19 of the Most Unhinged Notes Ever Found in Vacation Rentals

Written by Mariano Montagna on January 2, 2026

A handwritten note on white paper says, "Scary spider under cup... thank you for your service.

Vacations are supposed to be about relaxation, but sometimes the strangest souvenirs aren’t seashells or postcards: they’re the handwritten notes left behind in rental homes. Occasionally, the strangest part of the trip is not the beach or the food, it’s the notes people leave in rental homes. Some are funny, some are bossy, and some are just plain weird. Here are 19 of the most unhinged notes ever found in vacation rentals, showing that check‑in can come with surprises you never expected.

1. McFlurry Mishap Meets Mattress Chaos

A handwritten note on torn notebook paper apologizes for staining the bed due to a disability and an allergic reaction after eating McDonald's. The writer mentions “shitting the bed” and warns the reader, ending with “sorry, enjoy your sleep.” — No-Suit4155/reddit.com

2. Complaints Accepted Daily, Solutions Pending Since 1978

A vintage beige rotary phone sits on a dark wood table, resting on a white sheet of paper labeled "COMPLAINTS HOTLINE" handwritten in blue ink. — funny/reddit.com

3. The Great Toilet Paper Rationing Act

A toilet paper roll is mounted on a holder below a bathroom sink. A sign above it reads, "Please only one sheet of TP per wipe. — funny/reddit.com

4. Left‑Opening Fridge

A white shelf displays a sign reading "FRIDGE OPENS ON THE LEFT," an hourglass, a white vase, a geometric black sculpture, and a small white figurine. A comment above suggests using a custom magnet. — via instagram.com

5. Airbnb’s Comic Rating Scale: “Put these hosts in jail”

A printed Airbnb star rating guide on a white surface explains the meaning of ratings from one to five stars, emphasizing that perfection does not exist and encouraging honest feedback. — deleted/reddit.com

6. Welcome, Solo Traveler: Your Stay Starts Here

A person holds a door hanger sign with handwritten instructions titled "INFO CHECKING-IN SOLO TRAVELER GETAWAY OFFICE," featuring tips for guests, a "READ" heading, and details about room info, keys, and house rules. — deleted/reddit.com

7. Airbnb is getting out of hand

A printed sign titled "Checkout Instructions" lists tasks for guests, including stripping linens, starting laundry, washing dishes, removing food and trash, sweeping floors, and securing personal belongings and doors. — fmbrandon/reddit.com

8. Our Castle, Our Rules

A printed sign titled "House Rules" lists guidelines, including no smoking or vaping, check-in/out times, pet and event policies, no illegal activities, extra guest charges, a fee for lost keys, and a request to respect the home. — heartlessglint12/reddit.com

9. She Makes the Rules, You Make the Apologies

A framed document titled "The Rules" lists humorous, handwritten relationship rules, mostly stating that the female makes or changes the rules and the male must obey them. The text is in cursive with a reflective glass surface. — facepalm/via reddit.com

10. Spider Quarantined Until Further Notice

A handwritten note reads, "Scary spider under cup... thank you for your brave service," next to an upside-down plastic cup on a wooden surface. — TheSkullKroncher/reddit.com

11. Transparency at Its Finest

A handwritten note on a hotel bed reads: "If you found this it wasn't WASHED! My BUTT was all up in this bed! Best of luck." Text above says, "Leaving a note for the next person tucked in the hotel bed before checking out" with laughing emojis. — deleted/reddit.com

12. Hospitality Report Card: “I Like It. I Love You”

A spiral notebook page with handwritten notes: "Tell us about your stay! Hope you had a wonderful time!!" followed by "I like it. by Aaron" with a heart, "is this your house? i love you. — HaffuhGootWon/reddit.com

13. Airbnb or Boarding School? you decide

A printed notice titled "AIR BNB Guests" lists house rules, including restrictions on smoking, visitors, and washing machine use, with some text highlighted in yellow for emphasis. — peachydonut69/reddit.com

14. From 10 PM to 9:30 AM, Silence Is Golden (and So Are Spoons)

A printed list of kitchen rules sits on a counter next to a bunch of bananas, a glass jar with colorful utensils, and part of a green binder. The paper has sections in red, blue, green, and black text. — randomredditguy94/reddit.com

15. Homemade Tech Manual

A hand holds a handwritten instruction sheet titled "How to Use: TV & Soundbar Remote," with labeled button diagrams and notes explaining each button’s function, against a background of a bed and bedside table. — deleted/reddit.com

16. Welcome to the Best Seat in the House

A printed sign titled "Bathroom Rules" lists humorous guidelines, including limits on reading material, no loud philosophical thinking, proper seating, not writing on walls, respecting the toilet, flushing, and obeying all rules. — funny/via reddit.com

17. The Mirror That Speaks

A bathroom mirror reflects a shower curtain with a handwritten message in blue that says, "DO NOT TOUCH CURTAIN." The curtain is attached to the rod with white rings. — deleted/reddit.com

18. Sticky Reminders: Parking Permits & TV Secrets

A clipboard with a "Guest Parking Permit" sign and a parking diagram, showing parking rules and times. A note on the right asks, “What’s that thing on top of the TV? An IR repeater to control the TV by remote.” — anonymous5/reddit.com

19. Directions, in Case Common Sense Got Lost

A black storage bin sits on a shelf with a label giving instructions for use. A blue caption below reads, "In case I needed direction here." A plastic jug is visible on a lower shelf. — anonymous/reddit.com

In the end, these scribbled reminders, warnings, and declarations prove that vacation rentals come with more than just a set of keys: they come with a glimpse into the peculiarities of past guests and hosts. Whether it’s rationed toilet paper, a spider under surveillance, or a fridge with personality, these notes are the unexpected souvenirs that make us laugh and realize that sometimes the strangest memories are the ones left behind in ink.