to wonder what some TripAdvisor reviewers expect for their money ?

[OhdearNigel]

I do some casual work in a small local hotel. It's not amazing but it's OK, it needs a lot of work in the bedrooms but the staff are friendly and it is at least clean. We recently ran a groupon deal where people got 3 course dinner, afternoon tea, a glass of cava and an overnight stay for £39.50 a head. Now if I was getting all that for that money I would not be expecting to stay in the Ritz.

One of the recent TA reviews has really annoyed me as they have suggested "they should look at the Ashdown Park as to how a quality hotel should be run". Well, I used to work at that particular hotel and to compare the two hotels is ridiculous - they charge £199+ for bed and breakfast in a 4 red star hotel - we are a 2 star for which that reviewer paid £79 for DBB, afternoon tea and glass of wine. It would be like complaining that a T shirt from Primark didn't compare to the quality of one from Monsoon

AIBU to think that this is a ridiculous comparison to make and complain to Tripadvisor about the review ?

"the lights attracted moths at night"

TripAdvisor has the same effect on habitual complainers.

Of course some reviews as are ridiculous and OTT. But some owners are also unreasonable imo. For example, i would prefer a rattan ikea chair I could sit in than an antique one with a hole.

And those in hotel rescue nearly always think negative reviewers on trip advisor are ott when it is obvious they are not.

I think it is usually pretty easy to suss the unreasonable reviews on trip advisor. Much harder to suss the false positive ones.

I read one posted by a yank for the hotel I was at last week complaining about the lack of plug sockets in the bathrooms. Er, that's to prevent you electrocuting yourself on our high voltage lady.

Had I provided only ONE chair which was unusable I would agree, but there were 11 others to choose from and the house only sleeps 8...

For example, i would prefer a rattan ikea chair I could sit in than an antique one with a hole.

Well, yes The rest of it sounds lovely though!

YABU to be taking TA seriously. I only ever read the bad reviews because they are so hilarious.

I'm currently doing some work at a 4* establishment (not a hotel, more of a working retreat type-place) and it is AMAZING. The room rates here are astonishingly cheap for what you get: included in your room you get dinner and breakfast. The most expensive room here (I'm not in one but I've seen them - think huuuuuge, newly refurbished, deluxe double ensuite) is less than £100 per night. That's per ROOM, not per person. The kitchen uses no frozen food at all, it is all fresh from local suppliers: there's five dishes to choose from at lunch and two at dinner, both with dessert. I have never, ever eaten so well.

Every single day someone complains. Every single day. The wine is too expensive; they have to pay for phone calls; they can't work a door; the carpark is too small; it's raining, etc etc. I've never in my life encountered such a host of petty concerns. All of them start with 'seeing as I'm paying so much for the room, I expect....'.

All I can say is that I want to know where they're staying! If they get better service, better food, and better rooms for less than it costs here then I'm bloody well moving in!

Fair enough. But I do think tbh it is harder to let out a family type cottage as what you will have spent lots of money on and looks wonderful, some will hate. Which is why so many chains make their rooms look bland and neutral. And some people don't look after others properties or furniture reasonably. Although some might be as bad at home.

I always remember when I hired a cottage with group of friends and kids. Owner thought we didn't respect the place. We did pay for the damage, but it genuinely was a series of stupid incidents rather than lack of respect.

So a mirror fell out of a bathroom cabinet when 5 year old opened it and smashed on the floor. Not our fault, but I don't think she believed us.

Another woman took off her wedding ring when she went to the bathroom and then couldn't find it. Another man took off the waste trap under the basin to check in case it had been washed down there and then forgot to put the trap back on! Wife says he would do this kind of dozy thing at home. Dc 6 years old went upstairs, went to toilet, washed hands and left tap running. Nobody noticed until water started pouring down the walls and ceiling in room below.

And I broke a serving dish when I stacked it unstably - realised in retrospect - on draining board and it fell off and smashed.

Owner was very angry with us.

victor - where is it you are working?

I think you need to take a balance on the TA reviews - but I have found them helpful, and for anything particularly bad or good, will leave one.

Sadly I left a good review for a hotel last week, before I noticed on my bank statement that I'd been charged twice! Sorted now.