TIME: Article on fact-checking the review sites

Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum

Help Support Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Arks

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2010
Messages
6,460
Reaction score
579
TIME Magazine has a decent one-page article this week on how to get the most out of hotel review sites. Among the advice they give readers:
  • Read the bad reviews first. If they mostly criticize the same thing, you know there really is a problem there. If the gripe is an anomaly, it might be a plant by a competitor, or just a fluke.
  • Research the reviewer: how many reviews have they written. Its it an experienced traveler, or a one-timer.
  • Be wary of too many reviews. Huge numbers of reviews may indicate the hotel is paying to get reviews.
  • Research shows that fake reviews use "he" or "him" more, while real reviews are more likely to give the name of the innkeeper or staffer.
  • Consult several sites. TA has more reviews, but Expedia, Priceline, and Hotels.com require users to verify that they actually stayed at the hotel, so their reviews are not as likely to be fraudulent.
 
So how about the people who refer to us as 'the innkeepers' or 'the staff' or 'the hostess'? Does that mean they probably didn't stay here? Or we made zero personal impression on them? (BTW, I have been introducing myself at the door and then again when I leave them at their room. Been doing that about 2 years now. Before that I assumed they knew who was answering the door and cooking their food. Wrong.)
I love the ones who get DH's name wrong. Long time guests at that who keep calling him by a different name.
 
Great info.
Not 100% for everyone, but pretty close. I always think of Catlady's friends who have the amazing amount of reviews...They are not paying for them.
But that look for a pattern is great advice!
 
So how about the people who refer to us as 'the innkeepers' or 'the staff' or 'the hostess'? Does that mean they probably didn't stay here? Or we made zero personal impression on them? (BTW, I have been introducing myself at the door and then again when I leave them at their room. Been doing that about 2 years now. Before that I assumed they knew who was answering the door and cooking their food. Wrong.)
I love the ones who get DH's name wrong. Long time guests at that who keep calling him by a different name..
The next time that happens, just say "this is my new husband (his real name)." When they say, but we have met him before, you can explain that you were married to his twin brother the last time they visited and DH is very sensitive about getting his name right. Bet that works!
devil_smile.gif

 
Back
Top