As a host managing properties across multiple platforms, responding to guest reviews and leaving reviews about your guests is an essential part of maintaining your reputation. Whether you're using Holidu Homes, White Label (WL), VRBO, Airbnb, or Booking.com, this guide will walk you through the process of reviewing and responding to guest reviews on each channel.

On which channels can guests leave a review?

Guests can leave a review about their stay on every channel connected to Holidu. This means your properties across all platforms—including your direct listings and those managed through Holidu—can receive guest reviews.

On which channels can hosts leave a review about their guests?

As a host, you can leave reviews about your guests on the following channels:

• Airbnb
• VRBO — note that VRBO allows star ratings only, not written reviews

How to respond to a guest review across all channels

Responding to guest reviews is straightforward and can be done directly from your Holidu account. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Receive an email notification

Whenever a guest leaves a review on Holidu or any of your connected channels, you'll receive an email notification with the review details and a link to respond. This email serves as your prompt to engage with the feedback.

Step 2: Open your Holidu account

Click the "Reply to your guest" button in the email notification. This will take you directly to your Holidu host account where you can compose your response.

Step 3: Write and submit your reply

When crafting your response, keep these best practices in mind:

• Acknowledge the guest's feedback — Start by thanking them for their stay and for taking the time to leave a review.
• Address concerns professionally — If the review mentions any issues, focus on solutions rather than defending yourself or disagreeing with their perspective.
• Stay welcoming — Remember that future guests will read your reply, so maintain a positive and professional tone.

Once you submit your response, the system will check it for clarity and professionalism. If any edits are needed, you'll be notified before the response is published.

Step 4: Review and publish

Holidu reviews your response to ensure it meets quality standards. Once your response is published, it cannot be changed, so take time to ensure it accurately represents your property and your commitment to guest satisfaction.

Tips for writing a great response to guest reviews

• Start with gratitude — Begin your response by thanking the guest for choosing your property and taking the time to share their experience.
• Stay professional and positive — Even if the feedback is critical, respond calmly and constructively. This demonstrates professionalism to potential future guests.
• Address concerns and highlight improvements — Show that you value guest feedback by acknowledging any issues mentioned and explaining how you're addressing them or what improvements you've made.
• Avoid defensive language — Keep your tone neutral and solution-oriented. Focus on what you can do better rather than why the guest's concerns were unfounded.
• Keep it concise — A well-written response doesn't need to be lengthy. Focus on the key points and maintain clarity throughout.

How to leave a guest review on Airbnb and VRBO

Just as guests review you, you have the opportunity to review your guests on Airbnb and VRBO. Here's how to do it:

Finding the review option

• Watch for the email reminder you receive after a guest checks out.
• Alternatively, log in to your Holidu host account, navigate to Bookings, and open the specific booking for which you want to leave a review.

Review timeline

You have up to 7 days after a guest's check-out date to leave a review. If you don't submit a review within this timeframe, the guest will automatically receive a positive review. This ensures every guest receives fair acknowledgment of their stay.

What you can include in your review

• A star rating (available on both Airbnb and VRBO)
• A written review describing your experience with the guest (available on Airbnb only)
• Private feedback that is only visible to the guest and not published publicly

Editing your review

After submitting your review, you have 1 hour to make any changes. To edit your review, return to the booking in your Holidu host account and click the Edit option. After this one-hour window closes, your review becomes final and cannot be modified.

Important considerations when reviewing and responding

• Use professional language — Your reviews and responses are visible to guests and may be visible to future guests, so always maintain a professional and respectful tone.
• Respond in a timely manner — Prompt responses show guests that you value their feedback and are actively engaged in managing your property.
• Understand moderation policies — Reviews and responses are subject to moderation according to Holidu's guidelines to ensure all content meets community standards.
• Verify booking completion — If you don't see review options for a particular booking, ensure that the booking has been completed and that you're using the correct platform version.

Transferring reviews when changing channels

If you're considering closing your direct listing on a particular channel and activating it through Holidu instead, the ability to transfer your existing reviews depends on the platform:

Booking.com

Can I transfer my full listing and reviews from Booking.com to Holidu?

Yes, you can request a change of ownership so that Holidu can take over your existing Booking.com listing and reviews. However, certain conditions must be met for eligibility. Contact our support team through the Assistant to check whether you qualify for this option. If you do, all reviews from your personal listing will be transferred to your Holidu/Booking.com listing.

Airbnb

Can I transfer my full listing and reviews from Airbnb to Holidu?

Unfortunately, no. You will need to close your direct Airbnb listing and open it again as new through Holidu. This means you'll start gathering reviews through the new listing that Holidu creates for you on Airbnb.

If you have a significant number of reviews on your personal Airbnb listing, Holidu may offer you a temporary commission discount as an incentive to transition to listing through Holidu. Reach out to our support team via the Assistant to discuss this possibility.

VRBO

Can I transfer my full listing and reviews from VRBO to Holidu?

While you cannot transfer the full listing through a change of ownership, you can transfer your reviews. If you close your VRBO listing, Holidu can request that your historical reviews be transferred to the new listing created through Holidu. This helps you maintain your visibility and rating on the platform.

Contact our support team via the Assistant to initiate this review transfer process.

Check24 and HomeToGo

Can I transfer my listing and reviews from Check24 or HomeToGo to Holidu?

No, reviews cannot be transferred from Check24 or HomeToGo to Holidu listings. If you transition to Holidu, you'll begin building your review profile anew on these channels.

Need help with reviews or responses?

If you have questions about responding to reviews, leaving reviews about guests, or transferring reviews between channels, please reach out to our support team using the Assistant. We're here to help you manage your reputation across all platforms effectively.