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The Most Trusted Travel-Review Sites

Hundreds of online platforms post traveler reviews, but only a handful police recommendations for fake or promotional content. Which ones should you rely on when planning a trip? Our expert weighs in.

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Any number of concerns are on our radar as we plan our next trip, from serious issues like how destinations are working to mitigate tourists’ environmental impact to inconveniences like months-long passport wait times. In this column, our travel expert addresses your questions about how to navigate the world.

There are so many online review platforms out there—Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp. When I’m planning a trip and looking into hotels and activities, which one should I trust the most? —After Good Advice

Online, everyone has an opinion. Even seasoned travelers can find themselves easily led down the rabbit hole of online review platforms and come out overwhelmed.

A friend of mine was recently considering vacationing in Hawaii and interested in the Hana-Maui Resort. Five-star reviews on Tripadvisor tout the property as a 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner, with comments highlighting it as “Exceptional” and a “Bungalow in Paradise,” though others cautioned, “Not Quite as Expected” and “Don’t Stay Here.”

When she looked further into the critiques, she discovered that the negative reviews complained of the lack of air-conditioning and TVs in rooms (who goes to Maui to watch TV?) and of wind and rain during their stays—the latter something no hotel could remedy. Knowing I live part-time on Maui, she reached out to see if I had any first-hand intel. The handful of negative comments on varying review sites gave her pause.

I believe nothing compares to word-of-mouth recommendations, particularly from someone who knows you and your travel tastes. My friend relayed that she and her husband were planning to use points to stay at a trio of Hyatt properties on Maui—in addition to the Hana-Maui Resort, they’d booked the Andaz in Wailea, and Hyatt Regency near Lahaina, both tony, amenity-laden areas on the south and west coasts, respectively.

The town of Hana, on the eastern side of the island, is the exact opposite: remote, undeveloped, sleepy. I knew my friend and her husband preferred the ocean to hiking, and they loved restaurants and nightlife. While I thought the Hana-Maui Resort was heaven, I knew they’d be bored to death and said as much.

“We’re not perfect, but we are constantly working to stay one step ahead of the fraudsters,” says Brian Hoyt, a spokesperson at Tripadvisor.

Trust plays a huge role in our travel decisions. When a friend who shares your tastes posts rave reviews about a hotel or restaurant on their Facebook page, you’re more likely to check it out. When we don’t have personal recommendations to go off, we tend to turn to review sites to see what others thought of it.

Online reviews can be a great tool for anyone planning trips, as well as for businesses looking to drum up interest from prospective adventure seekers. But how do you know which reviews and which platforms to trust?

Someone uses a city review on their phone to determine the best restaurant and hotel

Where to Find Reliable Reviews

For starters: no one site can (or should) be considered the only option. Because users are providing the information, the sites can inadvertently post misinformation, says Nick Ewen, director of content at The Points Guy, a travel-resource site that reaches over seven million people each month. It’s best to use multiple sites, as casting a wide net allows for a wide variety of perspectives.

Based on my interviews with dozens of travelers and industry veterans, including agents, hotel owners, and tour operators, Google, Tripadvisor, Trustpilot, and Yelp have the most reliable user-generated content. These companies have policies in place to ensure the trustworthiness of the reviews that appear and allow users to dispute content or to click icons within the post to flag suspicions, such as a review that’s promotional or not based on a genuine experience.

Tripadvisor , the world’s largest travel-guidance platform with more than one billion total reviews, has an investigations team of experts specializing in network forensics and fraud detection to help spot suspicious reviews. Shady posts often include review boosting, where a business owner asks someone connected to their company to sing their praises; review vandalism, in which someone tries to slander a business with negative reviews; or review optimization, which occurs when companies are paid to falsify reviews on a business’s behalf.

“We’re not perfect, but we are constantly working to stay one step ahead of the fraudsters,” says Brian Hoyt, a spokesperson at Tripadvisor. Last year, 1.3 million reviews were identified as fake and removed from the platform, and 72 percent were caught before being posted, he says.

Yelp also maintains a team of moderators who keep a hawkish eye out for companies that might be engaging in compensated or incentivized review behavior, which is strictly prohibited. In 2022, Yelp closed more than 77,400 user accounts for violating such policies. Both Google and Trustpilot, too, use software to automatically screen for fake reviews or promotional content.

Tips for Navigating Travel-Review Platforms

Even when you feel solid about a site, it doesn’t mean you’re immune to the barrage of opinions, good and bad. Here’s how to filter what you’re finding.

1. Consider When the Content Was Posted

The more recent the review, the more relevant an experience might be, but older reviews can paint a picture of more consistent experiences had by travelers over time. If reviews suddenly go from positive to less than glowing, consider whether the hotel, restaurant, or tour operator might be under new ownership. If someone is complaining about limited things to do at a resort while visiting in the off-season, that won’t apply if you’re planning to visit during peak periods, says Ewen. And remember: post-pandemic, the service industry continues to lack sufficient personnel; as a result, you might see more negative reviews than positive ones on this front.

2. Read Beyond the Stars

Everyone has different travel preferences, so take time to read the actual review closely, whether it’s a five- or one-star rating, says Ewen. “Someone might give an all-inclusive resort a one-star review because they were traveling for their honeymoon and couldn’t stand all of the families,” he says. “That’s hardly a negative if you’re traveling with your kids.”

3. Look for Consistency

Gather insight across review platforms to look for trends. If a hotel boasts high marks on multiple sites, chances are the reviews are accurate and it’s great. If it has mixed ratings, however, you may want to reconsider. Similarly, when looking at tour operators that run trips in multiple destinations, make sure you’re seeing positive reviews in all of those places but specifically where you’re headed. If, for example, its experiences in California are five-star but those in Utah and Colorado have been rated as mediocre, you might want to do more research or even call the outfitter and enquire about the inconsistency.

4. Use Search Filters to Save Time

As noted, first make sure you’re sorting remarks by most recent. Then use any other filters to zero in on things like the time of year you’re visiting (Tripadvisor has this functionality), specific mentions of amenities (Google has this), or even specific keywords you want to search, such as surfing or hiking (both Tripadvisor and Google offer this), recommends Ewen. With restaurants and hotels, he typically starts a search with Google, as it provides both the location and star rating together.

5. Take Bad Reviews with a Grain of Salt

You can’t please everyone. When I looked for comments about Yellowstone National Park, one of America’s most visited destinations, on Google Reviews visitors lamented, “There was no service and no way to update my Instagram” and “They don’t even let you touch the geysers, and there’s only black and grizzly bears no panda.” Before you write off an experience because of some bad reviews, take the time to actually read the criticism and decide whether it’s warranted. If there’s one bad review but 20 great ones, likely someone had a bad day.

It’s also worth noting whether anyone from the company responded to a negative post. “A bad review is a great opportunity to showcase your true colors,” says Melanie Fisher, an Oregon-based travel agent who also rents a property on Airbnb. “As the business owner, how you respond is very important. If you come across as rude and condescending, you are just confirming the bad review was deserving. Instead, if you respond, explaining how you couldn’t meet the customer’s needs—unsafe, unrealistic, never agreed upon, natural disaster—and you did everything in your power to make it right, others will understand more about you and your business—and in most cases respect the business more.”

Go Beyond the Reviews for Information

Tripadvisor’s forums and journalist-reported travel stories , on topics like family-friendly Greek islands and epic road trips in Ireland, can offer helpful vacation tips and trip inspiration. And take a gander at traveler- or diner-submitted photos. Yelp’s Ask the Community feature allows users to post queries for Yelpers to weigh in on, like how much time you should budget for a visit to New York City’s Museum of Natural History (at minimum four hours).

When looking for activities, Ewen’s first stop is often the website of the local tourism board. “While these marketing organizations have a vested interest in promoting the destination, they also have no incentive to send you on a bad tour, because that’s a loss for the destination itself,” he says. “Virtually every tour or activity I have booked in this way has been positive.”

Magazines, both print and digital (like Outside ), are another great source to legitimize any opinions you read on user-generated review sites. Additionally, the social-media feed of a company can provide insight. Have travelers left positive comments on a hotel or tour operator’s Instagram or Facebook feed? Has that company made an effort to interact with customers? Finally, if you’re mid-trip and still looking for recommendations, chat up the locals. I’ve discovered some of my most memorable meals and hikes based on tips from a bartender.

Have a question of your own? Drop us a line at [email protected] .

Outside correspondent Jen Murphy is one of the most well-traveled people we know, and we’ve long relied on her expert advice about awesome adventures and how to get there in a sane way.

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Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, 7 tips on how to write travel reviews that engage readers.

Last Updated on February 21, 2024 by Talita

Traveling is one of the more fascinating hobbies that people can have. No matter what profession you have or how much money you earn, traveling is affordable for anyone, whether you are willing to live in a luxurious hotel or a simple hostel.

Before traveling, many people tend to read different travel blogs and reviews to choose the country they would love to visit first and find out more details about journeys there. However, not all travel reviews are really interesting due to poor quality content and the selection of inappropriate subjects.

In this post, we have prepared the pro-tips that will help you write engaging travel reviews and make your trip even more bright and more memorable.

7 Tips on How to Write Travel Reviews That Engage Readers

The structure of travel review

Before diving into the specifics of writing travel reviews, we would like to define the proper structure for this type of review. We are not talking about the precise structure, like this heading and that paragraph. It is about what content it has to include and what information will be valuable for your readers.

Each travel review needs to have answers to the following question which are supposed to be common for blog followers:

What—what knowledge and peculiarities of the certain country you have learned and which will provide value to your readers;
Who—who will be the best companion for your readers in one or another country, should this trip be with your soulmate, entire family, or on your own;
When—what time of the year is the best to visit certain countries including the prices on tickets, apartments, food, and so on;
Why—name the main benefits that a similar trip can bring to your readers, however, you should tell about positive as well as negative situations during your journey.

Tips on how to write involving travel reviews

Explore the location before buying tickets

You must have probably seen numerous episodes of TV travel shows where the hosts visit the biggest and smallest cities and villages in the world. They tell about its history, nature, people, culture, traditions and so on.

But you should remember that the words can be much brighter than the reality. So, instead of watching travel shows, we recommend exploring the place you are going to visit soon, especially if this is unpopular with tourists.

Get to know what documents you need to create in advance, what currency they use, and how much money you need to take to feel comfortable. Also, search for the hotels and hostels where you could stay and book them ahead if possible.

