Running a great property is one thing. Getting the bookings and then ratings to prove it is another. I owned and ran a top-rated backpacker hostel and learned pretty quickly that your ability to host is just the first hurdle. Getting guests in and the rating systems after is not as straightforward as they look. The more reviews you collect, the harder it gets to hold your score. A guest leaving 4 out of 5 sounds positive, but it could be quietly pulling you down.