Trip Advisor

[TWR]

Do you contribute?
Do you tell it as it is?
Do you adjust your comments to suit others?
There is talk that the site is connected to the big Tour Agent's, is this right?

[Peter Pedant]

I agree umm- very articulately put

Leave only good reviews - s/o commented leaving a crap review allows them a chance to improve whereas just keeping silent is the most damaging

I do refute bad reviews - one was a hotel with accommodation and they complained about drunks at chucking out time. Well really!

I have a difficulty with the ones that I think are going out of business [cash only ! ATM across road!]. All my predictions have proven true and they are the category to avoid - the mgt know they are crap and since they will cease trading soon, wont do diddly squat about it

[ummmm]

If I had something negative to say I'd approach the hotel (or whatever) and if they fixed the problem or tried to fix the problem then I'd leave a positive review.

I just wouldn't leave a bad review because there were a few scuffs on the wall and pigeon droppings on the balcony....or the receptionist didn't hold a fake smile for the whole time I spoke to her.

[Peter Pedant]

meh ?

"tour agent's " could be correct with the word 'agenda' completely understood ( = missing )
as in

Tour agent's agenda.

took me some time to spot the supposed error.

I wish people wouldn't zap nit picking contributions. It leaves an uneven flow in the thread

[Sqad]

Mrs sqad is a regular contributor to Trip Adviser....and she tells it how she sees it....good or bad.

[237SJ]

Yes, I use it. I use it for restaurant reviews in this country as much as hotels abroad. If I had a problem in an hotel such as faulty aircon etc, I would address it with the management - I think it`s unfair when people come home having not given the hotel a chance to rectify things and then slate them on Trip Advisor. I think that`s a bit cowardly. I tend to search hotel reviews from UK guests as different nationalities have different expectations and some can be ridiculously picky. I don`t read the ones where a guest raves on for 3 paragraphs about their favourite staff member either. I want to read about the hotel, not how good Reginald`s pina coladas are.

[Peter Pedant]

// or the receptionist didn't hold a fake smile for the whole time I spoke to her.//
hahaha I like staying at C18 ex-coaching hotels
and in one we rang down to say the room wasnt clean
and the receptionist started going like: well what is it ? can you describe it ?
so she clearly knew what was 'up'

It looked like a bit of Moll Flanders left over toilette
and we were left to clear it up ourselves

( no review on trippie )

[Peter Pedant]

oops I think there is an apostrophe adrift in the last one ^^^^^

[melv16]

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g504213-d2090590-Reviews-Birmingham_Best_Inn_Hotel-Oldbury_West_Midlands_England.html
I wish the guy who booked this place for me and a couple of work mates had read TA. We only stayed one night.

[Xeronema]

I always contribute and say it how it is. Do you can tell when people are just being pedantic. It won't stop me from using said hotel/B&B if I see a few negative remarks though.

What you have to pay attention to is how old the comments are as well. There is no point in taking a 1 star comment that was made 2+ years ago at face value.

[murraymints]

melv.....EEK !

[ummmm]

True, Diz, I only read the recent comments.

Still though...such a grumpy bunch of people.

Most of the issues, imo, are issues with the person leaving the review.

Don't expect 5* when you're paying the price of a 1*

[Xeronema]

True. If I'm willing to pay to stay in a 2* then I make sure I take little match boxes so that I can keep my new found cockroach friends warm and cosy.

[sherrardk]

I use Trip Advisor and generally it's to leave positive comments about places that are cheap and cheerful. It does seem open toabuse though - I commented negatively about a tourist attraction and almost instantly there were loads if positive reviews posted (mainly from people who appeared to live very near to the attraction).

[ummmm]

Like jno said in another thread. Bad reviews could be by rivals....good reviews by the owners mother :-)

[DSJ]

I have reviewed for Tripadvisor for a number of years. My reports are generally good. I think my husband and l have only had two really bad experiences in hotels we have stayed in so those reviews have been truthful. I have also posted restaurant and attraction reviews.

[ukbod2015]

I am a top contributor there - nearly a hundred reviews - and you do get some rubbish - but as far as I can see the tour agents arent up to anything because, with a little common sense dodgy reviews stand out. It is a bit sad when people moan about petty easily solved items or issues usually caused by themselves.

[jno]

well, this one got four-star reviews!

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/brothel-masquerading-as-hotel-praised-for-good-service-in-fourstar-reviews-on-tripadvisor-10196710.html

[auntie-bertie]

Trip advisor used to be owned by expedia, not sure if they still have a stake.
Trip advisor owns cruise critic

I do not book any hotel or restaurant without checking. I only read the reviews by those who have many comments. I ignore the one post phonies. I rate anywhere where the management respond. It is invaluable.