When a neg review is warranted

I am not like most, and I won't write a negative review. The same if someone asks me for a reference, you get a good reference or none at all.
But I can talk about it here.
We rented on Aer-mattress - you know the one.
We drove all day with pets. Arrived to no sheets on the beds. Had to search for them. Welcome book said "if you didn't bring your own..." and I found a set to use. Made the bed. Was really put off, as we had to get there unpack after leaving at 5am, and still go out to get groceries.
And then the other shoe fell, there was soap in the shower. Well YOU AND I know what that means, it wasn't cleaned. Would the average person think this, perhaps, but we KNOW this.
Then part 3 is this 3 bedroom house had everything you could ever want or ask plus more. I mean literally ten wine openers, three cheese graters, beer koozies, bbq, recycling, WIFI, Wii, chromecast, on and on. Every inch has some shaggy chic decor (and I called it garage sale chic or shaggy without the chic) while there. Not enough space for your own stuff with a big seashell on an end table, etc.

• Owners super nice family (over 2000 excellent reviews - only a couple bad or semi bad stating it was not clean enough. But that was due to location location - people put up with it because of the location)
• Communication good
• Cleanliness poor

Did we call and complain - NO we did what most people do, we sucked it up and lived with it.
But there was a reason...we were road weary and were not going to rock the boat, we just wanted to rest. I share this part as we many times here think that everything is peachy, since no-one ever said anything.
I went back to the check-in book and saw it said to strip beds and put in washer and then into dryer before leaving... and I laughed out loud and said "Not on your life." When I went to do a load of my own (nice they had a washer and dryer too) I found still-wet sheets in the dryer from the week before and towels in the washer. So i would have to move it all dry the sheets to do my own laundry. Nope, not doing sheets, thank you very much, after 8-9 months of doing them solid.
At that point, I thought about the review I would leave. Then I read some stupid quote on Twitter that very day that was more of a fortune straight out of a fortune cookie that said:
"Consider what you are about to do and how it would make you feel"
Dang. I thought, I won't do it. I will let the owner know, but not the world. So that is what I did.
I always say travel is good for innkeepers, we see what it is like to be OUT there vs in here greeting the arrivals. It is good to see how we deal with bumps in the road, and so on.
I hope this post has helped someone. Just because you feel like you need to say something, write something doesn't mean you should. Innkeepers like to fix everything, we do it 24/7. Sometimes we need to just let sleeping dogs lie, or in this case, road weary travelers.
PS also on the drive we thought about the past guests we have had over the last 13 years, and the nasty weasels came to the surface, easily. Those who tried to make our life hell. The mean spirited bad guests, not just the needy pitas. I am sure this family has had to deal with those too, so for that purpose I did not write a bad review, I did not write a review, period.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May it be a year of wise choices.

good thoughts

The reviews I don't write far outweigh the ones I do write. Altho, as I've said before, I'm done advertising for TA.
Check in at a hotel last week - must show id AND they photocopy it onto your bill. Now they have your DOB, signature, credit card details, home address and phone number all handy in one place. Nope, not mine. Gomez doesn't like to make waves. This is an indication of the type of guest they get. Policies included a $200 damages fee for reservations booked online. I saw one family. Everyone else was single and carrying a 6 pack of beer.
First room - could not adjust heat. We know how thermostats work. Could not adjust. Temp was solidly 62. A/C unit had no insulation around it. 10 degree air blowing constantly.
Went to front desk to ask how to run thermostat. Day manager looking at smartphone says to clerk looking at smartphone, "I don't know how they work. Call maintenance." Both go back to looking at smartphones.
We get a different room. Same thing. Cannot adjust thermostat, freezing air blowing in around A/C. We covered the unit with my jacket and the temp stayed at 68. Could not lower it and it was set for 80 degrees.
Room was about 600 sq ft. One chair. We could have hosted a dance.
Last time we stayed here there were derelict cars in the parking lot. This time? Two shipping containers.
Elevator out of order.
It's clean and we can walk to daughter's house. But I felt like a criminal.
Second place is a throwback to the 50's. In summer they have those metal chairs outside the room. King bed, queen bed, foldout couch, fridge and micro. Half the walls are cement the other half paneling. AC unit covered, temp adjustable. Lovely people, but not the least bit cozy.

I think you handled it the right way. They aren't good innkeepers, not professionals, and it shows. That's why they are on Aer-mattress.
At least once a day I write something, then delete without sending!

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention.

Generic said:

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention..

Click to expand...

Now, Genie, décor is a matter of taste. I've had bad reviews that didn't like the furniture or décor. Not fair. It's seaside/beachhouse/country/colonial/handmedown/antique/heirloom.
What's not to like?
LOL at housekeepers too short to clean the mirrors.

TheBeachHouse said:

Generic said:

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention..

Click to expand...

Now, Genie, décor is a matter of taste. I've had bad reviews that didn't like the furniture or décor. Not fair. It's seaside/beachhouse/country/colonial/handmedown/antique/heirloom.
What's not to like?
LOL at housekeepers too short to clean the mirrors.
.

Click to expand...

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)

Generic said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Generic said:

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention..

Click to expand...

Now, Genie, décor is a matter of taste. I've had bad reviews that didn't like the furniture or décor. Not fair. It's seaside/beachhouse/country/colonial/handmedown/antique/heirloom.
What's not to like?
LOL at housekeepers too short to clean the mirrors.
.

Click to expand...

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)
.

Click to expand...

LOL

Generic said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Generic said:

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention..

Click to expand...

Now, Genie, décor is a matter of taste. I've had bad reviews that didn't like the furniture or décor. Not fair. It's seaside/beachhouse/country/colonial/handmedown/antique/heirloom.
What's not to like?
LOL at housekeepers too short to clean the mirrors.
.

Click to expand...

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)
.

Click to expand...

Generic said:

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)

Click to expand...

And I was not talking about hotels. I was talking about places owned by people like us. The whole point is that yes we can lambaste, all over the place, but should we? It does not do much other than irritate people, and some, when they won't listen anyway. At times we can be more considerate, reading what I wrote I had every "right" to TA/Aero them.
For every tear shed here, every frustration from neg reviews, would we have liked them to treat us in a manner that is more innkeeperish, vs pita-ish. Yes! A hundred times yes!

JBloggs said:

Generic said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Generic said:

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention..

Click to expand...

Now, Genie, décor is a matter of taste. I've had bad reviews that didn't like the furniture or décor. Not fair. It's seaside/beachhouse/country/colonial/handmedown/antique/heirloom.
What's not to like?
LOL at housekeepers too short to clean the mirrors.
.

Click to expand...

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)
.

Click to expand...

Generic said:

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)

Click to expand...

And I was not talking about hotels. I was talking about places owned by people like us. The whole point is that yes we can lambaste, all over the place, but should we? It does not do much other than irritate people, and some, when they won't listen anyway. At times we can be more considerate, reading what I wrote I had every "right" to TA/Aero them.
For every tear shed here, every frustration from neg reviews, would we have liked them to treat us in a manner that is more innkeeperish, vs pita-ish. Yes! A hundred times yes!
.

Click to expand...

Aero is awful. It's not the B&B experience at all. It's funny how different. We had at least two who expected that I would kiss their butt, give them the world on a plate, plan their entire trip for them,etc. And still another that just wanted me out of their way.
I would rather talk to another innkeeper than post it online. But they have to be open to getting the information.

Generic said:

JBloggs said:

Generic said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Generic said:

I've tried to be kind. One place I asked to speak to the manager to tell them directly, they were too busy, so it ended up on T/A and that's when she realized she should have found the two minutes to spend with a customer. But I'm kind even when critical. I HATE hotels that don't have at least one "hot" plug that doesn't turn off when you leave the room... coming back to find my laptop drained and nothing charged is a real PITA. Now I point out when hotels have those plugs and they are marked properly.
We went to one place where I was very kind... the barn decor in the elevator, the housekeepers who were too short to clean mirrors, etc etc etc were just some of the things I didn't mention..

Click to expand...

Now, Genie, décor is a matter of taste. I've had bad reviews that didn't like the furniture or décor. Not fair. It's seaside/beachhouse/country/colonial/handmedown/antique/heirloom.
What's not to like?
LOL at housekeepers too short to clean the mirrors.
.

Click to expand...

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)
.

Click to expand...

Generic said:

I'm not talking the room... I'm talking the elevator. It looked like the inside of a barn. Really! (And smelled like it, too.)

Click to expand...

And I was not talking about hotels. I was talking about places owned by people like us. The whole point is that yes we can lambaste, all over the place, but should we? It does not do much other than irritate people, and some, when they won't listen anyway. At times we can be more considerate, reading what I wrote I had every "right" to TA/Aero them.
For every tear shed here, every frustration from neg reviews, would we have liked them to treat us in a manner that is more innkeeperish, vs pita-ish. Yes! A hundred times yes!
.

Click to expand...

