How to write a balanced review of a restaurant, tour or hotel

Writing reviews after your hotel stay, restaurant visit or walking tour are important for both fellow traveler as for the owners and organizers. But it often happens that we get to extremes; extremely bad or extremely good. How to make sure your review is balanced and reliable for everyone, without too many superlatives (like ‘extremely’)? Here are 10 quick tips to help you to write a good and balanced review!

Table of Contents

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1. Be Specific and Detailed

Restaurants: When reviewing a restaurant, describe the dishes you ordered. Mention specific ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavors. For example, instead of saying “the pasta was good,” you might say, “the handmade fettuccine was perfectly al dente and paired beautifully with a rich, creamy alfredo sauce that had just the right amount of garlic.”

Hotels: For hotels, focus on aspects like cleanliness, amenities, and customer service. If you enjoyed the complimentary breakfast, specify what items were available and how they contributed to your experience. For example, “The hotel offered a delightful breakfast with fresh pastries, organic coffee, and a variety of fresh fruits.”

City Tours: When reviewing a walking tour, discuss the guide’s knowledge, the itinerary, and how engaging the experience was. Mention highlights or unique insights that made the tour memorable. For instance, “Our guide shared fascinating stories about the city’s history, bringing to life the hidden gems we explored.”

2. Avoid Extremes and Superlatives

One common pitfall in reviews is the tendency to use extreme language or superlatives. Phrases like “the best ever” or “the worst experience of my life” can be misleading and may not accurately represent the experience. While it’s natural to feel strongly about an experience, try to balance your emotions with an objective perspective. You might think these superlatives are helpful, but it might be actually confusing for the readers, as it can appear misleading or a paid endorsement.

Restaurants: Instead of saying, “This is the best pizza in the world,” you could say, “This pizza is well-made with fresh ingredients, and it’s definitely one of the better ones I’ve tried in the area.”

Hotels: Instead of declaring, “This hotel is awful,” consider, “While the hotel has some issues with noise, it offers great value for its price and is conveniently located.”

Walking Tours: Instead of claiming, “This tour is the most fascinating thing I’ve ever done,” you might say, “The tour was informative and provided a good overview of the city’s history, with some unique insights.”

By avoiding extremes, you provide a more balanced and nuanced perspective that will be more useful to others.

3. Use a Positive Tone

Even if your experience was not perfect, maintaining a positive tone can make your review more constructive. Focus on what you enjoyed and what worked well while also mentioning areas for improvement.

Example for Restaurants: “While the service was a bit slow, the staff was friendly and the ambiance was lovely, making it a pleasant dining experience overall.”

Example for Hotels: “Although the Wi-Fi connection was spotty, the comfortable bed and helpful staff made our stay enjoyable.”

Example for Walking Tours: “The tour was a bit rushed at times, but the engaging storytelling kept our interest throughout.”

4. Be Honest and Authentic

Authenticity is key to a good review. Share your genuine experience, whether it was fantastic or just okay. Don’t be afraid to point out specific shortcomings if they affected your experience, but do so in a respectful manner.

Restaurants: “The seafood was fresh, but I found the seasoning lacking. A little more flavor would elevate the dish significantly.”

Hotels: “The location was perfect, but our room had some noise issues from the street. If you’re a light sleeper, it might be worth asking for a quieter room.”

Walking Tours: “The tour included some interesting facts, but I wish we had more time at each stop to really take in the sights.”

5. Include Context to your review

Providing context can help future customers understand your perspective. Consider mentioning the time of day you visited, whether it was a special occasion, or if you have specific dietary preferences.

Restaurants: “We visited for dinner on a busy Saturday night, and despite the crowd, the staff remained attentive.”

Hotels: “We stayed during the off-season, which made for a quieter and more relaxed experience.”

Walking Tours: “As first-time visitors to the city, we appreciated the tour’s balance of history and local culture.”

6. Consider the Audience

Remember that your review will be read by others seeking guidance and reviews. Think about what information would be most helpful for someone in your position.

Restaurants: Consider mentioning whether the restaurant is family-friendly, suitable for a date night, or great for large groups.

Hotels Highlight accessibility features or nearby attractions that might be useful for travelers.

Walking Tours: Share whether the tour is suitable for all ages or fitness levels, which can help others decide if it’s right for them.

7. Provide a Balanced Perspective

If there were both positive and negative aspects to your experience, try to present them in a balanced way. This shows you’re fair-minded and helps readers get a holistic view.

Restaurants: “The dessert was a standout, but the appetizer didn’t quite meet my expectations. I’d recommend sticking with the main courses.”

Hotels: “The hotel was charming and cozy, but the parking situation was a bit challenging, especially during peak hours.”

Walking Tours: “The tour was well-organized and informative, though the pacing could be improved to allow more time for photos.”

8. End with a Recommendation in the review

Wrap up your review by summarizing your thoughts and offering a recommendation. This can guide readers in deciding whether to visit or book the service.

Restaurants: “Overall, I’d recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a cozy atmosphere and delicious pasta.”

Hotels: “I would suggest this hotel for those who prioritize comfort and location, especially if you’re planning to explore the city.”

Walking Tours: “I highly recommend this walking tour to anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history.”

9. Explain the Importance of Good Reviews

Leaving thoughtful reviews is not only beneficial for consumers, but also for the businesses you’re reviewing.

For Restaurants: Good reviews can significantly influence a restaurant’s reputation and visibility. Positive feedback can attract new customers, while constructive criticism can help owners identify areas for improvement. A thriving restaurant benefits the local economy, creates jobs, and enriches the community.

For Hotels: For hotel owners, reviews can directly impact occupancy rates. Guests often rely on reviews to choose where to stay, and a pattern of positive feedback can lead to increased bookings. Moreover, constructive criticism can help hoteliers enhance the guest experience, ultimately leading to better reviews in the future.

For City Walking Tours: Organizers of walking tours rely on reviews to build credibility and attract new participants. A good review can boost visibility on platforms like TripAdvisor or Yelp, leading to more bookings. Additionally, feedback helps tour guides refine their storytelling and improve the overall experience for future guests.

10. Edit and Proofread

Before submitting your review, take a moment to read it over. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes, and make sure your thoughts are clearly articulated. A polished review adds to your credibility.