USA Today Article Covers Hot Topic of Online B&B/Hotel Reviews
Written by Jay Karen on June 26, 2009 – 1:46 pmClick here to read the story, which is mostly about a new web site offering “professional” reviews.
I chatted with author, Laura Bly, for an hour and a half the other night.
What do you think about a review site made up of reviews solely from the web site’s employees who visit the properties? Even though it doesn’t seem as though they’re interested in covering B&Bs, do you think consumers would see these kinds of reviews as more valuable than peer travelers?
Tags: Industry PR, Online Reviews, PAII, TripAdvisor
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Jay Karen, President & CEO of the
June 26, 2009 at 2:28 pm...
They obviously don’t get it either – just like TA is open to fraudulent puff reviews by the owner/staff – this one relies on their staff – who I still don’t know. There’s no way to evaluate if the positive review that they give is the result of utmost integrity or the free round of golf and drinks the property gave the reviewer. Or if there’s even some behind the scenes “pay for play” deals being cut.
We also own a wine shop – it’s the same argument there with the various reviews and rating schemes. No one knows for sure exactly how trustworthy any of it is.
So why would I trust either of them ahead of trusting recommendations from friends and family that I respect? There’s where the whole social media comes in – if one of my direct contacts doesn’t have the info, odds are pretty good that someone one level away from me through them does. So even if it’s a friend vouching for another friend’s opinion – I’m a lot more likely to get accurate info than by going to any of the advertising supported websites, magazines or guides.
June 29, 2009 at 11:12 am...
Well it seems to me that professional reviews / opinions certainly have a place in any public service industry. After all, travel ‘editors’ have been doing this for years. There is also something to be said for the intent of seeking out the hidden loding jewels that many visitors just never know about.
Would I trust a single professional review over an amalgamation of visitor reviews on a site like TA? Not likely! In fact, I would find it much more likely that a single reviewer might publish a rather biased opinion – even if was just the result of being there on a ‘bad day.’
Having said that, I’m a big wine collector and I’ve come to know which ‘professional’ reviewers typically share my taste. So, yes, there’s always the chance of finding a reviewer you can trust — but it would take quite a few stays to learn that lesson.
… I won’t be chasing those oysters anytime soon … unless I’m at a raw bar with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc …
June 30, 2009 at 7:02 pm...
I suppose I have always believed that the persons talking or writing in any “commentary” situation are writing about themselves, not the “subject”…just like any form of gossip, I think it reveals little yet sets the stage for the guest experience. I travel to B&B’s because I love the sense of adventure, going into the unknown…My favorite guest comment about our industry was from a man who had traveled the world as a B&B guest. He said this as he glowed about his experience, “You’ve seen one bed and breakfast, you’ve seen one bed and breakfast.” When will the press, and even each of us, realize our inns are so unique and unrepeatable that each guest can travel into the unknown at our inns just because that is what our charm is–adventure and endless variety. One of our favorite family memories is of an inn in Nova Scotia, in an old schoolhouse, one with absolutely no charm. We almost turned around in the parking lot, but decided to at least go in. Our innkeeper was an avid whale enthusiast who enriched our lives with her lore of the sea. She arose at 4 a.m. and made delicious bread that warmed the old walls with love. I would imagine a review might have caused us to see the faults before arriving and we would have missed one of the most authentic experiences of our travels.
July 2, 2009 at 10:01 am...
Unless professional reviewers have a reputation like Peter Greenberg or Arthur Frommer I’m not sure the public will see the value. However flawed, the reviews of fellow travelers seem to be more authentic to the current traveling public than those of someone who gets paid to do that. This makes the TripAdvisor type sites even more problematic since it is the wild west out there, almost anything goes. But as the sun sinks in the the west and our weary innkeeper rides off into it’s glow I still believe that great properties who provide value and true hospitality (and market them well) will win the day.