In today’s travel landscape, where platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com dominate, guest reviews hold significant power. For bed and breakfast hosts, even a single unfavorable rating can feel like a major blow—impacting both their livelihood and emotional well-being. Take Rachel, a dedicated B&B owner in Cornwall, England, who has spent over six years cultivating a warm, welcoming seaside experience. One summer, a 2-star review threatened to undo that effort—not because of poor service or cleanliness, but because a guest found the local seagulls too noisy at dawn.

Rachel was understandably frustrated. “What could I do about nature?” she wondered. Despite providing earplugs in every room, the unfair review still dragged down her overall rating and led to a dip in bookings. The experience, though disheartening, highlighted an important lesson: managing guest expectations is crucial. Since then, Rachel has updated her listing and welcome message with a lighthearted note about the sounds of nature—including the “cheeky seagulls.” This small act of transparency helps align guest expectations and prevent future misunderstandings. Her story is a reminder to fellow hosts that not all critical feedback reflects their service quality. Sometimes, it’s about a disconnect between what a guest expects and the realities of a unique, lived-in setting. Clear communication, honesty, and a sense of humor remain the best tools for turning potential complaints into five-star stays—earplugs included.