“…Not a camera. It’s a backup sensor.” The host insisted it was part of a new safety system they were testing, but the message didn’t sit right with me. So I called the platform’s support team, explained what I found, and sent them photos. They told me they would investigate and follow up. With my wife and our luggage still in the back seat, we drove to a nearby hotel, both of us uneasy and unsure what to believe.
The next morning, the platform’s safety team called again. They didn’t confirm wrongdoing, but they did say the device wasn’t listed in the property’s description and should not have been installed without disclosure. They thanked us for reporting it and explained that they would temporarily suspend the listing while the situation was reviewed. It wasn’t the dramatic confrontation we expected, but it reassured us that we had done the right thing by speaking up.
Later that week, the host sent a calmer message apologizing for the confusion. They explained that the previous property manager had installed several extra monitoring tools without updating the listing, and they were just as surprised to learn about it. They offered a refund and urged us not to assume the worst. Whether or not the story was fully accurate, their tone was different—more thoughtful, more open, and far more respectful than their first reaction.
In the end, what stayed with me wasn’t fear—it was the reminder that transparency matters. Guests deserve clarity, and hosts deserve a chance to explain. Most importantly, we learned to trust our instincts, ask questions, and choose places where communication feels honest and human. Sometimes, what looks alarming at first can turn into a conversation that makes the travel world a little safer for everyone.