Getting more Google reviews is one of the most powerful things a hotel or hospitality venue can do right now. Reviews influence booking decisions, improve your local search ranking, and build trust before a guest even visits your website.
Yet many venues leave this entirely to chance. They hope guests will leave a review. Most don't.
This guide gives you a clear, practical strategy to change that.
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Google reviews directly affect how your business appears in local search results. More reviews, with a higher average rating, push you higher in Google Maps and the local pack.
For hotels and hospitality venues, this is especially powerful. Travellers and diners search for options nearby. They read reviews before they book.
A venue with 200 reviews and a 4.7-star rating wins more clicks than a competitor with 30 reviews and a 4.9. Volume and recency both matter to Google's algorithm.
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Before you ask anyone for a review, make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and accurate. Add your address, phone number, opening hours, photos, and a clear business description.
An incomplete profile looks unprofessional. It also limits how Google ranks you locally.
Log in at business.google.com and audit your listing today. Fix anything that's out of date or missing.
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The biggest barrier to getting reviews is friction. If leaving a review feels complicated, guests won't bother.
Google gives every business a short review link. Find yours inside Google Business Profile under "Ask for reviews." Share this link everywhere.
The easier you make it, the more reviews you get. Remove every unnecessary step.
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Timing is everything. The best moment to ask for a review is when a guest is happiest.
For hotels, that's often at checkout. For restaurants and bars, it's when the bill arrives or a compliment is made.
Train your team to recognise those moments. A simple, confident ask works better than a printed card left on the table.
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QR codes are one of the most effective tools for hospitality businesses. They're cheap, simple, and guests are comfortable using them.
Place QR codes on:
Each QR code should link directly to your Google review page. Don't send guests to your homepage first.
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Email is your most reliable review-generation tool. Guests have checked out, they're back home, and they're reflecting on their experience.
Send a short, friendly follow-up email within 24 to 48 hours of departure. Thank them for staying. Ask how their visit went. Then include a direct link to leave a Google review.
Keep the email short. One ask. One link. No clutter.
Automate this through your property management system or a simple email tool like Mailchimp. Once set up, it runs without any extra effort.
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Your staff are your biggest asset in generating reviews. A genuine, personal ask from a real person is more compelling than any automated message.
Brief your team regularly. Role-play the conversation if needed. The ask should feel natural, not scripted.
Something like: "We're really glad you enjoyed your stay. If you have a moment, we'd love it if you left us a Google review. It genuinely helps us."
That's it. Simple and effective.
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Responding to reviews shows you're engaged and professional. It also signals to Google that your profile is active.
Thank guests for positive reviews personally. Mention something specific from their stay if you can.
For negative reviews, stay calm and constructive. Acknowledge the issue, apologise where appropriate, and offer to resolve it offline. A well-handled negative review can actually build trust with future guests.
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Reviews shouldn't be a one-off campaign. Build them into your daily operations.
Hold brief team huddles. Share review milestones. Celebrate when you hit a new total or receive a particularly lovely comment.
When your team cares about reviews, guests feel that energy. Engaged staff deliver better experiences, and better experiences generate better reviews.
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Not every guest needs a direct ask. Some just need a gentle nudge at the right moment.
Use well-placed signage around your venue. A small sign at reception that says "Loved your stay? Leave us a Google review" with a QR code does quiet work around the clock.
Posters in lifts, stickers on luggage tags, and cards in rooms all contribute. These passive prompts add up over time.
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Don't offer incentives for reviews. Google prohibits it, and it can get your listing penalised.
Don't buy fake reviews. They're easy for Google to detect and the consequences are severe.
Don't ask only when you think the experience was excellent. Train your team to ask consistently, not selectively.
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Getting more Google reviews isn't a one-time task. It's an ongoing part of how you run your business.
Set a monthly target. Track your review count and average rating. Review your response times.
Treat it like any other business metric. If you measure it, you can improve it.
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Google reviews are free marketing. Every five-star review is a public endorsement that works for you around the clock.
Hotels and hospitality venues that prioritise reviews consistently outperform those that don't. The gap only widens over time.
Start small. Make one change this week. Ask one guest today. The momentum will follow.
If you'd like help building a full local SEO or review strategy for your venue, Byter Digital works with hospitality businesses across London to grow their online presence and turn happy guests into loyal advocates.
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Lewis Banks
Founder & Director, Byter Digital · 7+ years experience
Lewis is the Founder and Director of Byter Digital. He launched the agency in 2018 and has spent the years since building marketing programmes for London restaurants, members clubs, hotels, dental practices, and consumer brands. He writes about agency operations, hospitality marketing, and how SMEs should think about modern channels.
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