No, Booking.com doesn’t publish host-written reviews of guests; hosts can reply to guest reviews and report misconduct instead.
Hosts often expect a two-way review system like the one on some home-sharing sites. Booking.com works differently. Guests review their stays; partners can reply publicly to those guest comments and use internal tools to report rule-breaking or risky behavior. This setup still lets you protect your place, guide guest expectations, and signal professionalism on your property page—without posting public star ratings about individual travelers.
What You Can And Can’t Do On Booking.Com
Here’s a quick map of the controls available to property partners. Use these levers to keep standards high and steer the tone of your public page.
| Action | Available? | Where Or How |
|---|---|---|
| Post A Public Review Of A Guest | No | Not offered on Booking.com |
| Reply Publicly To A Guest’s Review | Yes | Extranet > Guest Reviews or Pulse app |
| Report Guest Misconduct | Yes | Extranet > Reservation > Report Misconduct |
| Block A Reported Guest From Booking Your Place | Yes | Via misconduct workflow when criteria fit |
| Ask For Removal Of A Guest Review | Sometimes | Request review removal if it meets policy grounds |
| See All Recent Reviews And Scores | Yes | Extranet > Guest Reviews (36-month view) |
Why There’s No Public Rating Of Individual Guests
Booking.com centers its public feedback on the stay experience at your place. Guests receive an email after checkout inviting them to rate the stay on a 1–10 scale and add comments. Your replies sit directly under those comments on your listing. That approach keeps the public conversation about your property, while guest-side accountability moves through internal policies and reporting channels.
Leaving A Guest Review On Booking.Com — Rules And Steps That Actually Apply
Since there’s no published “guest profile review,” your best path is to use the two tools Booking.com gives you: timely public replies and formal misconduct reports. The first shapes your brand; the second protects your place and future bookings.
Step 1: Respond Fast And Fair
A clear reply can turn a mixed review into a display of solid service. Keep it short, thank the traveler, acknowledge specifics, and explain fixes you’ve made. Readers scan for tone and action. When you’re calm and factual, you earn trust and often encourage balanced feedback in the next wave of stays.
Step 2: Report Misconduct When Lines Are Crossed
Use the misconduct path for breaches like property damage, safety risks, repeated house-rule violations, or abuse toward staff. Include reservation details, timestamps, photos or video, receipts for repairs, and any message-thread evidence. The case record helps Booking.com act and can help you block that traveler from booking your property again.
Step 3: Request Review Removal Only When It Fits Policy
Not every harsh comment qualifies. Push for removal only when a review falls into clear buckets such as irrelevant content, hate, threats, or clear proof the reviewer never reached your place. Be precise and include evidence; vague tickets rarely go anywhere.
Guest Review Mechanics: Timing, Scores, And Visibility
Here’s how the guest-side review flow works behind the scenes, so you can plan your outreach and set expectations at checkout.
Invite Window
Booking.com emails travelers after checkout inviting them to rate the stay. That invite arrives soon after departure, and the traveler gets a window of time to submit. Many partners remind guests, in a friendly way, within a day or two—polite nudges help raise response rates without sounding pushy.
Scoring Model
Guests select an overall 1–10 score and can add sub-ratings like cleanliness or staff. Newer reviews tend to influence your visible average more than older ones, so recent service wins matter. Aim your improvement work at the themes guests mention most often on your page.
Where Replies Appear
Your reply shows right under the traveler’s text on your public page. Keep replies readable on mobile by trimming long sentences, breaking points into short lines, and avoiding emojis or colloquialisms that can age badly.
Mid-Article References You Can Use
To align your workflow with Booking.com’s rules, read the official pages on the guest review process and conditions and the steps for reporting guest misconduct. If you need to challenge a post that breaks policy, use the channel for requesting review removal.
How To Reply To Reviews Without Making Things Worse
Replying is public relations. Aim for clear, short, and solution-forward. Avoid blame. Quote one concrete detail, mention a fix you’ve made, invite the traveler to message you privately for follow-up, and close on a courteous line. Readers reward humility and action.
Polite Templates You Can Adapt
When Cleanliness Gets A Low Score
“Thanks for sharing this. We’ve retrained our housekeeping on room checks and added a second inspection before check-in. We’re set to do better next time.”
When Noise Comes Up
“We’re sorry about the disturbance. We’ve posted quiet-time reminders on each floor and adjusted door closer settings to reduce corridor noise.”
When A Staff Interaction Misses The Mark
“We appreciate the candid note. We’ve coached the team member and updated our welcome script to keep check-in smooth and friendly.”
