Hotel reviews or no reviews ?

[manarak]

I've made a website which works as a girl friendly hotel directory:
www.wgfriendly.com

I recently added google maps (showing the hotel's exact location), and now I think about adding a reviewing system to the site.

But I'm not totally certain it is worth the trouble
(we are talking hours of programming here).

So I would like to ask you:

If there was a reviewing system on my site, would you take the time to give your opinion on the hotel on WGfriendly.com (even if you didn't book the hotel with wgfriendly.com?)


Bonus question:
Is Agoda a bad, neutral or good element in the booking equation?
Do you book with Agoda / would you like alternative hotel booking sites to be offered?
What are in you opinion good hotel booking sites?

[PigDogg]

Yo Manarak, I'll help u out with a few reviews.

I like Agoda as it generally is cheap and they have much better customer service than I anticipated.

Their reviews are trustworthy since u must have booked thru them to post a review.  With Trip Advisor hotel owners post good reviews under an alias.

[laputanegra]

i always like agoda always get a good rate.

[Snick]

I use agoda to book more than any other site, I use it and tripadvisor for reviews.

[Rocket J. Squirrel]

I like your website Manarak.
I use Agoda primarily for booking and reviews and Tripadvisor for reviews. I also look here for hotel information.
My only complaint when using Agoda, is that the transaction occurs in Bangkok and my US based credit card adds transaction fees to the total amount. I still like them them most however. Now, I often check prices on Agoda and book direct with the hotel.
I don't know what the market is for wgfriendly, but I would definitely consult it if I were traveling and I felt that I could trust the reviews.
The Agoda links and maps are great. If one tries to get to a map using Tripadvisor, the process is torturous.
Would you offer reviews of non-agoda hotels?

[Chinaman]

Hi Manarak,

Just looked at yr website - well I have looked at it b4.
Noticed that Dream Hotel - a 4-star starting at 11 USD. Being a Cheap Charlie (at times), I would certainly like to know more about that one - so, from my selfish POV review on yr site would be helpful.

I have been hesitant to book via Agoda, simply because I never know how long I will stay and don't want to be locked into any CC-payments, but then this will not apply to everybody.

Has anyone stayed at that Dream Hotel b4?

Cheers
CM

[manarak]

Thanks for all the feedback so far!
I haven't had any problems with Agoda so far as well, and redeemed 100 USD worth of "member points" with them last year, no problem.

Yo Manarak,I'll help u out with a few reviews.

That's cool, thank you!

About the reviews, I think the reviews would be more "monger oriented" than Tripadvisor's or Agoda's :-)
I could add a feature to attach pix to the review as well...

I like your website Manarak.
...
Would you offer reviews of non-agoda hotels?

Thank you.
Well that depends on whether the hotel offers me a commission on the bookings.
I want to earn something on the bookings,since I am spending all the time to put that resource together.

I also think it is a great way for hotels to promote their rooms to that market segment if they like!

If you happen to speak with managers of GF hotels and they complain about lack of customers, point them to my site.

WGFriendly has worldwide ambitions, and is raising in search engine / google rankings every day!
(I'm also interested about data on other countries where girlfriendlyness poses a problem)

Noticed that Dream Hotel - a 4-star starting at 11 USD.

Sometimes I am unable the find the advertised price on Agoda - seems they sometimes have burps in their database.

Maybe their price calculations get messed up with their specials.

I found:

Dream Hotel
Valid until: September 30, 2010
Free nights
Stay 3 nights get 1 night/s free

So maybe the "free night" is only the taxes which is approx. 11 USD. ??


But the dream hotel has many good reviews and at currently 67 USD per night it is a good deal, especially considering the special offer if you stay 4 days.

[Chinaman]

(manarak @ Apr. 06 2010,20:53) But the dream hotel has many good reviews and at currently 67 USD per night it is a good deal, especially considering the special offer if you stay 4 days.

Well, looked to good to be true anyway ;-)

I stayed twice at the Sahil in Soi 8 last year. Def. WG-friendly and the rooms are quite nice.

Thanks Manarak.

[katoeylover]

I often leave reviews on agoda and tripadvisor, so would on your site too, however the points on agoda make it a good reason to use.

Use it for work bookings and use the discounts for LOS bookings.

[Bumpa STIKKA]

I read hotel reviews with interest when booking a room. But I generally want to know how clean it is or how good the breakfast is. Is the WiFi free, etc.

I'll draw my own conclusions eventually.

The problem with the reviews by fellow board members is that what is crap for one person may be just fine for another. Some may like top class hotels which look more like hospitals and some people may go for the 300 baht a night (with fan) style rooms on top of the action.

I'd rather hear first hand from a person like me rather than 100 people who simply like ladyboys.

In order of importance...

1 - LB friendly?
2 - Clean?
3 - Wifi and breakfast included?
4 - Price?
5 - Location?

[Steff]

Bumpa is right: One man's floor is another man's ceiling.

[manarak]

(Bumpa STIKKA @ Apr. 07 2010,15:20) I read hotel reviews with interest when booking a room. But I generally want to know how clean it is or how good the breakfast is. Is the WiFi free, etc.

I'll draw my own conclusions eventually.

The problem with the reviews by fellow board members is that what is crap for one person may be just fine for another. Some may like top class hotels which look more like hospitals and some people may go for the 300 baht a night (with fan) style rooms on top of the action.

I'd rather hear first hand from a person like me rather than 100 people who simply like ladyboys.

In order of importance...

1 - LB friendly?
2 - Clean?
3 - Wifi and breakfast included?
4 - Price?
5 - Location?

Yes, I totally agree!!

It seems I got most of your criteria covered :-)

When I thought about adding a review feature on WGFriendly I thought more about the girlfriendlyness/mongering stuff which you would not write so explicitly on other sites, for example:

"the rooms got mirrors on the ceiling, great" !!
or
"the wall separating the shower from the room is see-through"
or
"there is a good selection of condoms and KY available in the room"
or
"conveniently located just round the corner from Nana Plaza"
or
"they made rude remarks to my LB friend"
or
"use the back door / parking door to get in accompanied"

etc...

[guydesavoy]

I usually book direct with the hotel. Things being are what they are, especially these days post GFC, you get the same rate and dealing direct has less hassles.

I'd definitely check out your website though manarak and post a review...

[azza33]

(Bumpa STIKKA @ Apr. 07 2010,15:20) In order of importance...

1 - LB friendly?
2 - Clean?
3 - Wifi and breakfast included?
4 - Price?
5 - Location?

Joiner fee policy is a must to include - especially for hotels in Phuket.

[azza33]

(PigDogg @ Apr. 06 2010,16:58) I like Agoda as it generally is cheap and they have much better customer service than I anticipated.

Had to make a change to a booking for my upcoming trip and
they were really helpful with the live online customer service officer.
They happily changed a hotel date, charged nil fee for the service.