Should You Ask Guests for Feedback at Your Getaway Destination?

Why it matters—and how to do it right.

If you run a campground, RV park, bed and breakfast, or any kind of getaway destination, you’ve probably had moments where you think guests are happy—but you’re not totally sure. Maybe they left a nice comment at check-out. Maybe they vanished without a word. Maybe they smiled, but you had a hunch something didn’t go quite right.

That’s where guest feedback comes in. When it’s done well, asking for feedback gives you a clear picture of what’s working, what isn’t, and what could be better. It also shows your guests that you care enough to ask.

But should you formally ask for it? And if so, what’s the best way to go about it?

Yes, You Should Ask—Here’s Why

1. Silence doesn’t mean satisfaction.Most guests won’t speak up unless they had an extreme experience—either very good or very bad. That leaves a lot of useful insight on the table.

2. It helps you catch problems early.A loose faucet, a confusing sign, or a glitchy Wi-Fi setup might be small issues, but they add up. You won’t know unless someone tells you.

3. Feedback builds credibility.If you ask for input, then make improvements based on it, you earn trust. That trust shows up in online reviews and repeat bookings.

4. It’s free marketing research.You don’t have to guess what people value most about your destination—they’ll tell you. That helps with everything from pricing to promotions.

The Best Way to Ask

The key is to make it easy, timely, and genuine. Here are a few practical tips:

1. Use a short survey after check-out

Send a quick email or text 1–2 days after guests leave. Tools like Google Forms, Jotform, or Typeform make this simple. Keep it brief—no more than 5 questions—and make sure it works well on mobile.

2. Ask in person—but casually

If you or your staff interact with guests during their stay, casually asking “How’s everything going for you so far?” can invite honest feedback without putting anyone on the spot. At checkout, a simple “We’d love to hear what you thought of your stay” is a good nudge.

3. Add a feedback card to cabins or sites

This can be a physical card or a QR code that links to a form. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just clear and friendly.

4. Encourage online reviews—but separately

Online reviews serve a different purpose. Use your feedback request to improve privately. Once someone shares positive feedback with you, then invite them to leave a public review.

What Should You Ask?

Keep your questions open-ended enough to get useful detail, but specific enough to guide the answers. Here are some examples:

• What did you enjoy most about your stay?

• Was there anything we could have done to improve your visit?

• How did you find out about us?

• Was the booking/check-in process smooth?

• Would you recommend us to others? Why or why not?

Optional: Add a star rating or scale (1–5) for things like cleanliness, staff friendliness, or amenities—but don’t overdo it.

Final Thoughts

Asking for guest feedback isn’t just a nice touch—it’s part of running a responsive, thoughtful business. Done right, it helps you improve your offering, stay ahead of problems, and keep your guests coming back.

So yes, ask for feedback. Keep it short, make it easy, and take it seriously. Your future guests will thank you.