The culture and history you will have from the native citizens, but all the details we counted are important to make your trip safe and actually real. This preparation is important as you are flying there to explore the area and write a travel review.

You will have no time to deal with apartment booking, car renting, document creation, and so on. You should have all of it done in advance.

Moreover, it is also a good way to find out whether this place is worth visiting and whether you find anything fascinating to display in your future review.

2. Be familiar with your readers

Overall, the selection of the place you are going to visit almost completely depends on the preferences of your target audience. This factor also defines the way of your future trip, like would it be a luxurious journey visiting the most popular and expensive hotels or would it be a cost-efficient trip with numerous tips on how to save your money.

If you know your readers very well, then it won’t be a problem for you to select a country, or a city and create a journey plan which they will definitely approve of. If you are a newbie in writing travel reviews, then you can simply ask your current readers what type of content they will be interested in like the country, culture, hotels, and so on.

3. Think of high-resolution photos and videos in advance

Good-quality and engaging content is great as it shows your writing skills and ability to display your outlook on this work in publications like on writing service Writing Judge .

But it is not enough for modern travel blogs to be popular and attract readers. Along with writing a blog article, we suggest you take high-quality photos and videos of each of your journeys.

Foremost, it will enhance the effect of presence and your impressions from the trip. Secondly, visual content always engages readers more and gives them the opportunity to dive into the world of another country far from their homes.

4. Provide readers only with true information

The main purpose of all travel blogs and shows is to show their followers true information about the country and place they are visiting. Well, you won’t get paid for hiding the disadvantages, for sure.

You need to show everything possible about the place you are at—their people and behaviors, their lifestyles, level of living, important laws and rules. The information should not always be nice and pleasant to read about.

There are numerous countries where there are thousands of tourists every year. But the local citizens live really poorly and their life level is supposed to be low. Most tourists don’t really care about their lives, as they are having a vacation, and that’s it. Talking about the travel reviews, your task is to show the overall picture of the country or city, including the pros and cons.

5. Show the prices

Prices are not the last thing readers are curious to know for travel blogs for many reasons. Some think that traveling is extremely expensive, and they cannot afford any trip anywhere. Thus, you can show how to save money on various things during traveling and what countries are affordable for any trip budget.

On the contrary, you can also show your readers that real prices in countries and cities which are supposed to be quite cheap are not always true. Type prices about everything you buy and use—tickets, apartments, meals at the cafés, goods in the supermarkets, drinks, entrances to outstanding places, and so on.

Based on your experience, your readers will be able to avoid unnecessary expenses during their journeys.

6. Provide additional guide tours to your articles

Commonly, articles include general information about your trips. Even if it is a long read and contains 3000-5000 words, it still cannot cover each detail that has happened to you during the previous vacation. By the way, people don’t really like reading really long articles, as they get tired or bored very quickly.

That’s why you can create guide tours where you collect all useful and safety tips that will come in handy for your readers if they decide to visit the same places. It shouldn’t be just plain text.

We recommend creating different diagrams and graphs telling about cuisine and nice cafes, affordable apartments and websites where readers can book them, prices to tickers and what season is the best to visit in one or another country.

7. Share your personal feelings and emotions

When writing a travel review, who will engage your followers to read it till the very last word, tell more about emotions during the different moments in your trips. Of course, you need to include the overall information about the place you are visiting like statistics, number of citizens, languages, and so on.

But this is not the main reason why your readers follow your blog and wait for your new posts. They want to read about your thoughts related to different areas, your personal experience, and what feelings you had in different situations during your journeys. They are ready to listen to you and share your outlook, that’s why they like your content.

To conclude

The pledge of an interesting travel blog and reviews is in its diversity and ability to express its own feelings and emotions. You shouldn’t be afraid to express what you think of the places you visit, even if your thoughts don’t correlate to other famous travel bloggers from the custom writing service Best Writers Online . Just be open and sincere in your travel reviews, you will surely attract many new readers to your content.

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Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

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And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

3 Responses

[…] Reels about travels are extra popular, and you don’t even need to go on the top of a mountain to gather several thousands of views and likes on the clip. A pretty picture (whatever it is), some catchy music and a complimenting filter would be just enough to conquer the hearts of your new potential followers. […]

I’m very glad I found your useful page. I learn more about many fascinating subjects!

Glad to hear! Let me know if you have any questions!

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Writing Great Travel Reviews

Travel Reviews Tips for writing great travel reviews

Taking a trip can be very expensive. For most people, going on a vacation is a luxury earned through hard work and saving. We look forward to using up our vacation days from work to head out to somewhere relaxing, exciting, or exotic. Everyone wants to spend their time and money wisely and have the best possible experiences.

When booking your travel plans, one of the first things you probably do is check the online reviews of hotels, restaurants, and attractions you are considering using while on vacation. Customer experience travel reviews will assist you with your trip planning, add impact to your travel itinerary, and help you make better choices.

However, the key thing to remember when you look at travel reviews is that they are very subjective, and it is essential to dig deeper. Not all is as it may appear, and not all travel reviews are helpful. It is important to know how to write travel reviews that other travellers can rely on to get value.

Sharing is Caring

So, before you get on Google, TripAdvisor , Hotels.com , Yelp, Trustpilot, or any other review website, here are some tips to improve your review and make it more impactful for future travellers like yourself.

What makes a good travel review?

Specifics – the more details, the better.
Context – so people can understand how your experience may affect them.
Service – share your experiences – the good, the bad, and even the average.
Fairness- be honest but fair. Remember, there are real people behind these businesses.
Tips – sprinkle a few tips and recommendations to improve other travellers’ experiences.
Photos – give people an example of how things look to describe your experiences better

Things to not do in a travel review:

Do not use profanity, insults, or bigoted remarks (never do this)
Do not be overly critical. Harsh reviews can do real damage to a business.

For more travel advice and tips, check out our Travel Resources

Tips for writing your travel reviews

Before typing a travel review for a tourism business, check that you’ve got the right company. I have seen many reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, etc., that were not even for the business they were writing about.

• I have written a review for a company that was incorrect. Context: there were two hotels a short distance from each other with the same Brand Name. I selected the incorrect one and wrote a lengthy review for a hotel I never stayed at. Luckily it was a good review. • On the reading reviews side, I almost did not book a specific hotel because when you google it, the headlines for reviews are “bed bug infestation”. The negative reviews were numerous, and each was worse than the last. However, when I left Tripadvisor and checked Google MAPS, I noticed a ‘motel’ with a similar name (based on the neighbourhood) to the ‘Hotel’ that got all these terrible reviews. This situation is very unfortunate for this hotel – but I booked it, anyway – and we loved our stay (no bed bugs found).

I admit – I am a bit old school because I always carry a tiny notebook when I travel. I use this to note where we ate, what we ate, where we stayed, attractions we visited, etc. This way, I have more details for writing my travel reviews before I forget. Typing or taking notes on your smartphone will work just as well.

When to Write Your Travel Reviews

Write your review as soon as possible. This way, your experiences are fresh in your memory, and there is less chance of forgetting what you have experienced. Writing and posting your review as soon as possible will let others who look up reviews see a more current one, not something that happened months or years ago. Many things can happen in 6 months, a year, etc., such as renovations, change of ownership, staff, menus, services offered, etc.

Length of your Travel Reviews

How long your travel review is, is entirely up to you. However, one line is not worth posting. There won’t be enough context to be of use to anyone. Too long, and people may not get through it all due to short attention spans. Use complete sentences with enough detail to describe your travel experiences well.

For the best impact, try using catchy single lines in your title and text that the business can use on their social media as an example of the reviews they received.

Contextualize

When you are writing your travel reviews, offer context and details. Context is so important to help others fully understand the situation. If you provide details about your experience, you can help other customers to identify if this is a one-time occurrence or a pattern. What happened to contribute to your concerns? Was your meal late because the restaurant got slammed due to a significant sporting event on TV? Was your room at the hotel not ready when you went to check in because of staffing shortages?

I always indicate in my travel reviews the particular day (and time, if necessary) that I visited the establishment. Dates are essential for your review’s relevance and timeliness but also provide critical context. I also post images of the receipt for restaurants so they can identify servers, tables, items ordered etc.

We all know prices change, and when booking travel products such as hotels, car rentals, etc., prices can vary greatly depending on when and where you book. However, I believe sharing what you paid, even if generally speaking, can help to give your travel review more value. I typically share prices at restaurants because I feel this is one area people want to know if it is worth going to. The food may be great, delicious, addictive, etc. – but if it is out of someone’s price range, that won’t be very useful. Also, they may want to splurge if the food is really good.

Honesty & objectivity

Write honestly about your experiences. Do not allow emotions to cloud your review. If you had a negative experience, take some time to calm down, take a step back and write about your experience more objectively. This is why taking notes is essential.

Admit fault

Suppose you did something that led to a negative experience – ‘fess up. You, too, have a role in these transactions. For example, did you take a boat cruise or whale watching, arrive late, and then get a terrible seat (or no seat)? Well, this could have been avoided if you were punctual.

Take Photos

Photographs are a great way to provide additional details related to your experience when writing a travel review. My recommendation is to post as real-to-life images as possible. Try not to edit – unless you need to improve lighting or focal points. Photographs you have edited within an inch of their lives can distort the accuracy of what the image intends to portray.

Do not include other people in your photos.

When you write travel reviews, go beyond the basics, and offer more specific details on the overall experiences. Topics like parking, noise, conveniences, amenities, room size, comfort levels, fees, pet policies, etc., are all vital information to include in your review. Let people know specifics that set this place apart (good or bad).

There is nothing worse than choosing a restaurant based on great reviews – only to find it impossible to park nearby. Does the hotel charge a resort fee? Are there Parking fees? Do they offer covered or out-in-the-open parking? Was it easy to make a reservation or get a table at the restaurant? Does the restaurant have a patio for dining? Does the hotel have unique systems in place for differently abled people (ie, flashing lights for when someone knocks on the door)?

Mention pet policies to help others who like to travel with their pets for Pet-Friendly Travels.

Customer Service

If you experienced exceptional customer service at the establishment, do not be shy about mentioning that person by name. While this may be standard across the business, it may also be very exceptional, and either way, that person deserves acknowledgement. We were once greeted with bubbly on our fantastic patio with a view when we stayed at the Hotel Gaudi in Barcelona.

