Asking for reviews can be awkward. But not asking is a mistake. In a world where opinions shape purchasing decisions, it's key to learn how to prompt good reviews without having to ask directly.

This article explores why reviews matter, what naturally triggers them, and how to design an experience that motivates people to share their stay without forced reminders. Current data, theoretical foundations, and relevant trends in digital hospitality are also included.

Why improving reviews matters

Reviews not only reinforce a lodging’s credibility, but also act as a direct conversion driver.

• A lodging with positive reviews can receive up to 270% more bookings (Spiegel Research Center).

• A rating between 4.2 and 4.5 stars builds more trust than a perfect 5.

• They are a key factor for local SEO on platforms like Google and in OTA rankings like Airbnb or Booking.

The “halo effect” in psychology shows that a positive experience at one service point tends to generalize to the rest. If a guest has a smooth and warm check-in, they’re more likely to rate the entire stay favorably.

Furthermore, reviews not only attract new guests — they also serve as a performance indicator, helping identify areas for improvement.

3 keys to get better reviews without asking directly

1. Design surprise micro-moments

Why? People tend to share what excites, surprises, or makes them feel seen.

How to apply it:

• Offer simple but personalized gestures: a local snack, a welcome playlist, a handwritten note.

• Use pre-arrival information to anticipate needs: Are they celebrating something? Is it their first solo trip? Do they have babies or pets?

Tip: 74% of people remember an emotional detail more than the room’s design (Cornell Hospitality Report).

2. Automate with empathy

Why? Automation boosts efficiency, but when done warmly, it also enhances the guest experience.

How to apply it:

• Create message flows that guide the journey: before, during, and after the stay.

• Use smart fields to personalize (name, dates, reserved unit).

• Adjust tone based on timing: warm and clear at check-in, grateful and emotional at goodbye.

Tools like ChatGPT can help write human-sounding messages in seconds.

3. Replace "leave your review" with a meaningful goodbye

Why? People want to feel appreciated, not pressured.

How to apply it:

• Send a sincere thank-you message after their stay.

• Instead of a direct request, use gratitude-based invitations:

“Thanks for choosing this place to rest. If you'd like to share your experience, you can do so here: [link]”

How Aloha helps improve this process

Aloha lets you automate the most important moments of the experience without losing warmth:

• Pre and post-stay messages

• Smart fields for personalization

• WhatsApp and email integration

  
  

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