Isle of Skye restauranteur blasts 'hissy fit' Tripadvisor reviewer

Isle of Skye restauranteur blasts ‘hissy fit’ Tripadvisor reviewer who left a two-star write-up – just because they couldn’t book a table

• Two-star review blasted the Isle of Skye eatery just because it was fully booked
• READ MORE: Somerset pub owner hits back at ‘unjustified’ negative review

The owner of a Scottish restaurant has hit back at bad TripAdvisor review which criticised the eatery and gave it a low rating – because it was fully booked.

According to the customer, they were ‘disappointed’ by The Ferry Inn on the Isle of Skye, despite the establishment’s average rating of five stars.

Taking to Tripadvisor to blast the eatery in a two-star write-up, the reviewer wrote: ‘Not particularly great experience, no availability for booking, nearest restaurant to where we are staying. Seems to be a lack of places to eat in Skye.

‘We are disappointed in local restaurants and their lack of availability for dinner bookings.

‘Thus restaurants was on our list to visit but sadly could not accommodate till well into June, July.’ 

The owner of the Ferry inn on the Isle of Skye (pictured) refused to take the unfair rating sitting down, and contacted Tripadvisor to challenge it

The reviewer left a two-star write-up for the eatery, despite not eating there, criticising it over the ‘lack of availability’ of tables

The Ferry Inn took to Twitter to blast the review, which they described as a ‘hissy fit’, saying it was ‘scary’ that people can leave bad reviews for places they haven’t been to.  

In a string of Tweets, they wrote: ‘Is this what it’s come to @Tripadvisor? 

‘What a dangerous precedent you’re setting for small hospitality businesses – an absolute hissy fit “review” because she couldn’t book a table at our fully booked restaurant and this is deemed a valid “experience” by yourselves?

‘So now anyone who can’t get a reservation with us is valid to leave us negative “reviews”? 

‘Scary stuff if this the road we’re going down because Skye is rammed until October. We book up months in advance.

‘We explain everything in detail on our website and social media & on our outside signage.

‘We have 4 tables a night, we’re a family of 4 running a small inn. We have no staff, we’re not running a mass operation. 

‘To have had this woman now write two reviews slamming us and the whole of Skye for her lack of forward planning is ludicrous. 

The eatery said it was ‘scary’ that people could leave negative reviews for places they had never even been too – pointing out that many of these establishments are small, family run businesses

‘The worst part of this? Susan is still on the Island, sat in a holiday cottage up the road, abusing us online whilst we’re flat out and we have to spend our time dealing with her utter nonsense? 

‘If only Susan had spent this much time and effort researching her trip and booking restaurants – then none of us would be in this position…#hospitality #tripadvisor #isleofskye #dontbelikesusan.’

In a later update, the Ferry Inn revealed that the review had been removed, though they were unsure whether it was the reviewer or Tripadvisor who had taken it down.

The restaurant received support for its position, with others replying to its tweet to share sympathy or reveal they had experienced similar situations.

Many Twitter users shared support for the eatery, saying it was unfair when people leave negative reviews for places they haven’t visited

One wrote: ‘We have operated a restaurant with rooms in fife for 9 years. In that time, we have had 12 terrible reviews. 6 of them are from the same person, under different names and even in a different country when on holiday. Even after we provided conclusive proof, they didn’t remove.’

Another added: ‘Wow, you have our every sympathy. We’re two people running a small hotel and restaurant on Knoydart and would be horrified if this happened to us. It’s so important for people to plan their visit to remote places, it’s not like a city.’

And a third concurred, saying: ‘We had a similar experience with a review on Google…. A one star review with the comment “Get more stock ” If only it was that easy! When you are busy, you are doing it properly – this bonkers type of review is misleading and unhelpful…’

Meanwhile, a sympathetic tweeter wrote: ‘I think that review just reflects badly on the reviewer (rather than the restaurant)….I would read it that obviously it’s a popular venue with customers so best to book ahead.’

And in a similar vein, another said: ‘On the plus side I’d read this and think wow it must be good to be booked that far in advance.’

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