High review scores on Booking.com play a key role in increasing visibility and building guest trust. Guest feedback directly affects your ranking in search results, conversion rates, and the price levels you can achieve. Strong scores often lead to more reservations, better performance, and stronger placement in Booking.com’s algorithm. To achieve higher ratings, it is essential to deliver value at every stage of the guest journey, from booking through to post-stay communication.
Understanding Booking.com review scoring
Booking.com calculates the Guest Review Score by averaging guest ratings on a 1–10 scale, with recent reviews carrying more weight. This means that timely improvements can quickly influence your score, and addressing even small issues can have a noticeable impact.
Guests rate several key areas: cleanliness, staff service, comfort, facilities, value for money, and location. While the exact weighting is not published, consistent quality across all categories is what drives higher overall scores.
Why Booking.com high score review matter
A strong review score on Booking.com directly impacts your business. Higher ratings improve your property’s position in search results, making it easier for travelers to find you. Guests are also more likely to book a hotel that shows consistent scores above 8 or 9 because it signals reliability and trust.
In many cases, a better score allows you to justify higher room rates without scaring away bookings. On top of that, reviews act as social proof. When potential guests read recent positive feedback about your staff, cleanliness, or amenities, it reassures them they’re making the right choice. In a competitive market, even a small difference in your average score can influence whether a traveler picks your hotel or the one down the street.
How to Increase Your Booking.com Review Score to 10/10
Deliver an experience worth raving about
High - rating reviews come from exceeding guest expectations. Focus on creating a stay guests will want to praise before asking for reviews.
- Match listing with reality: Ensure your Booking.com photos and descriptions (e.g., "spacious ocean - view suite") reflect the actual experience. Update them with changes like new menus or renovations to avoid guest disappointment from unmet expectations.
- Prioritize personalized service: Train staff to notice details—extra outlets for business travelers, more towels for families. Greet returning guests by name and act on requests (e.g., accommodate late check - outs or offer a free coffee if not possible). Small acts turn stays into memorable ones.
- Nail the basics: Cleanliness, comfort, and functionality are musts. Inspect rooms for fresh linens, working AC, and reliable Wi - Fi. Fix issues like broken remotes or dirty bathrooms immediately—failures here often lead to low ratings.
Timing your review request matters
Even great stays need well - timed review requests to get high scores.
- 12–48 hours post - check - out: This is the sweet spot. Guests are settled, but memories of your service are fresh. Send a short email or SMS then.
- Avoid bad timing: Don’t ask during the stay (guests are busy) or after a week (memories fade).
- Subtle in - stay reminders: If a guest says, "This pool is amazing!", reply, "We’re glad! Sharing your thoughts on Booking.com later would mean a lot." Keep it casual to avoid pushiness.
Make leaving a review easy
Guests won’t write reviews if it’s a hassle. Remove barriers.
- Include a direct link: In post - stay messages, add a button/hyperlink like "Share your experience on Booking.com" to take guests straight to your review page—no searching needed.
- Keep requests simple: Use a short message: "Hi [Name], thanks for staying! A quick review on Booking.com helps others find us. Click here: [Link]."
- Gentle in - hotel nudges: Place small cards in rooms ("Love your stay? Tell us on Booking.com!") or mention reviews on check - out receipts—keep them unobtrusive.
Craft a message that feels genuine
Guests ignore generic requests. Make yours personal and sincere.
- Use names and specifics: Address guests by name. Reference their stay, e.g., "Hope you enjoyed exploring [City]!" This makes them feel seen.
- Lead with gratitude: Start with thanks: "Thank you for choosing [Hotel Name]." Frame reviews as a favor: "Your honest feedback helps us improve and others find great stays."
- Avoid pressure: Never say, "Please give us a 10!" Ask for their "honest experience"—authenticity encourages high scores from satisfied guests.
Respond to reviews to build momentum
Engaging with reviews encourages more high ratings by showing you value feedback.
- Reply to high - rating reviews: Personalize responses by mentioning details from their review: "Thrilled you loved our breakfast—our chef works hard on those pastries! Thanks for the high score; we can’t wait to welcome you back."
- Handle negative reviews professionally: Apologize, explain fixes (e.g., "Added soundproofing for noisy neighbors"), and invite guests to contact you. This shows accountability and builds trust with potential guests.
🔔Avoid these common mistakes
Steer clear of missteps that hurt your score.
- No incentives: Booking.com bans discounts or gifts for positive reviews—they’ll remove your reviews and harm credibility.
- Don’t cherry - pick reviewers: Ask all guests, not just happy ones. A mix of honest feedback feels trustworthy and helps you improve.
- Target the "silent majority": Most guests won’t review unless prompted. A gentle, timely request turns their satisfaction into high ratings.
Final thoughts
Want more high-rated reviews on Booking.com? Don't try to cut corners. The key is to make guests happy and share their joy. You need to ensure your photos reflect the room, provide attentive service, choose the right time to invite reviews, and carefully read feedback. With a good reputation, more bookings will naturally follow.
This week, try one small thing: perhaps updating your photos on Booking.com or figuring out how to write a more engaging review invitation. Over time, these small actions will add up and lead to high-rated reviews. Ultimately, every review is a story from a guest saying how you made their trip better—and that's the most effective advertising.
