Guest reviews are more than just feedback, they are a powerful tool that can make or break your business. Whether you run a boutique hotel or a cozy restaurant, reviews can influence potential customers’ perceptions of your restaurant. Positive reviews not only improve your reputation but also help you stand out in a crowded market.
But here’s the thing: Many satisfied guests won’t leave a review unless you ask. This is where a well-timed, thoughtful request can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ll explore ten simple and effective ways to solicit reviews. Whether you want to improve your ratings on Google, TripAdvisor, or Yelp, these tips will help you build trust with your customers and strengthen your online presence.
Why are you asking for a review?
Reviews are not only great, but essential for any hotel or restaurant that wants to grow. Today’s guests rely heavily on other people’s reviews before booking a room or reserving a table. In fact, studies show that most people won’t consider a place at all without checking reviews.
But it’s not just about improving your credibility. Reviews directly impact your search rankings, helping your business rank higher on platforms like Google, TripAdvisor, and even booking sites. The more positive reviews you have, the more visible and attractive your hotel will be to potential guests.
Plus, asking for reviews shows that you care about your customers’ experience. It opens the door to valuable feedback, allowing you to improve and grow. Let’s not forget, the more reviews you get, the more opportunities you have to showcase your excellent service.
So why not make asking them part of your daily routine?
10 Best Ways to Ask for Reviews
Now that we’ve covered why reviews are so important, let’s get into the practical aspects. Asking for reviews doesn’t have to be complicated, but how you do it can make a big difference.
Here are ten simple and effective ways to ask guests to leave a review without seeming too intrusive.
1. Ask questions at the right time
In the hospitality industry, timing is everything. The ideal time to request a review is when a guest is satisfied with their experience—either upon checkout or shortly after check-in.
Reaching out while their positive experiences are still fresh increases your chances of receiving a favorable review.
2. Personalize your request
A personal touch goes a long way. When requesting a review, address guests by name and mention specific details about their stay, such as room upgrades or services they received.
This adds a thoughtful, personalized feel, making the request feel less general and more likely to prompt a response.
3. Train your employees to ask questions
Your employees play a key role in building guest relationships, so they’re perfect for soliciting reviews. Train them to make polite, friendly requests at checkout or while guests are waiting for a cab.
A simple “We hope you enjoyed your stay. We’d love it if you shared your experience online” can be very effective without feeling forced.
4. Follow up with email
Sending follow-up emails after guests check in is a great way to remind them to leave a review.
Emails should be short and personalized, with a clear call-to-action and a direct link to your review platform (Google, TripAdvisor, etc.). The easier you make it, the more likely they are to follow.
5. Leverage your website and social media
Your website and social media are powerful tools for gathering reviews. Add a review request on your booking confirmation or checkout page, and use your social media channels to subtly encourage feedback. For example, a simple “We’d love to hear about your stay!” link to your review page can work wonders.
6. Offer rewards
Offering a small reward can give guests an extra incentive to leave a review. You could offer them something like a discount on their next stay, a free drink at the bar, or a free spa session.
Just make sure the incentives you offer are ethical—encourage reviews of all experiences, not just positive ones.
7. Leverage SMS and WhatsApp
Many guests prefer quick and easy communication, so SMS or WhatsApp are ideal channels.
Send a polite message after their stay with a direct link to your review page to make it easy to leave feedback. With just one tap, guests are more likely to respond.
8. Place QR codes at your hotel
Placing the QR code in a convenient location (such as on your key card holder, at the front desk, or in your room) makes it super easy for guests to leave a review.
Just scan and they’ll be directed to your comments platform. It’s a simple, modern way to collect feedback without being intrusive.
9. Post-move-in survey
Send guests a short post-stay survey via email or text message to collect their feedback. At the end of the survey, add a prompt encouraging them to leave a public review on a platform like TripAdvisor or Google.
This approach allows you to gather useful insights for internal use while also facilitating public comment.
10. Loyalty Program Incentives
If you have a loyalty program, consider offering points or exclusive perks in exchange for reviews. Guests who have already engaged with your brand are more likely to leave feedback after being rewarded with time.
By incorporating these strategies into your hotel’s daily routine, you can encourage more guests to leave reviews in a natural and engaging way. Remember, our goal is to make this process easy, convenient, and enjoyable for your guests.
best practices
When asking for reviews, make sure the process feels natural and unobtrusive to your guests. First and foremost, whether the request is made in person or through digital channels like email or text messaging, be polite and respectful.
It’s important to keep the process simple, provide easy-to-follow steps or a direct link to the review platform so guests can leave feedback without any hassle.
While it’s natural to want positive reviews, don’t just focus on them. Build trust with guests by encouraging feedback of all kinds—whether positive, neutral, or critical—demonstrating transparency and a commitment to improvement.
Another important practice is to make sure you don’t overwhelm your guests with multiple requests. A timely and thoughtful follow-up is usually enough.
Finally, responding to reviews, especially negative reviews, in a thoughtful, professional manner can reflect well on your hotel and show that you truly value the guest experience.
in conclusion
Collecting guest reviews is essential to maintaining a good reputation and gaining valuable insights to improve guest satisfaction.
By thoughtfully integrating review requests into the guest journey, you create opportunities for authentic feedback that can help drive your hotel’s success. The key is to strike the right balance—making it easy for guests to share their experiences without feeling pressured.
Start adopting these practices today and grow your hotel’s reputation one review at a time. 🙂
