Check TripAdvisor Before You Book!

TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) is a wonderful resource to turn to when planning a hotel stay. It's particularly useful for researching a resort destination where there maybe many seemingly similar properties at similar prices.

TripAdvisor allows members of the public to post hotel reviews (also restaurant and attraction reviews) and rate them on a 1 to 5 circle scale. The site then gives a rating to the hotel based on the current average. The rating descriptions are as follows:

1 circle = Terrible
2 circles = Poor
3 circles = Average
4 circles = Very Good
5 circles = Excellent

Looking at the overall rating will give you a fairly good idea of the quality of the property. As a general rule of thumb, 4 and a half plus is going to be a great experience and probably what you need to look for in a longer term stay. Over 3 and a half will probably be perfectly fine for one or 2 nights. But don't leave your research there. Do read a good selection of the actual reviews. You can organise the reviews by date order, travelling group and rating level. Do look at the ratings spread - after all, a property could end up as a 3 circle because everyone gives it 3 circles or because half give it 5 and half 1, or combinations in between.

I think looking at the reviews by travel group is a factor to consider. For example, people travelling with children will be concentrating on different aspects to those travelling as a romantic couple or those on a girlfriend vacation or young singles or a business traveller. Obviously some criteria is going to be important across the board.

All reviews submitted to TripAdvisor are reviewed before they are posted, but it is still important to remember that these reviews are the subjective opinions of hotel guests, not objective professional reviewers and, as such, some are unfair, irrational, emotional and show complete disregard for the rating system. Please take 1 circle reviews with a large grain of salt, unless most of the reviews for that hotel are 1 or 2 circles in which case you should avoid it like the plague. Unless there are roaches in your room and water is leaking in through the roof, there is really no need for anyone to give 1 circle and the people who do are usually aggrieved over some perceived slight.

By the same token, also view 5 circle reviews with some caution, unless there are a lot of them, because some people tend to gush, or, their travel experiences have been limited and they are too easily impressed. Take into account how extreme reviews affect the average rating.

A lot of reviewers will give you the option to contact them directly with further queries. If you felt a particular review was well written and fair and you think the author might be able to answer some specific questions you have, then go ahead and take advantage of this. I field questions all the time on TripAdvisor and am happy to do so.

Please remember to pay back the favour. If TripAdvisor reviews have helped you in your hotel choice, then write your own reviews and help other travellers. In my next blog, I will give tips on writing a good review and on choosing the appropriate circle rating.

See you then!