This article covers the full review workflow for Direct bookings, how guests leave reviews, how to encourage more of them, how to leave reviews for your guests, and how to troubleshoot issues with review requests.
How Guests Leave Reviews
Automated email after checkout. Hospitable sends a review request to the guest automatically
Guest Portal submission. Guests click the link in the email to leave their rating and written review
Messaging rules with
%guest_portal%. You can create an after check-out messaging rule that includes the guest portal link, giving guests a direct way to leave a review
Leaving Reviews for Guests
After checkout, you can leave a review for a guest from the Inbox thread.
Reviews are shared with other Hospitable hosts
Guests do not see these reviews
If a guest has previous reviews:
You will see whether they are recommended
If Instant Book is enabled:
Guests who are not recommended will not be auto-accepted
Customizing Review Requests
You can customize:
Message content
Timing
Conditions
Go to:
Messaging → Rules → Review Request Rule
Messaging Rules vs Review Rules
These are two separate features:
Review Request Messaging Rule — controls when and how guests are asked to leave a review (timing, message content, delivery channel)
Review Rules — control how you as a host respond to reviews, for example automatically posting a reply to positive reviews
Enabling one does not affect the other.
Sending multiple review requests
To send reminders at different intervals, create additional messaging rules — one per request. This lets you schedule follow-ups if a guest hasn’t reviewed yet.
Troubleshooting Review Requests
Why didn’t my guest receive a review request?
Check:
The review messaging rule is enabled
The guest has a valid email
The scheduled send time has passed
The guest has not already submitted a review
Common Questions
Can I manually send a review request?
No, review requests are automated only.
Can I reply to reviews?
No, replying is not currently supported.