b
1

Perhaps reviews should be mandatory before customers can book again

I think that we should propose to booking.com when they do their suggestions notices to us. That they should create new software that prompts guests to vote on their last stay before being able to book agan to promote fairness. For example yesterday at one of our hotels a guest threatened a bad review when we insisted check out was before ten and they wanted more time for free. When more guests review it alters the ability for clients to be abusive. Often times guests truly love their experience but will not bother to review because they cannot be bothered. In fairness to the hoteliers it should be that everyone votes not just the few that decide to ie one out of every ten or 20 people. I know I myself have been guilty of this. When I was in Mexico and not a hotelier I traveled to 20 hotels and wrote only 1 review. Often not because I did not want to but because it was lost in the mail or forgotten.


Profile picture for the user l
8
Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hey there,

Interesting concept!

I like the idea of making guests write a review but that in itself also has some downfalls hey. If you do that to the one guest who didn't Really enjoy his experience but who wasn't going to bother writing a review, he will be forced to write his bad review. Also, if you put a "negative" action on Not writing one, perhaps the guests might be completely neutral (especially business travels who make booking after booking and has a Tight schedule) and just click the first three options they see so that they can get to make another booking somewhere else.

Perhaps a "positive" system might work better and semi- do the same thing. Offering awards for writing reviews, not sure what awards though, will make people want to review your property and perhaps even take their time with it.

In regards to having guests threaten you with writing a bad review, there is a simple sentence that can silence them "Sir/Ma'am, Booking.com does not allow threats or bribes between guests and owners. Should I report guest misconduct, Booking.com will step in." Booking.com has a SERIOUSLY strict policy on guests threatening with a bad review, or owners bribing guests for good reviews.

Best of luck!

Profile picture for the user a
2
ahoteiby 5 years ago

I’m not sure about this. But telling the client that Booking.com does not allow this may be a good idea.

Profile picture for the user a
2
ahoteiby 5 years ago

But what will you do when you have a guest reviews you 7.1 and another who checked in at the same time and reviewed you 10. Both were offered welcome plate full of fruits and free breakfast with coffee, tea, and drinks all day free of charge. Both were picked up from the street by my own ?. I was really upset from the 7.1 bed it damaged my score.

Profile picture for the user a
8
Aaltje B. 5 years ago

Can you see what the separate scores are, ahoteiby?

The person could have had a bad day. And then you suffer. Not fair, hey!

Keep doing what you are doing right. People will continue to score high and you will be recognized by the seasoned traveller as a great host.

There is not much one can do then your best, and don't be too sad about it. The fact that it hurts means you mean well. Those hosts we like to keep.

Keep on keeping on :)

Profile picture for the user a
2
ahoteiby 5 years ago

Thank you for sharing your view about my concern. However, it compensates by other clients.