Getting guests to come back starts with creating a stay they’ll never forget. And when a stay is truly memorable, it doesn’t just stick with your guests—it inspires them to leave glowing reviews. Since most prospective guests read reviews before deciding where to stay, they also play a critical role in attracting new guests!
But how do you turn an average stay into an unforgettable experience? It begins with preemptive communication. When guests arrive to find a personalized welcome, clear instructions, and quick responses to their questions, it shows you’re invested in their experience. Likewise, creating a stress-free environment, where every detail has been thoughtfully considered, makes them feel welcome, at ease, and more likely to return.
If you’re looking for ways to build trust, enhance guest experiences, and increase the likelihood of positive guest reviews, focus on anticipating guest needs before they have a chance to mention them. Doing so creates an experience that makes them feel valued and eager to share their positive feedback!
Why Communication Matters for Guest Reviews
Communication is key to great guest reviews because it directly influences how guests experience their stay. If a guest arrives and can’t access the property because they never received a door code, it disrupts their plans. What if they have dinner reservations or tickets to a performance? Even minor delays can cause frustration, so being proactive rather than reactive helps prevent issues before they arise. The goal is to avoid unnecessary interruptions, particularly with concerns over avoidable problems. After all, a stressful vacation is no way to earn a glowing review.
Planning Thoughtful Communication with Guests
Effective communication isn’t just about being polite, although that’s part of the mix. Building trust involves sending consistent messaging with timely and helpful information. By turning simple interactions into memorable moments, guests will feel informed and cared for. This small action will also reduce repetitive questions and increase efficiency, and who knows what you could accomplish with a little extra time. After connecting with them on a personal level, they’ll be much more likely to leave a positive review, which in turn broadens your reach and boosts bookings.
Here are a few ways thoughtful communication at different touchpoints can make a lasting impression:
Before Arrival: Build Excitement and Trust
The period between booking and arrival is a great time to build excitement. A simple welcome email or SMS with property details and check-in instructions will be most appreciated and will help guests prepare for their upcoming trip. Personalize the communications to make them feel connected and share information about nearby attractions, dining spots, amenities, and activities. If there are rules about additional guests or specifics on parking, this is also a good opportunity to let them know to avoid surprises.
During their Stay: Deliver Outstanding Service
Exceptional service doesn’t end at check-in! Creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for your guests is an ongoing effort. Connect in meaningful ways—a brief SMS welcoming them to the property and sharing personalized recommendations lets them know you’re attentive and helpful without being intrusive. If a problem arises, focus on the solution: offer a quick workaround or arrange for a swift repair. Guests will more than likely remember how you made their stay stress-free, not the hiccup itself.
After Departure: Wrap Up the Experience
Given that your guests had countless accommodation options, now’s the time to thank them for selecting your property above the others. Show your appreciation while their stay is still fresh in their minds with a brief, thoughtful message to show your appreciation. A post-departure email will also open doors to request feedback and prompt those much-needed 5-star guest reviews. This simple gesture reinforces your commitment to exceptional hospitality and will likely see them eager to return!
How BeHome247’s Guest Connect Can Help
If it all seems like a lot to manage, BeHome247’s Guest Connect app can help! With customizable, automated email and SMS messages, creating and delivering thoughtful communication across the guest journey is easy. From booking confirmation to post-departure, Guest Connect ensures every message is timely, consistent, and tailored to the guest, all from a single dashboard.
Transforming communication, Guest Connect offers a concierge experience that truly delivers, giving guests all the information they need while making them feel valued and supported. The app even helps expand revenue streams by monetizing early check-in and late check-out requests to capture extra income while adding convenience for your guests. Plus, automated gap night identification makes it easy to sell vacant nights, turning potential downtime into additional bookings, which can lead to more positive reviews!
The Long-Term Benefits of Positive Guest Reviews
Although one guest review may seem like just a snapshot of a single stay, it holds the power to shape perceptions and influence decisions. Viewed collectively, a series of outstanding guest reviews becomes a long-term investment in your property’s success, building credibility and increasing your property’s appeal to future travelers. Reviews also highlight what visitors loved most about their experience, giving you opportunities to fine-tune your offerings. The result? More bookings, loyal repeat guests, and a thriving business that grows year after year!
How to Get Started with BeHome247
While it might seem that getting great reviews requires extra time and effort, it shouldn’t have to. Preemptive communication can make all the difference, resolving issues before they arise, turning a pleasant visit into an exceptional one, and keeping guests returning for more. With the right tools in place, you’ll be well on your way to creating seamless experiences that leave lasting impressions and build guest loyalty over time.
Interested in learning more? Request a demo and discover how to craft and deliver thoughtful communications that turn exceptional stays into stellar 5-star reviews!