Words Matter

Your choice of words and phrases in your review can be very impactful. Use great adjectives to describe your experience. Describing your experiences in detail, using terms, comments, and words that mean something – will help paint an excellent image in the reader’s minds. Avoid using harsh or absolute words in the title of your travel review. Whenever I see reviews with words like never, always, or disgusting to describe an experience, I immediately move on. I will only continue to read such a review for the potential ridiculousness that it is likely to contain.

Beware of going to extremes in your travel reviews

Try to avoid writing scathing one-star or ultra-negative travel reviews. In most cases, this says much more about the reviewer than the business they are reviewing. People who write scathing reviews express anger at a situation they may have overreacted to. I am not saying that every experience will be a 5-star or stellar experience, but I have rarely experienced any problem worthy of a 1-star review.

These reviews hurt businesses and can ruin a reputation for something that may have been easily worked on by having actual conversations with the establishment and checking your entitlement at the door.

Some examples of extraordinarily unnecessary and harmful reviews that I have come across when searching businesses:

• “They didn’t update their hours online- after we drove all the way there – they were closed” 1 star. • Hotel in the French Quarter 6 months after Hurricane Katrina: “Hardly any staff, room cleaning not happening every day. and there was a musty smell” 1 star. This travel reviewer is not considering the people displaced during the hurricane, the flooding, etc. • “The Coke machine was on a different floor – 1 Star”. I have seen many reviews like this that also refer to ice machines. • “The beach at the resort (in Cuba) had seaweed washing up on the sand, making it impossible to swim in the ocean”. – 1 star. As if the hotel can control this?

Conversely, an overly optimistic, gushing, glowing five-star travel review may also have the appearance that the reviewer was offered some form of compensation in exchange for a positive review.

Proofread before submitting

Before you submit your travel review to Google or Tripadvisor, be sure to proofread it. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, check for the accuracy of the information, and do not use all caps (portrays anger). It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece; just a well-written and honest review offers insight, perspective, clarity, and thoughtfulness.

Final thoughts about writing a travel reviews

When you write a review, always remember to be fair and kind. Your goal is to let others know the type of service, quality, amenities, etc., they might expect when they visit. It should not be used as a source to get out anger and frustration – or to destroy a business’s online reputation. Before you write a review – take time to think about what you are going to say. Do not fly off the handle in temporary anger.

Review Bombing:

In recent history, we have seen an uptick in mean-spirited, harmful, and highly negative reviews and social media backlash towards businesses for some reason or another. Some people disagree with political views, have hateful opinions, racism, or for supporting marginalized groups, and use this as an excuse to spew hate. Review bombing and spewing hatred and similar actions are unacceptable behaviour. If you have ever participated in ‘review bombing’ – it doesn’t have the effect you hope it will – it more often backfires and has the opposite effect.

We need to be more accepting and tolerant of others – and BE KIND.

There are real people behind these businesses. If you have a real issue – deal with it in person, face to face, not by airing grievances and anger that could harm a small business.

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6 Ways to Ensure Travel Reviews Don’t Steer You Wrong

Robots, paid reviewers and those with a grudge can mask authentic, reliable reviews.

Cheryl Maguire,

The best way to plan your next vacation is by doing some sleuthing. Websites like Google, Tripadvisor, Booking.com and Expedia offer customer reviews for accommodations, restaurants and tour companies located at your intended travel destination.

Reviews can provide valuable information to help you decide if the business is a good fit for your travel needs. But with some reviews written by artificial intelligence robots that can automate tasks, and others by paid reviewers, sometimes it can be difficult to determine which reviews are trustworthy. Other reviews may be fueled by personal grudges or even intentional saboteurs. The World Economic Forum found that on average 4 percent of reviews on sites like Tripadvisor, Yelp, Trustpilot and Amazon were fake.

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For professionals like Shelby Dziwulski, founder and CEO of the Denver-based travel company Authenteco, distinguishing fake reviews from real ones is essential to ensure her clients’ satisfaction. “We have an entire structured checklist and operating procedures for how to read reviews,” she says.

Dziwulski and other travel experts offer the following strategies to do your own travel review sleuthing:

Investigate the reviewer’s profile

One easy way to assess the accuracy of the travel review is to click on the reviewer’s profile . “Most of the time people will have 15 or 20 reviews of the places they’ve been,” Dziwulski says. If a profile has more than 1,000 reviews, then they are probably getting paid or are a bot.

You can also pay attention to the person’s profile picture and name. “If the icon is a generic picture, or if it’s not an actual human being, then that’s a red flag,” says Sahara Rose De Vore, founder and CEO of the Travel Coach Network, a company that connects travelers with travel experts. A generic name, like John Smith, could be an indicator the review is fake, she says.

And don’t forget to check out reviews they have left for other businesses. “If you click on a person and they’ve left 50 reviews in their lifetime and every single one of them is one star, then we don’t trust them,” Dziwulski says. She explains that these “negative Nancys” tend to be overly biased — they’re impossible to satisfy and their reviews reflect their skewed view of the world.

If a person left a mix of four- and five-star reviews and only one negative review, then you may want to pay attention to the issue they had and investigate it. This type of reviewer, Dziwulski says, is a “great source.”

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Another troublesome sign in the reviewer profile is the length and details of the reviews that they leave. “The fake paid-for reviews are usually short,” says Darley Newman, host, creator and producer of the PBS show Travels With Darley. Nathan Fluellen, the creator and host of the web travel show World Wide Nate , says he looks for reviews that provide context and not just generalized statements. Newman adds that a lot of reviews left in a short amount of time is suspicious .

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Search for patterns in the reviews

One way to figure out if the reviews for a hotel or tour company are accurate is by searching for patterns. “We look at trends,” Dziwulski says. “If you have six people that have all said the staff here is awful, the staff is probably awful.” She says that if her team finds one review that commented on an aspect of the hotel, they ask, “Did anyone else say the same thing?”

For example, Wi-Fi reception is usually a hot topic in hotel reviews. If at least 20 of the most recent reviews for the hotel refer to poor Wi-Fi reception, then you can probably expect slow Wi-Fi service when you visit. But “if the majority of the reviews are saying the Wi-Fi is good, then I put my trust into that,” says De Vore.

Read reviews from multiple sources

If you are thinking about staying at a hotel, you’re often able to find reviews for that hotel on multiple websites such as Tripadvisor, Booking.com and Expedia. Dziwulski makes a point of looking for reviews for a particular venue in multiple places. “We never just go with one source,” she says.

You can then look for trends in the reviews on different websites. This may also make it easier to spot fake reviews, since usually people leave reviews on only one website. “If you look at another review site, and you see a similar review, then you may question that one,” Newman says. Bots or paid reviewers usually leave the same review on multiple sites.

Read the middle-of-the-road reviews

The positive reviews might be paid reviews whereas the negative reviews could be a person nursing a grudge. By reading middle-of-the-road reviews you might get a more accurate picture of the hotel or tour company. “I try to look at those middle-of-the-line reviews” because the overly negative and overly positive ones aren’t accurate, Newman says.

De Vore also focuses on average reviews when researching accommodations. She says that often people don’t love or hate everything about a hotel, so an average review gives you a more realistic impression of what to expect.

Pay attention to the business response

Hotel managers know that customers use reviews to determine where they will book. They also want people to return to their hotels. If a person has a negative experience and takes the time to write about it in a review, then a hotel manager should address the concerns. How the hotel responds to complaints is also important information you can use.

“If the owner doesn’t respond to horrible reviews, usually that’s not a business we want to go with,” Dziwulski says. A hotel manager that provides great customer service will respond to negative reviews and ask, “How can we fix this?”

If the manager’s response is not appropriate, then you probably want to avoid that hotel. “If the response back is bitter, and they’re taking it personally, and they’re being nasty to a client who paid them money, we don’t want to work with them,” Dziwulski says.

Contact the business directly

If you are still unsure if you can trust the reviews, the best option might be to directly contact a manager at the hotel or tour company. You can ask about the negative reviews you read and if the issues have been addressed. This also gives the manager a chance to make sure you receive anything you might need, like accessibility features. They might throw in a free upgrade or other perks to ensure that they receive a positive review from you.

Cheryl Maguire is a freelance writer whose work has been published in The New York Times , National Geographic , The Washington Post , The Boston Globe , Parents Magazine , Healthline and many other publications. She is a professional member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

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7 Steps to Writing a Great Travel Review

Writing a travel review helps ensure that future travelers select the right destination and accommodations for them.

Whether you’re planning to write a professional travel review for an offline or online publication, or you’re writing a consumer travel review to submit to one of the popular travel reviews sites, follow these simple steps:

Step 1 – Do your homework

Research your destination ahead of time . Have a general idea of the layout of the property or area you’ll be visiting. Familiarize yourself with the history of your location. Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) at least 3 weeks prior to your visit and ask them to send you a press kit including maps, brochures and a travel guide, which will help with your research.

Step 2 – Take notes

Jot down meaningful experiences or descriptions that you might otherwise forget when you start writing. It might seem a little counter-intuitive to take notes during a relaxing vacation, but these notes will be very valuable when you sit down to start composing the review. Even if you just jot down a few key words, this will stimulate recall of details that are essential to an effective travel review.

What details should you look for at your accommodations?

Check in: Greeting and welcome . Are your reservations and special requests in order? If the property is large, are you offered a map or a tour?
Facilities . Are they clean and well maintained? Modern or outdated? Be sure to check out the Fitness room, pool area, bars, restaurants, common areas, and any sports facilities.
Guest Room . Does the room match the photos and description as you expected? What in-room amenities are offered?
Check out: Was checkout a no-hassle process? Were all your charges recorded accurately?

Step 3 – Arrange a tour

Prior to your visit, arrange a press tour of the property or destination when you arrive. When touring a hotel or other property, ask to see a variety of room types if the rooms are vacant.

Step 4 – Take pictures

Not only do pictures enhance your review and provide rich content, reviewing the photos after the visit can help you recall details when you’re writing your review. If you’re posting your review to a consumer travel reviews site, upload photos and post them with your review.

Step 5 – Don’t delay

Write the review soon after your visit is complete – even if it’s just a draft to get your thoughts down. You can refine it later. Delaying your travel review writing may cause you to leave out details that will make the review more interesting and thorough.

Step 6 – Be fair

Remember that just because you may not like something – in particular subjective things like the cuisine or décor – that doesn’t mean that others won’t love it……the phrase “one man’s trash is another’s treasure” is applicable when writing a travel review, there are many ways to describe a place without injecting subjective opinions.

