A hotel’s reputation is one of the most important aspects of a visitor’s decision-making process, and travellers will read around six to 12 reviews before making a final booking. If you want to ensure your business is ranked high on the search results, it’s important to make a point of monitoring, managing and responding to guest reviews online.
Guests who leave reviews are crucial for your hotel’s online reputation, so be sure to encourage them to do so by placing a feedback form in every room and asking guests to review your property at check-out or once they’ve completed their stay. It’s also a good idea to encourage them to write positive reviews too as this will help you maintain a strong overall score.
Hotels that consistently achieve four and five stars are generally considered the best in their category. In addition to a great reputation, these hotels offer a wide range of amenities, such as pools, ocean views and an award-winning spa.
While these properties have consistently excellent ratings, it’s essential to note that some of them are only a few years old, so they may not have a long track record. That’s why it’s always a good idea to visit the hotel in question before you book. This can give you an understanding of what to expect from your stay and help you to find a room that suits your needs.
For a more unbiased view, you can also consider visiting a trusted travel writer’s website to see their opinions on a specific property. Some of them will even have their own personal experiences to share, which is a great way to find out if the property you’re considering is the best fit for you.
Many of these travel writers can also save you money by pointing you in the right direction for hotels that are more budget friendly than what you might find on TripAdvisor, but still offer an amazing experience. You can also use their tips to find a hotel that is located near your favorite restaurants, museums or attractions.
It’s also a great idea to try a site that can send you hotel deals directly to your phone or Facebook account. These sites are often under-the-radar, but can save you money on your next trip by finding you the best deals available.
Google is a key platform for promoting your hotel’s online presence and it is well worth the effort to update your business’s listing there. In particular, you should claim your Google My Business page so that your hotel can respond to any reviews that are left for you there and make it easier for potential guests to find you online.
You’ll have to pay a small fee for this service, but it’s well worth it for the peace of mind. It can save you a lot of time, so it’s a worthwhile investment in your online presence.
Another great way to make your hotel’s online presence more effective is by updating it on review sites. If your hotel isn’t listed on any of the big review sites, you might as well be invisible.