I think it's important to also realise that unless you're a 5 star property, guests cannot realistically expect all the perks in a posh hotel and only have to pay a 2 star or 3 star price for the privilege.
Of course, we as hoteliers are constantly looking at ways to improve the guest experience, but there also needs to be a balance in the price of the room/accommodation too.
Having said that, I always try to find time to talk to guests and find out about how they are enjoying their stay in the city, but I always sneak in questions about their experience of staying in my property and ways for me to improve the offering. You will often find that the guest will make polite recommendations on how things that can be perhaps enhanced in the knowledge that they want to help you improve your business too. You'd be surprised at some of the simple things that may have not been explored which the guests have pointed out.
I really didn't know how the review system worked until I saw this thread. I always assumed guests give scores out of 10. But if it is just 4 options, or a bunch of smileys, then that might help to explain some of the scores I have received.
Either way, improvements can certainly be made to the whole scoring system.
Unlikely. I tried to standardise the naming convention of my rooms, and BDC told me they have a strict policy about making such changes once your property is listed.
You could perhaps make it clear in your policy that the single bed is suitable for a child under 14 years, and for anyone older there will be an additional surcharge of X per night.
However, without knowing how often the room gets sold out, it goes without saying that its always financially better to have the room occupied (and to increase your chances of it being occupied) than not at all.
For my property, activating this policy would be problematic, mainly because my rooms are priced differently and they are also distinct in terms of furnishing and interior decor.
It may well be that some (if not most guests) may be accommodating to staying in a room allocated to them and this certainly makes it easier for planning.... BUT, you will no doubt encounter guests who will have very particular requirements and will not accept being put in a room they don't like and refuse to accept it. In this situation, what do you do, especially if you have no other rooms to assign them?
On the other hand, if all your rooms are very similar in terms of look and feel (and price), then this policy may have very little impact on any negative guest perception.
I think it's important to also realise that unless you're a 5 star property, guests cannot realistically expect all the perks in a posh hotel and only have to pay a 2 star or 3 star price for the privilege.
Of course, we as hoteliers are constantly looking at ways to improve the guest experience, but there also needs to be a balance in the price of the room/accommodation too.
Having said that, I always try to find time to talk to guests and find out about how they are enjoying their stay in the city, but I always sneak in questions about their experience of staying in my property and ways for me to improve the offering. You will often find that the guest will make polite recommendations on how things that can be perhaps enhanced in the knowledge that they want to help you improve your business too. You'd be surprised at some of the simple things that may have not been explored which the guests have pointed out.
I really didn't know how the review system worked until I saw this thread. I always assumed guests give scores out of 10. But if it is just 4 options, or a bunch of smileys, then that might help to explain some of the scores I have received.
Either way, improvements can certainly be made to the whole scoring system.
From what I've heard from other property owners, business bookers are less likely to give excellent reviews. Don't take my word for it though.
Unlikely. I tried to standardise the naming convention of my rooms, and BDC told me they have a strict policy about making such changes once your property is listed.
You could perhaps make it clear in your policy that the single bed is suitable for a child under 14 years, and for anyone older there will be an additional surcharge of X per night.
However, without knowing how often the room gets sold out, it goes without saying that its always financially better to have the room occupied (and to increase your chances of it being occupied) than not at all.
For my property, activating this policy would be problematic, mainly because my rooms are priced differently and they are also distinct in terms of furnishing and interior decor.
It may well be that some (if not most guests) may be accommodating to staying in a room allocated to them and this certainly makes it easier for planning.... BUT, you will no doubt encounter guests who will have very particular requirements and will not accept being put in a room they don't like and refuse to accept it. In this situation, what do you do, especially if you have no other rooms to assign them?
On the other hand, if all your rooms are very similar in terms of look and feel (and price), then this policy may have very little impact on any negative guest perception.