Step 7 – Get it published

Submit your review to the appropriate outlets ( newspaper, magazine, or online publication ). If you’re submitting your review as a consumer, rather than as a professional travel writer, choose reputable sites that tend toward high quality content. TripAdvisor is very popular among consumers and tends to have content-rich travel reviews. Yahoo Travel, City Search and Yelp are a few others, but with less rich content.

Step 8 – Follow up

Once the travel review or article is published, let the business or CVB know you’ve published it. This is particularly important if the review is glowing or if you experienced problems during your visit. The property deserves to know if you’ve written a review, particularly a negative one, and may appreciate a conversation with you about the particulars. It can also be used as a tool by the property to improve their processes and business. A neutral and fair review is critical to both of these objectives. Resist the urge to be sarcastic, rude or overly critical .

One final tip: Write a review that will have mass appeal. Cover a wide a variety of travel categories within your review. My area of expertise is in writing spa reviews, but I when I write a travel article with a spa focus, I make sure to cover accommodations, dining, and non-spa activities to appeal to a wider audience.

What are your tips for writing an effective travel review article? Share them here!

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Thanks for the great tips on writing a review. I’ll keep these in mind the next time I “attempt” to write a review (not my strongest writing). I stayed in a hostel in Edinburgh, Scotland…maybe I’ll write a review on it…I did enjoy my stay…

Great article – thanks for the tips :)

Thank you! I hope I inspire you to write travel reviews – either professionally or personally. It really does help the consumer make a great travel decision.

I think the taking pictures tip is one of the most important! You’d be surprised at how much you forget between the time you visit and the time you write the review-even if you don’t delay. I also like to compare what they advertised on their website to the actual experience … not always the same thing! .-= Cherrye at My Bella Vita´s last blog post: Travel Tip Tuesday: Don’t Make These Five Mistakes When Planning Your Trip to Italy =-.

Thank you for the tips on writing travel reviews..I have been writing reviews on tripadvisor for more than 5 years, and within the past few months I have created a page on shutterfly to showcase my reviews and pictures which is turning out very well.

I especially liked your tip on writing a review with mass appeal. I actually got a light bulb moment from that. I don’t travel as much as I would like, but one thing I find most appealing are all inclusive resorts, whether it be in the caribbean, mexico etc..and your tip about covering a wide variety is a good point, because my husband and I do not confine ourselves to the resort as so many travelers do. We like to venture offsite and explore as well.

Thanks again

Hi Louise – Thanks for the comment! I am thrilled that you had a “light bulb moment” on my advice to write a review with mass appeal. While you and your husband may enjoy all-inclusive resorts, your readers may also want to know some pointers on the destination itself and the surrounding area.

Travel often and travel safely,

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16 Feedback for Travel Agency EXAMPLES

The Travel industry relies solely on good reviews and writing them one is crucial. So, to make it easy for you in reviewing them, we created 16 feedback for travel agency examples that you can copy and paste or use as inspiration for writing your own.

Legend for Feedback for Travel Agency:

Agent name – AN
Travel agency – TA
City name – CN

01. Great Experience with (TA). one of customer service agent who’s name is (AN). She is help a lot to get best deal. I found very easy the way she gave me all information for book my flight. I very strongly advise other traveller to use (TA). its very friendly and easy to use. Thank you very much.

02. This trip was incredible, from day one our tour guide was amazing .. caring and very knowledgeable.. the actual your was also incredible.. thanks everyone who made possible this unforgettable experience!

03. This is our favorite travel agency . Except the long wait they have Outstanding customer services at reasonable prices. Thank you for easy booking with flights and hotels. Great deals, and honest services. Highly recommended to everyone.

04. We have been buying our airline tickets here since 1998. Great service oriented group, outstanding prices that can’t be beat, just keep me and my family and friends coming back year after year. They even call us when there are specials! What more can you ask for? Thank You (TA) for helping me create wonderful summer memories!

05. We booked a trip to (CN) with (AN) and he was awesome. He handled our entire trip from flight, to rental car, to hotel to shows. It was so nice to pass that responsibility to somebody as competent and timely as (AN). He was also there for us the entire time to handle questions and deal with travel logistics. We have also used for last hotel needs and he always comes through! Highly recommend!

06. (AN) gave me the best experience with (TA). He is very knowledgeable and helpful with everything I wanted to know and learn about my trip! He also found different fun excursions we could do while we are there. He answered me in a very fast timely manner with all my questions and concerns I had. Planning my trip was a very smooth process because of (AN)!!

07. (AN) was such a blessing in our vacation planning! We had originally planned on going somewhere else and I’m so thankful that (AN) was able to step in to help us create the best vacation possible. He was always very helpful no matter what.

08. Thank you (AN) for booking my car rental in (CN). Your pricing beat out “low cost” and rental companies self-service websites. Not to mention the no hassle, no fee change in my dates for renting. I will be using you for future travel and rental booking.

09. (AN) and her staff are wonderful to work with. Always on top of the travel requirements, bookings and all the sundry details that were communicated to us in a timely manner. She made all the preparation for our travel needs easy and we felt reassured that all was taken care of.

10. (AN) at (TA) is the best corporate travel agent I have ever worked with. From a customer experience perspective, her service is superlative. She is the most responsive agent I have ever worked with (by far), and she makes every transaction 100% stress free. Thank you, (AN)!

11. (AN) is the most responsive, knowledgeable and personable travel advisor we have ever dealt with. We have traveled the world and plan so many more trips and would do so with complete confidence having (AN) advise us.

12. (AN) at (TA), has been handling my travel for many years. She is the best travel agent I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. She pays attention to every detail. I always know that I am in for a wonderful adventure when she plans a trip for me!

13. (AN) of (TA) is very knowledgeable and has taken care of each and every request we have promptly and efficiently (AN) knows the business extremely well and has helped us navigate through this past year. He handles all situations professionally.

14. We have been working with (AN), our travel professional, for the past 3 years in cruise planning. We have had several booked and cancelled through 2020 and 2021. Now hoping that booking for 2022 will proceed. (AN) has been very courteous, professional, timely and accommodating in all our dealings. I would highly recommend.

15. Our agent is (AN). She is the best. Best service, best deals, and very knowledgeable. We cruised Polynesia, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and other destinations with her. Highly recommended.

16. (AN) of (TA) in (CN) offers superior service, attention to detail and much more for your travel pleasure. My favorite travel agent!

More feedback for travel agency are coming soon…

Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler

The holiday travel season is fully upon us. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen a record number of passengers this Christmas, and the TSA already broke a daily record. They screened a whopping 2.9 million travelers on Nov. 26, 2023, alone ... the most passengers ever screened in a single day.

As millions of travelers take trips by plane , cruise ship or road , we've gathered some essential travel tips on how best to book and enjoy your journeys.

Whether you're an occasional road-tripper or a frequent globe-trotter, these TPG-backed top travel tips can help you avoid unnecessary headaches when you spend time away from home.

How to find travel deals

Flexibility is key when it comes to finding cheap airfare any time of year.

Changing your arrival or departure date by a single day can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare. If you don't mind altering your family's plans slightly, consider booking travel directly on major holidays like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas for cheaper prices and thinner airport crowds.

One of our favorite tools at TPG for finding deals is Google Flights . You can use the search field to find the cheapest (or best) flights. Google will also give you a historical view of how prices have ranged and will even send you email alerts if fares jump or drop on specific routes you've selected.

It also has some fun tools you can use to find a cheap destination. By clicking the "Explore" button on the sidebar and putting your departure airport, Google will give you a map or list view of the most wallet-friendly destinations.

However, Google isn't the only place to find deals: TPG publishes regular deal alerts. You can sign up for Twitter alerts and subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest deals news.

Don't sleep on mileage awards, either. If you've been hoarding miles during the pandemic, it's time to spend them. Cash prices are high, so it can be a good time to burn those miles.

No matter how much you think you know about redeeming miles for flights , there are always new tips and tricks for turning those earnings into dream trips. Turn to TPG for guidance on sweet spots for redemptions. Sites like ExpertFlyer (part of Red Ventures, like TPG) supply additional redemption ideas or even business class upgrade inventory.

You may even want to consult a travel agent to get access to special deals that aren't available anywhere else. Travel agents can sometimes get you extra perks at hotels or even cheaper business-class airfare to your dream destination.

Be your own best advocate

Since there are still air traffic controller shortages and little room for error in the system these days, travelers have to be their own best advocates.

There are ways to get ahead of any possible travel nightmares.

First, be smart when booking. Try to find a nonstop flight rather than one with connections, even if it costs a little more. You'll eliminate the risk of missing connections and lessen the chance of having your luggage go in a different direction than you during a transfer.

You could also take one of the first flights of the day, as those are least likely to face afternoon thunderstorms and most likely to depart on time. Read our article 5 reasons to book the first flight of the day for all the data.

Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed – here's what you should do next

Download your airline's mobile app to keep track of potential flight delays in real time. The airline app is a secret weapon in case things go wrong. Not only will you know when boarding starts, but you'll also learn of any delays first. Some airlines allow you to even rebook yourself in the app.

If your flight is canceled, you'll want to beat everyone else on your flight who is also looking to get rebooked.

We recommend heading for the customer service desk (or lounge desk if you have access). You could also get on the phone with the airline or contact them via social media if there's a delay . Sometimes, an airline's Twitter representative will help you faster than a phone or in-person agent can. You have to use every tool at your disposal when things go south.

Many airlines also now have live chat capabilities to help navigate delays and cancellations.

I always have an alternate plan (or two) in the back of my mind in case a flight gets canceled or delayed. I also look to see what other airlines are flying the route I'm booked in case something goes awry. This way, I'll know what to ask for if I need to be rebooked.

Also, save all the receipts for the expenses you incur during delays or cancellations. You'll want excellent documentation in the case of meltdowns like the one Southwest passengers experienced during the holidays .

If you're stuck at an airport for an extended period, seek out your airport's secret quiet spaces for a brief escape from the travel chaos.

Get Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck

One of our favorite ways to speed through the airport and avoid those summertime mega lines is via Trusted Traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry .

Essentially, the government pre-screens you for security and thus you save a bit of time during your travels. You'll need to apply ahead of time and pay a fee. The great news, however, is that many credit cards will give you a statement credit for these fees. TSA PreCheck is a $78 application fee for five years, and Global Entry is $100.

