How does Tripadvisor come up with hotel popularity ranking?
Jun 13th, 2005, 03:42 PM
#1
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How does Tripadvisor come up with hotel popularity ranking?
Some hotels seem to have similar type and number of reviews yet have quite different ranking in the so-called popularity index.
Jun 13th, 2005, 03:47 PM
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Tripadvisor is weird to me. (has Fodors spoiled me??) 
I was looking at the Portland Or posts, learning more about our soon to be new home. I saw that people who live in California, are considered Portland experts by Tripadvisor..curious.
So the raves were all about whoever stays in one hotel..similar to what goes on here
It will be interesting to hear what answers you get..
I was looking at the Portland Or posts, learning more about our soon to be new home. I saw that people who live in California, are considered Portland experts by Tripadvisor..curious.
So the raves were all about whoever stays in one hotel..similar to what goes on here
It will be interesting to hear what answers you get..
Wonder if Tripadvisor editors ever read these Fodors boards?
Jun 13th, 2005, 03:55 PM
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Do you ever get totally paranoid about the hotel you chose after reading tripadvisor?
When it comes to trip planning, the thing that always takes me the longest time is to pick hotels that I think will be good without spending a ton of money.
Sometimes it seems it's all so negative, but I guess one is more inclined to leave a negative review than one that says "this was an adequate place".
When it comes to trip planning, the thing that always takes me the longest time is to pick hotels that I think will be good without spending a ton of money.
Sometimes it seems it's all so negative, but I guess one is more inclined to leave a negative review than one that says "this was an adequate place".
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:00 PM
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I started using hotels that were recommended by people I know. At least I have an idea of their taste.
Some people will push a place for all kinds of reasons..after I am given a name of a hotel, then I will research it but usually in guide books, not forums
But I am happy to push my favorite hotels on these forums LOL
Some people will push a place for all kinds of reasons..after I am given a name of a hotel, then I will research it but usually in guide books, not forums
But I am happy to push my favorite hotels on these forums LOL
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:10 PM
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What about the people who tour the lobbies and then think they know everything about a hotel and how the service is? Or the people who keep planning on visiting a place, but never actually make it there, yet they still keep recommending it, lol!
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:22 PM
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theilian - I don't know the answer to your question but I can tell you that I have posted many reviews on trip advisor. I only do a review on actual hotels, inns or b&b's that we have stayed at. I nearly always take a look at the tripadvisor site to see what people are saying before booking. I have found the reviews to be helpful.
Sandy
Sandy
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:24 PM
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There have been a lot of weird entries on Trip Advisor. I will always consult it, but my trust level is very low. For several hotels, I've noticed three to four entries within a span of one week that had almost the exact phrasing. Too often, this rash of high reviews seems directed at one or two bad reviews. I'm a little leery of the pattern.
At least with this board, one becomes over time familiar with the person who spend a lot of time in a city or country and who are in a position of authority on a hotel or restaurant's relative worth or lack thereof.
At least with this board, one becomes over time familiar with the person who spend a lot of time in a city or country and who are in a position of authority on a hotel or restaurant's relative worth or lack thereof.
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:35 PM
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I always check Tripadvisor. I've even written reviews on it. I wrote an unfavorable review for one Parisian hotel, The Familia, that we stayed in last year. Since I am aware of the effect of bad reviews, I was very careful to point out the <i>reasons</i> why we weren't satisfied with the hotel. When I read the reviews on tripadvisor, I look for specifics, both positive and negative. Then I make up my mind.
I also count on the reviews I get from this forum, providing they are from personal experience, not googled off the internet under the guise of being "helpful."
I also count on the reviews I get from this forum, providing they are from personal experience, not googled off the internet under the guise of being "helpful."
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:35 PM
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They probably come up with the ranking the same way some of the reviewers come up with their own ratings: arbitrarily!
Is this board any better? Perhaps. However, I'm still remembering the poster here who said they are intimidated by walking across large hotel lobbies which is the reason they only stay in "small" hotels. Go figure.
Is this board any better? Perhaps. However, I'm still remembering the poster here who said they are intimidated by walking across large hotel lobbies which is the reason they only stay in "small" hotels. Go figure.
