For almost 15 years, I have religiously used TripAdvisor reviews to locate hotels, restaurants and attractions around the world. I avoid those with only a few reviews and reviewers who have only posted a few reviews. The review comments and reviewer pictures have always steered me straight. I have never ended up with a property like the picture of your Athens hotel.
We found this rental on one of the vacation rental platforms. It had almost a perfect score. I think I know how. When someone complains, the owner issues a quick refund. Then the renter can't leave a review. Very clever.
Same here! I only read the TripAdvisor reviews. I have also developed a sense of which reviews are to be trusted due to the way someone has written it.
Neil - are there a minimum number of reviews that you'll accept before you take the overall rating and comments as valid? I'm starting to use TripAdvisor but I'm not really all that familiar with it. Thanks
As mentioned TripAdvisor is incredibly accurate if you read the reviews with a critical view of the comments made.
I have steered my travel companions to what they felt was the best seafood in Saigon to the best Italian in Hanoi all thinking 🤔 I was super smart when all I did was scrutinize TripAdvisor
Hilarious - both that someone as experienced as you would not know that "eclectic" is code for super bad and the discussion of the value of "banter" on podcasts. This is the first of your podcasts I have listened to, and I thought it was a fine mix of info and banter. :) We actually just got back from Italy, and we used AirBnB for the first time internationally (I know, I know, a little late to the game, but we got burned years ago on a VRBO and have avoided private rentals since), and had a great experience. However, your experience is exactly the reason we avoided AirBnB for so long. What is your advice for avoiding such a situation in the future, since we loved our AirBnB experience and plan to use them again? I also thought your advice on not sticking to Google/TripAdvisor/recommended restaurants was excellent. Some of our best meals were those where we just happened upon (including excellent pizza by the Roman Forum), and some of our worst were places I had researched extensively (and had eaten at in the past.) Safe travels to you, and enjoy the rest of your time in Athens and Greece - I adore that place! Make sure you visit Delphi while you are there, and go early in the morning before the crowds, or late when they have departed. It will change your life.
I am surprised that you didn't do more research about the neighborhood. There are literally thousands of airbnbs in Athens. If you consulted with someone who lives there they could have guided you. Finally, you couldn't have gone wrong with any airbnb with good ratings within a mile or so from the Acropolis.
"If you decide to stay..." Hilarious. As someone who has had her own trials and tribulations with vacation rental companies as of late, this story made me laugh. I'm sorry, but misery loves company! :)
Interesting but difficult to understand podcast when you are all talking at the same time. Listened 3x and still not clear on the hand gestures. You need to decide if this podcast is going to be informative or a stand up routine.
For almost 15 years, I have religiously used TripAdvisor reviews to locate hotels, restaurants and attractions around the world. I avoid those with only a few reviews and reviewers who have only posted a few reviews. The review comments and reviewer pictures have always steered me straight. I have never ended up with a property like the picture of your Athens hotel.
We found this rental on one of the vacation rental platforms. It had almost a perfect score. I think I know how. When someone complains, the owner issues a quick refund. Then the renter can't leave a review. Very clever.
Thank you, that was my question - how on earth did they get a perfect score?
Same here! I only read the TripAdvisor reviews. I have also developed a sense of which reviews are to be trusted due to the way someone has written it.
Neil - are there a minimum number of reviews that you'll accept before you take the overall rating and comments as valid? I'm starting to use TripAdvisor but I'm not really all that familiar with it. Thanks
It works. I just review the “reviews “ and especially the pictures posted. You won’t go wrong!
Just look at the reviews were hundreds of people have commented. it’s worked for me for almost 20 years.
As mentioned TripAdvisor is incredibly accurate if you read the reviews with a critical view of the comments made.
I have steered my travel companions to what they felt was the best seafood in Saigon to the best Italian in Hanoi all thinking 🤔 I was super smart when all I did was scrutinize TripAdvisor
Hilarious - both that someone as experienced as you would not know that "eclectic" is code for super bad and the discussion of the value of "banter" on podcasts. This is the first of your podcasts I have listened to, and I thought it was a fine mix of info and banter. :) We actually just got back from Italy, and we used AirBnB for the first time internationally (I know, I know, a little late to the game, but we got burned years ago on a VRBO and have avoided private rentals since), and had a great experience. However, your experience is exactly the reason we avoided AirBnB for so long. What is your advice for avoiding such a situation in the future, since we loved our AirBnB experience and plan to use them again? I also thought your advice on not sticking to Google/TripAdvisor/recommended restaurants was excellent. Some of our best meals were those where we just happened upon (including excellent pizza by the Roman Forum), and some of our worst were places I had researched extensively (and had eaten at in the past.) Safe travels to you, and enjoy the rest of your time in Athens and Greece - I adore that place! Make sure you visit Delphi while you are there, and go early in the morning before the crowds, or late when they have departed. It will change your life.
The podcast sounds just fine, considering the crazy circumstances. I hope the rest of your trip goes a little more smoothly!
Thanks, Micki. We had some audio challenges with four participants, but we'll get them fixed for next week.
I am surprised that you didn't do more research about the neighborhood. There are literally thousands of airbnbs in Athens. If you consulted with someone who lives there they could have guided you. Finally, you couldn't have gone wrong with any airbnb with good ratings within a mile or so from the Acropolis.
"If you decide to stay..." Hilarious. As someone who has had her own trials and tribulations with vacation rental companies as of late, this story made me laugh. I'm sorry, but misery loves company! :)
I know, I couldn't believe it when he said that. What's your story?
I sent it through HARO. :)
Interesting but difficult to understand podcast when you are all talking at the same time. Listened 3x and still not clear on the hand gestures. You need to decide if this podcast is going to be informative or a stand up routine.
That's great feedback. I'm going to talk to the boys about this.
Please improve the audio quality of the podcast. A possible good step might be having the participants use headsets rather than conference speakers.