TripAdvisor - Do you use it?

[Mattg]

I don't want to deny there is a problem with dodgy reviews because their clearly is in some cases, but equally hotel owners/managers are hardly unbiased reviewers of their own properties! There are plenty examples of hoteliers trying to bully reviewers into removing negative reviews.

I think review sites are here to stay (indeed have heard a rumour LP wants to do something in this line) the issue in my view is of how do you "trust" the reviewer. There are a number of options here, 1) as per booking.com & Agoda only allow people who have actually stayed to review, 2) rates the reviewers themselves (as per AirBnB) and incorporate the reviewers rank in your rating algorithm (I.e. Ignore or very low weighting on poorly rated reviewers) or 3) other "trust" mechanisms e.g. What TA do already with Amex card holders.

While this is a step in the right direction, it doesn't necessarily guarantee the review is genuine in my experience. I know at least one example of a hostel owner who put fake bookings through Hostelworld (and most likely other sites too) in order to leave 100% reviews under a fake name.

 

[burmans]

While this is a step in the right direction, it doesn't necessarily guarantee the review is genuine in my experience. I know at least one example of a hostel owner who put fake bookings through Hostelworld (and most likely other sites too) in order to leave 100% reviews under a fake name.

Nothing guarantees anything in life, and reviews are no different. But nevertheless would still suggest reviews are here to stay in our modern world.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I use it much the same as other posters do. Generally reasonably good for Hotels, not so good for Restaurants. The relative ratings are of limited value as backpacker joints are on the same scale as 5 star hotels and it's a lottery as to who is on top. Nice places are often missing altogether. However being in say the top 25% is an indicator that a hotel will be OK.

Competition for TA ratings doesn't help. In the cities with large numbers of extraordinarily good reviews (e.g. Hanoi) that limits its value somewhat. Stayed at #4 there a while back, and while it was a nice 3 star hotel, it was by no means extraordinary, as the hundreds of 5 star reviews suggest.

Found its value in Provincial Aust towns was the smallest. Plenty of reasonable motels that simply don't appear. And plenty of others that charge more and they are the only one on there. I usually try to get missing properties on the board when I stay at such, a good way to add value as a reviewer IMHO.

Ditto for restaurants in provincial towns. At one place recently TA assured me that maccas was the best restaurant in town. Pshaw!

Cheers skip

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I use it much the same as other posters do. Generally reasonably good for Hotels, not so good for Restaurants. The relative ratings are of limited value as backpacker joints are on the same scale as 5 star hotels and it's a lottery as to who is on top. Nice places are often missing altogether. However being in say the top 25% is an indicator that a hotel will be OK.

Competition for TA ratings doesn't help. In the cities with large numbers of extraordinarily good reviews (e.g. Hanoi) that limits its value somewhat. Stayed at #4 there a while back, and while it was a nice 3 star hotel, it was by no means extraordinary, as the hundreds of 5 star reviews suggest.

agree - but isn't it also to do with value for money?

I've given a 3.5 star hotel a 5 star rating on trip advisor - not because it's equal to the Four Seasons, but because it was outstanding value in an great location.

I know what you mean with the Hanoi hotels... I put my folks into one of them... but it was like $40 a night for a great room, superb service, and they looked after them like royalty. That got the hotel a five star review!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

AT a recent stay at Hilton Al Ain, we noticed upon check in, a Trip Advisor 2014 "Customer Choice" award displayed proudly at the front desk. We quickly realised there must have been no other entrants.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

AT a recent stay at Hilton Al Ain, we noticed upon check in, a Trip Advisor 2014 "Customer Choice" award displayed proudly at the front desk. We quickly realised there must have been no other entrants.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

 

[burmans]

agree - but isn't it also to do with value for money?

I've given a 3.5 star hotel a 5 star rating on trip advisor - not because it's equal to the Four Seasons, but because it was outstanding value in an great location.

I know what you mean with the Hanoi hotels... I put my folks into one of them... but it was like $40 a night for a great room, superb service, and they looked after them like royalty. That got the hotel a five star review!

Agree with both these points. It would probably help if TA included some more filters like they do with hotels as to what sort of traveller you are. Have found these filters very useful for hotels, slightly less for restaurants but they do have a filter for fine dining which will mean you don't have to see (and then chose to ignore) the backpackers joints.

As for Hanoi, I've stayed at a few and friends have stayed at others and in each case I feel they are deserving of the 5 star reviews. Yes not a 5 star hotel if you apply "western" standards but huge value, great service, well located. Each to their own but in many ways I prefer over some of the 5 star amorphous western hotel chains. Of course some would disagree but from the TA reviews it would appear not many!

 

[SuzieQ68]

Just wondering and slightly off topic.

Does anyone else have difficulty at times in accurately determining (especially via Google maps) where a hotel is located, especially in Asia? Sometimes I've found that where I think a hotel is located is nowhere near where it actually is. Sometimes if the hotel uses Google maps as its location tool, the accuracy of the pin on the map can be off. I guess this is where I've found reviews on TA, Agoda etc helpful. Detailed reviews pointing out distance to shops, beach, attractions can make it a bit easier to pinpoint the location.

