Why Hotels Should Be Allowed to Rate Guests—And What Would Happen If They Did
If you’ve ever worked the front desk at a hotel, chances are you’ve daydreamed about this: the power to review your guests. Imagine it—a world where every guest who checks in, checks out with a rating attached to their name, and a little note like “arrived yelling about parking” or “still believes ‘continental breakfast’ means pancakes delivered to the room.” For one Reddit user, u/hellobela_, this fantasy is all too real, as they vent about the wild entitlement and grown-adult tantrums they’ve witnessed on the job.
It’s a relatable, cathartic post that has hospitality workers everywhere nodding in exhausted solidarity. But what if—just what if—guests could be rated, too? Grab your keycards and lanyards, because we’re checking in to the alternate universe where hotels get to review their guests right back.
The Lopsided World of Reviews
Let’s face it: the online review game is a one-way street. Guests have all the power—they can gleefully leave a scathing one-star review because the room wasn’t “ocean view” enough (despite booking the “Parking Lot Vista” special). Meanwhile, the staff who endured their tirades and smile-through-the-pain customer service get...what? Maybe a coffee shot if they’re lucky, or, more often, a sympathetic eye roll from their manager.
This imbalance is what makes the idea of mutual reviews so intoxicating. If Uber drivers can rate passengers, why not hotels and their guests? Imagine scrolling through your upcoming reservations and seeing notes like:
- “Kind, tidy, left a thank you note: 5 stars.”
- “Demanded a refund because the clouds blocked the sunset: 1 star.”
- “Approaches the front desk already yelling: caution.”
The scales would finally tip toward fairness, and maybe, just maybe, some guests would think twice before throwing a fit over the color of the hallway carpet.
Would Guest Reviews Actually Change Behavior?
Here’s the fun part: human psychology. When people know they’re being graded, they tend to act better. It’s why we all drive a little more carefully when we spot a police car, or why, on our best days, we try not to be “that guy” at the supermarket.
If hotels could review guests, you bet behavior would shape up overnight. Suddenly, the guests who treat the lobby like a WWE arena might remember their manners. After all, nobody wants to see “Banned for threatening to ‘call corporate’ over towel thickness” pop up when they book their next stay.
What Would Those Reviews Look Like?
Let’s get creative. Here are some real-life inspired guest review snippets we’d love to see:
- “Brought a marching band’s worth of noise at 2 AM. Would not host again.”
- “Tried to negotiate the non-refundable rate by quoting a competitor’s coupon for a free donut.”
- “Left the room cleaner than they found it and complimented the staff. Please send more guests like this!”
Of course, there would be a few awkward ones, too:
- “Requested extra pillows, then used them to build a pillow fort in the hallway. Honestly, kind of impressive.”
The Hidden Perks for All
Let’s not overlook the potential benefits for guests, too. If you’re a dream guest—polite, flexible, takes only the free shampoo and not the lamp—you’d rack up a glowing record that might score you upgrades, perks, or just a little extra courtesy at your next check-in. Suddenly, manners become a travel currency, and everyone’s experience gets a boost.
On the flip side, chronic complainers might find themselves facing a little more scrutiny—or at least second thoughts about their next meltdown.
Is It Just a Fantasy?
As much as we’d love to see TripAdvisor transform into a two-way street of accountability, reality has a way of being less fun (and more legally complicated). Privacy concerns, potential discrimination, and the ever-present risk of petty revenge reviews mean we’re not likely to see “Guest Ratings” on Expedia anytime soon.
Still, it’s a fun dream. And maybe, just maybe, if more people realized how tough life is behind the front desk, they’d think twice before demanding a free suite because the vending machine only had Diet Coke.
Let’s Hear From You!
Have you experienced hotel guest horror stories—either as a guest or a staff member? Do you think guest reviews would improve hotel stays, or just add more drama? Share your thoughts (and your best stories) in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going—and maybe, together, we can make hotel stays a little more civil, one five-star guest at a time.
Original Reddit Post: I wish more websites let you evaluate the guests