Hotel Review Request SMS Template
The checkout moment is peak satisfaction for hotel guests — the stay is complete, the experience is still vivid, and they're about to head somewhere new. An SMS sent within 30–60 minutes of checkout catches guests while they're still thinking about you. For hotels, this is the most effective review generation timing because guests are in transit (on their phone) and the memory is fresh. This template is written for that precise moment.
THE TEMPLATE
Ready to Copy
Copy, customize, and use it as-is — or make it your own.
Hi [GUEST NAME], thank you for staying with us at [HOTEL NAME]! We hope you enjoyed your stay. If you have a moment, a quick review would mean a lot to the team: [REVIEW LINK]. Safe travels! — [YOUR NAME], [HOTEL NAME]
TEMPLATE VARIATIONS
More Ways to Use It
Same structure, different tone. Pick the one that fits the situation.
Version 1 — TripAdvisor focused (primary for hotels)
Hi [GUEST NAME], thank you for choosing [HOTEL NAME]! We hope your stay was a great one. A quick TripAdvisor review would mean a lot to our team: [TRIPADVISOR LINK]. Safe travels! — [HOTEL NAME]
Version 2 — Google review (for Google Hotels visibility)
Hi [GUEST NAME], it was a pleasure having you at [HOTEL NAME]. If you enjoyed your stay, a quick Google review would really help future guests find us: [GOOGLE LINK]. Hope to welcome you back soon!
Version 3 — With private feedback option (recommended)
Hi [GUEST NAME], thank you for staying with us. Hope everything was great! If so, a quick review would mean a lot: [LINK]. If anything wasn't right, reply here and we'll address it straight away. — [HOTEL NAME]
WHEN TO USE
Send within 30–60 minutes of checkout — before the guest boards their flight or starts their drive home. Trigger from your PMS (Property Management System) at the checkout event. For properties on Booking.com, Expedia, or other OTAs, your primary review target should still be TripAdvisor or Google for organic discovery value — OTA reviews stay on the OTA platform, not in broader search results.
CUSTOMIZATION TIPS
Use the guest's first name — hotel SMS that starts with "Hi [GUEST NAME]" feels personal; a message starting with "Dear Guest" reads as automated and converts at significantly lower rates.
Sign with a human name (GM or front desk manager) rather than just the hotel brand — it mirrors the personal service experience and makes the ask feel one-to-one rather than mass marketing.
Version 3 (with private feedback option) is worth using for any stay where you're not 100% sure the guest's experience was perfect — it intercepts unhappy guests before they write a TripAdvisor review.
GDPR/CCPA note: SMS for post-stay follow-up requires explicit consent at booking. Ensure your booking process or pre-arrival communication includes an SMS opt-in.
Should hotels ask for reviews on TripAdvisor or Google first?
TripAdvisor for leisure-heavy properties (where travelers actively use it for research). Google for business travel or urban properties (where guests often search via Google Maps). If you're strong on TripAdvisor already, build Google as a second platform. If you're on Google Hotels, Google is the higher-value target because reviews appear directly in the hotel booking panel at the decision moment.
What's the response rate for hotel checkout SMS review requests?
Well-personalised hotel SMS sent within an hour of checkout typically achieves 20–35% review completion rates. Compared to post-stay email (5–12%), SMS converts 3–4x better. The combination — SMS immediately at checkout plus follow-up email 24 hours later for non-responders — maximises total review volume.
Can hotels ask Booking.com and TripAdvisor guests for reviews via SMS?
You can ask for reviews on any platform regardless of how the guest booked. However, Booking.com guests will receive an automatic Booking.com review invitation — so for OTA bookers, Google or TripAdvisor is a better SMS target (adding a review you wouldn't otherwise get). Direct bookers should be targeted for whichever platform matters most to your acquisition strategy.