Does anyone have any tips they can pass on for improving my ability to accurately locate? Would be very much appreciated.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just wondering and slightly off topic.

Does anyone else have difficulty at times in accurately determining (especially via Google maps) where a hotel is located, especially in Asia? Sometimes I've found that where I think a hotel is located is nowhere near where it actually is. Sometimes if the hotel uses Google maps as its location tool, the accuracy of the pin on the map can be off. I guess this is where I've found reviews on TA, Agoda etc helpful. Detailed reviews pointing out distance to shops, beach, attractions can make it a bit easier to pinpoint the location.

Does anyone have any tips they can pass on for improving my ability to accurately locate? Would be very much appreciated.

not really - aside from going to the hotel's own website and having a look at their map.

I know what you mean with the accuracy of google maps... I was staying at an unfamilar hotel in Hong Kong and google had the hotel on the wrong side of the road, and the wrong side of a junction. I walked a mile trying to find the place only to discover it was a few yards behind where I started

 

[MELoffairpark]

TripAdvisor is such a well known site but am wondering do the AFF folk use it? How do you use it? For what particular purposes? How often do you use it?

Many of our customers state that they used us after reading reviews/comments on TripAdvisor ... not sure if they are all mistaken (we have reviews on Google+, WOMO, Facebook etc) but I've near broken Google and cannot find where we are mentioned in any discussion or thread (although there are many on Melbourne airport parking, just not us). As we are not a hotel, restaurant, attraction etc difficult for us to be reviewed here, even though it is definitely an important part of anyone's journey.

Personally have used a few times, but have friends and colleagues who use it like the Bible!

 

[k_sheep]

I use TA a lot - but always ignore any 5 star or 1 star review by people with less than 3 previous reviews. I figure the fake reviews aren't going to do 2-4 stars because they're trying to talk it up or bring it down.

 

[Cynicor]

I've started to ignore any reviews from China and Hong Kong too. They have hilarious complaints and expectations!

 

[JohnK]

Just wondering and slightly off topic.

Does anyone else have difficulty at times in accurately determining (especially via Google maps) where a hotel is located, especially in Asia? Sometimes I've found that where I think a hotel is located is nowhere near where it actually is. Sometimes if the hotel uses Google maps as its location tool, the accuracy of the pin on the map can be off. I guess this is where I've found reviews on TA, Agoda etc helpful. Detailed reviews pointing out distance to shops, beach, attractions can make it a bit easier to pinpoint the location.

Does anyone have any tips they can pass on for improving my ability to accurately locate? Would be very much appreciated.

Hotel booking sites are bad in this respect. Confuse the name of certain hotels or hotels not located where their map indicates they are located.

As for Google maps try finding the Gold Coast Crowne Plaza. I was driving round and around circles. Thought I was seeing things. Nowhere near the location on the map.

 

[clifford]

Have a look at this.

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...mYDIBg&usg=AFQjCNFdXelYUsbx8UmLt04BelE4tsTfvg

You might (or might not) see that I'm not really a big ogre that the Moderators love to hate (ask them why).

And, BTW, we have just taken on a new SABLE GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPY (that makes 3). They're lovely dogs and if anyone would like any info, feel free to PM me (they're not for sale).

 

[Walter_Plinge]

I use TA extensively and have found it accurate provided, as others have pointed out, I ignore first and short reviews. I look a solo and business traveller reviews (I always travel solo) from reviewers with 20+ reviews under their belts.

I see TA is now moving into AirBNB territory with apartment rentals.

 

[farawaymum]

I find it useful ,often there is good information to identify exactly how well located a hotel is for public transport access. A couple of times I have picked up a really good rate through the trip advisor specials particularly in the U.S. with no prepay requirement, and cheaper than AA or other promo rates.

 

[11sjw]

I use TA extensively and have found it accurate provided, as others have pointed out, I ignore first and short reviews. I look a solo and business traveller reviews (I always travel solo) from reviewers with 20+ reviews under their belts.

I see TA is now moving into AirBNB territory with apartment rentals.

Some great value options in HKG with TA apartment rentals.

 

[burmans]

I use TA extensively and have found it accurate provided, as others have pointed out, I ignore first and short reviews. I look a solo and business traveller reviews (I always travel solo) from reviewers with 20+ reviews under their belts.

I see TA is now moving into AirBNB territory with apartment rentals.

They have been doing apartment rentals for a while now but seem to be getting more emphasis, I thought they were just badging FlipKey rentals.

 

[get me outta here]

I keep reading comments ... winges on USA threads that visitors get discounts (eg seniors discounts on transport buses and trains), but when Americans travel to Aus (or other o/s places), they do not qualify.

It made me wonder if there are free / reduced anythings that Americans can get when they visit here, but that we don't get when going there?

 

[Walter_Plinge]

I keep reading comments ... whinges on USA threads that visitors get discounts (eg seniors discounts on transport buses and trains), but when Americans travel to Aus (or other o/s places), they do not qualify.

Does that mean I can use my Victorian Seniors Card in the US? Or do you merely have to look fairly decrepit? In my case white hair is a giveaway I might not be 30 any more.

I've never tried to use the card overseas. Would have been useful in the UK last year.