What was meant to be a quiet overnight stay turned into one of the most unsettling travel experiences we’ve ever had.
It was just after midnight when I noticed a small black device mounted near the ceiling in our Airbnb bedroom. Its angle and placement raised immediate concerns—it appeared to be facing the bed. I called my husband over, and we both examined it as closely as we could. Concerned it might be a camera, we gently covered it with a towel, hoping to address it in the morning with the host.
But we didn’t make it that far.
Around 2 a.m., our bedroom door swung open unexpectedly. The host stood in the doorway, visibly upset, raising his voice and demanding to know why we had covered the device. According to him, it wasn’t a bedroom camera at all—it was pointed through a small window to monitor the outside street due to prior incidents involving his car. His explanation emphasized concerns about neighborhood safety, and he admitted to checking the live feed frequently for peace of mind.
While we understood his desire to protect his property, we were deeply uncomfortable with the way the situation was handled. Entering a guest’s private room without notice—especially in the middle of the night—is a serious breach of trust. We were left startled and unable to relax for the rest of the night.
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