Community Forum

*Arubalisa* · 06-02-2011, 09:50 AM

In reading some recent reviews on a travel website, I have come to the following conclusion. Trip reviews are just that, one persons perception of a resort or a destination. Always do your own research and ask a lot of questions.

It is very interesting to see how people see things differently. Remember that game called "telephone" you played as a child?

The hotel's website states the resort has two swimming pools.

A reviewer states the pool has three swimming pools.

Last time I checked, the resort did indeed have only two swimming pools.

One reviewer states the Radisson's Plaza Club is on the EIGHTH floor.

One reviewer states the Radisson's Plaza Club is on the SIXTH floor.

In my mind this is all another argument for using a good travel agent. They should know the product they are selling. If they do not, at least if you have problems, there is someone to be held accountable. In the case of online reviews it is only one persons opinion and not necessarily facts.

*Andrea J.* · 06-02-2011, 10:04 AM

exactly!!
when in doubt check the resort website or your knowledgeable travel agent
OR
ask here, we CAN and usually do find out and clear the muddied path.

hockeymom · 06-02-2011, 04:23 PM

I often take these with "a grain of salt" It's one person's opinion. The first time we went to the Divi I was nervous after reading some of the reviews. We loved it - and still do. I often find the only people that bother to do reports are also the ones that are unhappy. I made it a point this year to do a review on Tripadvisor as I was tired of seeing so many negative reviews. I find this with alot of product reviews too.

katherine · 06-03-2011, 08:08 PM

I think the old saying is true when reading reviews - disregard the very best review(s) and the very worst - the truth is usually found in the rest.

Opinions are hard to figure out as well if you don't know who they are coming from- people come from all walks of life and areas of the country - what one person finds great may not be great for someone else. Joe who lives in a small town in mid-america will have a different opinion of something than someone who lives in a penthouse on the upper east side of Manhattan. This is hardest for us when reading restaurant reviews. We consider ourselves "foodies" - we love to eat and cook. Some people don't care about food as much and could be happy eating chef boyardee (nothing wrong if you do) But my mother in law is from Italy and makes phenomenal pasta - the person who is used to chef boyardee will definitely have a differing opinion than us when rating an italian restaurant.
Anyway - I am rambling as usual...

*Arubalisa* · 06-04-2011, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katherine

Anyway - I am rambling as usual...

Not at all, you made an excellent point.

katherine · 06-10-2011, 06:00 PM

It is funny - I just had a conversation with a friend today and she mentioned that she and her husband love food and great restaurants. Her parents are not picky about food at all - so whenever her parents tell them they ate at a great restaurant she takes it with a grain of salt and knows that it probably would not be that great. If they wrote a review someone who did not know them may trust their opinion. Just goes to show that it is hard to trust reviews unless you know who is making them.

serene56 · 07-14-2011, 08:55 AM

I have been reading reviews on the travel channel and yes, they are all over the board.
Some like it some do not. Honey says dont stress- we are on vacation - How bad CAN it really be???

msbeckyt · 07-14-2011, 09:09 AM

I agree that the "grain of salt" rule is an important way to approach forming an opinion without experiencing that thing for yourself. I try to bear this in mind when looking through the wedding reviews in this forum especially.

*Andrea J.* · 07-14-2011, 09:17 AM

boy you said it!
it is all opinions here.

as someone said, disregard the bad and the good and find the review in the middle.

and the wedding section is so difficult to moderate.
what is true? untrue? self promoting? over exaggerated etc???
the wedding section is indeed a place where "grain of salt" has to be taken one at a time.
as moderator, i find it a section of the forum that causes me great distress.
if i were a bride or groom, i am not sure "how i would feel".....certainly confused at least.
lisa and i are in touch with each other re: the wedding section and we do the best we can and that is often times not enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msbeckyt

I agree that the "grain of salt" rule is an important way to approach forming an opinion without experiencing that thing for yourself. I try to bear this in mind when looking through the wedding reviews in this forum especially.

cpjones · 07-14-2011, 10:46 PM

Gotta figure, tho, that if a place has 20 positive reviews and 2 negative reviews.... it's probably pretty good!

06-02-2011, 09:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	Resort Reviews In reading some recent reviews on a travel website, I have come to the following conclusion. Trip reviews are just that, one persons perception of a resort or a destination. Always do your own research and ask a lot of questions. It is very interesting to see how people see things differently. Remember that game called "telephone" you played as a child? The hotel's website states the resort has two swimming pools. A reviewer states the pool has three swimming pools. Last time I checked, the resort did indeed have only two swimming pools. One reviewer states the Radisson's Plaza Club is on the EIGHTH floor. One reviewer states the Radisson's Plaza Club is on the SIXTH floor. In my mind this is all another argument for using a good travel agent. They should know the product they are selling. If they do not, at least if you have problems, there is someone to be held accountable. In the case of online reviews it is only one persons opinion and not necessarily facts. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

ADVERTISMENT

06-02-2011, 10:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,259 Images: 80	exactly!! when in doubt check the resort website or your knowledgeable travel agent OR ask here, we CAN and usually do find out and clear the muddied path. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

06-02-2011, 04:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
hockeymom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 292 Images: 5	I often take these with "a grain of salt" It's one person's opinion. The first time we went to the Divi I was nervous after reading some of the reviews. We loved it - and still do. I often find the only people that bother to do reports are also the ones that are unhappy. I made it a point this year to do a review on Tripadvisor as I was tired of seeing so many negative reviews. I find this with alot of product reviews too. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

06-03-2011, 08:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
katherine Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Too many places to list Posts: 195 Images: 1	I think the old saying is true when reading reviews - disregard the very best review(s) and the very worst - the truth is usually found in the rest. Opinions are hard to figure out as well if you don't know who they are coming from- people come from all walks of life and areas of the country - what one person finds great may not be great for someone else. Joe who lives in a small town in mid-america will have a different opinion of something than someone who lives in a penthouse on the upper east side of Manhattan. This is hardest for us when reading restaurant reviews. We consider ourselves "foodies" - we love to eat and cook. Some people don't care about food as much and could be happy eating chef boyardee (nothing wrong if you do) But my mother in law is from Italy and makes phenomenal pasta - the person who is used to chef boyardee will definitely have a differing opinion than us when rating an italian restaurant. Anyway - I am rambling as usual... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Arubalisa likes this. __________________ katherine Trip #12 is over -we are back home. Trip #13 in

06-10-2011, 06:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
katherine Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Too many places to list Posts: 195 Images: 1	It is funny - I just had a conversation with a friend today and she mentioned that she and her husband love food and great restaurants. Her parents are not picky about food at all - so whenever her parents tell them they ate at a great restaurant she takes it with a grain of salt and knows that it probably would not be that great. If they wrote a review someone who did not know them may trust their opinion. Just goes to show that it is hard to trust reviews unless you know who is making them. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ katherine Trip #12 is over -we are back home. Trip #13 in

07-14-2011, 08:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
serene56 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 464	I have been reading reviews on the travel channel and yes, they are all over the board. Some like it some do not. Honey says dont stress- we are on vacation - How bad CAN it really be??? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

07-14-2011, 09:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
msbeckyt Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 13	I agree that the "grain of salt" rule is an important way to approach forming an opinion without experiencing that thing for yourself. I try to bear this in mind when looking through the wedding reviews in this forum especially. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

07-14-2011, 10:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
cpjones Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palm Beach Radisson Casino Mme J's Posts: 276	Gotta figure, tho, that if a place has 20 positive reviews and 2 negative reviews.... it's probably pretty good! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Andrea J. likes this.