Evidence Playbook For Misconduct Reports
A strong file speeds action. Build it while memories are fresh.
- Photos Or Video: Timestamped and clear. Capture the room number and angle.
- Inventory Or Repair Bills: Show normal price, vendor, and date.
- Message Thread Excerpts: Stick to the parts that show the breach or refusal to comply.
- Incident Notes: Who, what, where, when. Keep sentences short and factual.
- Security Or Police Reference Numbers: If filed, add the case ID.
One Close Variant Question Answered: Reviewing A Guest On Booking.Com — What You Can Do
Many hosts search for ways to leave a star rating on a traveler’s profile. That feature isn’t part of Booking.com. The practical route is to craft superb public replies, push clear house rules before arrival, and use the misconduct path when safety or property care is at risk. This mix gives you guardrails while keeping your listing page focused on the stay itself.
Proactive Steps That Lift Your Score Over Time
Small, repeatable actions move the needle. Pick two or three from this list and repeat them every checkout.
- Checkout Cards: Place a small card at the desk that thanks the traveler and mentions the post-stay email.
- Micro-Fixes: Tighten wobbly chairs, replace dim bulbs, restock tea and coffee, and repair scuffed paint monthly.
- Room Readiness Photos: Snap a quick photo of each room after housekeeping—useful both for training and any later dispute.
- Message Timing: Send one short thank-you within 24 hours of departure with a polite note about the email invite.
- Spotlight Fixes In Replies: When a theme pops up, reply with the specific fix you rolled out. Readers like to see progress.
Edge Cases: What Counts As Misconduct Versus A Bad Fit
Not every rough stay is a breach. Save the report channel for clear rule breaks and risk. Use house-rule reminders and private messaging for softer issues.
| Scenario | Allowed Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Mess After Checkout | Reply Publicly; No Report | Address in your response and adjust cleaning checklists. |
| Broken Item Or Theft | Report Misconduct | Attach photos, receipts, and message history. |
| Abusive Language To Staff | Report Misconduct | Provide time, place, and any witness names. |
| Noise Complaint From Neighbors | Reply; Possibly Report | Report when warnings are ignored or rules breached. |
| No-Show With Costs | Mark As No-Show | Use the Extranet workflow within the allowed window. |
| Disputed Expectations (No Rule Breach) | Reply Publicly | Clarify amenities and adjust listing copy if needed. |
Comparison With Other Platforms
Airbnb and Vrbo run public two-way review systems. Booking.com places that energy on property-level feedback instead. Different models, same aim: give travelers signals they can trust while giving partners tools to manage risk. If your team operates across channels, align your house rules and checkout messaging so the experience and tone feel consistent.
House Rules That Reduce Negative Reviews
Most frictions start when guests miss a boundary. Tighten your pre-arrival flow and your in-stay reminders so travelers know what’s expected.
- Plain-Language Rules: Keep each line short and specific. No jargon.
- Quiet Hours: Name the hours and the reason (neighbor comfort or local ordinance).
- Smoking Policy: State where it’s banned, where the outdoor bin sits, and any fee.
- Visitor Limits: Clarify day guests, parties, and extra sleepers.
- Damage Process: Explain how to report an accident and the response you’ll take.
Message Scripts You Can Reuse
Pre-Arrival
“Thanks for booking. House rules are in the attachment and posted in the entry. Text us if anything’s unclear. We’re nearby and happy to help.”
Mid-Stay Check-In
“Hope check-in went smoothly. If you need extra towels or a late checkout, send a quick note. Quiet hours run 10 pm–7 am.”
Day-Of-Departure
“Safe travels today. If anything kept your stay from being perfect, message us so we can fix it for the next guest. You’ll get a short email to rate the visit.”
When To Push Back
There are moments to stand firm: safety risks, harassment, property damage, chargeback threats, or rule evasion. In those cases, pause messaging, gather evidence, and move the case into Booking.com’s channels. Keep replies to public reviews neutral and fact-based; never disclose personal details about the traveler.
Quick Checklist For Each Checkout
- Room Walkthrough: Photo each room after cleaning.
- Supplies Top-Up: Tea, coffee, soap, and spare bags.
- Maintenance Sweep: Lightbulbs, batteries, hinges, and filters.
- Thank-You Note: Short message within 24 hours.
- Pattern Log: Track repeated themes from reviews and fixes deployed.
Bottom Line For Hosts
You can’t post public ratings about travelers on Booking.com. You can shape the story guests see by replying with care, and you can protect your place through the misconduct process when conduct crosses a line. Work those two levers well and your review page will reflect it.