Related: 7 ways to get Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and/or Clear for free

TSA PreCheck allows you to speed through airport security without removing your shoes, laptops or liquids. With Global Entry , you can breeze through customs when you return from an international trip.

If you have the time, going for Global Entry rather than simply TSA PreCheck makes sense. Global Entry requires an interview with Customs and Border Patrol ahead of time, but once you're approved, TSA PreCheck will be included.

Get Clear for the ultimate security trifecta

The other security tool we recommend you have in your travel toolbelt is Clear .

Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear

The expedited security program allows you to bypass long security lines by using a separate lane at many airports. You'll approach a kiosk where your identity is confirmed via an iris scan or fingerprint. A Clear employee will then escort you to the front of the security screening line.

A Clear membership combined with TSA PreCheck will enable you to go to even shorter lines at some airports with designated Clear/PreCheck lines. Clear isn't perfect at all airports where it's so popular, and there are now long lines (cough, Atlanta). However, it will still generally lead to shorter lines overall.

Related: Guide to using the Amex Platinum Clear benefit

Make copies of your important documents

Make digital and hard copies of all your important travel-related documents. Start by photographing your driver's license, your state ID and/or your passport.

You should have copies of your IDs in your phone's library in case you get separated from the actual document. Sometimes, it also helps in a pinch if you are asked for ID, and you didn't bring the hard copy. For example, I was recently asked for my ID to enter One Vanderbilt to have dinner at the new American Express Centurion Lounge in New York. The receptionist would have accepted a photograph of the ID if I didn't have the physical document.

TPG also recommends having an actual photocopy in a separate place. Editor Kristy Tolley says she stores a hard copy in a separate place from where she keeps her passport in case she loses a bag. "I also leave a copy of it at home if I'm traveling alone," she said.

Check expiration dates

If you aren't 100% certain of the expiration date of your passport and other travel documents, go check them now. Renewing passports takes time, and some countries require six months of future passport validity to allow entry. Remember that child passports expire every five years, which can sneak up on you.

Related: How and when to renew your passport

Double-checking the expiration dates for your driver's licenses and state IDs is also a good idea. Remember that TSA checks the expiration dates on your documents when they screen you for security. Don't forget to check the expiration dates for your Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry, Clear and TSA PreCheck, too. It can take a while to get a Global Entry interview appointment if you need one to renew.

Few things are worse than getting to the front of the security line and realizing the PreCheck mark is gone from your boarding pass.

Finally, check the entry requirements if you are traveling internationally. Some countries require visas that you must acquire before arrival.

Consider travel protection

When booking your travel, try to use a credit card that offers some built-in travel protection . Many credit cards, including TPG favorites like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express , offer this when you use those cards to purchase your airfare and similar.

Related: Best credit cards for trip delays and cancellations

If the coverage offered by your credit card isn't enough, you might also want to purchase travel insurance . These policies can sometimes go beyond trip cancellations to cover things like medical evacuations. Warning: Read the fine print on any extra policies very carefully to ensure it covers the situations that matter the most to you.

Those who frequently travel abroad may want to consider purchasing an annual travel insurance policy instead of buying one on a trip-by-trip basis. Some TPG staffers purchase annual policies because of the cost savings for multiple trips. Some will find having an annual policy is easier than juggling separate policies or various credit card coverage terms and conditions.

Tips for your luggage

TPG has a ton of tips when it comes to luggage.

First and foremost, try to be on "team carry-on" whenever possible. If you don't check baggage, you are much less likely to become separated from it. Many of us at TPG refuse to check luggage except under extreme circumstances.

Of course, other folks with families or those embarking on long journeys may still want to check bags. If that's the case for you, you can still do many things to lessen the chance you get separated from your stuff. For example, make sure your luggage is in good working order, your contact info is attached, the bag is within the weight limits, you get to the airport early (but not too early) to check it and confirm your luggage is tagged to the right destination or connection.

Related: 7 tips to keep the airline from losing your luggage

After last year's baggage delays and luggage disasters , we strongly suggest you put Apple AirTags (or the Android equivalent ) into your luggage so you can track your items if they go missing .

If you check a bag, keep extra medicine or medical supplies in your carry-on bag in case your luggage goes missing or gets delayed. "As a diabetic, I keep a tiny emergency kit in my backpack with enough supplies to keep me going in an emergency," TPG writer Tanner Saunders said.

Former TPG credit card writer Ryan Smith also offered words of advice regarding luggage. "The last items you pack in your carry-on will be most accessible, so use this for your passport, ID, ticket, headphones or whatever else you need during the trip," he said. By making sure those items you'll use most are easiest to reach, you'll save yourself the hassle of having to dig around (or partially unpack) your bag to grab what you need.

Finally, be sure and get compensated if your bags are late or lost. Many airlines will give you points or even cash for delayed bags, and the government has rules on compensation if your bags are lost.

Staying safe on your journeys

From potentially getting robbed while on the road to experiencing bad weather or natural disasters while traveling, there are many scenarios that could arise when you're away from home.

To mitigate those risks, pay attention to U.S. Department of State warnings about a destination you plan to visit and check local sources for the latest news from that country or region for additional context. Although the State Department tends to err on the side of caution with its warnings, it's still best to be aware of what you may face during your trip.

Also, know the local number in case of emergencies. In many places, including Mexico and much of Europe, if you dial 9-1-1 on your cellphone, you will be connected to emergency services just like in the U.S. However, you should know the local emergency numbers of whichever country you visit.

Let people at home know your itinerary and stay in touch with them throughout your trip. If something goes amiss, at least someone will know where you're supposed to be or the last place you visited.

If you're arriving at night, contact your hotel or home-share host to ask about the best way to get there at the time you're arriving and the safest ways to travel at night in that area.

Also, be strategic about how you check into a hotel. Some solo travelers request two keycards to imply someone else is on the trip. Giving thought to the hotel room's security swing bar can also make sense, with some taking steps like placing a hand towel over it to make it harder to dislodge from the outside.

Some final tips

For cruisers, TPG principal cruise writer Gene Sloan suggests arriving in port at least a day in advance (if not several days ahead of time). This will eliminate the risk of missing your ship's departure time and help you get acclimated to the local time zone.
When taking road trips to out-of-the-way destinations, go old school and bring paper maps with you or download offline maps from Google. Using a paper map or an offline version means you always have a way to navigate around your chosen destination, even if you lose cellular service.
One other note, you should reserve airport parking ahead of time during peak travel times. Some airport parking areas fill up fast around holidays, so reserving your spot ahead of time will save you from wasting time looking for a space when you need to catch a flight. You can also sometimes save by booking online in advance, too.

Bottom line

Whether you're fresh to the world of traveling or a seasoned expert, you can always learn new tips to maximize your time away from home. The more research and preparation you do before your trip, the better your experience will be — especially if things go wrong, as they sometimes do.

Some of our favorite tools are deal alerts, Google Flights , sign-up bonuses and credit card rewards . Learn those tools and use them for better travel every time.

Remember that these days when things go wrong, you have to be your own best advocate. For more travel tips and tricks, read the stories below.

What is Costco Travel?

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website 'About' page.

Costco is a members-only wholesale company that opened its first warehouse in 1983. Their popularity snowballed from there.

Costco was the first company to reach $3 billion in sales in its first six years. In 2000, they branched out and created Costco Travel .

The funny thing is that to this day, many people still don’t know Costco also sells travel packages! These packages can include flights, hotels, cruises, cars, and more.

They work with an individual tour company to sell you the same travel packages as the tour companies but with added benefits.

How Does Costco Travel Work?

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website page with instructions on creating an account.

You’ll have to become a member to get a Costco Travel package. There are two levels of membership that both allow you to take advantage of these Costco Travel deals.

The basic “Gold Star” annual membership costs $60. With this level, you’ll be able to receive the unique Costco offers at their warehouses and online.

The “Executive” membership costs $120. As an executive member, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the Gold Star membership and extra perks such as:

Exclusive deals and benefits on Costco services
2% cash back on Costco and Costco Travel purchases

Both membership levels are great deals and help you save money.

Search for a Travel Package

Start by clicking the travel service you’re looking for on the Costco Travel website. To find a vacation package from there, enter your destination, region, and dates.

You can adjust the dates in each city for your Costco Travel vacation packages. It’s possible to add flights, but many Costco members book flights separately.

There’s also no separate search engine for booking flights. You can get a better price and have more control over which flight you take by doing it yourself.

I suggest creating a Costco Travel account to manage your vacation packages, rental cars, and hotel rooms.

Costco Travel Review: My Experience With Using Costco Travel

A view over an man's shoulder as he types on a keyboard in front of a monitor displaying the Costco Travel website sitting on a white desk.

Costco Travel Vacation Packages

One of the biggest perks of these travel packages is the convenience of booking your vacation through Costco. I used Costco Travel on one of my recent trips to Costa Rica.

The package I purchased was around $6,000 for two weeks at a resort, which is a reasonable price.

While searching, you’ll notice that each of the vacation packages provides a list of benefits.

Some resorts give you breakfast for free and food credits per day. Others won’t include any food at all. Pay close attention–it’s frustrating when you expect everything to be paid, but it’s not.

Costco Travel doesn’t automatically include airport transportation either. When clicking through, you have to choose from multiple transportation options.

Executive members can use their 2% cashback reward on any vacation package.

Costco Flights

I like to book directly when purchasing a flight. However, Costco Travel airline tickets don’t exist for purchase separately. These flights always come as part of a package.

You can choose from a few options under the packages section that come with a flight: flight + hotel, flight + hotel + car, and the total vacation package.

Even if you have trip insurance, that won’t help with flight issues. If a problem arises, they’ll send you to the airline instead.

Costco Hotels

When booking a hotel room through Costco Travel, you should know a few things.

If you’re looking for a hotel in certain cities, you’ll need a Costco membership to see the total price.

Some popular cities worldwide aren’t available on Costco Travel, so you’ll only see travel packages without hotels for those cities.

To book a hotel for New York City, for instance, you’ll have to book the hotel directly.

Costco Rental Cars

Costco Travel has an easy interface for booking a rental car. However, they show only a select few car rental companies.

When I was looking for car rentals in Italy, I got only four different car rental companies to choose from. Those were Alamo, AVIS, Budget, and Enterprise.

Car rentals can be expensive, so I suggest comparing prices with other companies before purchasing from Costco Travel.

