Great Guest Reviews For Your Hotel, B&B or Vacation Rentals: 5 Things You Must Deliver (+ How to Collect Reviews)

The only thing better than guests enjoying an exceptional stay … is having them tell the world about it!

Knowing how to encourage guest reviews can often make or break an independently-owned property. In this guide, we’ll highlight the key things you need to deliver to every single B&B, vacation rental & hotel guest to ensure a top-notch stay that garners reviews, plus tips on how to collect them.

The core of your business is providing guests with a restful stay – and how they sleep is a big part of that. Always aim to give them the best night’s sleep of their lives: spending a few extra dollars on an ultra-comfortable mattress is well worth the glowing reviews you’ll receive. The same can be said for high-quality linens – in fact, it’s often the combination of the two that creates a much-appreciated sense of luxury for guests.

A big bed is always a solid investment, even if it’s in a single room. Most people will treat themselves to a queen or even a king size at home, and will be used to having that extra bit of space to rest in at night. There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep in a bed that’s too small for you to truly relax.

Sleeping arrangements are just one part of a next-level guest experience – the rest of the room is equally important. You want your guests to enjoy the time they spend in their rooms, even if it’s just first thing in the morning or for a while in the evening. Therefore, it’s essential you offer well-maintained rooms with decor that’s in keeping with the rest of the property.

People love choice, so go above and beyond the standard coffee or tea station. Consider offering a selection of herbal teas, premium or even home-made cookies and a drinks fridge. You can decide if you want to make these inclusive of the price or offer them at a surcharge.

An en-suite bathroom is another luxury that guests are more than happy to have. If you’re in the process of conducting renovation work, then a few extra bathrooms should definitely be on your to-do list. Having shared facilities is hardly the end of the world but you should make this clear on your website so that guests don’t turn up disappointed.

Lastly, although largely dictated by location, spare a thought for the views that guests are treated to from the windows of their rooms. They may not be expecting the Swiss Alps or Mount Etna in the distance, but be sure to keep the windows clean outside and inside, cut back any trees that might obscure the view, and make sure that your property and its outside areas are tidy and smart. If you are located in a town or city centre, why not think about a few hanging baskets or window boxes?

Speaking of the communal areas, ensure that any outside spaces on the property – such as gardens, picnic areas or a  sunbathing deck – are kept clean and up-to-date in appearance. This makes a big difference to guest experience, especially in the warmer months. Well-maintained outside areas give guests the opportunity to relax, read, or enjoy afternoon tea in a lovely setting. Your customers will be grateful of the extra effort you’ve put in to keep these areas looking impeccable for their peace and enjoyment, which is something that should provide more reason to leave you a great guest review.

Something else that often brings about great reviews from guests is the location of your property. If you’re just starting out on your B&B adventure, this is definitely something to consider when choosing a property to set up shop.

If you’re an established guesthouse, then make sure you are taking advantage of popular local attractions, including:

Make your proximity to these attractions prominent on your accommodation’s direct website. Your guests will praise you for taking the time to make their stay that much easier, and you’re also promoting the nearby attractions – it’s a win-win situation!

Time and time again, guests say the difference between a good stay and a great one is the breakfast. The B&B or hotel food you provide is a great place to make a good impression and earn that glowing review.

In terms of what to serve, be ambitious but realistic. If on-site culinary skills aren’t stratospheric, don’t overreach. Guests will appreciate a perfectly fried egg more than a mediocre attempt at a more complex or impressive dish.

One top tip: if you use locally sourced products, shout about it! It shows you take that little bit of extra care in getting the details right, and that you’re happy to champion the local community.

Whether these dishes are served by either you or your attentive staff, service should be polite, helpful, and responsive to any reasonable request your guest has. It might break your heart a little to see your guests slather ketchup over your perfectly balanced breakfasts but remember: it’s their meal, what’s important is that they enjoy it.

Read our guide on more breakfast tips: Starting your day right: serving up the best breakfast

You’ve probably noticed a theme running throughout this guide: the best way to get great guest reviews is… well, to earn them. Consistently giving guests the personal touch and taking that little bit of extra care really does pay off.

So, think of what else you can offer guests to really make them feel well looked after. If you’re struggling, here are some ideas to get you started:

Remember, it’s these touches that separate your great guest stays from dime-a-dozen chain properties.

Want to ensure that you get the most from your guests? It doesn’t hurt to ask guests to leave you a review on TripAdvisor or Google, for example.

If you’re going to take this approach, it’s best to ask guests for a review at the end of their stay, preferably on check out. If you know they’ve enjoyed staying with you, ask them if they wouldn’t mind taking a spare minute to review your establishment. Alternatively, you could take their email at checkout and email them later asking for a review and a link to a specific review site.

With eviivo’s Guest Manager, asking for great guest reviews is easy, as you can schedule personalized emails to go to guests after their stay and ask them to review you.

And that’s not all that eviivo Suite™, our award-winning booking and property management platform, can do for you! You can also send pre-arrival emails with check-in instructions, local recommendations and any other information you would like your guests to know before they arrive.

eviivo Suite is specifically designed to help B&Bs, guesthouses, hotels & vacation rentals save time and money.