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:46 PM
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This is off-topic, but I get aggravated by the reviews on amazon.com that go something like, "I love this author - her books are great! I am looking foward to reading this book!" or "If this book is half as good as the previous ones, it will be great!"
I think those should be deleted by amazon, since the people have actually admitted that they NEVER READ the book.
I'm sure some tripadvisor reviews are posted by the owners, or those who are to profit from a glowing review. Overall, I find it helpful, but I do get paranoid sometimes b/c it seems even nicer hotels get slammed.
I think those should be deleted by amazon, since the people have actually admitted that they NEVER READ the book.
I'm sure some tripadvisor reviews are posted by the owners, or those who are to profit from a glowing review. Overall, I find it helpful, but I do get paranoid sometimes b/c it seems even nicer hotels get slammed.
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:53 PM
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I think the popularity index is some sort of combination of mean average points per review (the reviewer rates the hotel as 1-5) and the number of reviews. It's not a completely helpful method, but better than nothing I suppose. I have also noted some reviews at various hotels, both positive and negative, that seemed oddly out of place.
Jun 13th, 2005, 05:01 PM
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When I read the t.a. reviews I try to respond to the chance to rate the review itself as being helpful or not.
Details are key, whether positive or negative, I want to read about what the rooms are like, or the location, or the amenities, less interested in how nice the staff are. Often I see that a hotel gets lots of praise but then one review is extremely negative, and it's usually due to the hotel having screwed up a reservation or some other possibly one-time error. I don't give as much weight to those reports either if they seem to be one-offs.
I agree with Scarlett that often here and elsewhere people have seemingly just copied and pasted information they've found on the web but they don't own up that they haven't actually stayed in the hotel or eaten in the restaurant. I think part of being a regular on this message board is that it gives us more insights into which opinions and information are more reliable, or match our individual likes and dislikes. That's harder to do on trip advisor, but imo their hotel information is much easier to access.
Details are key, whether positive or negative, I want to read about what the rooms are like, or the location, or the amenities, less interested in how nice the staff are. Often I see that a hotel gets lots of praise but then one review is extremely negative, and it's usually due to the hotel having screwed up a reservation or some other possibly one-time error. I don't give as much weight to those reports either if they seem to be one-offs.
I agree with Scarlett that often here and elsewhere people have seemingly just copied and pasted information they've found on the web but they don't own up that they haven't actually stayed in the hotel or eaten in the restaurant. I think part of being a regular on this message board is that it gives us more insights into which opinions and information are more reliable, or match our individual likes and dislikes. That's harder to do on trip advisor, but imo their hotel information is much easier to access.
Jun 13th, 2005, 05:08 PM
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I booked two hotel in France based on tripadvisor reviews and was very pleased with both. I tried to book several hotels in Paris based on recommendations on this board and booked the one that had availability - and did not like the hotel. Ya never know. I WILL try to stay at the Bonaparte one day based on ira's recommendation. A family member stays at the George V, but I will only be walking through that lobby unless I'm comped a room! LOL
Jun 13th, 2005, 05:08 PM
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Along the same lines of top hotels getting slammed, it seems like there are reviews that are retaliatory. Maybe a disgruntled worker or whatever. I do like to read the reviews, but also consider how the writer comes across. Were they looking for luxury at a rustic place for example. Anyway, I agree with what everyone here is saying. It can be helpful, but you have to sift out the flakiness.
Jun 13th, 2005, 05:59 PM
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>><i>I saw that people who live in California, are considered Portland experts by Tripadvisor..curious.</i>
Not so curious. There are nearly 36 million Californians and a fair number of them go to Oregon on a very regular basis for business, pleasure or to attend to a second residence. It is a neighboring state, afterall.
Not so curious. There are nearly 36 million Californians and a fair number of them go to Oregon on a very regular basis for business, pleasure or to attend to a second residence. It is a neighboring state, afterall.
Jun 13th, 2005, 07:20 PM
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Just because OR and CA are bordering states does not mean that the residents are experts on the other state. The problem with the "expert" title at Tripadvisor, is that people can nominate themselves. So should I go nominate myself as an expert on CA just because I have family there? I have to agree with Scarlett on this.