Costco Travel Cruises

Costco Travel offers its Costco members the ability to purchase a cruise through their easy-to-use search engine. Most other travel booking sites don’t provide this feature.

You can choose the destination you want and even a specific cruise line. There are also options to look specifically for Alaskan cruises only.

Depending on how many days you choose for your cruise, several different options will appear. You’ll get the same Costco value when you’ve booked through Costco.

There will be many reviews for each route, and select cruises are up to 30% off. Below are the different cruise lines you can choose from (not including Alaska cruises):

Carnival
Celebrity Cruises
Disney Cruises
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Even with Costco Travel’s alleged 30% savings, the price still seems the same as booking directly.

Others are getting certain benefits like a Costco gift card and onboard credit. It’s worth booking through Costo Travel if you get these perks.

Other Deals Through Costco Travel

Theme parks & speciality vacations.

If you look further into the Costco site, you’ll find that they offer even more vacation packages.

These range from Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood resort packages to an African safari. Costco Travel has it all!

These packages aren’t cheap but are some of the most sought-after bucket list trips. You can choose from many adventures if you want a family-friendly experience.

Going on an African safari has been on my list for many years. Costco Travel has full trips planned for you already. It’s absolutely amazing–like having your own travel agent.

These guided vacations might not have lower prices, but having your trip booked through Costco Travel is more straightforward than other travel sites.

A pair of hands type on a keyboard sitting on a white desk in front of a monitor displaying a Costco Travel website page about Disneyland Resort.

Unique Deals

Costco Travel works with other travel agencies to get travel deals for its members. Executive members enjoy extra perks like free upgrades, food/spa credits, and more.

Costco Travel also offers upgraded Kirkland Signature vacations. It’s the same brand you know and love but with travel. Costco Travel offers deals on these trips for up to 20% off.

Kirkland Signature has featured deals that last only a short time. You can scroll through pre-built vacation packages with set dates.

These deals often offer other perks and services, making Kirkland Signature deals impressive ways to kick back and relax.

Cash Back on Purchases

As an executive member, you can enjoy up to 2% cash back on purchases through Costco and Costco Travel.

There’s also a credit card called “Costco Anywhere Visa,” which gives you 3% cash back. Having their credit card is helpful if you know you’ll purchase from Costco Travel often.

Different Payment Options

When using Costco booking, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a flexible payment option. You’ll only have to pay a small percentage (in comparison) upfront.

If you’re using Costco Travel booking services, you can also choose a payment plan to spread it out. Who doesn’t love a good payment plan?

A computer monitor on a white desk displaying the Costco Travel website landing page.

Membership is Necessary

To get Costco Travel exclusive deals, you must be a member.

This downside might not be a big deal to Costco members who pay the membership solely for Costco Wholesale. And, considering what you get from it, the membership cost isn’t that steep.

The extra price you’ll pay for a travel agent will cost you more. Plus, you don’t get the other services that Costco offers.

Hidden Extra Expenses

When I chose my vacation package to Costa Rica, I noticed that these resorts didn’t always offer free food and beverages. Instead, some gave you “credits.”

If you don’t read closely, you might think the food and drinks are free (especially given the prices).

I saw this less often when purchasing my Costco Hawaii package, but you should still keep an eye out.

Costco Travel Cancellation & Exchange Policy

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website Cancellation & Exchange Policy page.

Canceling your vacation package is easy. You can get a refund if you cancel within 48 hours of departure. Each scenario is different, though.

Log into your Costco Travel account. Click ‘bookings,’ then ‘upcoming,’ and ‘cancel.’ There, you’ll see your upcoming trip and how much you’re eligible for in return.

Costco Travel insurance can help if any unforeseen circumstances arise.

FAQs About Costco Travel

A close-up, angled shot of a computer screen displaying the "Helpful Tips and FAQs" page on the Costco Travel website.

Is Costco Travel the same as Costco?

Costco owns Costco Travel, but they are different business sectors. Costco Wholesale is what most people know Costco for, and Costco Travel is strictly for travel.

Can Costco save you money on flights?

Costco won’t save you money on flights, but you can get many of the same flights as you usually can find on other websites.

Looking for cheap flights? Read our detailed reviews of Hopper , Skiplagged , Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going) , SnapTravel , Dollar Flight Club , and Momondo .

How far in advance should I book Costco Travel?

When booking a travel package through Costco Travel, purchasing it between three and six months in advance is best.

Do you get two percent back on Costco Travel?

Purchases through Costco Travel are eligible for 2% cashback. This is a massive perk of an executive membership . Members receive up to $1,000 cashback.

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

You must be a Costco member to purchase vacation packages through Costco Travel. One of the downsides to Costco Travel is the entry barrier, but it’s worth the cost.

Conclusion: So, is Costco Travel worth it?

A view over an man's shoulder as he types on a keyboard in front of a monitor sitting on a white desk displaying the Costco Travel website.

Using Costco Travel discounts is a no-brainer if you’re already a Costco member. At the very least, it’s worth a search to see if they have any deals that you fancy.

Costco Travel is a good deal for those who love having someone plan everything for them and do it often.

Spending $6,000 a year on travel pays for the executive membership solely from the cash back.

Costco Travel isn’t great for budget travelers. It’s also not the best option for you if you don’t like a strict plan when traveling.

But, even so, there’s still some value in having Costco Travel car rentals.

A Costco membership alone is so valuable for most people that it’s worth factoring the travel perks into the equation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

The top travel review sites for tour operators

By Erick Tomaliwan

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This probably isn’t the first time the top travel review sites have come to mind. After two years of pandemic-induced travel pause, you might be curious about what guests seek when researching their next trip and where they’re looking.

Whether you’re an established or brand new experience provider, here are the review sites you should cultivate a presence that will help when requesting guest reviews.

And when it comes to the best travel review sites, not only do you need to get reviews, you need to sandwich the tasks that lead to guests leaving reviews altogether.

Why invest in travel review websites

Some of the best travel review websites rely on travelers sharing their perspectives to help determine tour business rankings.

To maximize your reach, it helps to know which sites to list your business, and thankfully, you only need to be active on a few to do well.

One important element to remember is that you do not have to be everywhere. Instead, you can focus your efforts on one or two review sites you enjoy using, you’ll be better off than spreading yourself thin.

It starts with knowing how to ask for customer feedback by email . And then, once a guest posts something — learn how to acknowledge it and what to say when leaving a reply to customer positive feedback and also, how to respond to a bad Google review .

Cultivating a strategy for asking for and managing reviews can go a long way in helping your business stand out to travelers and encourage them to book with you.

How to be strategic about reviews

When looking at where you might want to spend a bit of time, consider some of the more popular travel review sites.

For instance, Tripadvisor might attract a different audience than Google. Still, there’s no harm in being in multiple places to make it easier for those who might be looking for ideas and quick tidbits on what to expect.

Adding guest reviews directly onto your website and sharing them on social media helps prospective visitors learn what previous guests think of your business.

While out on tour or wrapping up an experience, mention to guests how helpful it is for them to share a review. Ask them to think about what stands out to them, how the guide makes the experience memorable and whether they would return again.

Being casual yet friendly and direct helps point guests in the right direction, takes some pressure off, and makes guests feel like their insight is appreciated and helpful.

Look for opportunities to become more inclusive

Make a point to ask families, older travelers and guests with mobility limitations for their feedback to learn whether your tour business did enough to make them feel taken care of.

With more travel options, if you have the capacity to invite more people to experience what you have to offer, try to. Plus, you’ll enjoy the benefit of opening up your tours and activities to new audiences.

What are the best travel review websites

Many travel review sites are geared toward people looking to book hotels, flights and vacation packages.

But, as a tour operator, you’ll want guests to leave reviews on sites that also work for your tour and activity business. Of course, it’s even better to focus on websites where you already have a travel business listing. Below are some of the top travel review sites for experience providers.

Google My Business

Google’s platform populates your tour business information when you appear in users’ search results.

Your listing will display your tour business address, phone number, hours of operation and reviews. This online search giant helps experience providers attract reservations from travelers searching for things to do nearby.

Higher ratings from reviews will increase the chances of people clicking through to your profile. Plus, the benefit for your guests is that they don’t need an account to share a review. Make sure you respond to good and bad reviews within a few days of receipt to gain momentum from Google.

Implementing a policy of a quick response time goes across the board for the top travel review sites. Ideally, if you have a few canned messages at the ready, you can tailor them to reflect a specific guest’s review and save yourself a ton of time in drafting each reply from scratch.

Tripadvisor

TripAdvisor touts itself to be the world’s largest travel site — while also being a top travel review website. It boasts 570 million reviews for 7.3+ million listings and attracts over 473 million unique monthly active users. Those are some big numbers!

When thinking about how to get more reviews on Tripadvisor , consider what guests are looking for when they head to the platform. First, images are helpful for guests to have a better sense of what something is like from a traveler’s perspective.

Detailed reviews help travelers decide where to stay, how to travel, activities to book and where to eat. Plus, it’s worthwhile to earn how to improve your TripAdvisor ranking and increase the chances of being seen by more prospective guests.

Since Tripadvisor ranks listings based on quantity, quality, and recency of reviews, it’s in your best interest to direct people to this platform shortly after their experience.

Contributors rate a business on a 5-star scale and can leave a detailed review. Then, fellow Tripadvisor users can vote whether a review was helpful.

How to Sign Up: Register your business here

Cost to Join: Free to sign up on Tripadvisor. Additional charges apply for a Viator listing , where guests can book through Tripadvisor.

Expedia Local Expert

Expedia is an online travel site where you can list your tours and activities. Guests search for activities, lodging, and vacation packages. Their site receives 90 million unique visitors and 1.2 billion monthly site page views.

Expedia verifies each review, and listings are filtered based on popularity. This factors into their 5-star rating system, impacting how listings are shown. Guests can also vote if they would recommend an experience to others.

How to Sign Up: Sign your business up here and explore their FAQ

Cost to Join: estimated costs vary depending on your business

A Facebook Business page lets you connect with travelers and increase your online sales.

It’s also another great place to collect reviews since users have the option to like your page, share with their friends and rate your business by saying “yes”, which they would recommend.

Previously, Facebook had a five-star rating system and prompted the reviewer to leave comments, but has adopted a recommend or not model since 2020. Use your page to increase your Facebook recommendations by making it a hub for traveler photos. Guests will be inclined to check the page once they get home and reminisce the memories they created— and hopefully share them with others.

