Why Sharing a Bathroom Won’t Be My Next AirBnB Choice

Recently, I landed a great deal in Salt Lake City, conveniently close to my son’s place, with a nice park nearby for strolls. The listing advertised a single bathroom shared among a small group—apparently up to five guests. When I arrived, there were only four of us staying there, and I felt I had found the perfect AirBnB setup.

Then the reality hit: one of our fellow guests came down with a severe stomach bug. I won’t go into the gory details, but it was a multi-day ordeal with long hours spent near the bathroom and one close call where the bathroom didn’t quite make it in time. My room was right next door, which made the experience even more uncomfortable. The owner lived upstairs and did his best to manage the situation, cleaning up as much as possible, but the disruption was significant enough to leave a lasting impression.

This experience has made me reconsider the convenience of shared bathrooms, especially in smaller properties where a single bathroom serves multiple guests. While I won’t place blame on anyone—no one was at fault, just unfortunate circumstances—I’ve decided that sharing a bathroom isn’t worth the risk for my future stays.

If you’re considering a similar setup, here are a few tips to navigate the situation:
– Choose listings with multiple bathrooms or a private option if possible.
– Look for honest host notes about bathroom usage and cleaning routines.
– Consider travel dates and guest counts that align with how many people might be sharing the space.
– Pack practical supplies, such as extra toilet paper, sanitizer, and a small cleaning kit, to minimize disruption.

Thank you for listening to my vent. I’m sharing this not to critique others’ choices, but to offer a candid perspective on how a shared bathroom experience can impact a stay—and to help fellow travelers weigh their options more carefully.