As a Holidu Homes host, you can both write reviews about your guests and respond to reviews guests leave for your property. This comprehensive guide explains how to manage guest reviews across all connected channels, all from your Holidu host account.

On which channels can guests leave a review?

Guests can leave a review about their stay on every channel connected to Holidu, including:

• Holidu Homes
• White Label (WL) properties
• Airbnb
• VRBO
• Booking.com

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

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

• Airbnb
• VRBO (star rating only, no written review)

How to respond to a guest review (all channels)

Step 1: Receive an email notification

Whenever a guest leaves a review on Holidu, you will receive an email notification with the review details and a link to respond. This email is your gateway to engaging with your guest feedback promptly.

Step 2: Open your Holidu account

Click the "Reply to your guest" button in the email. You will be taken directly to your Holidu host account, where you can write your response in a dedicated reply field.

Step 3: Write and submit your reply

When crafting your response, keep these key points in mind:

• Acknowledge the guest's feedback by thanking them for their stay
• Address concerns professionally by focusing on solutions rather than disagreements
• Stay welcoming as future guests will read your reply as well

Once you write your response, the system checks it for clarity and professionalism. If edits are needed, you will be notified before submission.

Step 4: Review and publish

Holidu reviews your response to ensure it meets quality standards. It is important to note that once a response is published, it cannot be changed. Take time to review your reply carefully before final submission.

Tips for writing a great response

• Start with a thank you to appreciate the guest for staying with you
• Stay professional and positive even if the feedback is critical; reply calmly and constructively
• Address concerns and highlight improvements to show that you listen and care about guest experiences
• Avoid defensive language and keep your tone neutral and solution-oriented
• Keep it concise while still addressing the main points raised in the review
• Highlight your improvements if applicable, showing prospective guests that you take feedback seriously

How to leave a guest review (Airbnb and VRBO)

Submitting your review

1. Watch out for the email reminder you receive after a guest checks out
2. Alternatively, log in to your Holidu host account, go to Bookings, and open the booking
3. You have up to 7 days after check-out to leave a review
4. If no review is submitted within this timeframe, the guest will automatically receive a positive review

What you can include in your review

• A star rating (1-5 stars)
• A written review describing your experience with the guest (available on Airbnb only; VRBO allows star ratings of guests only)
• Private feedback that is only visible to the guest

Editing your review

You have 1 hour after submitting your review to make changes. To edit, simply return to the booking and click the Edit button to update your response.

Important considerations

• Your review and response are visible to the guest and may be visible to future guests, so always use professional language
• Timely responses are recommended as they demonstrate your commitment to guest satisfaction
• Reviews and responses may be subject to moderation per Holidu's guidelines
• If you don't see review options, make sure the booking is completed and check your platform version

Transferring reviews when migrating to Holidu

If you are considering deactivating a direct listing on a channel and instead activating it via Holidu, the ability to transfer your existing reviews depends on the platform:

Booking.com

Can I do a change of ownership to transfer the full listing and reviews?

Yes, you can request a change of ownership so Holidu can take over your existing Booking.com listing and reviews. However, a number of conditions must be met. To check whether you are eligible and to proceed with the transfer, contact our support team through the Assistant for personalized assistance.

Airbnb

Can I transfer my reviews when moving to Holidu?

No, you will need to close your listing and open it again as new via Holidu. You will start gathering reviews through the new listing Holidu creates for you on Airbnb. If you have a high number of reviews on your personal Airbnb listing, we can offer you a temporary commission discount as an incentive to close it and reopen via Holidu. Contact our support team through the Assistant for more information.

VRBO

Can I transfer my reviews when moving to Holidu?

While you cannot transfer the full listing, you can transfer your reviews. As long as you close your VRBO listing, we can request that the historical reviews be transferred into the new listing Holidu creates, so you maintain your visibility and rating. Reach out to our support team through the Assistant to arrange this transfer.

Check24 and HomeToGo

Unfortunately, reviews from Check24 and HomeToGo cannot be transferred or sent over to Holidu listings.

Need additional help?

If you have questions about reviewing or responding to guest reviews, or if you need assistance with transferring reviews from another platform, our support team is here to help. Use the Assistant to reach out for personalized guidance on managing your guest reviews effectively across all channels.