How to Sign Up: Set up your business page here

Cost to Join: Free

Viator is another online travel agent and marketplace where travelers can book and rate tours, activities and other experiences. TripAdvisor recently purchased the OTA, which means it will gain access to their 350 million unique visitors per month.

Viator only allows verified users to leave reviews to ensure quality. Guests rate their experience on a 5-star scale and are encouraged to leave comments. Viator lists search results based on popularity.

How to Sign Up: Fill out Viator’s form and learn more here . Cost to Join: Signing up is free, and they charge a commission on successful sales.

Reviews on Online Travel Agent websites

While OTA’s may not be your typical review site, high ratings can increase your bookings if you sell tours, activities, experiences, etc. on their marketplace.

When deciding which travel review site is best, focus on platforms you already use to make it easier to integrate into your workflow. You can request and remind your guests to leave reviews. But ultimately, they will only post something on a site that’s easy to use and already in their wheelhouse.

And when it comes to asking for reviews, the best thing to do is make it incredibly simple for customers.

You’ll be hard-pressed to get guests to sign up for a new account just to leave a review of your tour business — and they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to share what makes you an amazing company.

Instead, focus on what benefits guests get from sharing reviews. If you can inspire guests to share their feedback because of the extra effort you put in, it’ll contribute to more positive booking experiences for future visitors.

And you can also remind travelers where to leave reviews by displaying platform icons on your website and including hyperlinks in your emails.

Final thoughts

While on tour, have guides mention how helpful it is for guests to share their experiences. We’re all busy, so the best time to request reviews is when what you’re asking about is still fresh in their minds.

People appreciate straightforward guidance. And if you can make it seem like they can give you something in exchange for a delightful experience, it’s a mutually beneficial ask that feels good on both sides.

Over time, you’ll build momentum, gain trust from prospective travelers and enjoy repeat guests. All while receiving reviews reinforcing why you do what you do as you continue to grow your tour business.

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I Got to Ride Disney's New Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Before It Opens — Here's My Honest Review

Dig a little deeper into the Magic Kingdom’s new ride with us.

preview for Magical Secrets You Didn’t Know About Disney Parks

Disney fans, hold on to your mouse ears! There’s a new attraction opening June 28 in Magic Kingdom. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure combines music, animatronics, a princess, a frog, and lots and lots of water that is the biggest reveal of the year. We got a special sneak peek, and if you’re a fan of Disney’s classic storytelling and immersive rides, this one is worth planning a special trip to see.

What did Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replace?

How much of princess and the frog is featured in the attraction, how wet do you get on the ride, where is the attraction located, what is tiana’s bayou adventure.

A log flume ride, but so much more, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure turns Disney’s Princess and the Frog animated film into a fully realized immersive world. The ride imagines Tiana and her namesake New Orleans restaurant a year after the movie ends. We arrive to find Tiana’s Palace restaurant and jazz club is in full swing and is getting ready to celebrate Mardi Gras.

The ride’s storyline revolves around Tiana, seen several times throughout the ride as a truly life-like animatronic, and the jazz-loving alligator Louis, finding musicians for the night’s big party.

To get started, you’ll step into a floating “log” and take off on a series of twists and turns, through gorgeously recreated bayou greenery with Cypress trees and dripping moss, gardens with okra and tomatoes (you can even watch it grow before your eyes!), loads of flowers, and woodland creatures, too. You’ll encounter Mama Odie (the 197-year-old voodoo priestess, voiced by Jennifer Lewis) who “shrinks” you down to frog size to meet the animatronic creatures — there are 19 new creatures that were created for the ride, including an armadillo, otter, and rabbit – that live in the bayou and are auditioning for the band.

To that end, you’ll hear a rollicking New Orleans soundtrack as you ride with songs from the 2009 movie (including “Dig a Little Deeper” and “Almost There”) and a fabulously fun new track (“Special Spice,” sung by Anika Noni Jones, the original voice of Tiana), too.

While most of the ride feels like a gentle lazy river, there are two short drops, one of which is in the dark; a few spots where water shoots over your head and around you;, and, one big adrenaline rush moment … a 50-foot drop that creates a big bayou splash.

But you don’t end on that note. Instead, the last scene is a full out musical Mardi Gras party, hosted by a bespangled Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

Disney fans will recognize this ride as the site of Splash Mountain, which originally opened in Walt Disney World in 1982. That ride’s basic structure — a long, slow log flume river ride that ends in a 50-foot splashing drop — is the heart of the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride. If you enjoyed the action of that classic, as well as the views of Cinderella Castle from the precipice, you’ll feel right at home here.

What’s been reimagined is the old theming, which was a throwback to a 1946 vintage Disney film that the company no longer distributes or makes available because of its racist themes, Song of the South .

If you’re a fan of Princess and the Frog, you are going to love this attraction. First, there’s a slew of fabulous Tiana memorabilia. In the queue, you’ll see news clippings about Tiana’s Palace’s success, as well as family photos (including many with Tiana and her father), and even Tiana’s test kitchen where she tinkers with recipes for her famed gumbo and beignets.

Once you make your way into the ride’s “logs” to float down the bayou, even more of the movie comes to life through video, animatronics, and clever details. You’ll see Tiana, Louis, and Mama Odie throughout the ride, and Prince Naveen and Tiana’s friend Charlotte La Bouff make appearances, too. There are also lots and lots of fireflies illuminating the darkened bayou skies.

According to Disney’s Imagineers, they worked hard to both bring the movie to life and to keep the authentic feeling of New Orleans, all while appealing to all five senses. So you can smell beignets cooking, feel the mist from the swamp and see true-to-life audio animatronics of Tiana at several points during the ride, along with an even larger-than-life Louis, and there are some truly noteworthy character costumes on the ride, too (don’t miss Tiana’s stunning beaded Mardi Gras dress).

tiana bayou adventure disney world mama odie

Okay, we can’t lie: You will likely get wet on this water ride. From our own observations, we can attest that the first and last rows get the brunt of the splashback. The third row supposedly gets the least splash, but there is water that cascades around the scenery, plus some that shoots over the boats (and may hit you). And of course, the 50-foot plunge creates a big splash. We rode in the second row (each log car has four rows of seats) and got pretty soaked.

In fact, we think Tiana’s is extra, let’s say “splashy,” compared to Splash Mountain, but that may be related to the new ride’s higher water levels, which may start to dissipate as the attraction gets more riders.

disney world tiana bayou adventure log flume

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is located at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park in Orlando. After entering the Magic Kingdom, turn left to and follow signs to the Liberty Adventure section of the park. The ride is next to Big Thunder Mountain, an easy to spot roller coaster.

How long is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

If this sounds like a long ride, it is. Without the queue, it’s around a 9-minute journey.

What ages is it best for?

You must be at least 40 inches to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but there is no age restriction for the ride. There is nothing overtly scary on the ride, but be aware that there are some dark spaces and one very large drop.

Can you get beignets?

You can’t have Tiana’s Palace without some traditional New Orleans food! First, in the gift shop, you’ll find special seasoning from Dooky Chase’s, the family restaurant of Leah Chase, whose story was the inspiration for Tiana’s culinary journey. This is the only spot outside New Orleans where you can purchase these, so be sure to grab some gumbo or fried chicken seasonings after you ride.

How to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

It will probably not come as a surprise that this ride is expected to be very popular. Disney will be using a virtual queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which means you will not be able to simply arrive at the ride and wait in line. There will be two opportunities to join the queue each day — once at 7:00 AM and another at 1:00 PM. You do not need to physically be in Magic Kingdom to join the 7:00 AM queue, but you do need to have a Magic Kingdom reservation. You must be physically in the park to join the 1:00 one. You also need to use the My Disney Experience app to access these queues. The spots fill up quickly, so you'll want to log on to join at those exact times. Once you do, you'll get a callback time to join the physical line.

When does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure open?

The ride opens to the public June 28, 2024, however Walt Disney World annual passholders have earlier access to the ride on June 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 20.

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Raffles London at The OWO review: a quintessentially British stay

This heritage building has been given a twist as a luxury hotel in the nation's capital

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If you've walked from Big Ben to Trafalgar Square, or meandered from St James's Park to the Thames, the chances are you've seen – and admired – the Old War Office. The turreted, dove-grey building is one of the jewels of Whitehall, completed in 1906 to house Britain's imperial military machine.

For much of the 20th century, its offices were inhabited by Britain's leading politicians, from Lord Kitchener to David Lloyd George, along with their armies of staffers, cooks and typists.

For a time it was the workplace of T.E. Lawrence, later Lawrence of Arabia. In 1914, he lamented to a friend that the grand marble staircase at the heart of the building was allowed to be used by "field marshals and charwomen" alone.

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A century later, in 2016, the Ministry of Defence sold the building for a reported £350 million; and last year, after extensive but historically sensitive renovations, it opened as a five-star hotel, Raffles London at The OWO.

From the street, The OWO looks much as it has since it was constructed but, inside, a transformation has taken place. Two new floors have been built, as have three new basement levels to make room for a ballroom, a swimming pool, an underground car park and more. Thousands of square metres have been added to the building's already considerable acreage, taking its total footprint to some 76,000 square metres.

The result is easily the most major hotel to have opened in the capital in a generation.

Why stay here?

London isn't short of ultra-high-end hotels, but Raffles London at The OWO distinguishes itself from its peers in several ways. Its location couldn't be better: situated opposite Horse Guards Parade, it is ideally placed for visitors wishing to walk around the capital, or needing a central place to stay while doing business.

The hotel also has a tangible sense of place. You couldn't wake up in one of its rooms thinking you were in any major world city: it feels deeply English. The interiors, which were overseen by the feted designer Thierry Despont, skilfully marry old and new, allowing visitors to appreciate the old-world aesthetics of wood panelling and other original features, while enjoying high-tech loos, vast, comfortable beds and generously sized marble bathrooms.

The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, as willing to suggest childcare options as they are to come up with last-minute wardrobe help (during my stay, my dress's zip broke; within five minutes, room service had sent up a bag of safety pins). There are also a serious number of them: the ratio of staff to guest room is an astonishing 3:1.

Rooms and suites

There are 120 rooms and suites to choose from, none of which are the same, and none of which come cheap. Prices start at about £1,100 per room plus service and tax (and may not include breakfast, so look out for that).