Aero is awful. It's not the B&B experience at all. It's funny how different. We had at least two who expected that I would kiss their butt, give them the world on a plate, plan their entire trip for them,etc. And still another that just wanted me out of their way.
I would rather talk to another innkeeper than post it online. But they have to be open to getting the information.
.

Click to expand...

Any place that told me to strip the beds wash and dry would get a message to get stuffed! it better had been in the info when booking that that was expected! it would say "nope that's what I am paying you for!)

I think most reviews are written for the benefit of other travelers, not for the owners. At least, in my case. When I review a hotel or restaurant, I'm not even thinking about the owners. I'm writing to other travelers, to let them know what to expect, what I liked and didn't like.

Arks said:

I think most reviews are written for the benefit of other travelers, not for the owners. At least, in my case. When I review a hotel or restaurant, I'm not even thinking about the owners. I'm writing to other travelers, to let them know what to expect, what I liked and didn't like..

Click to expand...

Arks said:

I think most reviews are written for the benefit of other travelers, not for the owners. At least, in my case. When I review a hotel or restaurant, I'm not even thinking about the owners. I'm writing to other travelers, to let them know what to expect, what I liked and didn't like.

Click to expand...

And given that most reviews have no comments from the owners, they don't read them.

In my experience home rentals in the New England area routinely operate with the conditions you mentioned. You are asked to empty trash, bring your own bed linens, strip/wash/dry any linens you borrow while there and clean the grill if you use it. Sometimes they also expect you to leave the place in same condition you found it or they withhold some of the security deposit.
A home rental of any kind is a totally different experience than staying in a B&B and can not be judged with the same expectations. Any review would certainly be helpful in highlighting those differences for future renters. Without bashing the owners it would be fair to point out the extra work involved in renting....no matter how many other amenities are included with the lodging.

Silverspoon said:

In my experience home rentals in the New England area routinely operate with the conditions you mentioned. You are asked to empty trash, bring your own bed linens, strip/wash/dry any linens you borrow while there and clean the grill if you use it. Sometimes they also expect you to leave the place in same condition you found it or they withhold some of the security deposit.
A home rental of any kind is a totally different experience than staying in a B&B and can not be judged with the same expectations. Any review would certainly be helpful in highlighting those differences for future renters. Without bashing the owners it would be fair to point out the extra work involved in renting....no matter how many other amenities are included with the lodging..

Click to expand...

I will say I agree with letting them know directly - always remember there was a 4 in a bed property we fancied so looked at the tripadviser reviews
Woman wrote host was so super lovely I felt i couldn't tell her about 3 minor things that we a niggle
(1) no trash can next to the tea tray so had to carry to one in bathroom dripping tea bag etc really minor stuff rectified in about 10 seconds - thought great couldn't tell the super nice lady so you told everyone in the world on tripadviser - sure she really appreciated that!

Jcam said:

Silverspoon said:

In my experience home rentals in the New England area routinely operate with the conditions you mentioned. You are asked to empty trash, bring your own bed linens, strip/wash/dry any linens you borrow while there and clean the grill if you use it. Sometimes they also expect you to leave the place in same condition you found it or they withhold some of the security deposit.
A home rental of any kind is a totally different experience than staying in a B&B and can not be judged with the same expectations. Any review would certainly be helpful in highlighting those differences for future renters. Without bashing the owners it would be fair to point out the extra work involved in renting....no matter how many other amenities are included with the lodging..

Click to expand...

I will say I agree with letting them know directly - always remember there was a 4 in a bed property we fancied so looked at the tripadviser reviews
Woman wrote host was so super lovely I felt i couldn't tell her about 3 minor things that we a niggle
(1) no trash can next to the tea tray so had to carry to one in bathroom dripping tea bag etc really minor stuff rectified in about 10 seconds - thought great couldn't tell the super nice lady so you told everyone in the world on tripadviser - sure she really appreciated that!
.

Click to expand...

I saw a bad review about a neighbor that said there was only one trash can in the room so they had to throw their dirty tissues on the floor in the bedroom. People! Move. The. Trash. Can.

Still, the hosts should have been notified the cleaner did not show up.
i recently tried a cleaner - Checked her work before guest arrival. Used soap in shower soap dish. Toothpaste spit still in bathroom sink. Hairs and dust on windowsills and baseboards. Needless to say - this was her first and last 'clean'
i am now in the process of finding several new ones ( because backups are a good idea)
if I had not checked and the guests had arrived to that state of things - I would sure as heck wanted to know
im hoping for the best with finding cleaners. I have to be at my Dad's quite a bit and it will not be possible to do it all once the season comes round.
The place I need the cleaner for is on Aer.