5 star review that reads like a 3 star - not sure whether to laugh or cry

From a regular who has decided we are their weekend getaway. They bring their own food and hardly make a sound. Best guests ever. So here is the 5 star review. (bolds are added.)
Clean and comfortable room on first floor...the "Beach Room". The only problem were the leather chairs, which I found too heavy, when one wants to reposition them. A nice continental breakfast is available
every morning which can be enjoyed inside or outside on a porch. One can relax by a miniature fish pond and
enjoy listening to the sound of a small cascade. A very scenic ocean view. The innkeeper, Mark, is very accommodating and eager to help out.

Rather plain, but I do not see the problem with this review. Be happy - it is a good review.

We all are far too critical of ourselves. Some people just don't go over the top with adjectives in describing things. I do wish she hadn't used the word "problem" in the review, but the other words that you've bolded are nothing to focus on and get upset over. It sounds lovely - I would love to enjoy a nice breakfast sitting outside (they didn't have to include that as an option, and this appeals to many). I would also really enjoy listening to the water cascade from the fish pond while sitting and reading a book. The mention of the ocean view grabs me, and so does the fact that the innkeeper was really willing to help out and make my stay enjoyable.

We work ourselves to death and expect people to notice. This reviewer has noticed your hard work and gave you five stars, keeps coming back to stay, and is no trouble when they are there. A perfect guest. Read it tomorrow with fresh eyes and don't be so critical (said with lots of love!) .

There's that word again, "Nice".
It's a good review, the only complaint is the chairs are heavy, I suspect anyone reading that is going to think the reviewer is a bit bonkers and skip to the next review.

Highlands John said:

There's that word again, "Nice".
It's a good review, the only complaint is the chairs are heavy, I suspect anyone reading that is going to think the reviewer is a bit bonkers and skip to the next review..

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Highlands John said:

It's a good review, the only complaint is the chairs are heavy, I suspect anyone reading that is going to think the reviewer is a bit bonkers and skip to the next review.

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Some people just have to dig until they find something to complain about. If that's all they came up with, you're in great shape!

It's not an exciting review but it's not bad. I would probably skim over it and move on to the next one if I were reading your reviews. These sound like rather dull people. Can I guess? Are they science/math oriented people?

I would just pass on over this review, as others said nothing to be concerned over. We take those little adjectives to heart when others just skip right over them.

5 stars and they are regulars, that tells you they meant nothing by it.
We had a couple that were regulars (no longer stay here as she can't take stairs now) who loved it here. But each time they came there was something they HAD to complain or point out as a problem. Some people are just that way, nothing can be fine just the way it is.

Oh you know me- putting lipstick on pig is the only way to go. Take the opportunity to thank them for being return guests and that you are looking forward to seeing them again. Mention that they aren't the first guests to find your fish pond therapeutic. Remind them that you never tire of the great ocean view and that it will still be there when they return.
NEXT

5 stars is 5 stars! this deserves a 'so glad you enjoyed your stay' ... this is their way of telling you they want to be able to move the chairs? i love big leather chairs! don't even give it a thought.

Gosh.. you got a review. I m envious . Had dozens leave here saying how "great this BnB is & breakfast is the best, I'll review you" Never do . But must admit I don't follow up. I run the show here by myself so always lots to do....... : (

Silverspoon said:

It's not an exciting review but it's not bad. I would probably skim over it and move on to the next one if I were reading your reviews. These sound like rather dull people. Can I guess? Are they science/math oriented people?.

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Silverspoon said:

It's not an exciting review but it's not bad. I would probably skim over it and move on to the next one if I were reading your reviews. These sound like rather dull people. Can I guess? Are they science/math oriented people?

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hahahhahaha Now I have to find out what he did for a living. LOL

happykeeper said:

Oh you know me- putting lipstick on pig is the only way to go. Take the opportunity to thank them for being return guests and that you are looking forward to seeing them again. Mention that they aren't the first guests to find your fish pond therapeutic. Remind them that you never tire of the great ocean view and that it will still be there when they return.
NEXT.

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happykeeper said:

Oh you know me- putting lipstick on pig is the only way to go. Take the opportunity to thank them for being return guests and that you are looking forward to seeing them again. Mention that they aren't the first guests to find your fish pond therapeutic. Remind them that you never tire of the great ocean view and that it will still be there when they return.
NEXT

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I always love your review comments. You do know how to use the reviews as a marketing tool. I'm trying to learn that. Good stuff /\. Thanks.

Many an innkeeper would "kill" for this review.