Many of the grandest suites are named after the great figures that worked in them: the Haldane, for instance, was occupied by successive Secretaries of State for War; while the Churchill Suite was originally the army council room, where critical decisions were made during the Second World War. There are also 85 residences – privately owned apartments with access to the hotel amenities.

Eating and drinking

The OWO has nine restaurants and bars, including a rooftop restaurant with views over St James's Park. If you don't want to order room service for breakfast, it can be taken in a light-filled atrium where the buffet options are superb (the almond croissants are particularly good) and the menu options even better.

Acclaimed chef Mauro Colagreco is in charge of three of the nine restaurants, which include Mauro's Table, a private dining room with views over Whitehall. A pre-dinner drink at the Spy Bar, the hotel's "speakeasy", is a must, and gratifyingly hard to find.

Other things to see and do

The spa is a big draw. Situated far beneath the ground floor, extending over four floors and designed by Goddard Littlefair, it features the usual steam rooms and saunas, and a large pool in a hall that is surprisingly tall for a room so deep underground.

For those fussy about lighting, the spa – and in fact the rest of the hotel – knocks it out of the park: the lighting is warm and not abrasive; subtly different according to each space's requirements, but always exactly right.

Look out for the hotel's remarkable collection of art, too: there's a six-metre high sculpture by Saad Qureshi and an oil painting, "Naval Officers of World War I", by Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope, on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, among other works.

The verdict

What the impressive statistics of The OWO don't capture is the hotel's style and grown-up charm.

Notable too are the warmth of its staff, and the intelligence with which this most storied of buildings has been coaxed into the 21st century, making this a truly unforgettable stay.

Leaf Arbuthnot was a guest at Raffles London at The OWO, Old War Office Building, 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX; raffles.com/london

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NDP MP who's rarely on Parliament Hill billed taxpayers for travel with family over Christmas

Niki ashton billed taxpayers for $17k trip to meet 'stakeholders' over the christmas break.

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An NDP MP who frequently joins parliamentary proceedings remotely from her riding billed the House of Commons for a trip she took to reportedly meet with "stakeholders" over the Christmas holidays in Quebec — travel that included bringing her husband and kids along at taxpayers' expense.

Parliamentary travel records indicate NDP MP Niki Ashton was only in Ottawa on one occasion for four days during the fall 2022 sitting.

But on Dec. 21 of that year, Ashton flew from Thompson, Man. to Ottawa — five days after the House of Commons had already risen for its Christmas break.

Ashton's partner Bruce Moncur, a former NDP nomination candidate, and their two children also made the trip with the MP to the nation's capital.

Then, on Christmas Day, 2022, the family of four travelled to Quebec City. Ashton billed the Commons for some of the expenses they incurred along the way.

Social media posts show Moncur and the children took in some of Quebec City's winter attractions, including an ice slide and snow tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier outside the city centre.

Ashton is also seen in those posts skating with her children and visiting the city's German Christmas Market.

In an Instagram post, Ashton thanked "progressive activists" for sharing their "inspiring work."

Loophole leaves taxpayers picking up tab for MP travel
House of Commons committee should close loophole on MPs' travel, Liberal MP says

The trip cost taxpayers $17,641.12, including $13,619.90 for airfare and other transportation, $2,508.39 for accommodations and $1,512.83 for meals and other incidentals, according to Commons records.

Ashton justified billing taxpayers for the trip by claiming she was going to the provincial capital to "attend meetings with stakeholders about business of the House" over the holidays, according to House of Commons travel records.

Ashton's office referred inquiries about the travel to a party spokesperson.

Reached by phone Wednesday, an NDP spokesperson said Ashton was in Quebec City "to discuss language priorities" because she's the party's critic for official languages and needed to "find out things she needs to prioritize."

Ashton also "met with a union person," the spokesperson said.

On Dec. 30, 2022, Ashton, Moncur and their children then travelled to Montreal. Ashton again cited "meetings with stakeholders" as the reason for claiming expenses.

The NDP spokesperson said Ashton was again engaging with people about "linguistic issues" while in the province's biggest city.

The family returned to Ottawa on New Year's Eve before flying home to Thompson early in the new year.

NDP MP Niki Ashton pressed on family Christmas trip on taxpayer dime

At a press conference on another matter on Thursday, Ashton was asked repeatedly who she met with while in Quebec.

Ashton would only say that it was "various people" who are "connected to the issue of French language, French culture preservation." She said she wanted to get feedback on an overhaul of the Official Languages Act from unnamed groups.

Asked if she regretted the Christmas season trip, Ashton said the travel was approved by Commons administration and her job involves "travel and meeting with stakeholders, engaging with stakeholders."

NDP MP Niki Ashton justified billing taxpayers for a Christmastime trip to Quebec by claiming she was going to Quebec's capital to "attend meetings with stakeholders about business of the House" over the holidays

The NDP spokesperson said Ashton "paid out of pocket" for some additional expenses incurred on statutory holidays like Christmas Day.

The spokesperson added that some of the trip expenses were related to the family staying at a hotel while in Ottawa — and not at her second residence in the city — because her apartment was being treated for bed bugs.

The spokesperson said Ashton is in Ottawa less often than some of her colleagues because she's the mother of two young children and participating virtually — which is permissible under the rules — is a better fit for her schedule.

In a media statement sent to CBC News, Alana Cahill, the party's director of communications, said Ashton is "a strong representative for the people of northern Manitoba" who "sometimes travels to other parts of the country in order to meet with experts and advocates on the infrastructure challenges facing northern, rural communities and for work related to her critic portfolios."

"House of Commons rules allow members of Parliament to travel for parliamentary business. Niki followed all the rules and the House of Commons approved her travel expenses," Cahill added.

'It smells really fishy' - CTF director

Franco Terrazzano is the federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a group that advocates for lower taxes and more accountable government. He said Ashton's travel "looks really bad and it smells really fishy."

"If Ashton doesn't want Canadians to think that she billed taxpayers so she could take a vacation to Quebec over the holidays, then she better have a very good explanation, a very concrete explanation as to what value, if any, taxpayers actually got from this trip," Terrazzano told CBC News.

He said "ordinary Canadians" are struggling with the cost of living and they get frustrated seeing MPs charge for substantial travel expenses.

"Did taxpayers get more than $17,000 in value out of this trip? Maybe she could have saved taxpayers a whole bunch of money by picking up the phone instead — especially if Ashton is already Zooming into the parliamentary procedures," he said.

Terrazzano said there needs to be greater oversight of MP travel expenses and he's calling for some sort of "review" of what's allowable under the rules to prevent abuse.

Nearly $10,000 for a trip to Windsor

On another trip in May 2023, Ashton travelled — again with Moncur and her kids — to Windsor, Ont. where Moncur grew up and went to school and university.

The six-day trip to Windsor happened as Ashton was travelling infrequently to Ottawa for parliamentary proceedings.

Travel records suggest she was physically in the nation's capital for fewer than 30 days — including some weekends — over the first six months of 2023.

The Commons sat for 70 weekdays over the same time period.

Unlike senators, MPs can participate in debate and committee meetings virtually under pandemic-era rules that were made permanent in 2023.

The Windsor trip cost taxpayers $9,748.03 — all of it for airfare. Ashton did not charge for any accommodations or incidentals.

NDP MP Niki Ashton addresses the media at a national caucus strategy session on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 in Saskatoon. Ashton is refusing to categorically state whether she wants Tom Mulcair to stay on as party leader.

Ashton flew there to "attend meetings about constituency issues," according to the Commons travel records.

The NDP spokesperson said Ashton was in Windsor to meet with people associated with a "soccer recreation centre," to learn about "federal funding to create some soccer opportunities in northern Manitoba for Indigenous folks."

Ashton has in the past encouraged the federal government and FIFA, soccer's governing body, to invest more money so that more Indigenous youth can play the game.

While in Windsor, Ashton also travelled across the border to Detroit to meet with Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Talib, the NDP spokesperson said.

Rules allow MPs to take family on some official trips

The Commons' travel system allocates a certain number of points to an MP each year for travel.

But each trip must have "a specific purpose of travel and be for the purpose of the fulfilment of the Member's parliamentary functions," the Commons rules say.

The rules loosely define "parliamentary functions" as activities "relating to the proceedings and work of the House of Commons and activities undertaken in representing his or her constituency or constituents."

The rules do stipulate that "parliamentary functions" do not include "activities related to the private interests of a member or a member's immediate family."

The points can be used by a member to travel between Ottawa and their constituency, for travel within their constituency and for travel from Ottawa or the constituency to their provincial or territorial capital.

Some of the points can also be used for what the Commons calls "special trips" — other trips within Canada.

An MP can allocate some of their points to cover the travel costs of a "designated traveller" chosen by them — typically a spouse. An MP's dependents are also eligible to have some of their travel covered.

The rules stipulate that designated travellers and dependents can use points to "reunite" with an MP at their Ottawa residence or "at another location where the member is carrying out parliamentary functions."

Under the rules, MPs, designated travellers and dependents can travel in business class if the flight is more than two hours long.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in Grottaglie, Italy on Wednesday, June 12, to attend the G7 Summit. Trudeau has been roundly criticized for his use of taxpayers' funds for personal travel.

Terrazzano said MPs should think "about what their constituents would say" before taking big-ticket trips. He also said the Commons should consider tightening the rules on when MPs can be accompanied by their families on subsidized trips.

Asked about Ashton's expenses, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said MPs have to follow strict rules in submitting their expenses to the House of Commons.

"I expect all my MPs and all MPs in the House to follow those rules and submit claims," Singh told reporters on Thursday. "Those claims were submitted and approved."

Last month, CBC News reported on a loophole in the rules that allows MPs and senators to charge Parliament for travel to party conventions.

Under the Commons rules, MPs can claim expenses related to national caucus meetings, which are considered part of their parliamentary duties.

Conservative MPs billed the House of Commons $426,283 to attend a caucus meeting associated with the party's policy convention in Quebec City in September 2023, including $331,699 for travel, $71,408 for accommodations and $21,053 for meals and incidentals.

NDP MPs also billed Parliament $83,087 to send MPs and a dozen of their employees to a caucus meeting associated with the party's convention in Hamilton in October 2023, according to a CBC News review of travel claims.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau routinely faces criticism over his travel.

Trudeau's 10-day vacation with his family at Prospect Estate near Ocho Rios in Jamaica cost taxpayers $230,442. Most of that was for security-related costs, which MPs don't have.