What are reviews for?

Thanks everyone for an interesting variety of replies. If it makes just one person think again then maybe the thread will have been worthwhile. 

The review I was referring to in my OP was the one about Pembrey - I haven't looked yet this morning but as I said last night there were 20 posts with only those opening few words saying anything about the site itself!

Edit - interestingly, unless I'm missing something, that review and all the follow up seems to have been removed! 

I think some people need guidance about how to write something that is included in the review section. I have no problem with anyone writing a negative review, but it still needs to be honest and balanced. A few sentences griping about one topic, no matter what that topic is, does not constitute a site review. A bit more detail about aspects as they currently are, tidiness, size of pitches, ease of arrival, how/where to pay, places of local interest, public transport links, whether it’s noisy or peaceful etc.... are all useful information to be included.

Different review sites do seem to have different attitudes to reviews. Some places such as UKcampsites,Trip Advisor need to be taken with a large degree of interpretation as they have such a massive review base, folks coming at places from all sorts of backgrounds and expectations. Club reviewers are a different thing, their expectations tend to be based upon what they know and expect from the Club. This is why I am very wary of any CL review that starts with “This is our first time on a CL.......”  Some members expect CLs to be like mini Club Sites and occasionally get upset if those expectations are not met. That’s not the fault of the CL, that’s the Member not understanding the nature of CLs.

 

Well of course that's true, David, but not really the point I was trying to make. I'm quite relaxed about seeing - how can I put it? - positive-negative reviews - i.e. reviews mentioning factual deficiencies which can actually be addressed. But the review I had in mind, as with others lately, was a non review; it said nothing about the site itself.

I think some people need guidance about how to write something that is included in the review section

I think that telling folk what to report on in a review removes their possible value. If a reviewer has something to say then let them say it. 

But isn’t that the very thing we are debating here?  I wasn't thinking of giving formal lists of things to include, but more on the lines of “what was good about this site? What might be improved? What made your stay easy or difficult?” Help folks think a bit more about what they put.

I work on the basis that reviewers fall into two main categories. Those who post a review to aid future visitors, those who have an axe to grind. In between are lots of folks who decide to do a review, but have either never done it before or might find it daunting. The latent teacher in me wants to give positive encouragement to first timers and budding serial reviewers. 😁

 

 

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I don't think anyone is suggesting anything as draconian as that Alan. But some "reviews" I've read recently which say nothing factual about the site are,  frankly, in my view, a waste of time for both the writer (other than just letting off steam) and the reader.

Let me give an example - frequently on reviews of Lady Margaret's Park there are comments such as "water pressure in the showers was awful" or "no TV reception on pitches in a particular area". Now these are factual,  could be addressed by the club and useful for anyone considering visiting the site. Whereas "a dog was allowed to defecate on a grass pitch" or "our neighbours sat in the awning drinking till midnight" serve little purpose after the event, IMHO.

I'm not sure how many reviews of club sites you read, David, given you rarely stay on them. Yes, that last sentence is factual and useful for future visitors; exactly the point I'm making in fact. Axe grinding, in my view, is of little use.

I don’t think your example comes under ‘axe to grind’ AD. Factual information that could marr an otherwise nice stay. Would want to know noise levels and if any smells though. Silent dogs don’t bother me, but the baying of hounds would be akin to a howling baby. One is less likely to be my neighbour (the baby) whilst the dogs are likely to be permanent residents. Therefore, I would mention the kennels, but ignore mention of the baby.😀

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