Trip Advisor Credibility??

[tgh]

All this tripe really makes them look a bit silly..imho.
16 reviews got me in the top 12%.. oh like wow .. I'm just sssoooooooooooooexcited.........
That is just so motivational, I'm going to Bunnings this arvo , might write a trip report and also review the cafe

 

[Katie]

My 20 reviews got me in the top 2% ...

 

[Hvr]

My 20 reviews got me in the top 2% ...

So did my 18. Just shows how few reviewers really hang around.

Once I gave a really bad review to a place and they rejected it. I resubmitted it using the same language as other poor reviews for the same property and it was eventually published. It was the only poor review I've given.

 

[Pollywaffle]

hahaha - just got this email......and with only 22 reviews

I'm feeling quite unloved. I have 23 reviews and no email in sight.

 

[BindiBratz]

TA is a great resource, but I back it up with further research from sites where the reviewers need to have booked (& presumably stayed).

I don't think it takes rocket science to filter out the one post wonders, and utilise those which are from "real" reviewers . . . such as we worthy AFFers

I use TA probably 95% of the time prior to booking accommodation, and can honestly say I have never been surprised by the accommodation I have subsequently booked. I endeavour to post reviews, but don't always find the time, but think it's only fair to return something that may benefit others if at all possible. One quite negative review I posted once, obviously justified IMO, obviously offended the owner so much his response was so rude and personal (even though he pointed out he did not recall me) that I believe the response compounded the issue . . . some people are slow learners..!!!

 

[cdchi1]

I'm feeling quite unloved. I have 23 reviews and no email in sight.

Its all a little silly because certain posters will be read more than other posters depending on where they've been, what they've done and the hotel they've stayed in.

For example, someone who is reviewing a popular hotel in New York will get more views than someone who reviewed a hotel in some out of the way place.

 

[Homer]

Here's a "live" example. I'm at The Langham in Melbourne right now. It's my first time here. It's the #1 hotel on Tripadvisor which is partly why I booked it. The thing is, there's no way this is Melbourne's best hotel. I remember reading a suggestion by a poster on Tripadvisor that this hotel tries very hard to have negative reviews removed. Maybe this is common practice, I don't know. I intend to try posting one myself (not overly negative - just realistic to counter some of the glowing/gushing reviews on there) and see what happens.

 

[chrisb]

I've always assumed that people rate hotels as a function of quality and cost. Obviously a $2000/night hotel will be better than a $60/night one.

I assume the Langham scores well due to its location, reasonable quality and cost. (I've only been there to eat and for a conference. It seemed like a nice place in a good location. )

 

[Homer]

I've always assumed that people rate hotels as a function of quality and cost. Obviously a $2000/night hotel will be better than a $60/night one.

I assume the Langham scores well due to its location, reasonable quality and cost. (I've only been there to eat and for a conference. It seemed like a nice place in a good location. )

I think cost, quality, service and location would be the most obvious factors. It is a nice place in a good location. I just don't think it's number one.

 

[cdchi1]

People I've met overseas who have come to Australia often mention how 'amazing' they think Aussie hotels are. Whereas us Aussies that have stayed in several probably are much more harsh in rating them.

So perhaps an Aussie hotel that caters more to say foreign tourists may well have inflated scored compared to say a hotel that caters more to business travellers.

Looking at the Langham the proportion of 'business' reviews to total reviews is pretty low compared to some hotels with lower ratings though of course many of those non--business reviews may well be local interstate tourists.

 

[chrisb]

I think cost, quality, service and location would be the most obvious factors. It is a nice place in a good location. I just don't think it's number one.

You should leave a review then.

 

[Homer]

You should leave a review then.

Yep, I will be as I said earlier .

 

[RB]

My 39 reviews only put me in the top 5% according to the email I received.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I received a present in the mail last year for being one of the top 5 Aussie reviewers. Sadly, just an email this year

 

[Fifa]

I received a present in the mail last year for being one of the top 5 Aussie reviewers. Sadly, just an email this year

OK, don't keep us in suspense...
What was the present?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Some sort of face cream and a bottle of wine from memory. It didn't exactly get me excited!

 

[QF WP]

Don't know how I missed this story, but a simple lesson - don't be a fake.

 

[NM]

Don't know how I missed this story, but a simple lesson - don't be a fake.

See here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ews/aust-accor-exec-caught-posting-50979.html

 

[a330j]

Used ta a lot on a recent trip to the USA. Found the reviews of the hotels were accurate. Never came across a place that contradicted the reviews. On the other hand, reviews of sights and attractions often seemed to be embellished.

 

[jetlagger]

Used ta a lot on a recent trip to the USA. Found the reviews of the hotels were accurate. Never came across a place that contradicted the reviews. On the other hand, reviews of sights and attractions often seemed to be embellished.

I used to share that same prophecy until one day.. :evil: No fault of TA though..
Keep sampling.. & update us.