Many pool images are often cropped, showing you half of what’s actually quite a small pool. In this photo of the Jewel Runaway Bay in Jamaica from Expedia.com, the area around the pool looks resort-like. So even if you aren’t going to swim, at least you’ll have plenty of space to relax and get a tan.
The reality on the right? Run down. Not only are there not nearly as many lounge chairs, but the actual area around the pool looks worse for the wear.
That’s why it’s important to be your own watchdog when it comes to online reviews. While the Federal Trade Commission is technically in charge of monitoring online reviews, they simply don’t have the manpower to investigate every single one. But when a company gets caught caught soliciting its own positive reviews, it can get a $250,000 fine.
You can also check out Oyster.com for accurate views. Not only are the reviews written by employees with no agenda other than revealing the truth, but they take photos of the hotel amenities as they actually appear. They also include photos from other hotel guests, so you can get a better, unbiased look at the place where you’ll be spending your money.
For more articles about fake reviews, check out:
- What’s Being Done to Stop Fake Reviews & How to Find Verified Reviews
- How Accurate Are Online Travel Reviews?
- Travel Tip: Finding Accurate Online Travel Reviews
- Travel Detective Blog: Why I Don’t Follow Hotel & Airline Ratings
By Stephanie Ervin for PeterGreenberg.com
