “fresh energy,” it leaves travelers frustrated. It’s a prime example of rules making no real sense.
10. Vacuum Before You Leave
Plenty of listings encourage tidying up, but some take it to extremes. Guests have been told to vacuum the entire place, including corners and under furniture. It’s not just a light sweep—it’s spring cleaning before checkout. Suddenly, your final morning feels like a marathon.
And with a hefty cleaning fee already in place, it’s baffling. What is that money covering if guests are left scrubbing and sweeping? People start to feel less like travelers and more like unpaid cleaners. It’s a sour end to an otherwise decent stay.
11. Leave A Handwritten Thank-You Letter
Some hosts don’t settle for online reviews—they demand a physical note. Guests are asked to write something thoughtful before leaving. It feels performative, like applying for “Best Guest of the Month.” Suddenly, you’re editing a letter instead of enjoying your last morning.
It crosses from hospitality into vanity. A simple “thanks” in the app isn’t enough—it has to be ink on paper. Guests often comply just to avoid conflict. But nobody books a vacation expecting homework.
12. Tend To Their Garden
Some stays come with more than a backyard view. Guests have been asked to water flower beds or even pull weeds. At first, it sounds wholesome—like living the country dream. But sweating in the sun wasn’t on anyone’s itinerary.
It quickly starts to feel like unpaid landscaping. Guests are left wondering if they’re helping or being exploited. Vacation should mean lounging, not yard work. A garden is lovely, but only if you’re admiring, not maintaining it.
13. Use Only One Towel The Whole Stay
Hosts sometimes limit guests to one towel, no matter how long the stay. It’s pitched as eco-friendly but enforced like a strict policy. Guests find themselves rationing showers to keep the towel usable. It’s a rule that turns basic hygiene into a strategy.
Instead of feeling relaxed, guests stress about damp towels never drying. While reusing towels isn’t unusual, the strictness makes it uncomfortable. It leaves travelers questioning whether they can ask for another or risk bad reviews. Suddenly, a towel becomes a source of tension.
14. Turn Off The Wi-Fi At Night
Some hosts believe routers should be turned off before bed. They say it saves energy or improves sleep. For guests, it means losing connection right when they want it most. It’s not a digital detox—it’s an inconvenience.
Guests end up scouting cafés or using hotspots just to stay connected. Instead of relaxing, they’re strategizing around internet access. For remote workers, especially, it’s a dealbreaker. It’s a rule that feels more controlling than caring.
15. Bring The Host A Gift
Believe it or not, some listings ask guests to bring a present. It could be wine, chocolates, or a souvenir from home. The request feels like turning travel into a social ceremony. Suddenly, you’re arriving with tribute instead of luggage.
Guests feel pressured to comply, unsure if it will affect reviews. It makes the stay feel less transactional and more ritualistic. While it might be charming to some, most find it odd. After all, you already paid for the room—why the extra gift?
