What are reviews for?

moulesy replied on 08/07/2019 21:42

Posted on 08/07/2019 21:42

I like reading reviews of both club sites and CLs. I like to know what folk think of the sites, the surroundings, local places of interest, activities (even occasionally shopping opportunities!) and places to eat. For CLs it's also useful to know about any access difficulties or what facilities are available and their standard.

But just lately reviews, particularly of club sites seem to have become little more than an opportunity to air grievances. If it's not having a go at the wardens  (usually prefaced by comments like "we were only 50 minutes early", "my dog was only off the lead twice" , "I only just drove over the grass when reversing my van") it's complaints about barking dogs, loud TVs etc.

Today we have a review which now stretches to 20 posts and, apart from a reference to it being "a lovely site " in the opening sentence of the OP, there's not a single word about the site itself.

Is this what reviews should be? Are there not more appropriate means of taking up issues which have happened on one's visit? When I read reviews, even of club sites on, for example, UKcampsite these grievances aren't aired.

So my question is as in the title "what are reviews for"? What do others think?

redface replied on 09/07/2019 23:30

Posted on 09/07/2019 23:30

Rather oddly, I was looking in the current sites directory and handbook and noticed that most sites seemed to be rated 5 stars (except for Uttoxeter at 4 stars.)  Now I admit to being suspicious, but is this star system a really a valid measure?

I have not checked to see if the club admits to 1, 2, or three star sites.

replied on 10/07/2019 08:00

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:00

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

moulesy replied on 10/07/2019 08:12

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:12

I don't know which review you're referring to David (I'll look later) but their could be a very simple explanation. For example, we don't have children with us. So when we review a site we either give 1 or 0 for "family friendly" - if everything else is, in our opinion, 5 we would give it an overall 5.

Edit - found it - the review for Buxton - and the explanation is just as I thought.

SteveL replied on 10/07/2019 08:26

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:00 by

Just looked at a review entitled WOW . It had been awarded two fives and a three giving then an overall score of five. How does that work?undecided

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:26

It looks like 3 fives . The only one below that is good for families, which is shown as a 3, possibly due to the absence of a play area. A good review. I particularly like that it is realistic on the walk to town, which makes a pleasant change. Some times quoted on reviews, for local walks, are positively Olympian.๐Ÿ˜‚

moulesy replied on 10/07/2019 08:36

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:26 by SteveL

It looks like 3 fives . The only one below that is good for families, which is shown as a 3, possibly due to the absence of a play area. A good review. I particularly like that it is realistic on the walk to town, which makes a pleasant change. Some times quoted on reviews, for local walks, are positively Olympian.๐Ÿ˜‚

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:36

Yes, 5+5+5+3=18 and 18÷4=4.5, which rounded off to the nearest integer is 5. 

It's a year 7 lesson!  Ah, memories! laughing

replied on 10/07/2019 08:41

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:36 by moulesy

Yes, 5+5+5+3=18 and 18รท4=4.5, which rounded off to the nearest integer is 5. 

It's a year 7 lesson!  Ah, memories! laughing

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:41

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

replied on 10/07/2019 09:01

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:26 by SteveL

It looks like 3 fives . The only one below that is good for families, which is shown as a 3, possibly due to the absence of a play area. A good review. I particularly like that it is realistic on the walk to town, which makes a pleasant change. Some times quoted on reviews, for local walks, are positively Olympian.๐Ÿ˜‚

Posted on 10/07/2019 09:01

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Cornersteady replied on 10/07/2019 09:14

Posted on 10/07/2019 09:01 by

 No thoughts about the site Steve just curious how the rating was calculated, thinking an overall 5 would have need all 5s

Posted on 10/07/2019 09:14

I think it depends upon the review site itself and how they want to calculate the overall scores?

Are you thinking of going to Buxton as you were looking at it?

Cornersteady replied on 10/07/2019 09:16

Posted on 10/07/2019 08:36 by moulesy

Yes, 5+5+5+3=18 and 18รท4=4.5, which rounded off to the nearest integer is 5. 

It's a year 7 lesson!  Ah, memories! laughing

Posted on 10/07/2019 09:16

bit like the farmer who had 27 sheep in his field, but when he rounded them up he had 30.

Oneputt replied on 10/07/2019 09:18

Posted on 10/07/2019 09:18

Nothing wrong with the wow review it tells me what I need to know.  The vast majority of our trips are made without the grandtwins so rarely rate the children bit

Near Malvern Hills Club Campsite by Andrew Cole

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now
Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook