Why Reviews Are Everything for Hotels and Restaurants: 5 Reasons You Can’t Ignore

In the hospitality game, your online reputation is your real front door.

You could have the coziest rooms, the tastiest risotto, and the friendliest staff in town—but if your Google or TripAdvisor page is sitting there with 2 reviews from 2019? You’re invisible.

Let’s break down why reviews matter more than ever—and why getting more of them should be at the top of your to-do list.

1. Reviews Build Trust (Faster Than Any Ad Ever Will)

Here’s the deal: 90%+ of people read online reviews before choosing where to stay or eat.

That means strangers are making decisions based on what other strangers say about your business. If you're not actively collecting positive feedback, you're leaving your reputation to chance.

The fix: Add a Smartap review card or NFC keychain that directs guests to your Google or TripAdvisor page in one tap. Make it easy, and they’re way more likely to actually do it.

2. More Reviews = More Visibility (a.k.a. Better SEO)

Google and TripAdvisor don’t just love reviews—they prioritize businesses that get them consistently.

The more recent, high-quality reviews you have, the more likely you are to show up in:

• “Best restaurants near me”

• “Top-rated hotels in [your city]”

• Google Maps searches

The fix: Create touchpoints throughout your guest experience (think menus, rooms, receipts) where people can quickly tap or scan to leave a review. Let Smartap tech do the heavy lifting.

3. Reviews = Free Feedback (and That Feedback = Growth)

Not every review will be five stars. And that’s okay.

Reviews give you a real-time pulse on what’s working and what’s not—whether it’s a broken showerhead or a server who deserves a raise. You can't fix what you don't know.

The fix: Encourage reviews during checkout or bill payment using Smartap plaques or cards. The sooner you get feedback, the quicker you can act on it.

4. Reviews Influence Booking Decisions (Even If They Don’t Read Them All)

Here’s the fun part: most people don’t read every word of a review—they just scan the stars and glance at the most recent comments.

But that star rating? It's everything.

A bump from 3.9 to 4.3 can mean thousands more in revenue every month. One great review can be the tipping point for a booking.

The fix: Make sure every happy guest gets a friendly, low-pressure nudge to leave a review using your Smartap gear. The more reviews you collect, the more stable your rating becomes.

5. Reviews Help You Stand Out in a Crowded Market

Let’s be real—there are a lot of places to eat and sleep. Your menu or your view might be amazing, but online, everyone’s claiming that.

What really sets you apart? Hundreds of real, positive reviews from real guests.

The fix: Use branded, beautifully designed review cards or NFC products that guests want to interact with. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference.

TL;DR: Reviews Aren’t Optional. They’re Your Business’s Lifeline.

So if you’ve been putting off your review strategy, now’s the time to make it part of your daily workflow.

And the best part? With Smartap, it’s effortless.

👉 Check out our shop and start collecting more reviews the easy way