Hotels offer perks for good reviews

I’ve used this blog in the past to express my concerns about websites like TripAdvisor that post glowing reviews of hotels, knowing full well that the positive comments are usually submitted by the hotel itself or its staff.


Now comes word out of Great Britain that the government’s Office of Fair Trading is investigating allegations that hotels are offering incentives to guests in exchange for glowing online reviews of the property.

One of the properties alleged to be offering guests perks for good reviews is the Cove Cornwall in Lamorna, which reportedly encourages guests to become “brand champions” by posting “honest but positive” reviews on online review sites, including TripAdvisor, Michelin and the Good Food Guide.

Reviews of The Cove on TripAdvisor are, indeed, mostly positive. Of 87 reviews, 57 rated the hotel excellent, the highest of five categories.

Hotel management denies the allegations of bribing guests and trying to manipulate reviews. “In no way are we paying people to put positive reviews on TripAdvisor,” owner Lee Magner told the Mail Online. “We are merely rewarding their loyalty.”

TripAdvisor spokesman Kevin Carter told msnbc.com, “Property owners are welcome to encourage their guests to submit user reviews … but it is strictly against our guidelines for businesses to offer incentives, discounts, upgrades or special treatment on current or future stays in exchange for reviews.”

It comes as no surprise to me that this is happening and here’s the scary part – it’s only going to get worse folks.

So who should you trust? How about sites that are run by credible journalists like my own travelife.ca, which employs professionals to rank and rate hotels.

Cape Town tops top destination poll

Cape Town's harbour is one of the loveliest in the world.

I see today CNN Travel is reporting results of TripAdvisor's "World's Top Destination Poll."

No. 1 on the list is Cape Town, the South African beauty that so many people were introduced to last year during the World Cup of soccer.

According to poll rules set down by TripAdvisor, "cities are ranked based on a combination of travelers' favorite places and the overall popularity of the destination." It's the third year TripAdvisor has released the survey.

Sydney captured second spot in the TripAdvisor poll, with Machu Picchu, Paris and Rio de Janeiro filling out the Top 5. New York, Rome, London, Barcelona and Hong Kong rounded out the Top 10.

Hong Kong, Kyoto, Japan and Siem Reap in Cambodia were named the top three destinations in Asia, while Paris, Rome and London topped the popularity contest in Europe.

My Top 10 cities - of the cities I've visited - in the world are 1-Paris; 2-Shanghai; 3-Singapore; 4-New York; 5-London; 6-Tokyo; 7-Bangkok; 8-Hong Kong; 9-Hanoi; 10-San Francisco.

Expedia to spin off TripAdvisor

I’m happy to see that Expedia, the world’s largest online travel company, has approved a plan to spin off its TripAdvisor brand, accoriding to London-based breakingtravelnews.com.

Now, if they would only turn it off.

I’ve often questioned the accuracy of the “advice” posted on TripAdvisor since most of the good postings about hotels have been supplied by the hotels themselves.

Bad reviews are usually posted by disgruntled guests who don’t get a smile from the main desk clerk when they check in.

I have countless stories of people telling me they decided not to go to very good hotels I have stayed at and recommended – and my standards are very high folks - because someone on TripAdvisor posted a complaint.

The accuracy of TripAdvisor postings has been a problem for Expedia ever since they bought the company and it’s good to see they’re now starting to distance themselves from TripAdvisor.

Here’s my advice about TripAdvisor – don’t trust TripAdvisor!