> it doesn't mean you can't invite more than that number temporarily

We just have a fundamental difference of opinion here :) My own rules explicitly state that I do not allow visitors onto my property (exceptions for service professionals). I also send a reminder to guests within the 48 hour cancellation window on the "no additional guests / no visitors" rule. Insurance doesn't cover them (neither Airbnb nor my STR policy). I have no issues keeping my place booked, and 99% of the guests follow the rules.

So if you meet a friend in town, you cannot bring them over to your property for drinks? (the number of guests remains well under 6)

Sounds extremely restrictive compared to hotels or short term rentals.

Number of guests below six, I'm really not worried about it. But the number of guests on the reservation should be truthful. It's the situations where a guest brings more than six I am trying to prevent. As a host, being a good neighbor is more important than any single guest reservation. I'll end the stay if there are too many people - because it's such a basic rule and emphasized heavily in my listing. If four cars show up, and two people hop out of each car or you bring a dog? Yeah, we're having a conversation and your stay is likely being ended. At that point, I don't know what else you're going to not follow or damage you might cause. It's not worth keeping a bad guest in a nice place that can't follow clear and concise rules.

Honestly, that's absolutely absurd and no one should ever rent from you. Also, reminding someone a couple days before their arrival is no excuse to have confusing and absurd policies like that. Unless your listing makes it really clear "NO GUESTS WHATSOEVER ARE ALLOWED" and make it clear to the renter that that's the kind of person you are, people will assume some level of reasonable leeway. I'd be pretty pissed off if some airbnb listing hid "no guests" somewhere in the listing and then "reminded me" a couple days before I showed up if I was planning on getting together with friends. Uncommon restrictions like that need to have uncommon pains to make clear, otherwise the tentant shouldn't be expected to adhere to your rules.

> no one should ever rent from you

That's harsh. Reality is, I have no issues keeping my place booked. I've maintained a perfect 5.0 / Superhost status so far on Airbnb - and I generally have no issues with guests following house rules.

> reminding someone a couple days before their arrival

I said I remind them within their free, 48-hour cancellation window. They get a reminder right after they book - allowing them to cancel without penalty if they disagree.

>e pretty pissed off if some airbnb listing hid "no guests"

Uh, yeah, I'd be pissed too. It's a good thing I don't hide it. Where did I say I hide it? I said it is in my house rules - which Airbnb presents to the guest before booking. I then send an automated reply, immediate after booking, so that there is no ambiguity.