Since I became a host, I write reviews differently
I used to not always write a review, or I’d keep it to two sentences. “It was a lovely house, everything was fine, definitely recommend!” And that was it. Since we started renting out our own apartments, I notice that I take rreviews more seriously and I take more time for them. It doesn’t take much extra, but I know how important a review is, for the host and for the next guests too.
What I do differently now
I explain why something was good. Not just that it was a nice vacation house, but a few details and why it felt so good. For example, the location that was really great (every guest wants to explore the area too, of course), the well-equipped kitchen, a real family home and toys for kids and so on. That way a future guest actually has something to go on, and the host knows what guests really notice and value.
What I see as a guest, and the host might not
When you live somewhere, after a while you stop seeing your own surroundings. As a guest, you come in with fresh eyes. A new coffee place, a walking route, or a little beach that wasn’t in the welcome book. I notice that I just love sharing those tips. Mostly because I enjoyed discovering them myself, and I want to share them. Sometimes it’s just pure enthusiasm ;-)
Public or private?
And this is where I learned something myself. A tip or something that could be improved can feel like criticism to a host when it’s in a public review, even if you mean well. That’s why I’d rather share those things in a personal message now. I keep the review for what was good. Because that one thing that could be better probably doesn’t change the experience of the house or the holiday, and it can often be fixed quickly.
What you can take from this as a host
Three things to keep in mind:
Ask your guests for feedback in a personal message after their stay, separate from the review. That’s often where the best tips come from.
Take your guests’ tips seriously, and use them to update your welcome book and your messages.
And feel free to ask for a review that tells a story. For example: “What did you enjoy most about your stay?” That way you’ll naturally get more than two sentences.
A guest who takes the time to explain something is actually a gift. And since I’ve experienced that from the other side, I try to give that gift back too.
Being a communicative host is something I often hear back in our reviews. Guests hear from me quickly, and I reply fast when they have questions. The standard messages they receive at different moments are also available in our store. Discover the Guest Message Templates here, really valuable messages you can easily adapt with your own details!
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Marilyn