Want to know one of the weirder ways that I use my background in Global Studies (see: culture and politics) to travel like a pro?
Videos by TravelAwaits
I look for what people from the most direct, no-holds-barred countries have to say about a destination. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either; some cultures are very up-front about their experience because it isn’t considered rude to say how they feel, even if it’s a little harsh by American standards.
Do you have any guesses as to which nationalities land high on the list of brutal honesty?
While some regions of the US have a reputation for being direct, like New England, that’s hardly the case across the board. And while we’re stereotyped globally for being loud, volume has little to do with honesty.
If you thought about the Dutch and the Germans, well done. Along with Scandinavians, the Dutch and Germans are regarded as some of the most direct and honest people in the world. And you can use that fact to help you nail the perfect vacation.
Here’s how to pick a perfect rental (or hotel, or even tour) using a simple review hack: Filter through the German and Dutch reviews. Then, if you still have questions, offload to the Scandis.
The basics of reading travel reviews
Before I dive into how to filter for reviews from Dutch and German travelers, here’s a very quick rundown of how you should be reading and rating reviews from sites like Airbnb.
- Be wary of sensationalist reviews that either love or hate the rental. You can and should read through them, but don’t be swayed by an emotional rating in either direction.
- If you see a negative review about an issue, double-check that the host responded and fixed the problem, or that the problem is addressed in the profile. In other words, if someone was unhappy about the broken AC, check that it’s been fixed.
- Look for reviewers who are like you. Always favor reviews from fellow solo travelers, couples, etc. This is important to me if I’m traveling with my pup, too. I want to know what other dog people felt about the stay, like how walkable the area is.
- Prioritize recent reviews. This can go either way. You might see a guest favorite, a five-star rental with 600 reviews, but the last 20 or so are all one-star reviews. Don’t write that off. Similarly, a rental with rave reviews from recent guests is a great sign that positive changes have been made.
- Use the keyword search in your browser to identify buzzwords that matter to you. For me, that’s noise, but it’s different for everyone.
How to start decoding travel reviews using the Dutch and German hack
Now that you know the basics of finding a great private rental using reviews, here’s my latest pro tip: If you can see a person’s nationality, always prioritize reviews from German travelers, Dutch travelers, and Scandinavian travelers.
They have a reputation for offering dry, fair insights into their stay. If they didn’t like something or weren’t impressed, they’ll mention it without being overly negative. If they appreciated something extra, they’ll also note that—without being overly positive, as well.
There’s just one catch. Previously, companies like Airbnb and Booking would list out all of their most recent reviews in whatever language they were written in. However, most booking platforms now automatically translate those reviews into your preferred language.
You need to search to find those reviews originally written in German or Dutch. You can do this by using a VPN set to the Netherlands or Germany, which will then filter reviews from Dutch and German renters and list them first.
I know – it’s a little involved, especially if you just want to check the reviews before hitting book. However, if you’re on the fence about whether to book a place, it’s probably worth it to dig a little more to find them, especially if the rental would usually be out of your price range.