I am not really sure we have the right to imply that a guest's review should always be exactly how we think they be. I have one lady here who is diametrically opposed to the rest of her group. From within the same group they will all say black and she will say white. You cannot convince someone white is not black. So, are they not entitled to share their pov? Of course they are.
Just remember you get the last word, this is something that people who complain about TA being the big bad wolf are never thankful for, at least we get the last word! Hallelujah and pass the butter.

Mary at Bridgewater Inn and Cottage said:

Gosh.. you got a review. I m envious . Had dozens leave here saying how "great this BnB is & breakfast is the best, I'll review you" Never do . But must admit I don't follow up. I run the show here by myself so always lots to do....... : (.

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I ask everyone for a review who expresses enthusiasm about their stay. I also follow up with an email asking for a review - with an embedded link in the body of the message. Reskey automates the sending of this.
Still - about one in five review. If they're not already a TA reviewer they have to set up an acct, and I can understand that many will not want to do that.

Skamokawa said:

Mary at Bridgewater Inn and Cottage said:

Gosh.. you got a review. I m envious . Had dozens leave here saying how "great this BnB is & breakfast is the best, I'll review you" Never do . But must admit I don't follow up. I run the show here by myself so always lots to do....... : (.

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I ask everyone for a review who expresses enthusiasm about their stay. I also follow up with an email asking for a review - with an embedded link in the body of the message. Reskey automates the sending of this.
Still - about one in five review. If they're not already a TA reviewer they have to set up an acct, and I can understand that many will not want to do that.
.

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In 10 years we have 150 reviews. For the past 3 years I have asked every guest, via email with link, to share a review. That's THOUSANDS of guests. I just stopped asking last month. Haven't gotten a single review since I stopped asking but was only getting 1/month anyway.

Madeleine said:

Skamokawa said:

Mary at Bridgewater Inn and Cottage said:

Gosh.. you got a review. I m envious . Had dozens leave here saying how "great this BnB is & breakfast is the best, I'll review you" Never do . But must admit I don't follow up. I run the show here by myself so always lots to do....... : (.

Click to expand...

I ask everyone for a review who expresses enthusiasm about their stay. I also follow up with an email asking for a review - with an embedded link in the body of the message. Reskey automates the sending of this.
Still - about one in five review. If they're not already a TA reviewer they have to set up an acct, and I can understand that many will not want to do that.
.

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In 10 years we have 150 reviews. For the past 3 years I have asked every guest, via email with link, to share a review. That's THOUSANDS of guests. I just stopped asking last month. Haven't gotten a single review since I stopped asking but was only getting 1/month anyway.
.

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Madeleine said:

In 10 years we have 150 reviews.

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At my current rate, it will take me 20 years to get that many.

Arks said:

Madeleine said:

Skamokawa said:

Mary at Bridgewater Inn and Cottage said:

Gosh.. you got a review. I m envious . Had dozens leave here saying how "great this BnB is & breakfast is the best, I'll review you" Never do . But must admit I don't follow up. I run the show here by myself so always lots to do....... : (.

Click to expand...

I ask everyone for a review who expresses enthusiasm about their stay. I also follow up with an email asking for a review - with an embedded link in the body of the message. Reskey automates the sending of this.
Still - about one in five review. If they're not already a TA reviewer they have to set up an acct, and I can understand that many will not want to do that.
.

Click to expand...

In 10 years we have 150 reviews. For the past 3 years I have asked every guest, via email with link, to share a review. That's THOUSANDS of guests. I just stopped asking last month. Haven't gotten a single review since I stopped asking but was only getting 1/month anyway.
.

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Madeleine said:

In 10 years we have 150 reviews.

Click to expand...

At my current rate, it will take me 20 years to get that many.
.

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Arks said:

Madeleine said:

In 10 years we have 150 reviews.

Click to expand...

At my current rate, it will take me 20 years to get that many.

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I have that 20 years almost - and have nowhere near that many. I do not have enough years left in me to get to 150

Bless their fandangled hearts!
ALL Wonderful things in this review and THIS:
"You should be advised that this town is nearly 2 hours drive from the interstate (but worth it), and the route from I-81 will take you down a scary one-lane road that will make you wonder if you are on the right track. Best to try to arrive before dark if you are traveling that route.
2 hours? I wrote my mgmt response and added at the end in quotes "Never trust a GPS, trust your innkeeper"
Really people. When you planned "stopping off" overnight, did you think of a place that was 2 hours from the interstate? I am glad we were worth it. haha