After the visit: ask for reviews and invite people back

After the visit: ask for reviews and invite people back

The stay is over, the keys are returned, and the calendar moves on. But the guest’s memory of your place is still fresh. This is the moment to ask for a review and to open the door for a future visit. A simple, consistent post-stay flow can turn one-time guests into regulars and can keep new reviews rolling in without feeling pushy. Here’s a practical playbook you can implement this week.

Why the post-stay moment matters

Fresh memories lead to better responses

Guests are most likely to reply right after checkout. They remember the easy check-in, the clean room, and the cafe you recommended. Ask while the experience is vivid and you’ll collect more reviews with more detail.

Reviews remove friction for future guests

Recent, authentic reviews lower the risk for someone deciding where to book. Even a few sentences from a real guest can do more than a page of marketing text.

Invites convert goodwill into repeat bookings

After a positive stay, a gentle invitation to return—paired with a small perk—can turn appreciation into action.

A simple timeline you can reuse

Checkout day (T+0): say thank you

• Send a short email (and SMS if you used it before arrival). Keep it warm and simple. No asks yet—just appreciation and a link to a receipt if needed.

The next morning (T+1): ask for a review

• Send a single, clear call to action: “Leave a review (1 minute).” Link to one or two places max: Google and the platform they used to book.

One week later (T+7): gentle reminder

• Resend only to those who didn’t respond. Change the subject line and keep it even shorter. If they already reviewed, do nothing.

Thirty days later (T+30): return invitation

• Offer a small perk (return-guest code, flexible check-in, partner discount). Make it time-limited and easy to use.

Ninety days later (T+90): optional update

• Share a light seasonal note: new amenities, events in the area, or a mini city guide. No hard sell—just a friendly touch.

How to ask for reviews without being pushy

Make it easy

• Give one primary link (e.g., Google) and one secondary (your site or the OTA). Too many choices reduce clicks.
• Warn guests if they’ll need to sign in on a platform, so it’s not a surprise.

Keep the tone human

Be direct and kind. If you can, mention something specific from their stay (room type, reason for visit). It shows you see them as a person, not a payment.

Ask for honesty

“Your honest review helps future guests know what to expect.” This line sets a helpful, low-pressure tone and results in reviews that feel trustworthy.

Copy-and-paste templates

Email — T+0 Thank you

Subject: Thank you for staying with us

Body:

Hi [First name],
Thank you for staying with us from [dates]. We hope the trip went smoothly. If you need a receipt, you can download it here: [link]. Safe travels and hope to see you again!
— [Signature/Brand]

Email — T+1 Review request

Subject: Could you share a quick review?

Body:

Hi [First name],
We hope you had a pleasant stay. Would you mind leaving a quick 1-minute review? It helps other travelers decide, and we read every word.
➜ Leave a review on Google
Prefer to share feedback privately? Just reply to this email—we’re always improving.
Thank you!
— [Signature/Brand]

SMS — T+1 Review request

Thanks for staying at [Brand]. Could you leave a short review? [link]. If anything wasn’t right, reply here and we’ll make it better.

Email — T+7 Reminder (only to non-responders)

Subject: A quick favor — your review

Body:

Hi [First name],
A quick nudge in case you missed this—your short review would help a lot:
➜ Leave a review
If you’d rather share feedback privately, hit reply. Thank you!
— [Signature]

Email — T+30 Return invite

Subject: We’d love to host you again — here’s a small perk

Body:

Hi [First name],
It was a pleasure hosting you. If you’re planning another visit to [city/area], use code WELCOME-BACK for 10% off or flexible check-in (valid 60 days).
Book direct here: [link].
Warmly,
— [Signature]

Where to collect reviews (and why)

Google Business Profile

Crucial for local search and Maps. A steady stream of reviews improves visibility for people searching “hotel near me” or “best place to stay in [city].”

Your own website

Showcase reviews on your property pages. If you take direct bookings, a simple native review system (stars + comments) builds trust and keeps social proof on your domain.

OTAs and niche platforms

If the guest booked through an OTA, send them there for consistency. For activity providers and rentals, niche sites may matter more—choose based on where your future guests browse.

Offers that encourage a return (without racing to the bottom)

Thoughtful perks

• Flexible arrival: Early check-in or late checkout when available.
• Room preference: Try to place returning guests in their favorite room type or view.
• Local partner deals: A coffee, bike rental, or museum pass through partners.

Clear, simple discounts

• Small, time-bound codes that actually work at checkout.
• Explain the value and the deadline in one short sentence.

Personal touches beat big coupons

A note that references their previous stay (anniversary trip, conference, family visit) feels more special than a larger, generic discount.

Automate the routine, keep the human touch

Set up automations

• Trigger T+0, T+1, and T+7 emails from your booking system or CRM.
• Exclude guests who already left a review to avoid extra reminders.

Measure the basics

• Open and click rates on review emails.
• Number of new reviews per month and average rating.
• Repeat booking rate and revenue from return-guest codes.

Keep replies personal

Reply to reviews—good and bad. Thank people for specifics, and address concerns plainly. Public, calm replies show future guests you’re attentive and fair.

Handling negative or mixed reviews

Respond quickly, not defensively

Start with thanks, acknowledge the issue, and explain what changed. If appropriate, offer to make it right on their next visit. Avoid copy-paste apologies; write like a person.

Look for patterns

If the same issue appears across reviews (noise, Wi-Fi, parking), fix it. Improvements turn a weak spot into a strength and give you a great follow-up message: “We upgraded our Wi-Fi based on guest feedback.”

Privacy and consent

Keep data handling simple and compliant

• Send post-stay messages only to guests who consented to communication during booking.
• Include an easy way to opt out.
• Store preferences so you don’t message those who opted out.

Quick checklist

Review flow

• T+0 thank-you, T+1 review ask, T+7 reminder to non-responders.
• One or two review links. Clear, short copy. Personal tone.
• Automations in your booking system to keep it consistent.

Return invites

• T+30 invite with a small, time-bound perk and a direct booking link.
• Optional T+90 seasonal update that’s friendly, not salesy.

Continuous improvement

• Reply to reviews promptly and professionally.
• Track review volume, rating, and repeat bookings.
• Fix recurring issues and tell guests about the improvements.

Final thoughts

Post-stay messages don’t need to be complicated. Thank guests quickly, ask for a short review with as little friction as possible, and follow up later with a kind invitation to return. Keep the tone personal, offer a small perk, and make the booking link obvious. Do this every time, and you’ll build steady social proof and a growing base of loyal, returning guests.